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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
No party spread is complete without one important thing: chips and dip. But you can’t just toss the two foods on a plate and call it a day. To keep things neat and cohesive, a chip and dip set is the way to go. Trays complete with compartments come in handy when serving snacks that you want to keep separate, whether it's chips and salsa or crackers and hummus. Beyond dunking, you can use these dishes to divvy up chili garnishes, nacho bar toppings, and more.
To help you pick the right one for your home, we sent some of the most popular chip and dip bowls and platters to our home tester, who filled them with hot and cold dips and all sorts of finger foods for dipping or eating a la carte, such as sliced fruit, olives, pretzels, and more. After snacks were enjoyed, our tester rated and offered insights on each chip and dip bowl and platter, bringing you the best of the bunch below.
From plastic disposable ones to novelty items that make great gifts, here are the best chip and dip bowls and platters, according to our tests.
Best Overall
Sweese 707.001 Porcelain Divided Serving Dishes, Relish Tray, Serving Bowls for Parties
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Sweese
Highly versatile
Suits any aesthetic
Microwave- and dishwasher-safe
Compartments are a bit small for larger chips
This classic ceramic chip and dip server proves that the appetizer doesn’t have to be an afterthought or something you slap on the table in a hurry. Thanks to five removable divided compartments on the plate, this particular piece of serveware is uniquely versatile. Fill the whole thing with your favorite chips or crackers, or ensure that there’s a mix of dippers—chips, crackers, veggies, and more—to suit every taste.
Our tester loved the convenience of this serving set, because you can set all of the compartments on the platter or use the interior dishes separately, adding to the usable serving space. Because the base is completely smooth when the compartments are removed, it works as a standalone tray. She could pair it with just the round dip bowl for large chips or awkwardly shaped dippers or skewers, or she could use the tray with any or all of the other compartments. What’s more, the components can be safely used in the microwave (great for hot dips, like crab dip), and all of the pieces are dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $31
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 13.39 x 13.11 x 3.31 inches | Weight: 6.07 pounds | Material: Porcelain | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"I appreciated the versatility of this tray. I could fill the central bowl with salsa and tuck tortilla chips into other individual cups, letting guests grab handfuls or their own chip cup. I could surround the salsa bowl with chips directly on the base tray and not mess with the other interior dishes, or I could fill those dishes with more chips to distribute around a table. And that’s all before considering the set for mixed dips and dippers, as a relish tray, or to hold bean taco or falafel sandwich fixings."
Best Budget
Crate and Barrel Lunea Melamine Chip and Dip
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Crate and Barrel
Safe for use outdoors
Clean aesthetic
Dishwasher-safe
Fixed dip bowl
Though this chip and dip set comes at a comfortable price point, it has sleek lines and a crisp, clean aesthetic that mirrors more expensive ceramic and porcelain versions. Because of this—and the fact that it’s actually BPA-free melamine—it looks just as comfortable on a picnic table for a backyard barbecue as it does on a dining table for a special event, like a baby or wedding shower.
Just because you’re paying a fair price doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice functionality. The porcelain plate has a deep ring for chips, veggies, and other dippers, plus a fixed center bowl for your favorite dip. Our tester found that it easily held 2 cups of dip and a large bag of chips, cutting down on the need for refills. It can hold cold dips or hot ones that have been heated in another, heat-safe container before serving. The platter is safe to wash in the top rack of the dishwasher, but the width of the platter and fixed dip cup may make hand-washing the easiest cleanup option.
Price at time of publish: $20
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 15 x 2.4 x 15 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Melamine | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"This platter has a smooth surface and clean lines. I recommend it for casual indoor and outdoor use, but it’s simple enough that it could sit alongside other pieces in a fancier spread."
Best Disposable
Party Bargains 6 Sectional Round Plastic Serving Tray
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Courtesy of Amazon
Large number of compartments
Disposable but sturdy enough for repeated use
Affordable
Not likely to be recyclable
Sometimes the best way to host is the most convenient way, and there’s nothing easier than disposable serving dishes. Single-use dishes are also handy for dropping off goodies for friends and family. The silver detailing of these plastic serving trays, which come in a set of four, elevates them above some other options you’ll find when browsing. Each tray has five exterior compartments to hold everything from pretzels and chips to veggies and even fruit (yes, dessert dips are a thing). Each compartment is on the small side, but our tester was able to pack in a large variety of dippers.
