The 16 Healthiest Chip Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best
While many of us try to eat healthy, we also love our snacks, specifically chips. One reason chips are so delicious has a lot to do with the crunch factor. Researchers have studied the intoxicating quality of potato chips and found that the notorious crunching sound has a big role in how much consumers like a food. The louder the noise, the more desirable the chip.
While chips are also delicious, they tend to get a poor health reputation. Additionally, because they are most often fried, they are typically higher in trans fats, calories, and can contain a toxic substance called acrylamide. With that in mind, it's no wonder that brands with a greater focus on healthier snack options are booming in popularity. Whether your eating preferences are grain free, vegan, gluten free, or you just want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, check out this list of healthy chip brands, ranked from worst to best. Keep reading, and you might just find your new favorite snack.
16. Jackson's
Fans of ABC's "Shark Tank" may be familiar with Jackson's (formerly known as Jackson's Honest). The founders, the Reamer Family, made the shift to a high fat, low carbohydrate diet in order to better the health of their son who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. As a result, the brand focuses on sweet potato chips made from higher quality oils like coconut and avocado, and flavors include from sea salt to Carolina BBQ.
As much as I appreciate the backstory for Jackson's Honest, the chips can fall short. Opinions on Amazon for the coconut oil sweet potato chips are mixed. And though reviews have improved over the years, the price is still a bit high, and the flavor not as satisfying as other brands. But for individuals with strict dietary preferences and those following elimination diets, don't completely discount Jackson's — just be careful about which flavor you pick. My favorite happens to be the avocado oil spicy tomatillo.
15. Good Health
True to its name, Good Health is the health-focused brand by Utz. The line of snacks includes familiar territory such as popcorn, veggie sticks, and pretzels with a focus on non-GMO ingredients and the use of different types of cooking oils. There are multiple kettle style potato chips to choose from with flavors such as avocado oil sea salt, olive oil sea salt, avocado oil barbecue, and avocado oil jalapeño.
According to the Amazon reviews of the avocado oil barbecue flavor, people seem to like these chips. The general consensus is that they are not too greasy or salty and they taste great. My only complaint is that these are not nearly as healthy as some of the other brands on this list due to their high carbohydrate and high fat content (7 grams of fat and 17 grams of carbs per 1-ounce serving for the barbecue chips).
14. Sun Chips
Sun Chips are wavy chips that are made with 100% whole grains, including corn, wheat, and whole oat flour, providing 48 grams of grains in every serving. They come in a variety of flavors, from Harvest Cheddar to Black Bean Spicy Jalapeño. Check out every Sun Chips flavor, from worst to best, before buying.
All varieties of Sun Chips contain 30% less fat than regular potato chips. These chips are made with traditional oils, like canola and sunflower, but the site doesn't say if they are baked or fried. They are free of artificial flavors, but they are made with sugar, salt, and sunflower or canola oil.
Amazon reviewers enjoyed these snacks for snacking as is, or eating them with a dip, citing the crunch as the reason they liked them. Many were especially fond of the Harvest Cheddar variety, but there were also several fans of Garden Salsa, which one reviewer claimed had a little kick to it. Sun Chips are widely available and affordable, especially when purchased in bulk. They're not the healthiest option on this list, but for those who need to increase their whole grain intake, they're worth a look.
13. Brad's
If you're looking to stock your pantry with strictly plant-based products, consider Brad's. Among the brand's multiple snack options is a line of chips made with air dried organic vegetables that includes flavors such as broccoli cheddar, red bell pepper, and Vampire Killer. Are you as intrigued as I am by that last one? Well, it happens to be a lemony kale chip made with cashew cheese, and, not surprisingly, lots of garlic.
The brand, however, has its detractors, with complaints on Amazon ranging from an unpleasant aroma from the chips to quality inconsistency from bag to bag. One reviewer mentions love for these chips, but notes that you must eat them with dip for the best taste. Though I prefer a chip that stands on its own, these are a solid bet for vegans in search of a low calorie, low fat and high protein snack.
12. Bare
Bare specializes in baked chips made from freeze dried fruits. These sweet treats are available in familiar fruit varieties, including apple, banana, coconut, strawberry, and pineapple. While these are not your typical chips, Amazon reviews of the pineapple & coconut variety show indicate many people find them as a great replacement for standard potato crisps. However, there are some complaints of being overpriced and containing added sugar, though many note that these chips are kid-approved, which is a major plus. I know how hard it can be to get kids to eat fruits, and an item like this may ease their reluctance — in which gets case you can justify the high cost.
The Bare product line may come in handy for certain snacking situations, but it fails to offer the salty goodness that we generally look for when I'm craving chips. For that reason, I've placed these towards the bottom of the ranking.
