Looking for the best vegan chips to munch on? Sometimes, the perfect Friday night consists of a comfy spot on the couch, a thought-provoking Netflix thriller, and a huge bag of chips.
Sure, I often find myself guilty of finishing the chips before starting the movie, but satisfying my taste buds is a top priority.
You know what’s even better in this scenario? Munching on vegan-friendly chips that support your diet and lifestyle choice. In this article, I’ll recommend 12 best vegan chips that combine great flavor and healthy ingredients.
Let’s dive in!
12 Best Vegan Chips Brands You Must Try
Sticking to the vegan diet has its ups and downs, especially if you’ve only recently joined the club. But indulging in a bag of potato chips shouldn’t keep you wondering about non-vegan ingredients.
Luckily, the following list of products has many options that you can try without second-guessing.
1. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
I was equally surprised and delighted to find that Lay’s Classic is actually vegan. This one is a favorite of thousands of people thanks to its mildly salty taste.
According to the manufacturer, the Classic version of Lay’s potato chips is made with three ingredients. These are potatoes, salt, and oil. Also, the chips don’t include any gluten, making them a perfect candidate for people with a wheat allergy.
Yet, the greatest thing about these chips is that their neutral flavor makes them suitable for any situation. You could serve them at a party, eat them as a snack, or even have them with your lunch.
Pros
- Just-right salt seasoning to match all tastes
- A great gluten-free alternative
- Only made with potatoes, salt, and oil
Cons
- Some people would prefer a stronger flavor
2. Pringles Original Potato Chips
No one can resist Pringles. There’s just so much to love about this chips brand, from the crunchy texture of its chips to the fact that it doesn’t sell air. Even the flavor is so rich that I find it hard to compare to other chips brands.
Better still, the original version of Pringles doesn’t include anything that can disrupt your vegan diet. The chips are made of potatoes, vegetable oil, cornflour, corn starch, and salt amongst other vegan-approved ingredients.
However, if you’re following a no-gluten diet, Pringles may not be the best option to nibble on because they contain wheat ingredients. The chips also include less than 50% potatoes, but, in my opinion, that only adds to their distinctive taste and texture.
Another reason to love this world-famous chips brand is that it’s not so greasy. This makes it a good candidate as a party snack, a family gathering, games night, camping, and other countless scenarios.
Pros
- A decent choice for those who like some extra crunchiness
- Includes more chips per package thanks to its stack design
- More flavorful compared to other original potato chip brands
Cons
- Less than 50% potatoes
- Not gluten-free
3. Fritos Original Corn Chips
Here’s another chips brand that has a wide fan base all over the country. Fritos comes in a variety of flavors to appeal to each person’s preferences. This includes vegans, too, since they can enjoy the delicious taste of Fritos Original Corn Chips.
These chips are only made from corn, corn oil, and salt, making them suitable for those on a gluten-free diet. While some may be skeptical about there being no potatoes in Fritos, none of those who tried its amazing taste seemed to mind.
Pros
- Rich in flavor
- Perfect for people with gluten allergies
- Only made from corn, oil, and salt
Cons
- Doesn’t include potatoes
4. El Sabroso Salsitas Spicy Salsa Tortilla Chips
Need a bit more spice in your life? Well, who says that you can’t find chips that are both healthy and full of flavor? The Salsitas Spicy Salsa tortilla chips are made with real tomatoes and avocados, a good option if you want to take a break from salt-only chips.
The best thing about these chips is that you can eat them solo or serve them with salsa and any type of dip. You’re free to get as creative as you want with your recipes as long as you stick to vegan rules.
However, a lot of people who tried this brand wished for larger portions of chips per bag. Also, considering its rather small size, the price of the Salsitas tortilla chips is a bit above the average budget.
Pros
- Delicious chips that have tomato, avocado, and spicy flavors
- A decent choice for people who like to eat their chips with dips and sauces
- Crunchy texture and rich taste
Cons
- Not gluten-free
- A bit pricey
5. Grippo’s BBQ Potato Chips
For people who like to try a different flavor every time they buy potato chips, it may be time to give Grippo’s BBQ chips a shot. This brand is Cincinnati’s favorite, which made me wonder what the buzz was about.