Our tester appreciated that these platters are made from an extra-hard plastic, making them resistant to breaks. She was able to wash them several times and put them away, getting a little more mileage out of them. This also made them a little greener. Unfortunately, these trays are made of number 6 plastic, which is rarely recyclable. It also means the trays should not be heated in the microwave or oven.
Price at time of publish: $22
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 1.28 pounds | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: No
"Many disposable platters feel wobbly when full, and look cheap on the table, but this set of hardened plastic trays lacks those issues. Although disposable, I liked that I could use and clean it repeatedly. It’s a good option if you’ll be leaving a potluck early and just want to leave the tray behind."
Best Individual
Uncommon Goods Ooma Bowl
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Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Unique design
Microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe
Fun color options
Expensive
Nobody ever said that chips and dips are only for parties. You’re doing something right if you know the pleasures of indulging in the duo whenever the mood strikes. But if you’re snacking solo or cozying up with a date, chances are that you don’t need a big party platter. This clever handheld chip and dip bowl is just right for a party of one or perhaps two.
It features two compartments—one slightly larger for chips or other dippers, and another slightly smaller for dip, salsa, and more. With just two compartments, it’s not going to allow a lot of variety, but our tester found that mixed raw vegetables, like carrot and cucumber sticks and red bell pepper strips, could fill the larger bowl. She thought the smaller compartment was quite large to pair with a single serving of dippers, so you may not want to fill it completely unless you like a lot of dip on each chip. Like other great sets, this dual-chambered dish is microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe for convenience.
Price at time of publish: $30
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 8.75 x 4.625 x 2.75 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Stoneware | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"This unique design minimized the mess of chips and dip on the sofa or in a favorite armchair. It was large enough that two people could cozy up to enjoy a light snack, but I could fill and empty it solo if I got the munchies."
Best for Outdoor Dining
Prodyne Appetizers On Ice with Lids
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Courtesy of Amazon
Can put ice inside
Comes with a lid
Versatile
Only the dip cup is dishwasher-safe
When dining outdoors, whether having a picnic or hosting a backyard bash, one of the most important considerations is keeping food that easily spoils chilled—especially on a hot summer day. This platter features three removable compartments, so you can fill the base with plenty of ice to keep appetizers nice and cold. For added convenience when dining outdoors, the BPA-free set includes lids to keep the cold in and the bugs out.
Our tester liked how the base had three dividers that aligned with the removable compartments, letting her fill just a portion of the tray with ice and leaving the compartment with chips or pita bread dry. She found it handy that the lids fit each removable compartment, rather than a single lid to cover the whole tray. One downside is that only the dip cup, made of PCTG, is dishwasher-safe; the other parts, made of a durable crystal-clear polystyrene, should be hand-washed, and you’ll spend a bit of time cleaning up so many separate components.
Price at time of publish: $57
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The Spruce Eat / Julie Laing
Size: 16.75 x 16 x 5.25 inches | Weight: 4.2 pounds | Material: Acrylic | Dishwasher Safe: No
"I was pleasantly surprised to realize I didn’t need to fill the entire tray with ice and had the option to fill just the areas beneath the compartments that needed to be kept cold. The chilling was quite effective, especially with the lids on, and the tray didn’t leak. If I did let chips sit in a compartment over ice, they felt cool to the touch after just a few minutes, but not wet."
Best Glass
Mikasa Napoli Chip and Dip Set
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Mikasa
Large capacity
Elegant aesthetic
Dip cup is removable
Can’t separate dippers
For the most classic look, opt for a glass chip and dip set. When you set the removable center cup in the large serving bowl, the outer ring—the area for all of your dippers—is one deep, singular compartment that’s perfect for serving a large portion of chips. The center dip cup is just as deep, so you won’t have to worry about constantly refilling that, either. Another nice feature: The dip cup is removable, so you can use it and the bowl separately, as well. Our tester liked that the large bowl had a slightly indented space for the dip cup, keeping it in place, but it was unobtrusive when she used the bowl to serve a tossed salad.
