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Food & Recipes

5 Alternatives to Chips That Still Feel Snacky

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Finding healthy chip alternatives to buy may seem impossible, especially when you’re standing in the snack aisle of your grocery store looking at rows and rows of potato chips. The good news is there are plenty of healthy chip alternatives you can make at home to satisfy your cravings. Most of these homemade chip recipes can be made keto, gluten-free, or low-sodium, which means more snacking for you. 

homemade kale chips

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Homemade Kale Chips

Kale chips are almost mainstream by this point; you can find them in snack aisles at many grocery stores, and they come in delicious and exciting flavors like Rhythm Superfood’s “Kool Ranch” chips ($15.92 for a pack of four, Amazon) and Brad’s “Vampire Killer” crisps ($12.04 for a pack of three, Amazon). 

For a truly custom-made bite, we recommend making baked kale chips at home. Not sure how to make kale chips in the oven? Simply wash and dry a big batch of kale, and then remove the stems the rigid spine of each leaf. Then, toss your leaves in a dash of heart-healthy olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice (like nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor). The last step is to chuck them in the oven on a baking sheet at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep a watchful eye on the oven as kale chips tend to burn quickly. 

The type of kale you choose should depend on your preferences. Dinosaur kale, also known as Tuscan kale or Italian kale, is flat, which makes it easy to eat. Curly kale, which is the type you’re probably most familiar with, may be a better option for dipping. 

homemade sweet potato chips

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Homemade Sweet Potato Chips

Homemade sweet potato chips look similar to regular potato chips, so it feels less like you’re eating a healthy chip alternative. Plus, you can load them up with spices for a really flavorful bite.

To make sweet potato chips at home, scrub your ‘taters well so you don’t accidentally eat dirt. You may want to invest in a mandolin if your knife skills are lacking, because you want the chips to be thin enough that they will get crispy and crunchy in the oven. Once you’ve chopped everything, toss them in olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, and sea salt for a sweet potato chip recipe that will impress. Then, pop them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Jans Organic Sweet Potato Chips ($5.88, Amazon) is a great option if you don’t want to make a mess in the kitchen, as is RW Garcia’s Organic Sweet Potato Cracker ($19.90 for two 15-ounce bags, Amazon).

homemade carrot chips

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Homemade Carrot Chips

If you like roasted carrots (especially with orange zest à la Ina Garten), then you’ll love homemade carrot chips. For these, you’re really going to want a mandolin, as this baked carrots recipe calls for slicing the orange veggies at an angle so they’re elongated. 

Before baking, drizzle oil over the chips, as well as a sprinkle of cinnamon and salt. Many people like adding nutmeg or cumin for a sweet, nutty flavor. We like adding chili powder for a sweet and spicy chip. Let them sit in a 450-degree-Fahrenheit oven for 45 minutes before chowing down.

homemade apple chips

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Homemade Apple Chips

Calling any sweets lovers: Homemade apple chips are a delicious choice when you get peckish. Instead of guiltily eating a bar of chocolate or chocolate-covered pretzels, opt for homemade apple chips. You can add cinnamon and nutmeg for a traditional, autumnal apple, but we like to balance flavors by adding balsamic vinegar. (Trust us, your tastebuds will thank you.)

You can make apple chips at home using a dehydrator, but the oven also works well, too. Just slice your apples into rounds, remove the center and seeds, and bake for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip the apples and bake for another 30 minutes before enjoying.

Try Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips, Fuji & Reds ($4.29, Amazon) if you’re short on time. These fruit chips contain no added sugar, so they’re a wonderful guilt-free snack. 

homemade zucchini chips

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Homemade Zucchini Chips

Zucchini is a low-carb veggie that we love using as a pasta alternative. Little did we know we were totally missing one of the most delicious ways to enjoy zucchini: as chips! Plus, this green vegetable is full of nourishing B vitamins that lead to thick, healthy hair

First, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, wash and slice your zucchini, dip it in egg whites, and coat in a mixture of bread crumbs, Parmesan, pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice. Let them roast in the oven for eight to 10 minutes so they get nice and toasty and brown. Then, flip and let them roast for another eight to 10 minutes. We suggest eating them immediately as they taste best when warm.

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