What Brand Has the Healthiest Potato Chips? A 2025 Guide

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to recent evaluations by Consumer Reports, many supposedly "healthy" chips still contain high levels of sodium, making label reading a critical step for mindful snackers. We'll help you navigate the aisles to discover what brand has the healthiest potato chips by examining cooking methods, oil choices, and ingredients.

Quick Summary

This guide compares potato chip brands to find the best options based on cooking methods, oil types, sodium levels, and ingredient quality. We evaluate popular choices and provide a framework for making a healthier snacking decision.

Key Points

Focus on Oil: Choose brands using avocado or olive oil instead of inflammatory seed oils like canola or soybean.
Baked over Fried: Opt for baked chips to significantly reduce fat content and the potential for harmful compounds like acrylamide.
Read Ingredient Lists: Prioritize brands with short, simple ingredient lists for cleaner snacking.
Monitor Sodium: Be mindful of sodium content, even in healthy oil or baked varieties, and compare milligrams per serving.
Consider Alternatives: For maximum health benefits, homemade vegetable chips or legume-based snacks are often a superior choice.
Evaluate Trade-Offs: Decide if your priority is healthier fat (avocado oil) or lower fat (baked) to find the best brand for you.

Navigating the Chip Aisle: Defining a 'Healthy' Snack

For many, a potato chip is a quintessential crunchy treat. However, with growing health consciousness, consumers are increasingly searching for options that offer that satisfying crunch without the nutritional compromises. The truth is that no potato chip is a health food, but some are demonstrably better for you than others. The key lies in understanding the criteria that separate a less-healthy chip from a genuinely healthier alternative.

What to Look For on the Label

When evaluating a brand, don't just stop at the marketing claims on the front of the bag. The real story is on the nutritional facts and ingredient list. Here is what to focus on:

Cooking Method: Baked or air-fried chips use significantly less oil than traditional deep-fried versions, which reduces overall fat and calorie content. This also helps avoid the formation of acrylamide, a compound linked to health concerns that emerges from frying potatoes at high temperatures.
Type of Oil: The type of oil used is paramount. Look for brands that use monounsaturated fats like avocado oil or olive oil. These are generally healthier options compared to pro-inflammatory polyunsaturated seed oils such as canola, soybean, and corn oil, which are often used in conventional chips.
Ingredient Simplicity: A clean label with few, recognizable ingredients is a good sign. The healthiest options will list potatoes, a quality oil, and sea salt—that's it. Avoid products with artificial flavors, additives, and long, complex ingredient lists.
Sodium Content: While salt is essential for flavor, many brands are loaded with excessive sodium. Compare the milligrams of sodium per serving across brands and choose the lowest option. Some varieties, even within the same brand, have significantly lower salt content.

Top Contenders for the Healthiest Chip Crown

Based on these criteria, several brands stand out in 2025 for their commitment to better ingredients and cooking methods. While the absolute "healthiest" can be subjective based on individual priorities, these brands consistently offer superior options.

Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil Chips Boulder Canyon is often cited for its use of avocado oil, a high-quality fat source. Their chips are typically made with just three ingredients: potatoes, avocado oil, and sea salt. This minimalistic approach ensures a clean snack that avoids inflammatory seed oils.

Kettle Brand Avocado Oil Chips Kettle offers a line of chips specifically cooked in avocado oil. Like Boulder Canyon, they prioritize better fats. They also offer an "Air Fried" version, which is an excellent choice for those looking to further reduce their fat intake while maintaining a crispy texture.

Baked Lay's For those seeking a lower-fat alternative from a mainstream brand, Baked Lay's offer a significantly lower fat and calorie count per serving compared to their fried counterparts. While they may not use the most premium oils, the baking process itself is a major step up from traditional frying.