Our tester found the lead-free glass thick and sturdy. She didn’t worry about breaking it as she filled or cleaned the bowl, but the thickness made the chip bowl in particular quite heavy. The bowls could crack if heated in the microwave or filled with boiling water, but the small bowl should hold a dip warmed in another container before serving.
Price at time of publish: $40
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 11.02 x 11.02 x 3.25 inches | Weight: 5.64 pounds | Material: Glass | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"The large bowl’s lack of dividers limits it to chips and the like when serving a dip, but it can be put to other uses as a classy serving bowl, along with its matching cup: a salad with a side cup of spoonable dressing, pasta with a cup of parmesan for sprinkling, or fresh fruit with a side of whipped cream or custard sauce."
Best Large Capacity
Better Homes & Gardens Porcelain Chip Dip Set
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Better Homes & Gardens
Dip bowl can sit in any orientation
Matches any aesthetic
Oven-safe up to 450 degrees
Dippers would be hard to separate
When you’re hosting a large group, you can bet on chips and dip being a real crowd-pleaser. Because of that, it’s important to have a set that holds enough food. If not, you’ll just end up refiling over and over again—extra work you shouldn’t have to do. This deep porcelain bowl comes with a separate smaller bowl that nestles on top of the chips to keep dip and dippers totally separate, yet still maximize space to keep your buffet from overcrowding.
In testing, it held an 11-ounce bag of tortilla chips and full 16-ounce jar of salsa with ease. Our tester could mound in a bit more salsa without making a mess and two bags of chips if the salsa bowl was set outside the chip one. And if you want to serve a hot Buffalo chicken dip, that’s no problem—the set is oven-safe up to an impressive 450 degrees. When it comes to aesthetics, the look couldn’t be more timeless, either. What doesn’t a durable white porcelain bowl match? It looks great in any number of settings, from casual to elevated.
Price at time of publish: $20
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 13.13 x 11.5 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 4.6 pounds | Material: Porcelain | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"This microwave- and oven-safe set makes it ideal for a hot dip and chips, as well as other large serving uses. The large bowl is perfectly smooth, so you can place the cup anywhere you want inside it. I could use it to serve hot penne tossed with sauce, or a cold potato salad, as well as chips and dip."
Best Personalized
Mark & Graham Wood and Marble Chip and Dip Set
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Courtesy of Mark & Graham
Sleek aesthetic
Great high-end gift
Choice of white or charcoal for bowl
Wood may wear prematurely
If you’re looking for an investment piece that you’ll have for years, turn to this handcrafted set. It’s two pieces—one natural acacia wood serving platter, and one marble dip insert—that complement each other. For a small upcharge, you can add an initial or a monogram. The smooth platter with an upturned rim neatly holds a midsize bag of chips. The heavy marble bowl has a thick base and sides, so it only holds about 8 ounces of a warm or cold dip. Despite the small capacity, our tester found it appropriate for the volume of chips.
Both pieces are quite hefty, but the cup sits securely in its inset in the wood platter, and our tester felt that it was stable when carrying the loaded set to the table and scooping out dip. You’ll have to be a bit careful with this piece, because the wood should only be wiped clean with a damp cloth or sponge and neither the marble nor the wood can withstand the microwave or dishwasher, but these are small sacrifices to make for the aesthetic.
Price at time of publish: $99
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 14 x 1.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Acacia wood, marble | Dishwasher Safe: No
"This attractive set is worthy of the most elegant parties and can hold a range of warm and cold dips and large dippers that don’t need to be separated by compartments. The wide lip of the dip bowl helps to catch drips, and the wide rim of the platter keeps chips or crackers from slipping over the edge."
