Top 10 healthy chip alternatives: all the crunch, fewer calories
2026-11-07 · 5 min read · Get Lean Today
A 50 g bag of chips is 270 kcal, almost half from fat. You can get the crunch without frying: slice thin, then air-fry or bake.
Original: Bagged potato chips, 50 g — 270 kcal
1. Air-fryer potato chips
130 kcal · Protein 3 · Fat 2 · Carbs 26 · you save 140
Slice 1–2 mm with a peeler or mandoline, rinse, dry, spray, 180 °C / 355 °F for 10–12 min.
2. Thin apple chips
80 kcal · Protein 0 · Fat 0 · Carbs 21 · you save 190
Slice an apple very thin (a peeler works), cinnamon, oven 100 °C / 210 °F for 1.5–2 h or air fryer 150 °C / 300 °F for 15 min.
3. Kale chips
60 kcal · Protein 3 · Fat 2 · Carbs 8 · you save 210
Destemmed leaves, spray, salt, 150 °C / 300 °F for 8–10 min — watch, they burn fast.
4. Nori snacks
30 kcal · Protein 2 · Fat 1 · Carbs 2 · you save 240
Brush nori with a drop of soy sauce, add sesame, 2 min in the oven.
5. Crunchy roasted chickpeas
150 kcal · Protein 8 · Fat 3 · Carbs 22 · you save 120
Dry cooked chickpeas, spray, paprika, air fryer 200 °C / 390 °F for 15 min.
6. Beet chips
70 kcal · Protein 2 · Fat 1 · Carbs 14 · you save 200
Slice thin, salt, 160 °C / 320 °F for 20 min in the air fryer.
7. Zucchini chips
50 kcal · Protein 2 · Fat 2 · Carbs 6 · you save 220
2 mm rounds, salt for 10 min, blot, 120 °C / 250 °F for 1 h or air fryer 170 °C / 340 °F for 12 min.
8. Air-popped popcorn
95 kcal · Protein 3 · Fat 1 · Carbs 19 · you save 175
25 g kernels in a paper bag, microwave 2 min; top with salt or paprika.
9. Cheese crisps
120 kcal · Protein 9 · Fat 9 · Carbs 0 · you save 150
Tablespoon mounds of grated parmesan on parchment, 200 °C / 390 °F for 5 min. Zero carbs, but keep the portion.
10. Pita/tortilla chips
140 kcal · Protein 4 · Fat 2 · Carbs 27 · you save 130
Thin pita or tortilla in triangles, spray, spices, 180 °C / 355 °F for 6 min.
Approximate macros per serving
Tip
- Slice as thin as you can — thin slices crisp without oil.
- Pour a portion into a bowl instead of eating from the bag.
- Dip: yogurt + herbs + garlic instead of sour cream.
FAQ
- What can I eat instead of chips?
- Air-fried potato or apple chips, roasted chickpeas, air-popped popcorn, nori — 30–150 kcal per serving.
- How do I make apple chips without a dehydrator?
- Slice thin with a peeler and bake at 100 °C / 210 °F for 1.5–2 hours, or air-fry for 15 minutes.
- Are air-fryer chips healthy?
- They have about half the calories of bagged chips and less salt — still potato, so mind the portion.