The 16 Healthiest Chip Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best

While many of us strive to maintain a healthy diet, the allure of snacks—especially chips—remains irresistible. The crunchiness of chips is a significant factor in their appeal, as studies have shown that the auditory experience of crunching plays a crucial role in enhancing the enjoyment of food. The louder the crunch, the more satisfying the chip tends to be.

However, despite their taste appeal, traditional chips are often criticized for their health implications. Most chips are fried, leading to higher levels of trans fats and calories, and they may contain harmful substances like acrylamide. This health-conscious backlash has led to the rise of brands focusing on healthier snack alternatives. Whether you follow a grain-free, vegan, or gluten-free diet, or simply aim to integrate more fruits and vegetables into your meals, our curated list of healthier chip brands—ranked from least to most favorable—offers options to meet your dietary preferences. Continue reading to discover your next favorite snack.

16. Jackson's Honest

Fans of ABC's "Shark Tank" might recognize Jackson's Honest, previously known as Jackson's Honest. Founded by the Reamer Family, who shifted to a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet to address their son's autoimmune disorder, this brand is known for its sweet potato chips made with high-quality oils such as coconut and avocado. Flavors range from classic sea salt to Carolina BBQ. Despite the brand's commendable health focus, reviews of their coconut oil sweet potato chips on Amazon are mixed. While the flavor and quality have improved, the price remains high. For those adhering to strict dietary restrictions, Jackson's Honest is worth considering, with the avocado oil spicy tomatillo being a personal favorite.

15. Good Health

Good Health, a health-focused brand from Utz, offers a variety of snacks including popcorn, veggie sticks, and pretzels, all made with non-GMO ingredients and various cooking oils. Their kettle-style potato chips come in flavors such as avocado oil sea salt and avocado oil barbecue. Reviews on Amazon praise the avocado oil barbecue chips for their balance of taste without excessive grease or salt. However, they are not as nutritionally superior as some other brands due to their higher carbohydrate and fat content.

14. Sun Chips

Sun Chips, known for its wavy texture, is made from 100% whole grains like corn, wheat, and oat flour, delivering 48 grams of grains per serving. Available in flavors from Harvest Cheddar to Black Bean Spicy Jalape?o, these chips contain 30% less fat than regular potato chips. Although the exact cooking method is not specified, Sun Chips are free of artificial flavors but include sugar and salt. Amazon reviewers appreciate the crunch and flavor, particularly favoring Harvest Cheddar and Garden Salsa. While they are not the healthiest option, they are a reasonable choice for increasing whole grain intake.

13. Brad's

Brad's focuses on plant-based snacks with a range of air-dried organic vegetable chips in flavors such as broccoli cheddar and red bell pepper. A standout is the Vampire Killer, a lemony kale chip with cashew cheese and garlic. Despite its innovative approach, Brad's chips receive mixed reviews on Amazon, with some finding the aroma off-putting and others noting inconsistencies in quality. These chips are a good option for vegans seeking low-calorie, low-fat, high-protein snacks, though they may be best enjoyed with a dip.

12. Bare

Bare offers baked chips made from freeze-dried fruits, including apples, bananas, coconut, strawberries, and pineapple. While these are a unique alternative to traditional potato chips, they are not as savory, and some reviews complain about the high price and added sugar. Despite this, they are praised for being a kid-friendly option that makes fruit consumption easier, though they may not fully satisfy the craving for traditional salty chips.

11. Snacklins

Snacklins specializes in air-popped chips made from mushrooms, yuca, and onions. These plant-based crisps are low in calories, with just 90 per 0.9-ounce bag. Flavors include BBQ, nacho, teriyaki, and cinnamon churro. The use of yuca, a high-starch root vegetable, is a notable feature. However, reviews are mixed due to recent changes in the product recipe, which some feel have negatively impacted quality. Snacklins are a unique and lower-calorie option, that fits well into various diet plans.