Best for Kids
Funwares NACHOsaurus Dip and Snack Dish Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great kid or novelty gift
Perfect for tortilla chips
Dishwasher-safe
Nooks and crannies could be hard to clean
While this chip and dip set won’t adequately serve a crowd, it sure does make for a fun conversation starter. The BPA-free plastic dinosaur acts as a vessel for dippers, while the second rock-shaped bowl acts as a place for a pair of dips. Our tester recommends tortilla chips for the dinosaur’s back, which creates an uncanny resemblance to a stegosaurus, but you can fill it with whatever your heart desires—pretzels, crackers, veggie sticks, or even candy or french fries. The 4-ounce dip cup is divided into two compartments, letting you offer dip choices to a picky eater or offset the chips with baby carrots.
The novelty serveware makes a great gift for any whimsical foodie or dinosaur-loving kid. It’s top-rack dishwasher-safe, although the dinosaur may be less awkward to wash by hand, and the nooks and crannies could need extra attention if you slop queso everywhere. Neither part should be heated in the microwave.
Price at time of publish: $25
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Size: 9 x 4.25 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 12.7 ounces | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"This small set will entertain kids of all ages. The divided dip bowl gives you creativity and flexibility: two colors of salsa, salsa and cheese, or a dip and grapes or baby carrots with the chips. The dinosaur-shaped chip bowl held more chips than I expected."
The Sweese Porcelain Divided Serving Dish earns our top spot for its timeless design and versatility, but those on a budget might consider the Better Homes & Gardens Porcelain Chip Dip Set. Although it lacks dividing trays for a mix of dippers, it has the same elegant look and holds plenty of food—plus it’s easy on the wallet.
How We Tested
We sent nine chip and dip bowls and platters to our home tester, who observed their quality and filled them with both hot and cold dips, as well as items for snacking and dipping, such as chips, pretzels, pita, vegetables, fruit, and more. If the bowl or platter had an area for ice to keep foods chilled, that was filled and observed for effectiveness and potential leaks. After snacks were eaten, our tester rated each bowl and platter on design, size, versatility, durability, and overall value. Additional insights on the pros and cons of each product were offered.
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
What to Look for in a Chip and Dip Bowl
Size
There are a ton of options in all different sizes to fit your specific chip and dip needs. A single dip with an assortment of chips and crackers requires a different serving bowl than a whole spread of dips. Maybe you don’t need a chip and dip bowl for entertaining but just want one that holds enough nibbles for a TV night for two, or maybe you are looking for single-serve chip and dip bowls for your next party.
Versatility
Select a dish that accommodates the types of foods you serve. Deep compartments hold large items, such as chips, pretzels, and pita triangles, as well as sliced veggies and fruits, whereas shallow compartments are for dips, olives, cheese cubes, and other smaller items.
Heat Resistance
If you are planning to use the dish for hot dips rather than heating the dips and spooning them into the compartments, a bowl that can be heated either in the microwave or in the oven is a convenient option.
Outdoor Use
Bugs and heat make it especially challenging to serve food outdoors. A bowl where the food is kept chilled on a bed of ice comes in handy not only for summer parties but also for indoors. Instead of covering the bowl with cling wrap, a bowl that has a clear lid for each compartment is much less of a hassle and a more inviting presentation.
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
FAQs
What is a chip and dip bowl?
It is a serving dish where chips and dips are served together, but each food gets its own compartment.
What is a chip and dip bowl made of?
The bowls are available in a wide range of materials, such as melamine, plastic, glass, wood, bamboo, ceramic, and porcelain, as well as from recycled materials. There are also vintage chip and dip bowls from the 1950s, when they first became popular in the United States.
Are there disposable chip and dip bowls?
Yes, there are chip and dip bowls for one-time use. Some of them are made of biodegradable materials and are thus eco-friendly.
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The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This roundup was written by Brigitt Earley, who has written and edited food content for various publications over the last 10 years. She also holds a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute.
This roundup was updated by Julie Laing, who has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years and published her first cookbook, "The Complete Guide to Pickling," in 2020. She cans dozens of jars of tomato, tomatillo, and other salsas every summer so that she can enjoy them with chips all year, and she pairs homemade dips and dippers for gatherings or just a quick solo snack. Julie personally tested nine of the chip and dip bowl and platter sets for this roundup.
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