Which Chips Don't Contain Seed Oils? Your Guide to Healthier Snacking

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 70% of packaged snacks, including many popular chips, rely on processed seed oils for frying. For those prioritizing cleaner eating, identifying which chips don't contain seed oils has become a crucial first step toward healthier snacking habits.

Quick Summary

This guide covers popular chip brands and alternatives that are free from seed oils, detailing the healthier cooking fats used. It explores options cooked in avocado, olive, and coconut oil, as well as animal fats like beef tallow.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: Avoid ingredients like canola, soybean, sunflower, and other 'vegetable oils' to ensure chips are seed oil-free.
Choose Healthier Fats: Look for products fried in avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or animal fats like beef tallow for a cleaner snack option.
Know Specific Brands: Siete, Boulder Canyon (avocado oil), TIPS Chips (beef tallow), and certain Trader Joe's varieties are known for not using seed oils.
Beware of Marketing: 'Healthy' or 'natural' claims on the front of a bag don't guarantee seed oil-free ingredients; scrutinize the ingredients list every time.
DIY for Control: Making chips at home by baking or air-frying with your choice of fat is the most reliable way to avoid seed oils entirely.
Explore Alternatives: Consider chips made from other vegetables like sweet potatoes or cassava, which are also available in seed oil-free versions.

For many years, snack manufacturers have used seed oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean oil for frying due to their low cost and high smoke points. However, a growing number of consumers are avoiding these ingredients due to concerns over high omega-6 fatty acid content, which some studies link to inflammation when consumed in excess. Fortunately, a variety of brands are now offering delicious chips fried in alternative, less processed fats, making it easier to enjoy a crunchy snack without compromise.

Identifying Chips Without Seed Oils

To find chips made without seed oils, the first and most critical step is to read the ingredient label carefully. Don't be fooled by front-of-package marketing that claims to be 'natural' or 'healthy'. Here's what to look for:

Reading the Ingredient Label

Avoid: Scan the list for common seed oils, including canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and corn oil. Phrases like “vegetable oil” or “cooking oil” often serve as a blanket term for these refined oils.
Seek: Look for specific, non-seed oil alternatives. The best options will explicitly list healthier fats. For example, some brands proudly highlight their use of olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or even beef tallow.

Understanding Alternative Fats

Avocado Oil: A stable, high-heat oil rich in monounsaturated fats. Chips cooked in avocado oil often have a clean, neutral flavor that lets the other seasonings shine.
Olive Oil: Known for its heart-healthy properties and distinct, fruity flavor profile. While extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point, some chips use refined olive oil for frying.
Coconut Oil: This oil imparts a slightly tropical, subtle sweetness to snacks. It contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently than other fats.
Beef Tallow: A rendered animal fat prized for its stability at high temperatures and rich, satisfying flavor. Tallow-fried chips have a deep, savory taste and an extra-crispy texture.

Top Chip Brands Without Seed Oils

The market for cleaner-ingredient snacks is expanding. Here are some of the most popular brands offering seed oil-free chips:

Avocado Oil Chips: Brands like Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil chips and Siete Grain-Free Chips use avocado oil for frying, offering a variety of flavors from sea salt to spicy jalapeno. Siete chips also use grain-free tortillas, adding another layer for those with specific dietary needs.
Olive Oil Chips: Some Trader Joe's potato chips and Good Health Olive Oil Potato Chips are cooked exclusively in olive oil, providing a classic snack with a more wholesome ingredient profile. The olive oil adds a unique flavor dimension compared to standard fried chips.
Coconut Oil Chips: Jackson's Honest Sweet Potato Chips are known for being cooked in coconut oil, giving them a slight, natural sweetness. Gilly Loco offers tortilla chips cooked in coconut oil, celebrating the flavor and health benefits of this tropical fat.
Animal Fat Chips: For those who appreciate a richer flavor, TIPS Chips are fried in 100% beef tallow. They provide a robust flavor and satisfying crunch without the use of seed oils.

Comparison Table: Seed Oil-Free Chips


Brand	Main Ingredient	Frying Oil	Key Features
Boulder Canyon	Potatoes	Avocado Oil	Variety of flavors, crispy texture
Siete	Cassava/Chia	Avocado Oil	Grain-free, multiple flavors
Trader Joe's	Potatoes	Olive Oil	Classic flavor with a healthier oil
Jackson's Honest	Sweet Potatoes	Coconut Oil	Naturally sweet, unique flavor
TIPS Chips	Potatoes	Beef Tallow	Extra crispy, savory, rich flavor

How to Make Your Own Seed Oil-Free Chips

For ultimate control over ingredients, making your own chips at home is an excellent option. This method avoids all processed ingredients and allows you to choose your preferred fat for frying or baking.

Simple Homemade Recipes

Homemade Sweet Potato Chips: Thinly slice sweet potatoes using a mandoline, then toss with avocado oil, sea salt, and paprika before baking at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
Baked Parsnip or Taro Chips: Slice parsnips or taro thinly, coat with olive oil and salt, and bake until crispy.
Air-Fried Options: Using an air fryer is a quick and effective way to make crispy chips with minimal oil. Toss your vegetable slices with a clean oil like olive or avocado oil and cook until golden.

Conclusion

Navigating the snack aisle to find options that align with a seed oil-free diet can be challenging, but it's far from impossible. By understanding how to read ingredient labels and recognizing brands that prioritize healthier fats, consumers can make informed choices without giving up their favorite crunchy snacks. Whether you opt for a store-bought brand fried in avocado oil, or take a hands-on approach by making your own chips at home, a world of delicious, healthier options awaits. For more ideas on clean eating swaps, check out this helpful guide beyond just chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people avoid seed oils, such as soybean, sunflower, and canola oil, due to their high omega-6 fatty acid content. Excessive consumption of these fats is believed by some to contribute to inflammation and may be linked to certain chronic health conditions.

No, 'baked' or 'air-fried' chips are not automatically free from seed oils. Manufacturers often use these same oils in the preparation process, even if they aren't deep-frying. It is essential to always check the ingredient label.

Healthier alternative oils commonly used for chips include avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. Animal fats like beef tallow are also used by some specialty brands.

To identify chips cooked in beef tallow, you should look directly at the ingredient list on the packaging. Brands like TIPS Chips will specifically list 'beef tallow' or 'rendered beef fat'.

No, being organic does not guarantee that a product is seed oil-free. 'Organic' refers to the farming practices used for the ingredients. Many organic products still use organic versions of seed oils like sunflower or canola oil.

Seed oil-free chips can be found in a variety of places. Health food stores often carry a wider selection, but some options, like Boulder Canyon and certain Trader Joe's items, may be available at major supermarkets. Online retailers also offer a broad range.

Expeller-pressed refers to a method of extracting oil using mechanical pressure, which is a cleaner process than chemical extraction. However, the oil itself could still be a seed oil (e.g., expeller-pressed sunflower oil). This term indicates a cleaner extraction process, not that it is a non-seed oil.