Comparison: Healthiest Potato Chips by Brand


Brand	Featured Product	Cooking Method	Oil Type	Ingredient Simplicity	Relative Sodium	Best For
Boulder Canyon	Thin & Crispy Classic Sea Salt	Kettle Cooked	Avocado Oil	Excellent (3 ingredients)	Low	Clean eating, flavor
Kettle Brand	Avocado Oil Crushed Sea Salt	Kettle Cooked	Avocado Oil	Excellent (3 ingredients)	Low	Clean eating, premium oil
Baked Lay's	Original Potato Crisps	Baked	Canola Oil, etc.	Medium	Medium	Low-fat alternative
Tyrrell's	Crinkly Chips Lightly Sea Salted	Fried	Sunflower Oil	Good	Very Low	Low sodium choice
Standard Fried Chip	Regular, e.g., Pringles	Fried	Vegetable Oils, etc.	Poor (additives)	High	Flavor (less healthy)

Healthier Alternatives to Potato Chips

If you're looking to move beyond potatoes, there are even healthier alternatives available. Many brands, and home cooks, use different vegetables or legumes to create satisfyingly crunchy snacks that offer additional fiber and nutrients.

Kale Chips: Baked kale leaves can be seasoned and crisped up in the oven for a high-nutrient, low-calorie chip alternative. They are packed with vitamins A and C, and antioxidants.
Sweet Potato Chips: Baked or air-fried sweet potato slices provide fiber and antioxidants, including carotene. Just be mindful of added sugar in store-bought varieties.
Bean-Based Chips (e.g., Beanitos): Chips made from beans or lentils can offer more protein and fiber per serving than traditional potato chips, making them more satiating.
Homemade Options: For ultimate control, consider making your own chips. By slicing potatoes thinly and baking or air-frying them with a drizzle of olive oil, you can create a simple and healthy snack.

Conclusion: Making the Best Chip Choice

There is no single brand that is definitively the healthiest for everyone, but by focusing on a few key factors, you can make a much smarter choice. Brands like Boulder Canyon and Kettle, with their use of avocado oil, are excellent for those prioritizing healthier fats. If reducing overall fat is the main goal, baked options like Baked Lay's are a step in the right direction. Reading labels for a simple ingredient list and low sodium content will always be a good strategy. By being informed, you can find a chip that satisfies your craving while minimizing the health trade-offs. For a deeper look into the health effects of cooking oils, consult a resource like the CDC for guidance on healthy eating habits.

: https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/healthiest-chips-rcna149193 : https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition-pictures/do-these-healthy-chips-hold-up.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions

While no potato chip is a health food, some brands are healthier than others. Options cooked in avocado or olive oil, or those that are baked instead of fried, contain better fats and fewer calories than conventional chips.

The healthiest oils for cooking chips are those high in monounsaturated fats, such as avocado oil and olive oil. These are preferable to the highly processed vegetable and seed oils often used in conventional chips.

Yes, baked potato chips are generally healthier. The baking process uses significantly less oil, resulting in a lower fat and calorie count compared to deep-fried versions.

Look for a short, simple ingredient list with recognizable items, such as potatoes, a healthy oil, and sea salt. Prioritize brands that are baked or cooked in quality oils like avocado or olive oil.

Kettle Brand offers a variety of products. Their chips cooked specifically in avocado oil or their 'Air Fried' options are among the healthier choices due to better oil and cooking methods.

Brands like Boulder Canyon and Kettle use avocado oil because it is considered a healthier, high-quality fat. It is a good source of monounsaturated fats and is a clean alternative to inflammatory seed oils.

Not necessarily. Many store-bought veggie chips are still highly processed and contain added sodium and fat. While they may contain some vegetable content, it's often minimal. It is often healthier to eat whole vegetables.

You can make your own by thinly slicing potatoes, tossing them in a small amount of olive or avocado oil, and baking or air-frying them until crispy. This gives you complete control over the ingredients and process.

Excellent alternatives include kale chips, baked sweet potato slices, roasted chickpeas, or legume-based chips. These options often provide more fiber, protein, and nutrients.