11. Snacklins
Air popped chips made from ingredients like mushrooms, yuca, and onions is the name of the game for Snacklins. Because these plant crisps are so airy, they are very low in calories — a mere 90 per 0.9-ounce bag. Snacklins offers a variety of flavors ranging from the familiar bbq and nacho to teriyaki and cinnamon churro. One thing I appreciate about Snacklins is that I've never had any chips like these, and I appreciate the root vegetable swap from potato to yuca (sometimes referred to as cassava), which is used quite frequently in grain free products because of its high starch content.
Unfortunately, according to the Amazon reviews of the Snacklins variety pack, there are some mixed opinions of these chips. While some people love that these chips are tasty options that fit into their diet plans like WW or keto, others complain about a recent product recipe change that resulted in an inferior product.
10. Siete Foods
Siete Foods is a Mexican-American brand devoted to making grain free food products that range from cookies to sauces. When it comes to chips, there are several bags to choose from including multiple kettle cooked potato-based flavors, but the most options are of the tortilla variety.
Because the tortilla chips are made without grains (cassava serves as a substitute for the familiar corn base), I find that the texture is a bit too fragile. As a result, they don't have the best crunch, not to mention, I tend to find that the bag is filled with broken crumbs that aren't suitable for dipping. Still, the flavor delivers. According to the Amazon reviews of the dip chips, even those that are not interested in following a grain-free diet love these chips for their taste. While they are a bit pricey, many people note that these chips are super tasty.
9. Barnana
You may have come across banana and plantain chips in your supermarket aisle, but Barnana takes the snack to a whole other level (it's no surprise that the founder is from Brazil). Over the past decade, the company has expanded its product line to include multiple sweet and savory banana-based treats including several flavors of chips that fall into either the kettle cooked or tortilla categories.
Per the Amazon reviews of the Acapulco lime plantain chips, Barnana delivers on offering a desirable potato chip alternative. They not only taste delicious, but they are great for specialty diets including AIP and Whole 30. I happen to agree that these chips are fantastic. It all comes down to the strong texture of plantains, which offer the most epic crunch ever. As for our favorite flavors, I prefer the sea salt & vinegar and the spicy mango salsa which delivers some welcome sweet heat. If you haven't tried these banana chips yet, what are you waiting for?
8. PopChips
PopChips sell a variety of chips that are never fried, but instead placed in a high pressure environment forcing them to pop. I love that these are made from potatoes, instead of corn, ensuring that they taste more like a traditional chip, at least compared to some of the other healthy chip options. PopChips offers a deep flavor roster with varieties including barbeque, aged white cheddar, sour cream & onion, sea salt & vinegar, and Crazy Hot. If you prefer your chips with ridges, the brand also offers those too.
While I heartily endorse PopChips, make sure you try them with the right expectations. They are not fried chips, so the crunch and flavor factor won't be comparable. But that difference is made up for by the fact that, on average, a 1-ounce serving of these is 4 grams of fat and 120 calories compared to 10 grams of fat and 160 calories for a standard fried potato chip. For my money, PopChips is among the best chip brands, healthy or otherwise.
7. Late July
Late July offers a wide range of organic and non-GMO snacks. While the brand includes a line of potato chips, tortilla chips reign supreme and flavor choices include the standard sea salt as well more interesting options such as Mexican Street Corn and Garden Ranch. My personal favorite is the restaurant style sea salt and lime tortilla chips which offers a welcome citrus kick.
I'm also a fan of the chia & quinoa tortilla chips. I find that these have just a hint of flavor that I look for in tortilla chips — plus they taste amazing with salsa and guacamole. It's also nice knowing we can increase our intake of healthy omega 3 fatty acids with the addition of the chia seeds. In fact, Late July produces several multigrain chips that include chia seeds from your basic blue corn to sweet potato and the cheesy citrus Mild Green Mojo. Considering the variety of chips and tasty flavors, this is a brand that delivers.
6. PopCorners
Because these aren't fried (they happen to be yellow corn chips that have been popped, via high pressure), PopCorners contain less sodium and about half the fat content of typical potato chips. Beyond including non-GMO ingredients, most flavors are actually gluten free, which is amazing for those with Celiac's.
PopCorners may not offer a lot of variety, but the limited flavors tend to be great. My suggestion for the first timers: Opt for a variety pack, which includes a range of options such as white cheddar, sweet chili, spicy queso. These chips are the essentially perfect cross between tortillas and popcorn. Beyond the delicious taste, also have an ideal texture somewhere in the sweet spot of pillowy soft and crispy crunchy. While I enjoy the more adventurous flavors like sweet and salty kettle corn, keep in mind that the basic sea salt only contains three ingredients, which I definitely appreciate.
5. Beanitos
Beanitos makes chips from beans. Yep, you read that right. Why would anybody do such a thing? Well, beans have a high amount of plant-based protein and fiber in addition to their starchy content, making them a great nutrition-packed alternative to making chips with potatoes.
