Last Update: May 30, 2025
Potato chips are, for many people, the quintessential snack: They’re delightfully crunchy, satisfyingly salty, and the perfect vessel for dipping. Often, though, potato chips aren’t particularly healthy—with trans fats from deep frying and high levels of sodium, traditional potato chip brands don’t fit in with most people’s health goals.
Much like alternative milks or alternative flours, there’s now a smorgasbord of alternative potato chips that will satisfy the same crispy, crunchy snack craving without the highly processed oils and artificial flavors. From cassava to cauliflower to less-processed versions of nostalgic potato chip flavors, here are our favorite healthier ways to snack.
When browsing for better-for-you chips, ingredients matter. Look for snacks made with whole food bases—like sweet potatoes, cassava root, or even vegetables like kale and cauliflower—paired with clean oils such as avocado, coconut, or olive oil. These swaps support a more nutrient-dense snack without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Healthier chip alternatives often skip preservatives and artificial seasonings in favor of simple spice blends and sea salt, giving you bold flavor with a more transparent ingredient list. Many are also naturally gluten-free and made without common allergens, making them a smart choice for those with dietary restrictions or food sensitivities.
Some standout picks available at Thrive Market include sweet potato chips cooked in coconut oil, beet chips lightly salted with sea salt, and cassava-based chips that are grain-free and paleo-friendly. If you’re looking for the closest match to traditional potato chips, opt for kettle-cooked varieties made with minimal ingredients and high-quality oils—they deliver the same satisfying crunch with a cleaner nutritional profile.
Potatoes themselves aren’t inherently unhealthy, but the process of deep frying them in processed oils makes them more inflammatory. If you’re a potato chip purist, try these better versions of your favorite classic crunchy snack.
When choosing a healthier chip, it’s less about avoiding potatoes and more about what they’re cooked in and how they’re processed. Look for chips that are kettle-cooked or baked instead of deep-fried, and check the ingredient list for clean oils like avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. These unrefined fats are more stable at high temperatures and are less likely to contribute to oxidation or inflammation.
Another smart swap? Choosing chips that are seasoned simply—with sea salt or herbs—rather than artificial flavors or additives. Many better-for-you chip brands also skip preservatives and are made with just a few recognizable ingredients: potatoes, oil, and salt. It’s proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list to get that perfectly crisp, salty crunch.
Coconut Oil Potato Chips, Himalayan Pink Salt
Coconut oil has tons of health benefits, which makes it a better-for-you cooking oil for these kettle cooked chips.
Thrive Market Non-GMO Avocado Oil Potato Chips, Himalayan Salt
Similarly, pure avocado oil gives these non-GMO chips a better kind of crunch than chips made with more processed oils.
Kettle Brand Air Fried Potato Chips, Himalayan Salt
Air frying makes these chips just as crisp and crunchy, but a bit lighter than most.
Thrive Market Coconut Oil Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips
Slightly sweet, salty chips with all the health benefits of sweet potatoes.
Fody Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, Pink Himalayan Salt
Adhering to a low-FODMAP diet? These chips will fit right in.
Kettle Brand Potato Chips, Unsalted
A crunchy snack without the sodium.
Want to skip the potato in favor of veggies, fruits, or grain-free flours? Here are some of the best potato chip alternatives.
Hippie Snacks Avocado Crisps, Sea Salt
You might not expect it, but creamy avocado baked with nuts and seeds makes for a light, crispy, plant-based chip.
Eatsmart Snacks Veggie Crisps, Sea Salt
These multicolored chips are made with a blend of dried tomato, potato, and spinach for an airy crunch and impressive nutrient density.
Thrive Market Lightly Salted Plantain Chips
Made with only slightly sweet, salted plantains and non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, these are a purer alternative to processed potato chips with a very similar crunch.
Thrive Market Banana Munchies
Slightly sweeter than plantain chips, these gluten-free, paleo banana chips are made with non-GMO green bananas and cooked in coconut oil.
Thrive Market Non-GMO Grain-Free Tortilla Chips, Sea Salt
Cassava and coconut flours create a grain-free base for these crunchy, dip-ready tortilla chips.
Non-GMO Thrive Market Dragon Fruit Chips
Made with dragon fruit ethically sourced from Vietnam, these bright red chips are naturally sweet and vacuum-dried for a craveable crunch.
From the Ground Up Cauliflower Tortilla Chips, Sea Salt
Made with a blend of cassava and cauliflower, these pack vitamin-rich veggies into each chip.
Kibo Foods Sea Salt Lentil Chips
Packed with 7 grams of protein, these are more than just a cure for cravings.
Rhythm Kale Chips
The original healthy chip alternative is still just as crunchy, tasty, and ready for snacking.
Want a bit of extra flavor? Maybe something tart, tangy, spicy, or even pickled? Here are our favorite flavored potato chips.
Siete Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, Sea Salt & Vinegar
The classic combo—updated with fewer processed ingredients.
The Good Crisp Company Sour Cream & Onion Potato Crisps
Like a baked potato in chip form.
Siete Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, Queso
No dip required for this cheesy chip flavor.
Thrive Market Non-GMO Plantain Chips, Chili Lime
Perfect for scooping up a summer ceviche.
SpudLove Organic Thick-Cut Potato Chips, Barbecue
Your childhood favorite chip, now with organic potatoes and non-GMO oils and spices.
Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Potato Chips, Dill Pickle
Feeling adventurous? This one is weird, wacky, and wonderfully snackable.