Nantucket chips are inspired by childhood summers on the island

“Stay crispy,” says Hayden Arnot, his joking way of saying goodbye. It’s a phrase that fits Arnot, the co-owner of Nantucket Crisps, who encourages you to try his delicious potato chips. He and his childhood friend Sara Jemison started the business nearly two years ago. As kids, they spent summers playing together on Nantucket beaches. Years later, they reconnected while living and working in New York City. “We wanted to find a way to embody the island,” Arnot says. They settled on potato chips, a beach staple, and started making them in their own kitchens. Today, the duo has a line they call “crisps” because the snack is flakier and has a milder crunch than most potato chips. Arnot and Jemison originally made the chips in Nantucket, but to scale up, they moved production to New York. Made in small batches and slow-fried at low temperatures using sunflower and safflower oils, the snacks are gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. The line includes eight regular and seasonal flavors, with each bag featuring clever names and illustrations inspired by Nantucket’s beaches and iconic landmarks. There’s Sconset Salty Sea Salt, Brant Point Black Pepper with a hint of spice, Madaket Sweet Onion with real onion flavor. South Wharf Cocktail Sauce has a hint of gravy, and Cisco Beach Barbecue is smoky, tangy, and salty. If you’re familiar with Nantucket, you might laugh at the variety names; otherwise, you’ll still enjoy the chips (about $4 for 2 ounces). A portion of the proceeds goes to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, a nod to Nantucket’s whaling history. Available at Roche Bros. and other stores, or at Nantucketcrisps.com.