First off, these chips offer you a balanced blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors all in one bite. Even better, the BBQ-flavored chips are made of all-natural ingredients to satisfy every vegan out there.
Second off, a lot of people were delighted to find that the chips were fresh once they opened the bag upon receiving their orders. It’s not often that you’ll come across a perfectly crunchy bag of chips these days, right?
One downside of Girppo’s is that they tend to break easily thanks to their crumbly texture. Yet, most reviewers were okay with this because of the chips’ incredible taste.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients including vegetable oil, potatoes, and BBQ seasoning
- Strong flavor that matches different tastes
- Perfectly crunchy texture
Cons
- Tends to crumble quickly
- A tad pricey
6. Kettle Brand Sea Salt Potato Chips
Another one of the best vegan chips is Kettle Brand Potato Chips, especially the sea salt flavor. This USA-made product is pulsing with positive vibes, so let’s see what makes it so special.
First of all, you don’t have to worry about additives or harmful substances when it comes to this big guy. The potato chips don’t include trans fats, preservatives, or GMO ingredients.
Second of all, it’s always a relief to know the exact ingredients that go into the making of a bag of potato chips. Here, the classic chips only have potatoes, oil, and sea salt. This isn’t just vegan-approved, it’s also the perfect flavor to go with numerous dips.
Whether you try it with guacamole or salsa, the Kettle Brand potato chips should get along just fine!
Pros
- No additives, trans fats, or BPA
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Simply ingredients including potatoes, salt, and oil
- Extra crunchiness thanks to the top-quality ingredients
Cons
- Oilier than most market options
- May cause an upset stomach if too many are consumed
7. Terra Vegetable Chips with Sea Salt
Want to try something other than the typical potato or corn chips? Well, these vegetable chips by Terra have come to your aid with varied variants and a healthier recipe. It’s a vegan’s dream come true!
These delicious chips are made from more than one type of root vegetable including sweet potatoes, taros, parsnips, and yucas just to name a few. The chips are also certified organic, so that’s another plus point.
Another thing I liked about the Terra vegetable chips is that they don’t have any gluten, cholesterol, trans fat, or artificial flavors. Therefore, you could enjoy a semi-healthy treat while staying faithful to your vegan, low-gluten diet.
Let’s not forget how colorful these chips are, making them a perfect addition to your party snack list!
Pros
- Made with sweet potatoes, parsnips, yucas, and taros
- Free of artificial flavors and seasoned only with sea salt
- Zero amounts of cholesterol, trans fat, and gluten
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Cons
- A bit harder than other chips on the market
- A rather pricey option
8. Real Food From the Ground Up Cauliflower Tortilla Chips
Here’s another product you could try if you’ve gotten used to potato and corn chips. Real Food From the Ground Up had this wonderful idea to create cauliflower tortilla chips, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to try them.
The best thing about these chips, besides being completely vegetable-based, is that they’re grain-free. Therefore, people on a low-gluten diet will have an awesome tortilla chips alternative that tastes great.
The chips are nacho-flavored, which is good news to anyone who appreciates the strong and zesty taste. You can pair these chips with your favorite dips to serve them at parties, friend and family gatherings, picnics, and more.
Pros
- A good change from typical potato and corn chips
- No gluten and Non-GMO Project Verified
- You can choose from nacho, sea salt, and lime flavors
Cons
- A bit too oily for some people’s liking
9. SunChips Original Multigrain Snacks
A lot of vegans have quickly fallen in love with this amazing creation by SunChips. The chips are made from whole corn, sunflower oil, and whole wheat, with a seasoning of only sugar and salt. While they may not be suitable for a no-gluten diet, there’s a lot to admire about the chips.
According to the manufacturer, the chips are sun-toasted to give them that distinctive taste that people adore. Not to mention that they’re made with 100% whole grain ingredients, making them a notch healthier than other market options.