10. Siete Foods

Siete Foods, a Mexican-American brand, is known for its grain-free products, including a variety of tortillas and kettle-cooked chips. Made with cassava as a substitute for corn, the texture of the tortilla chips can be somewhat fragile, leading to broken crumbs. Nevertheless, the flavor is well-regarded, with many reviews noting the tasty profile of their dip chips. Despite the higher price point, Siete Foods' chips are favored for their taste.

9. Barnana

Barnana elevates the standard banana and plantain chips with a variety of flavors and styles, including kettle-cooked and tortilla varieties. Their Acapulco lime plantain chips are particularly praised for their crunch and flavor, making them an excellent alternative to traditional chips. They are also suitable for specialty diets like AIP and Whole 30. The texture and flavor of Barnana chips make them a strong contender for those seeking a unique and satisfying snack.

8. PopChips

PopChips uses a unique popping process instead of frying, resulting in chips with 4 grams of fat and 120 calories per 1-ounce serving, compared to the 10 grams of fat and 160 calories in traditional fried chips. With flavors like BBQ, aged white cheddar, and sour cream & onion, PopChips delivers a satisfying crunch and taste. While they may not match the crunchiness of fried chips, they offer a healthier alternative with a variety of flavors.

7. Late July

Late July is known for its organic and non-GMO snacks, with a strong focus on tortilla chips. Their range includes flavors like Mexican Street Corn and Garden Ranch, with the restaurant-style sea salt and lime chips being a personal favorite. The chia & quinoa tortilla chips offer a hint of flavor and a boost of omega-3 fatty acids. The brand's diverse and tasty options make Late July a top choice for high-quality tortilla chips.

6. PopCorners

PopCorners are popped rather than fried, which results in lower sodium and fat content. With flavors like white cheddar and sweet chili, they offer a satisfying texture and taste. Most varieties are gluten-free, catering to those with dietary restrictions. The balanced texture and flavor make PopCorners a great choice for those seeking a healthier chip with a familiar taste and feel.

5. Beanitos

Beanitos produces chips from beans, offering a high-protein, high-fiber alternative to traditional potato chips. Made from white, pinto, and black beans, their flavors include sea salt and sweet chili & sour cream. With 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving, Beanitos provide a nutritious snack option without sacrificing flavor or crunch.

4. Hippeas

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs are vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly, made from chickpea flour. With flavors like Vegan White Cheddar and Nacho Vibes, these puffs are a good alternative to standard cheese puffs. The tortilla chips and veggie straws also offer a range of flavors, though the tortilla chips are fried while the puffs are baked. Hippeas provides a healthy and flavorful option for those with dietary restrictions.

3. Food Should Taste Good

Founded in 2006 by Pete Lascoe, Food Should Taste Good emphasizes high-quality, non-GMO ingredients. Their tortilla chips, including flavors like blue corn and multigrain, are excellent for dipping. Flavored options such as guacamole and cheddar are made with real ingredients, offering great taste and quality. Their transparency in sourcing and commitment to positive farming practices make them a top choice for health-conscious consumers.

2. Beanfields

Beanfields stands out for its bean-based tortilla chips, offering flavors like spicy queso and pico de gallo. With 4 grams of protein and fiber per serving, these chips are a nutritious alternative to traditional options. The sour cream & onion and nacho flavors are particularly notable, providing a satisfying crunch and flavor while maintaining a healthier profile.

1. Terra

Terra chips have been a staple since 1990, known for their use of a variety of root vegetables like beets, turnips, and sweet potatoes. The Original real vegetable chips, featuring parsnip, taro, sweet potato, yuca, and batata, offer an exceptional crunch and balanced flavor. With over three decades of experience, Terra remains a top choice for high-quality, nutritious chips.

The chips featured in this list were selected based on their use of healthier ingredients compared to traditional chips, which often contain high levels of fat, calories, and undesirable additives. We prioritized chips that are air-dried, air-fried, or baked, and avoided those that are fried. Chips made with quality oils such as avocado, coconut, or olive were favored, and we considered the nutritional value of the ingredients, focusing on those that are organic and non-GMO. Rankings were influenced by factors such as crunchiness, suitability for dipping, flavor variety, and overall health benefits.