The 12 Best Potato Chips Alternatives That Are Just As Satisfying

When you're craving something salty, crunchy, and oh-so moreish, it's hard to beat a bag of potato chips. Available in an array of tempting flavors, these crispy snacks hit the spot when hunger strikes between meals. But if you're looking to switch things up, there are plenty of delicious alternatives to consider, all of which offer that all-important crunch without relying on potatoes.

The best potato chip alternatives possess a similar combination of texture, seasoning, and snackability. From chips made with other root veggies or grains to protein-packed bites and lighter, airier options, the snacking possibilities are endless. Many of these options are arguably more nutritious, too, despite delivering just as much satisfaction as their potato-based counterparts.

Some of these options are readily available at major grocery chains, while others are best made from scratch. Either way, they'll serve as a welcome addition to your snack rotation, offering a tasty change from your usual bag of potato chips.

Whether you're whipping them up at home or grabbing a convenient store-bought version, Parmesan crisps are a seriously salty and satisfying alternative to your average potato chip. Making a batch requires nothing more than a wedge of fresh Parmesan cheese and your oven, and the resulting crisps are low in carbs, high in protein, and keto-friendly too.

It's a simple case of grating or shredding the cheese and arranging it in small piles on a baking sheet (leaving some space for spreading). As it bakes, the cheese will flatten into crisp, golden circles that look remarkably like the potato snacks we know and love. 

While they're delicious as they are, you can also customize homemade Parmesan crisps with extra seasonings and toppings, such as fresh herbs, everything bagel seasoning, or red pepper flakes. What's more, they'll keep well for up to three weeks, so they're perfect for prepping in a big batch and enjoying whenever the salty cravings strike.

Corn tortilla chips are a classic for dunking into creamy guacamole, spicy chili, or loading with Mexican-inspired toppings to create a hearty nacho stack. These are also among the most readily available, crowd-pleasing alternatives to potato chips, offering a relatively neutral taste that pairs well with a wide range of bold flavors.

Tortilla chips are made by cooking and soaking corn with lime, then grinding the softened kernels into a dough, which is flattened, cut into triangles, dried, and deep-fried. These chips are known for their distinct bumpy texture and firm crunch. They're typically a sturdier option than potato chips, and therefore less likely to crumble under the weight of dips and toppings.

There are also plenty of other ways to use tortilla chips beyond snacking. Try stirring them into soups for a thicker consistency, crushing them up and using them for breading meats, or sprinkling them over salads for a little extra sustenance and crunch.

If you're after a crunchy snack with a little more nutritional value, lentil chips are an excellent choice. Made with lentil flour, which is sometimes combined with corn flour, rice flour, or potato starch, these chips offer a refreshing change from potato chips, with an ultra-light, crispy texture and a subtle earthy taste. Picking up a store-bought version is your best bet here. The chips are available in a variety of flavors, from classic sea salt to tangy barbecue, and they're just as versatile as any potato-based snack.

Lentil chips are typically much higher in protein and lower in fat than potato chips, and some varieties offer more in the way of fiber too. This makes them an ideal swap for health-conscious foodies or anyone wanting a convenient, savory snack to keep in the pantry. These are perfect for solo snacking, dunking in creamy dips, or adding to lunchboxes, and once you try them, you might be left wondering why you didn't make the switch sooner.

A sturdier, more cracker-like option, pita chips are a go-to for scooping up thicker dips or topping with savory spreads. They bring a mild, toasty flavor that complements everything from creamy cheese to tangy salsas. Pita chips also work especially well with Mediterranean-style accompaniments (think creamy hummus, baba ganoush, or tzatziki).

Pita chips are, as the name would suggest, generally made with pita bread — a wheat-based flatbread that's cut into wedges or squares, coated with oil, and baked until crisp. There are many store-bought varieties available, but for the freshest and most wholesome approach, making your own is highly recommended. You can season the chips as desired, perhaps with warming spices like paprika, cumin, or chili powder, aromatic additions such as garlic powder, or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for a richer, cheesier finish.

With their irresistibly rustic bite and golden-brown appearance, pita chips make an excellent addition to charcuterie boards, grazing platters, or game day spreads. Plus, they're a great way to put leftover pita bread to good use.

For a tropical twist on your usual salty snack, give plantain chips a try. These golden rounds pack heaps of salty flavor, with the plantain's natural earthy-sweet taste serving as an ideal base for seasoning with salt and spices. Plantains are also highly nutritious, delivering an impressive dose of vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

While these chips are easy to find at many grocery stores and health food shops, they're also another great candidate to make from scratch. You'll simply slice unripe, green plantains into thin discs, pat them dry, and fry them in hot oil. Then, they're ready for coating with salt and seasonings as desired. We love to toss them with cayenne pepper and paprika, but zestier or smokier options like Tajín or barbecue seasoning also work great. You could even transform the crispy plantains into a sweet, dessert-style snack by tossing them with sugar and cinnamon.

Seaweed isn't just for crafting sushi rolls; it's also a delicious snack in its own right. You've likely come across large sheets of nori, which are perfect for stuffing with sticky rice and fresh fillings, but seaweed can also be purchased in smaller, more snackable portions. Crispy seaweed is far lighter and more brittle than traditional potato chips, and it packs a distinctive salty, umami-rich flavor. This might not be the best choice for dipping, but it makes a fantastic grab-and-go snack when you fancy something less heavy. Or, you can try scattering crumbled seaweed over rice bowls, salads, or soups for an extra hit of savory flavor.

The thin sheets are made by first mincing and blending seaweed, pressing the mixture into molds until paper-thin, then drying and roasting it. The seaweed is typically enhanced with a sprinkle of sea salt, but some products also come coated with bold seasonings like wasabi or sweet chili. 