This Austin, Texas brand, which was founded in 2010, sources it beans from American farmers and cook them low and slow, to create a bean masa that serves as the base for the tortilla-style chips. Beanitos are made from white beans, pinto beans, and black beans, and flavors include sea salt, sweet chili & sour cream, and chipotle bbq. Each option packs an impressive 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving. For snack foods fans looking to add fiber and protein to their diet plan, but don't want to sacrifice on flavor and crunch, make these chips a priority.
4. Hippeas
If you visit the Hippeas website, you'll be greeted by a plethora of certifications. Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs are vegan, Project Non-GMO Verified, certified Gluten-Free, allergy-friendly, and sustainably farmed. Hippeas also claims that the peas they use are sustainably grown. All of the brand's snack foods are made from chickpea flour and contain 2 grams of fiber and 3 or 4 grams of protein per serving, ¼ of the bag — which is fairly generous.
Hippeas are a good option for anyone looking for a vegan, allergen-free alternative to standard cheese puffs. They come in four varieties: Vegan White Cheddar, Nacho Vibes, Bohemian Barbecue, and Sriracha Sunshine. Reviewers on Amazon enjoyed the portion size and loved the crunch and flavor.
Hippeas also makes tortilla chips, available in Sea Salt & Lime, Rockin' Ranch, and Nacho Vibes, and veggie straws in three flavors. The nacho flavor in both varieties is a good imitation of those unhealthy nacho chips that use non-GMO corn. I think they could even earn a spot in a top tortilla chip rankings. Note that the tortilla chips are fried while the puffs are baked, so choose your options carefully. They are a bit more costly than typical chips, however, you can buy them in bulk online. Hippeas Puffs' appeal to vegans and people with food allergies makes them worth the investment.
3. Food Should Taste Good
Food Should Taste Good was founded in 2006 by Pete Lascoe, who was inspired to create a snack brand that sourced high quality and wholesome ingredients. The brand is also devoted to the transparency of sourcing ingredients and non-GMO products, as well as supporting positive farming practices that make the soil healthier.
These tortilla chips are essentially divided into two categories: plain and flavored. To be clear, plain doesn't equate to boring. Far from it. Beyond the familiar blue corn, Food Should Taste Good also offers multigrain, sweet potato, and black bean chips, all of which are well-suited for dipping. But for straight snacking, you won't get enough of the flavored chips. The pre-loaded guacamole chips include actual avocados in the seasoning, while the cheddar is made with real cheese. For some heat, the spicy jalapeño will do the trick, and for something a little tangy, we recommended the Korean-inspired kimchi flavor.
2. Beanfields
It shouldn't be much of a surprise what the main ingredient is in the tortilla chips that come from Beanfields. Since these chips are made from beans, they contain more fiber and plant based protein than normal potato chips. Whether you opt for spicy queso, pico de gallo, or salt and vinegar, chips, you can expect 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving.
I've noticed that the sour cream & onion flavor is one that is often lacking in the healthy chip category, so I am thrilled that Beanfields offers that option. Speaking of all-time great chip flavors, the brand's nacho is an ideal alterative to Doritos. Reviewers on Amazon mention that they are fairly crunchy and hold up well with dips, which is a good factor to consider when choosing any chips. People also love that Beanfields are healthier than the competition, but taste just like corn tortilla chips.
1. Terra
You've likely heard of Terra chips. You know the ones made from all sorts of veggies? The brand has been making chips from real whole vegetables since 1990 and does an incredible job sourcing other root vegetables beside the classic potato, including especially nutritious picks, like beets, turnips, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
While I appreciate all the different Terra products throughout the years, the Original real vegetable chips (a blend of parsnip, taro, sweet potato, yuca, and batata) remain a must-eat snack. They offer the perfect amount of crunch and salt, with just a touch of sweetness. But the gold standard vegetable chip has some competition from the Blues potato chips, which skews more towards purple, but regardless, they definitely won't leave you sad. With over three decades of experience producing high quality chips, it is no wonder why Terra is at the top of this ranking.
Methodology
The chips on this list were selected for their choice of healthier ingredients over traditional chips, which often contain ingredients that are high in fat, calories, and other undesirable options. We also choose chips that were air-dried, air-fried, and baked when possible, over chips that were fried. We relied on online reviews for quality and taste.
We prioritized chips made with better quality oils, such as avocado, coconut, or olive. We also selected items made from ingredients that were more nutritious than corn or potatoes, such as root vegetables, beans, chia, quinoa, multigrain, and mushrooms. Organic and non-GMO chips were prioritized. Ranking was also influenced by whether a chip was gluten-free, vegan, or grain-free. Finally, we looked at the nutrient value of the chip. High-fat, low-carb, low-calorie chips ranked higher, as did those that were high in fiber and/or protein.
Chips were ranked according to how nutritious the ingredients were and the quality of the chip. For chip quality, we looked for crunchiness — the crunchier, the better. We also determined how well chips made for dipping held up in dips. A variety of options for flavored chips was also a consideration. Finally, we determined if the serving size was reasonably low in fat or calories and whether it was satisfying.