Which chips are made without seed oil?

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

Up to 40% of a chip’s weight can be oil, making the choice of cooking fat a significant factor in a snack's nutritional profile. For those seeking cleaner options, finding out which chips are made without seed oil can be a key step towards healthier eating and reducing intake of polyunsaturated fats.

Quick Summary

Find a guide to chips made without seed oils, including brands using avocado, olive, or coconut oil instead of inflammatory alternatives. Explore options like Siete, Boulder Canyon, and others prioritizing healthier fats for a satisfying crunch.

Key Points

Choose Avocado or Olive Oil: Look for chips explicitly listing avocado, olive, or coconut oil in the ingredients, as these are healthier alternatives to seed oils.
Check Ingredient Labels Carefully: Don't be fooled by marketing slogans; always read the full ingredient list to find seed oils like sunflower, canola, or soybean oil.
Siete Offers Grain-Free Options: Brands like Siete make tortilla chips with 100% avocado oil and a cassava flour blend, catering to both grain-free and seed oil-free diets.
Boulder Canyon Has Multiple Alternatives: Boulder Canyon features kettle-cooked potato chips with varieties cooked in avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.
Some 'Healthy' Chips Still Use Seed Oils: Be cautious with baked or veggie chips, as these can still contain seed oils, so verifying the ingredient list is essential.
Making Your Own is an Option: For total control over ingredients, you can make your own chips at home using an air-fryer or baking, cooked in your choice of healthy fat.

Why Choose Chips Without Seed Oils?

Seed oils are vegetable oils extracted from seeds, such as corn, sunflower, soybean, and canola oils. Many consumers are choosing to avoid them due to health concerns, particularly their high omega-6 fatty acid content, which can contribute to inflammation when consumed in excess relative to omega-3s. Additionally, some seed oils undergo heavy processing with chemical solvents, which can strip away nutrients. By opting for chips fried in healthier fats like avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, you can still enjoy a crunchy snack while supporting your nutritional goals.

Leading Brands of Seed Oil Free Chips

Fortunately, a growing number of brands are offering delicious alternatives to traditional chips. These products are cooked in oils like avocado or olive oil, which are high in monounsaturated fats and more stable under high heat.

Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips

Siete is a brand well-known for its grain-free and seed oil-free snacks. Their popular tortilla chips are a great option for those with dietary sensitivities or who are simply looking for a cleaner product. Ingredients typically include a cassava flour blend, avocado oil, and coconut flour.

Boulder Canyon Chips

Boulder Canyon offers a variety of kettle-cooked chips that use alternative oils. Their products include options cooked in avocado oil, olive oil, and even coconut oil. It's important to check the specific bag, as some of their products might still use sunflower oil, but their avocado and olive oil lines are clearly marked.

Good Health Avocado Oil Chips

Good Health produces several kettle-style potato chips using 100% avocado oil. With simple ingredients like potatoes, avocado oil, and sea salt, they provide a clean and crunchy snack. They also offer flavored options like Jalapeno and Barbecue made with the same commitment to healthier fats.

MASA Seed Oil Free Tortilla Chips

For those who prefer a truly traditional approach, MASA makes tortilla chips from organic corn, grass-fed beef tallow, and sea salt. The use of beef tallow instead of vegetable oils makes these a great choice for a seed oil-free diet.

Trader Joe's Potato Chips

Some specific Trader Joe's brand potato chips are cooked in olive oil instead of seed oils. As with any product, it's essential to read the ingredient list carefully, but these offer a budget-friendly way to find seed oil free options.

How to Find Seed Oil Free Chips

Since many conventional chips rely on seed oils, being an informed shopper is crucial. Here’s how you can identify products made without seed oils:

Read the Ingredient List: This is the most reliable method. Look specifically for oils like avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. Avoid products that list vegetable oil blends (canola, sunflower, soybean).
Look for Transparency: Brands that avoid seed oils often highlight their use of healthier fats prominently on the packaging.
Use Third-Party Verification: Some products, such as those certified by the Seed Oil Free Certified™ program, have undergone rigorous testing to ensure purity.

Comparison of Seed Oil Free Chip Brands


Brand	Oil Used	Type of Chip	Key Features
Siete Family Foods	Avocado Oil	Tortilla (Grain-Free)	Grain-free, gluten-free, vegan
Boulder Canyon	Avocado, Olive, or Coconut Oil	Potato	Kettle-cooked, non-GMO, multiple oil options
Good Health	Avocado Oil	Potato	Kettle-style, 100% avocado oil, simple ingredients
MASA Chips	Grass-fed Beef Tallow	Tortilla	Made with organic corn, tallow, and sea salt
Trader Joe's	Olive Oil	Potato	Some varieties use olive oil; check label carefully

Conclusion: Making a Healthier Snack Choice

Choosing which chips are made without seed oil is a straightforward process once you know what to look for on ingredient labels. With an expanding market of health-conscious snack brands, finding delicious options that align with a seed oil-free diet is easier than ever. By prioritizing brands that use healthy fats like avocado or olive oil, or even beef tallow, you can continue to enjoy a satisfying crunch while making a more informed and health-supportive choice for your snacking habits. A simple glance at the ingredient list can empower you to control what you eat and avoid unnecessary processing and potentially inflammatory fats. For further reading on why some individuals avoid seed oils, the Cleveland Clinic offers an excellent resource on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people avoid seed oils because they are typically high in omega-6 fatty acids, and excessive consumption relative to omega-3s is thought to promote inflammation. The high processing required for some seed oils is also a concern for those seeking cleaner food options.

No, you must read the labels. While some brands like 'Mark's Kettle Cooked Avocado Oil Potato Chips' (not to be confused with the main 'Kettle Brand') offer seed oil-free options, the original Kettle Brand often lists vegetable oils like canola and sunflower oil. Always check the specific flavor's ingredient list.

No. Many baked or air-fried chips, despite being marketed as healthier, may still contain seed oils. It's crucial to read the ingredient label to confirm the type of oil used in the cooking process.

Common seed oils to look out for on ingredient lists include canola oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, and corn oil. Some labels may also list 'vegetable oil,' which is often a blend of these.

The key difference is the source and processing. Seed oils are extracted from seeds, while avocado and olive oils are extracted from the fruit flesh. Avocado and olive oils are typically higher in monounsaturated fats and are often less refined than seed oils.

Yes, several brands offer non-potato, seed oil-free chip alternatives. For example, Siete offers grain-free tortilla chips from a cassava blend, and MASA makes tortilla chips from organic corn cooked in beef tallow.

Yes, making chips at home is an excellent way to ensure they are seed oil free. You can use an air-fryer, bake them, or shallow-fry them in a healthier fat like coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.