Let’s not forget that their cool wavy shape gives them extra crunch, and they’ll look just nice and ready for a party at your place. Who said having fun with friends meant fatty, unhealthy snacks?
Pros
- Made of whole wheat, whole corn, and whole oat flour
- Only seasoned with salt and sugar to get along with salsa, guac, and a multitude of dips
- No artificial ingredients or trans fats
- Sun-toasted to a perfect crunch and delicious flavor
Cons
- Expires pretty quickly
10. Sabritones Chile & Lime Puffed Wheat Snacks
Hoping for an equally edgy and zesty flavor combo? Well, these puffed wheat chips by Sabritones are seasoned with chili and lime, and, in my opinion, this powerful duo is a must-try.
Aside from the savory, spicy taste, there’s a lot to appreciate about these snacks. For starters, I like the light texture of puffed wheat and the way it melts moments after you eat it. If you’re tired of overly crunchy potato or corn chips, this snack may be a nice alternative to indulge in.
The chips are also low in fat and free from dairy. For those who follow a low-fat vegan diet, the Sabritones wheat snack may just be the best fit.
Pros
- A nice airy wheat snack that’s both flavorful and low in fat
- Strong lime and chili flavor
- Gets along fine with numerous dips and sauces
Cons
- May be a bit pricey
11. Garden of Eatin’ Corn Tortilla Chips
Even after trying many types of chips, we soon find ourselves coming back to corn chips because nothing can replicate their chomp. If you like to taste the corn in your savory snack, you should probably give Garden of Eatin’ a shot.
These rounds are made with organic yellow corn to appeal to vegans and low-gluten diet followers alike. If you happen to be both, then you’re in for a treat!
Another great thing about these chips is that they’re free from harmful preservatives and artificial colors. This means that they tend to expire faster than other market options, but that’s a good thing to know if you want to eat healthier.
Tasty, dip-friendly, and available with a pleasing crunch, the Garden of Eatin’ is one heavenly product that every vegan should try.
Pros
- Made from organic corn and processed with expeller-pressed oils
- Certified gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified
- A good option to try with guacamole, salsa, or vegan queso
- Extra-crunchy texture
- Perfect for those who need to cut down on their sodium intake
Cons
- Expires pretty fast
12. Enjoy Life Thai Chili Lime Lentil Chips
I’ve never tried lentil chips, but if those have hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon, I might just be tempted to give them a taste. Enjoy Life Lentil Chips are plant-based, not to mention that they have 40% less fat than typical potato chips. Pretty awesome, right?
Because these guys are gluten-free, people who have wheat allergies will have something to munch on with no worries. Plus, the chips come in chili-lime flavor, which is a notch spicy and zesty to satisfy your taste buds in the most pleasing way.
Specially crafted for vegans, the Enjoy Life chips have quickly gained an admirable reputation. Ready to indulge in some?
Pros
- Free from gluten and other common allergens including dairy, peanut, soy, eggs, and more
- Made of high-protein lentils to add to the chips’ nutritional value
- Flavored with chili lime for a delicious taste
- Light and airy for those who prefer less crunch
Cons
- Not suitable for people who have canola oil allergies
Non-Vegan Ingredients to Watch Out for in Chips
Sometimes, you’ll just go shopping for groceries and stumble upon an eye-catching bag of chips that makes you want to take it home. But how can you tell if it’s vegan-friendly with nothing mentioned on the package?
To help you stay on the safe side, I’ve decided to include a list of non-vegan ingredients that you should check on a chips bag before buying.
- Powdered cheese
- Casein
- Whey
- Soy
- Animal-derived food additives such as E120, E322, E422, E471, E542, E631, E901 and E904
How to Make Your Own Vegan Chips Recipe
It feels good to have the freedom to tailor potato chips to your individual needs, right? Especially as a vegan, you’ll gain full control of the ingredients you’ll be adding to your own chips recipe.
