Do Crisps Have a Lot of Potassium?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a one-ounce serving of classic potato crisps contains around 350 mg of potassium, a surprisingly significant amount. While potatoes are naturally rich in potassium, the manufacturing process affects the final quantity, and the presence of additives and high sodium levels complicates the health equation. Understanding these factors is crucial for making informed dietary choices, especially for those managing specific health conditions.

Quick Summary

Potato crisps and other potato-based snacks are a considerable source of potassium, derived from the potato itself. The frying process can concentrate this mineral, and some brands may include potassium chloride as a salt substitute, further increasing levels. This is particularly relevant for individuals with kidney disease who must monitor their potassium intake carefully.

Key Points

Source of Potassium: Potato crisps are high in potassium, derived from the potato, which is naturally rich in this mineral.
Concentration through Frying: The high-temperature frying process concentrates the nutrients in crisps, resulting in a higher potassium density per serving compared to a whole potato.
Potassium Additives: Some processed snacks, including certain crisps, contain potassium chloride as a salt substitute, which is more readily absorbed by the body.
Health Considerations: Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) must be particularly cautious about their potassium intake, making crisps a food to limit.
Snack Alternatives: Lower potassium snack alternatives to potato crisps include corn-based tortilla chips, rice cakes, and air-popped popcorn.
Label Reading is Key: Always check ingredient lists for potassium additives, which can significantly increase the potassium content of a snack.
Processing Matters: Boiling vegetables and discarding the water can help reduce potassium levels, a technique that can be applied to homemade snack preparation.

The Surprising Potassium in Potato Crisps

It is a common misconception that crisps are devoid of nutrients. While they are often high in sodium and fat, potato-based crisps inherit a significant amount of potassium from their primary ingredient: the potato. Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining normal blood pressure. For most healthy people, this potassium intake is not a concern, but for those with certain health conditions, like chronic kidney disease (CKD), managing potassium levels is critical.

How Cooking Affects Potassium Content

The processing method used to create crisps has a direct impact on the final potassium levels. While boiling potatoes can cause some potassium to leach into the water, frying concentrates the remaining minerals as moisture is removed. A raw potato is naturally high in potassium, but when it's thinly sliced and fried, the potassium becomes a more concentrated component of the final snack. This makes a single serving of potato crisps a more potent source of potassium than some might expect. For example, some data shows that a serving of crisps can have a potassium concentration that is several times higher than that of corn chips, which are not potato-based.

The Impact of Additives and Processing

Beyond the raw potato, manufacturers may add potassium chloride to processed foods, including crisps, to act as a salt replacer and reduce sodium content. For individuals with kidney disease, potassium additives are a particular concern. The body absorbs these inorganic forms of potassium much more efficiently than the naturally occurring potassium in plant-based foods, potentially leading to a more rapid and dangerous rise in blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Checking ingredient labels for terms like 'potassium chloride' is crucial for those who need to strictly manage their intake.

Comparison of Snacks: Potassium Levels

To illustrate the difference in potassium content, let's compare a few common snack options. The data below shows potassium levels for an average one-ounce (28g) serving.


Snack Type	Primary Ingredient	Average Potassium (mg) per 28g serving
Potato Crisps	Potato	~350 mg
Tortilla Chips	Corn/Maize	~40 mg
Baked Apple Chips	Apple	~190-210 mg
Rice Cakes (Plain)	Rice	Low content
Dehydrated Kiwi	Kiwi	~210 mg

From the table, it is clear that potato-based crisps are among the highest in potassium when compared to other common snacks like tortilla chips or rice cakes. Even snacks made from other fruits, like apple or kiwi chips, can have notable potassium levels due to the dehydration process concentrating the nutrients.

Healthy Low-Potassium Alternatives

For those who need to reduce their potassium intake, there are plenty of satisfying alternatives to traditional potato crisps. Some excellent options include:

Corn or Maize-based snacks: Many tortilla chips and other corn-based snacks contain significantly less potassium than potato crisps.
Plain rice cakes: These are a very low-potassium option and can be topped with low-potassium spreads or flavourings.
Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn, when consumed without excessive butter or salt, is a low-potassium alternative.
Homemade vegetable snacks: For those with kidney disease, boiling vegetables before frying or baking can reduce their potassium content. Making your own crisps from properly prepared vegetables gives you full control over the ingredients.
Breadsticks: Many varieties of breadsticks are low in potassium and can offer a satisfying crunch.

Practical Tips for Managing Potassium

For those monitoring their potassium intake, being mindful of snacking habits is key. Remember that portion sizes matter. Eating multiple small bags of crisps adds up quickly. It's also important to read labels, not just for sodium and fat, but also for potassium additives, especially if a product is advertised as 'low-sodium'. Opting for fresh foods and minimizing processed snacks is generally the best approach for overall health.

Conclusion: Crisps and Potassium

Ultimately, potato crisps do have a significant amount of potassium, inherited from the potato and concentrated by the frying process. While this may not be a concern for healthy individuals, it is an important dietary consideration for those with kidney disease or other conditions requiring a controlled potassium diet. By being aware of the potassium content in different snacks, reading nutrition labels, and opting for suitable alternatives, you can make healthier choices without sacrificing satisfying crunch.

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/potassium-your-ckd-diet

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all crisps are equally high in potassium. Potato and root vegetable crisps contain high levels, but maize- or rice-based crisps generally have a much lower potassium content.

For most healthy individuals with normal kidney function, the potassium in crisps is not a concern and contributes to overall mineral intake. It is only a dietary concern for people with specific health conditions like kidney disease.

Some crisps contain potassium additives, such as potassium chloride, which manufacturers use as a salt substitute to lower the sodium content. These additives are more easily absorbed by the body than naturally occurring potassium.

Yes, for homemade preparations, boiling sliced potatoes and discarding the water can reduce the potassium content. This is a common strategy for individuals on low-potassium diets.

A standard one-ounce serving (around 28g) of classic potato crisps contains approximately 350 mg of potassium, though this can vary by brand and flavor.

Good low-potassium alternatives include plain rice cakes, unsalted popcorn, and many corn-based tortilla chips. Always check labels to be sure.

High potassium intake from crisps is primarily a risk for those with compromised kidney function. For these individuals, it could lead to hyperkalemia, which can cause serious heart rhythm problems.