Low in fat and rich in nutrients, crispy seaweed also brings a plethora of health benefits. Not only is it rich in antioxidants, but this snack also contains a notable dose of both iodine and tyrosine, which contribute to healthy thyroid function.

They're light, airy, and gloriously crunchy; rice crackers are another worthy substitute when you're not in the mood for potato chips. In their simplest, sea-salt-sprinkled format, these crackers have a fairly mild flavor, but they often come enhanced with other sweet or savory ingredients like chocolate, caramel, ranch seasoning, or chili. Many grocery stores carry both bite-sized varieties and larger, flat rounds that are better suited for spreading or topping. 

Unlike most potato chips, rice crackers aren't deep-fried, making them much lower in fat. Instead, grains of rice are puffed and compressed into discs using a special machine. Or, some versions see pureed cooked rice combined with oil and salt, cut into rounds, and baked until crispy (this is a great approach if you're looking to make the crackers from scratch).

Rice crackers are delicious straight from the packet, but they're also easy to dress up with your favorite toppings for a more substantial snack. Try spreading them with cream cheese and finishing with slices of avocado or smoked salmon, or loading the crackers with peanut butter, sliced banana, and a drizzle of honey for a sweet-and-salty pick-me-up.

Equal parts wholesome and satisfying, roasted chickpeas are a fiber-rich, protein-packed pick with a level of crunch that might just surprise you. When oven-baked or air-fried, these humble legumes develop a crisp, golden exterior and a naturally nutty flavor that pairs well with a wide range of seasonings. Ready-made versions are easy to come by, but roasting your own is super simple and generally more affordable. Plus, this way, you can customize the flavors to your liking.

To make a batch, begin by draining and rinsing a can of chickpeas and patting them thoroughly dry. Toss the beans with some olive oil and salt, then they're ready for roasting until crisp. When the chickpeas are fresh out of the oven or air fryer, toss them with your preferred seasonings. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and curry powder are all excellent options. Then, you can snack to your heart's content. Roasted chickpeas can simply be enjoyed by the handful, but they'll also work great as a crunchy topping for soups and salads.

Cassava chips are a lesser-known potato chip alternative that absolutely deserves a place in your pantry. Also known as yuca, cassava is a starchy root vegetable that, when sliced and fried, yields a chip remarkably similar to its potato-based counterpart. Cassava chips boast a firm crunch and a mild, slightly earthy flavor, and once again, they can be seasoned with just about anything you fancy. These chips are also a good source of resistant starch, which has been associated with improved digestive health.

Picking up store-bought cassava chips is certainly the most convenient option, but a homemade batch only takes around 15 minutes to prepare. The cassava is peeled, thinly sliced into rounds, then dried and fried until beautifully golden and crispy. Seasoned with salt (and spices, if you'd like), cassava chips are incredibly moreish, and their dense starch structure makes them especially sturdy too. This means they're perfect for dipping, whether you're pairing them with a creamy ranch, a garlicky aioli, or a cheesy corn dip.

While eggplant chips aren't often seen on grocery store shelves, this popular Mediterranean veggie is an ideal candidate for transforming into a crispy snack. Loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients like potassium and manganese, eggplant chips are sure to leave you feeling nourished. They're typically baked rather than deep-fried, so they're often a lighter alternative to potato chips too.

Japanese eggplants, which are narrower and more cylindrical than globe eggplants, are the best variety for making chips. Once thinly sliced with a mandoline, they yield smaller, evenly sized, circular pieces. Japanese eggplants also tend to be less watery than globe eggplants, meaning they tend to crisp up more quickly.

To make eggplant chips at home, just toss thinly sliced eggplant with oil and seasonings (we love a simple mix of garlic powder, salt, and pepper), spread them out on a baking sheet, and roast until crispy and browned. The cooled chips will taste incredible dunked into creamy spinach dip, zesty hummus, or tangy whipped feta.

Despite being notoriously high in moisture, zucchini can absolutely be crisped up into a satisfying snack. This versatile veggie is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, and its cylindrical shape makes it easy to slice into uniform rounds. Like eggplant chips, you'll be hard-pressed to find ready-made versions, but thankfully, you can make your own in a jiffy.

The key to achieving that all-important crispiness is slicing the zucchini nice and thin — to about ⅛ of an inch thick (using a mandoline makes this much easier). Then, the slices can be tossed with oil and seasonings and baked or air-fried until gloriously crispy. For even more crunch and savory flavor, you can follow this step with a layer of Parmesan-spiked breadcrumbs, which creates an irresistibly golden coating with a deliciously cheesy bite.

A zesty, herby tzatziki makes a fitting accompaniment to zucchini chips, but a warm, tangy marinara works beautifully too. These chips can also be served as a nutritious side dish for grilled meats and fish, or as a topping for grain bowls.

Packed with comforting, earthy-sweet flavor, sweet potato chips are a natural substitute for classic white potato versions. With their eye-catching orange hue and distinctive taste, they bring a vibrant twist to your snacking routine, and the colorful veggie slices take well to various spicy, savory seasonings. Sweet potatoes also contain more fiber and vitamin C than white potatoes, so they offer a nutritional boost, too.

There are plenty of store-bought varieties worth trying, but homemade sweet potato chips present the perfect opportunity to experiment with different coatings. Sliced thinly and tossed with oil, the sweet potatoes can be enhanced with an array of bold seasonings — think chili and lime, finely chopped herbs, garlic powder, or lemon pepper. And there's always the option to inject more flavor post-baking, too. Consider mixing mayo with garlic, maple syrup, and lime to create an aromatic, zesty-sweet dip that complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes especially well.