What are the ingredients in vegetable chips?

November 26, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a 2016 ABC News report, many popular veggie chips contain more potato starch than actual vegetables. Understanding what are the ingredients in vegetable chips is key to making an informed choice about this seemingly healthy snack.

Quick Summary

This article explores the typical ingredients found in commercial vegetable chips, including vegetable bases, oils, flavorings, and additives. It contrasts these with the simple, whole-food ingredients used in homemade versions, revealing how processing methods can alter the final product.

Key Points

Potato Starch is Common: Many commercial veggie chips primarily consist of dehydrated potato and potato starch, not whole vegetables.
Vegetable Powders for Color: The colorful appearance of some store-bought chips often comes from small amounts of vegetable powders, not whole vegetable slices.
Oil Matters: Commercial chips are often fried in industrial oils like canola or palm, while homemade options typically use healthier oils like olive or avocado.
Homemade Offers Control: Making your own vegetable chips gives you complete control over the vegetables, oil, seasonings, and preparation method.
Not a Vegetable Replacement: Even high-quality vegetable chips should not be seen as a substitute for fresh, whole vegetables due to differences in nutrient and water content.
Additives Are Frequent: Many mass-produced chips contain added flavorings, preservatives like MSG, or added sugars that are not present in homemade versions.

Common Ingredients in Commercial Vegetable Chips

Commercial vegetable chips often have a more complex ingredient list than homemade ones. The appearance of colorful produce on packaging can be misleading, as many rely heavily on starches and additives.

Vegetable Bases

Many commercial chips use a base of starches and flours, with less dehydrated vegetable content than implied. Common bases include dehydrated potato or potato starch for texture, other flours like cornstarch or tapioca, and vegetable powders for color from ingredients such as spinach or beetroot. Some brands do use sliced and dried root vegetables like sweet potato or beets, though they are often fried.

Oils, Seasonings, and Additives

Beyond the base, cooking oils are crucial, with common types including high oleic sunflower, safflower, canola, or palm oil. Flavorings range from simple salt to more complex blends with garlic powder or paprika. Additives and preservatives like MSG, maltose, and citric acid may also be included to enhance shelf life, color, and flavor.

A Comparison of Homemade vs. Commercial Vegetable Chips


Feature	Homemade Vegetable Chips	Commercial Vegetable Chips
Core Ingredients	Thinly sliced whole vegetables (e.g., sweet potato, kale, beets), oil, and salt.	Dehydrated potato starch/flour, vegetable powders, and added flavorings.
Processing Method	Typically baked, air-fried, or dehydrated at low temperatures at home.	Often deep-fried in industrial oils at high temperatures or vacuum-fried.
Oil Content & Type	Controlled, minimal oil usage, often healthy oils like olive or avocado oil.	Higher fat content, often uses industrial vegetable oils that can become trans fats when heated.
Flavor Control	Fully customizable flavorings using natural spices and herbs.	Relies on pre-formulated, sometimes artificial, seasoning blends and flavor enhancers.
Nutritional Profile	Higher retention of fiber and vitamins, especially with low-heat methods.	Nutrient content can be significantly reduced due to processing; often higher in sodium.
Additives	Generally free from preservatives, MSG, or other artificial additives.	May contain preservatives, colorings, and flavor enhancers like MSG.

The Simple Ingredients of Homemade Vegetable Chips

Making vegetable chips at home offers control over ingredients for a healthier snack. Key steps involve slicing, oiling, seasoning, and baking or dehydrating.

Best Vegetables for Homemade Chips:

Root vegetables like sweet potato, beets, parsnips, and carrots.
Leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
Other options like zucchini or bell peppers.

Common Seasonings: Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, nutritional yeast, and dried herbs are popular choices.

Recommended Oils: Olive oil and avocado oil are often used.

Conclusion: Read Labels, or Make Your Own

Understanding what are the ingredients in vegetable chips highlights the difference between commercial and homemade options. Store-bought varieties often prioritize potato starches over actual vegetables and may contain industrial oils and additives. Homemade chips, using whole vegetables and minimal processing, offer better control over ingredients and nutrition. For a truly healthy snack, examine ingredient labels carefully or consider making your own.

Visit Wholefully.com for a recipe to make crispy baked vegetable chips at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all store-bought vegetable chips are created equal. You should always read the ingredient label. While many use fillers and unhealthy oils, some brands offer cleaner, minimally processed versions that use whole vegetables and healthier oils.

No, vegetable chips do not count as a full serving of fresh vegetables. Due to processing, they lack the water content and some of the heat-sensitive vitamins found in whole vegetables. While they retain some fiber and minerals, they should not replace whole produce in your diet.

The main difference lies in the ingredients and processing. Homemade chips are made from whole, thinly sliced vegetables with minimal oil and seasoning, while commercial versions often rely on a potato starch or flour base with vegetable powders for color, and are fried in potentially less healthy oils.

For homemade vegetable chips, healthier oils with high smoke points like avocado oil or olive oil are recommended. This ensures that the oil remains stable during cooking and does not convert into trans fats.

Some veggie chips taste like potato chips because their primary ingredient is often potato flour or potato starch, not the vegetables depicted on the packaging. The actual vegetables are included in smaller amounts as dehydrated powders for color.

For the crispiest homemade chips, slice your vegetables as thinly and uniformly as possible, preferably using a mandoline. For starchier vegetables like potatoes, soaking the slices in water before baking can help remove excess starch and prevent a 'gluey' texture.

Yes, an air fryer is an excellent tool for making homemade vegetable chips. It circulates hot air to cook the vegetable slices, resulting in a crispy texture with less oil than traditional frying methods.