Healthy Veggie Chips: 10 Best Picks For Your Pantry
Discover top-rated veggie chips that deliver crunch, flavor, and nutrition without the guilt of traditional fried snacks.
Craving the satisfying crunch of chips but want something healthier? Veggie chips offer a nutritious twist on the classic snack, made from real vegetables like beets, kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These alternatives cut down on calories, boost fiber and protein, and deliver bold flavors without excessive oils or artificial additives. In this guide, we rank the top healthy veggie chips based on ingredient quality, nutritional profiles, taste, and expert reviews, helping you choose smarter options for your pantry.
Why Choose Veggie Chips Over Potato Chips?
Traditional potato chips are often fried in unhealthy oils, loaded with sodium, and low in nutrients. Veggie chips, by contrast, use dehydrated, baked, or air-popped vegetables, providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For instance, root vegetable chips from brands like Terra incorporate beets and parsnips, rich in betalains and fiber. Dietitians emphasize that while not all veggie chips are equal—some add fillers like rice flour—top picks prioritize whole veggies for better satiety and health benefits.
Key advantages include lower calorie counts (as low as 90 per bag for Snacklins), higher plant-based protein (4-5g per serving in Beanitos), and reduced fat compared to standard snacks. The American Heart Association notes that options with under 300mg sodium per serving, like Trader Joe’s root chips, align with daily limits. Always check labels for minimal processing to maximize benefits.
How We Selected the Best Healthy Veggie Chips
Our rankings draw from taste tests, nutritional analysis, and consumer feedback across sources like Tasting Table, MEL Magazine, and Sporked. We prioritized chips with:
- Whole vegetable bases (no potato-dominant blends)
- Low calories and fats (baked or air-dried preferred)
- High fiber/protein (3g+ per serving)
- Clean ingredients (non-GMO, organic where possible)
- Great flavor and crunch without artificial additives
Brands were scored on a 10-point scale for nutrition (40%), taste (30%), texture (20%), and availability (10%). Here’s our top 10 countdown.
10. Good Health Veggie Sticks and Chips
Good Health, a Utz subsidiary, focuses on non-GMO snacks using avocado and olive oils. Their veggie sticks and kettle chips in flavors like sea salt and jalapeño offer a familiar crunch with healthier fats. A serving provides balanced nutrition without excessive processing, making them a solid entry-level choice.
9. Late July Organic Tortilla Chips
Late July shines with organic, non-GMO tortilla chips blending veggie elements in flavors like Mexican Street Corn and Sea Salt & Lime. These deliver restaurant-style taste with moderate sodium and no high-fructose corn syrup, ideal for dipping.
8. Snacklins Plant-Based Crisps
Air-popped from mushrooms, yuca, and onions, Snacklins pack just 90 calories per bag. Flavors like BBQ, Nacho, and Cinnamon Churro provide variety and lightness, perfect for portion control.
7. Simple Truth Veggie Chips
These standout for authentic veggie taste—tomato chips evoke real tomatoes, spinach pure flavor. Curvy, crunchy shapes make them fun and addictive, earning top marks for veggie-forward appeal in taste tests.
6. Brad’s Plant-Based Veggie Chips
Brad’s air-dried organic veggies in broccoli cheddar, red bell pepper, and Vampire Killer (garlic-kale) deliver bold, nutrient-dense bites. High in fiber and protein, they’re a vegan favorite praised for clean, whole-food ingredients.
5. Beanitos Bean-Based Chips
Made from American-sourced beans (white, pinto, black), these tortilla-style chips boast 5g protein and 4g fiber per serving. Flavors like Sweet Chili & Sour Cream satisfy cravings while boosting nutrition—far superior to potato chips.
4. Hippeas Chickpea Snacks
Hippeas’ chickpea puffs and tortilla chips (Sea Salt & Lime, Nacho Vibes) are vegan, gluten-free, and packed with 3-4g protein and 2g fiber. Sustainably farmed peas mimic junky flavors healthily.
3. Beanfields Bean Tortilla Chips
Beanfields match corn chip taste with 4g protein/fiber. Nacho and Sour Cream & Onion varieties hold up to dips, offering crunch and satisfaction without compromise.
2. Bare and Rhythm Veggie Chips
Tied for near-top: Bare Carrot Chips and Rhythm Beet Chips are baked/roasted with minimal salt—no fillers. Kale chips from Rhythm add superfood nutrition. Experts call them among the healthiest for pure veggie power.
1. Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips
The gold standard since 1990, Terra uses real root veggies like beets, turnips, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Dehydrated not fried, they offer superior nutrition, crunch, and exotic flavors. Consistently ranked #1 for taste and health.
Nutritional Comparison Table
| Brand | Calories/Serving | Protein (g) | Fiber (g) | Sodium (mg) | Key Veggies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra | 140 | 2 | 4 | 110 | Beets, Parsnips |
| Beanitos | 130 | 5 | 4 | 170 | Beans |
| Hippeas | 140 | 4 | 2 | 200 | Chickpeas |
| Snacklins | 90 | 3 | 2 | 150 | Mushrooms, Yuca |
| Brad’s | 120 | 4 | 3 | 180 | Kale, Broccoli |
*Per ~1oz serving; values approximate from sources.
Healthier Swaps and Pairing Ideas
Opt for baked over fried; pair with hummus (60 cal/tbsp) or salsa for dips. Bean chips like Beanitos excel for protein boosts, while Terra suits veggie lovers. Limit to 1-2 servings to keep sodium in check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are veggie chips actually healthy?
Yes, top picks like Bare and Terra are, with real veggies, low fat, and nutrients—but avoid those with potato fillers or high sodium.
What’s the lowest calorie veggie chip?
Snacklins at 90 calories per bag, thanks to air-popping.
Do veggie chips have more protein than regular chips?
Absolutely—Beanitos and Beanfields offer 4-5g vs. 2g in potato chips.
Are Terra chips fried?
No, they’re sliced thin and dehydrated for crispiness without deep-frying.
Best veggie chips for keto or vegan diets?
Brad’s and Hippeas are vegan/keto-friendly with high fiber, low carbs.
Final Tips for Buying Veggie Chips
Scan ingredients for whole veggies first, check certifications (organic, non-GMO), and compare nutrition panels. Stock up on Terra for everyday, Beanitos for protein. These snacks make healthy eating crave-worthy—enjoy the crunch!
References
- The 16 Healthiest Chip Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best — Tasting Table. 2023-10-01. https://www.tastingtable.com/823476/the-healthiest-chip-brands-ranked-from-worst-to-best/
- Ranking Veggie Chips by How Healthy They Are — MEL Magazine. 2022-05-15. https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/ranking-veggie-chips-by-how-healthy-they-are
- Best Veggie Chips and Veggie Straws [Taste Test] — Sporked. 2024-03-20. https://sporked.com/article/best-veggie-chips-veggie-straws/
- 6 Best Vegetable Chip Brands — Verified Market Research. 2023-11-10. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/blog/best-vegetable-chip-brands/
- Best Vegetable Chips | Veggie Chips — Consumer Reports. 2013-02-01. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/eat-your-vegetable-chips/index.htm (Authoritative taste/nutrition benchmark, relevant despite age).
- A definitive ranking of the 9 healthiest veggie chips — theSkimm. 2023-07-12. https://www.theskimm.com/food/snacks/are-veggie-stix-healthy
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
