# Chaya-Made Tortilla Chips Yax Chaya Tortilla Chips are Cooked in Avocado Oil By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2026-01-08 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yax-chaya-tortilla-chips References: [snackandbakery](https://www.snackandbakery.com/articles/114969-yax-snacks-debuts-chaya-tortilla-chips-at-pop-up-grocer) & [yaxsnacks](http://yaxsnacks.com/)  Yax Chaya Tortilla Chips have been announced by Yax Snacks as a [better-for-you alternative to traditional tortilla chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Everyday-Better-for-You-Chips) that makes use of a nutrient-dense ingredient: chaya. The use of chaya, often referred to as tree spinach, gives the tortilla chips a nutritious recipe and is paired with nixtamalized corn before being [cooked in avocado oil](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-oil-potato-chips). The snack will launch in five flavors including Garlic, Green Onion & Crema, Tangy Cheese, Sour Orange, Habanero & Sea Salt, Simply Yucatan Sea Salt and Charred Yucatan Chile & Spice. The snack will arrive at Pop Up Grocer on January 9, 2026. Co-Founder Nicki Schroeder spoke on the Yax Chaya Tortilla Chips saying, "I first tried chaya in Mérida—in a margarita—and then started seeing it everywhere. It’s used with eggs, in beverages, and in everyday Yucatecan cooking. That’s when the idea clicked: let’s turn it into a tortilla chip and bring it to more people. We took it from concept to shelf in about six months.” Image Credit: Yax Snacks ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.0/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 59% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Superfood Snacks:** The integration of nutrient-dense ingredients like chaya into everyday snacks represents a shift towards healthier consumer options. - **Exotic Flavor Profiles:** Global culinary influences are inspiring diverse and bold flavor combinations such as Habanero & Sea Salt and Sour Orange, redefining the traditional snack palate. - **Alternative Cooking Oils:** The use of avocado oil for cooking snacks highlights an evolving preference for healthier fats in food production. ### Where This Applies - **Health-conscious Snack Foods:** The growing demand for snacks that offer nutritional benefits while satisfying taste buds is driving innovation in the health-focused snack industry. - **Plant-based Ingredients:** Incorporating plant-based superfoods like chaya into widely consumed products underscores the expanding plant-based food sector seeking to provide sustainable and healthy options. - **Specialty Grocery Retail:** Unique, health-oriented snack options are creating opportunities for specialty and boutique grocery retailers to differentiate their offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Organic Rolled Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rolled-tortilla-chips1.md) - [Crunchy Cactus Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cactus-crunch-tortilla-chips.md) - [Cactus-Forward Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-arte-sano.md) - [Seasoned Plantain Chip Debuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chiquita-1.md) - [Seasoned Branded Plantain Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chiquita-plantain-chips.md) - [Budget-Friendly Conscious Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprouts-avocado-oil-potato-chips.md) - [Cinnamon-Dusted Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/proper-chips-1.md) - [Piquant Plant-Based Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-nacho-cheeze-tortilla-chips.md) - [Store-Brand Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storebrand-tortilla-chips.md)