Healthy Chips: A Review of 9 Popular Brands

The Health Benefits of Kettle Cooked Chips

Kettle cooked chips have become an increasingly popular snack food option for health-conscious consumers. When made with high quality ingredients and cooking methods, kettle chips can be a tasty treat that also provides nutritional value.

What Are Kettle Cooked Chips?

Kettle cooked chips refer to potato chips that are cooked in small batches in a kettle fryer. This artisanal approach means the chips are stirred and cooked in their own natural oils and seasoning rather than being mass produced using industrial frying methods.

The kettle cooking process results in chips that are thicker and crunchier than traditional mass market potato chips. The small batch process also allows more control over ingredients and seasonings, making kettle chips a good option for gourmet and better-for-you chip brands.

Nutritional Benefits of Kettle Cooked Chips

Many kettle cooked chip brands focus on using high quality ingredients and cooking methods to produce chips that have nutritional advantages over fried potato chips:

• Higher protein - Brands that use lentils, chickpeas, quinoa and even spinach in their chips deliver more protein.
• More fiber - The use of beans and lentils adds fiber not found in regular potato chips.
• Less sodium - Smaller brands often use less salt and seasoning compared to big industrial chip labels.
• No trans fats - The use of non-hydrogenated oils avoids artery-clogging trans fats.
• Natural ingredients - Many leading kettle chip companies highlight the use of non-GMO ingredients, olive and avocado oils, and natural seasonings.

Examining the Health Claims of Popular Kettle Chip Brands

The kettle cooked chip market has expanded in recent years to include startups positioning their crispy snacks as healthy alternatives. But do these upstart brands live up to their nutritional marketing?

Beanfields Bean & Lentil Chips

Beanfields has made waves with its signature chips made from navy beans and lentils. With 5g of plant-based protein and 5g of fiber per serving, these veggie chips deliver nutrition lacking in potato-only chips. Beanfields chips are also vegan, non-GMO certified and cooked in non-hydrogenated sunflower oil.

Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips

This brand uses healthier ingredients like olive oil and whole grain flours to create better-for-you chips in flavors like flax and chia. While these multipgrain chips are non-GMO and contain no cholesterol, they are similar in calories and sodium to regular potato chips.

Late July Organic Snacks Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips

Made with organic corn, avocado oil and salt, Late July's tortilla chips trim out the preservatives and trans fats found in mainstream brands. While a serving contains 150 calories and 380mg of sodium, these stats are modest compared to conventional tortilla chips.

Lesser Evil Grain Free Potato Chips

This aptly named brand uses avocado oil and coconut oil to fry their chips, eliminating concerns over processed seed oils. Their grain-free, gluten-free chips also cater to paleo and keto dieters. With 120 calories and zero carbs per serving, these keto-friendly chips make a compelling case as a guiltless snack.

Popchips Potato Ridges

Popchips innovates the chip concept by using potato flakes to create popped chips sans frying. With claims of no trans fats, saturated fats, preservatives or GMO ingredients, Popchips checks many better-for-you boxes. However, reviews suggest the ridged Popchips lack the satisfying crunch and flavor punch of the leading kettle cooked brands.

Ruffles Lime and Jalapeno Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

An offering from chip giant Frito-Lay, these Ruffles kettle chips cut the fat by using sunflower and canola oils blended with small amounts of olive oil. While the reduced fat claim and use of natural flavors is promising, there is still room for improvement in the artificial coloring and large amounts of salt used.

Sixty4 Nine Gluten Free Tortilla Chips

Made with three types of cassava flour, these unique tortilla chips from Sixty4 Nine are gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan. They are fried in expeller pressed canola oil to avoid chemical solvent extraction methods. With 140 calories and 290mg of sodium per serving, these cassava flour chips are comparable to standard corn tortilla offerings.

Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps

While these thin, crunchy crackers are marketed as healthy baked alternatives to chips, Pretzel Crisps are still highly refined and pack 160 calories per serving. On the plus side, they contain simple, recognizable ingredients and are cooked in vegetable oils to avoid trans fats.

Choosing the Healthiest Kettle Cooked Chip Option

When comparing nutrition labels, Beanfields bean chips stand out as highest in protein and fiber compared to other kettle cooked varieties. For the healthiest pick, Beanfields navy bean and lentil chips lead the pack thanks to their unique use of beans, lentils, and clean ingredients and cooking methods. Their 5g of plant-based protein and 5g of fiber per serving deliver the most nutritional bang for the buck.

Are Kettle Cooked Chips Actually Healthy?

While kettle chips are often positioned as the healthier potato chip, not all brands live up to that reputation. Chips cooked in olive, avocado and coconut oil do avoid the pressing health concerns over vegetable and seed oils used in regular fried chips. Brands incorporating beans, lentils and other vegetables also boost the fiber and nutrition compared to potato-only chips.