In this section, I’ll help you satisfy your cravings by introducing one of the best homemade vegan chips recipes. Prepare your favorite ingredients and get ready to make some magic in your kitchen!
Step 1: Prepare Your Potatoes
The secret to the best vegan chips starts with how you prep your potatoes. First of all, make sure to scrub each potato thoroughly. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel and pick your sharpest knife.
Next, carefully cut your potatoes into thin slices, preferably to a thickness of 1/16 an inch. According to people who tried this recipe, this is the perfect size for a tasty and crunchy snack.
Don’t cut any slices larger than ⅛ an inch to end up with desirable results.
Step 2: Add Oil and Your Favorite Spices or Herbs
Olive oil is one of the best candidates to use when making healthy chips because it’s low in calories. Besides, let’s face it, olive oil always takes the taste of all recipes to a whole new level of yum.
Simply enough, put your potato slices in a bowl. Then, sprinkle some oil over them. Don’t add too much so as not to end up with an upset stomach. Instead, make sure that each thin slice has a nice, thin coat of oil on it.
Next comes the seasoning. The greatest thing is that you have a wide array of spices and herbs to give your chips their flavor. Some people like to go classic, adding only salt to create their version of Classic Lay’s chips.
Some spices or herbs tend to taste better than others, including:
- Paprika
- Garlic or onion powders
- Salt and rosemary
- Oregano
- Chipotle power
You can get crafty with what you add as your spice, mixing two or more options to create something that’s entirely yours!
Step 3: Lay the Potato Slices on a Baking Sheets
After thoroughly seasoning your potatoes, layer them on a baking sheet. However, you must pay attention to place the slices correctly so that they all are cooked at the same time.
Just leave some space between each slice and the next one to give them all room for the heat to reach them evenly.
Step 4: Use the Right Oven Temperature
The other key to a successful batch of homemade baked potato chips is the perfect oven temperature. According to our recipe, the best temperature is usually between 400 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reaching the perfect spot may take you a try or two, but you should eventually nail it!
Step 5: Bake the Potatoes
After preheating the oven, place the baking tray inside and bake the delicious rounds for ten minutes. Then, take out the tray and use a pair of tongs to flip each slice.
After that, bake for an extra eight minutes. Don’t forget to keep checking on the chips during those last minutes because they’ll cook pretty fast at this point.
When they’re done, leave the batch to cool off completely before serving. Of course, the best thing you can do is eat the chips straight after baking them. Still, if you wish to save some for later, store the remaining ones in a covered container for one to two weeks.
This is just one recipe that I recommend, but there are countless more ideas to try if you’d like to shake things up a little bit. Some vegan chips recipes use other vegetables, oils, and seasonings to match every person’s taste.
Soon enough, you’ll find your favorites to munch on alone or share with friends and family.
Best Vegan Chips – FAQ
1. Which Lays Potato Chips Are Vegan?
The original flavor of Lays potato chips is vegan-friendly since it is made with only potatoes, oil and salt and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, other flavors, like barbecue and sour cream, and oniondo contain animal-derived and are not suitable for vegans.
2. Are Fritos Vegan?
You can enjoy the classic flavor of Fritos without worries since it is suitable for vegans. However other varieties likeFritos chili cheese, Flavor twists and Flamin’ Hot, and Fritos Honey Bar-B-Q Twists contain animal-derived ingredients like cheese, honey and whey powder.
Conclusion
No one can deny that a bag of spicy and crunchy potato chips might be one of the most satisfying things that life has to offer. Yet, looking for the best vegan chips on the market may require so much trial and error.
Hopefully, our list of vegan-friendly products should aid you on your chip-loving journey. If you like to keep things basic and simple, I’d recommend Lay’s Classic Potato Chips straight away. Its balanced taste is just great, and it gets along with all types of dips and sauces.
On the other hand, some people may like more spice in their lives. If that’s the case with you, then you’d better give Sabritones Chile & Lime Puffed Wheat Snacks a shot. Besides their rich flavor, these chips have a lightweight, airy texture that many of us love.
Now, are you ready for Netflix and chips?