However, chips still remain a high sodium and high calorie processed food. For true healthy snacking, raw veggies, fruits, nuts and other whole foods are better options than any refined snack chip.

Within the chip category, kettle cooked options like Beanfields that focus on high quality ingredients deliver more nutrition than heavily processed, industrial potato chips. While not a health food, quality kettle chips in moderation can be an acceptable better-for-you snack in the context of an overall balanced diet.

Kettle Chip Ingredients to Support Your Health Goals

When shopping for healthy kettle cooked chips, read ingredient labels closely to find options that best match your dietary needs and preferences.

Seek Out Natural Oils

The type of oil used to cook chips makes a big health difference. Brands cooking with olive, avocado or coconut oil provide more mono- and polyunsaturated fats compared to vegetable, corn and soybean oils used by conventional chip makers.

Go GMO-Free

Non-GMO certified kettle chip brands reassure customers they avoid genetically modified corn, potatoes and soybeans. This gives peace of mind to those wishing to minimize consumption of GMO foods.

Say No to Trans Fats

Major health organizations recommend limiting intake of trans fats, which are created through industrial food processing. Leading better-for-you chip brands tout cooking with non-hydrogenated oils to avoid these harmful trans fats.

Seek Low Sodium Options

With most Americans consuming excess sodium, choosing lower sodium kettle chip options helps moderate daily salt intake for better heart health.

Embrace the Power of Plants

Bean and lentil based chips as well as those incorporating veggies, seeds or greens provide more fiber, protein and micronutrients than starchy potato chips.

Consider Allergen-Free Ingredients

Innovative kettle chip companies now cater to gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and other specialized diets. Reading labels helps find allergy-friendly options made with allowable ingredients.

Make Them Guilt-Free

Attacking bag after bag defeats the purpose of a healthier chip. Practice portion control by sticking to individual serving sizes listed on the nutrition label.

Kettle Chip Recipes and Pairings

Beyond snacking straight from the bag, fans of kettle cooked chips can incorporate these tasty crisps into recipes and alongside other foods. The hearty texture and rich flavors of quality kettle chips make them suitable for both sweet and savory pairings.

Nacho Average Nachos

For a skinny spin on game day nachos, use baked tortilla or bean chips as the foundation rather than fried corn chips. Layer on diced tomatoes, black beans, shredded lettuce, sliced jalapenos, guacamole or Greek yogurt and just a sprinkle of shredded cheese for a pile of nachos that scores big on nutrition.

Crunchwrap Supreme

Wrap up scrambled eggs, turkey sausage crumbles, guacamole and crisp shredded lettuce in a jumbo tortilla shell. Gently warm the wrap in the oven or skillet before topping with crushed kettle chips for an extra morning crunch.

Fish and Chips

Trade greasy deep fried filets for fresh white fish seasoned and baked to flaky perfection. Play on the British favorite by pairing your healthier fish entree with a side of crunchy kettle style chips.

Chipotle Sweet Potato Skins

Scoop out a baked sweet potato and lightly mash the insides with chipotle seasoning, cilantro and Greek yogurt or cheese. Stuff this spicy mix back into the potato skin and top with crushed chips before baking to perfection.

Chip and Dip Duo

Playing up the salty and sweet, crush chocolate or yogurt covered pretzels into chunks to create an inside-out pretzel chip. Serve alongside caramel and cheese fondues or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Gourmet Potato Chip Cookies

The salty crunch of crumbled kettle chips inside sweet cookie dough makes for an addicting textural experience. This dessert darling swaps potato chips in place of nuts in classic chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie recipes.

Storing Chips to Maintain Freshness and Nutrition

To keep kettle style chips from going stale, follow proper storage methods to extend shelf life after opening.

Use Air-Tight Containers

To prevent crisps from absorbing moisture and getting soggy, transfer opened bags of chips to airtight containers. Use glass jars or storage bins with silicone lids to lock out humidity.

Keep Them Cool and Dry

Store containment of open chips in a cool cupboard away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight. The ideal storage temperature for maintaining crunch ranges between 50F to 70F.

Freeze for Extended Life

For surplus chips, consider freezing to pause the clock on shelf life. Freezing locks in freshness for up to six months. Thaw bags slowly at room temp before enjoying to prevent moisture issues.

Watch the Clock

If not frozen or stored in air-tight containers, chips still sealed in their original packaging will last around two weeks past their printed sell-by date before quality degrades.

Check for Staleness

Inspect chips before eating to ensure they haven't gone bad. Signs include off smells, soft textures, visible mold and unpleasant bitter or rancid flavors.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.