Crunch Without Guilt: Top Keto Potato Chip Alternatives You Need to Try Now!

When you think of snacks, high-carb options like potato chips, corn chips, and crackers probably come to mind. However, these snack staples aren’t exactly on the list of what you can enjoy on the keto diet. The ketogenic diet focuses on retraining your body to use fat for energy instead of carbs. The ideal keto diet consists of healthy fats and proteins while keeping carb intake pretty low. The keto diet aims to put your body in a ketosis state, which is when your body starts breaking down fat to supply the body and the brain with energy.

Finding keto-approved chips can be a challenge, but it's easier than you think to satisfy your crunch cravings while following the ketogenic diet. Whether you’re new to keto or a seasoned pro, there are many low-carb chip alternatives on the market that cater to keto eaters. These keto chip alternatives are perfect for dipping or snacking on their own.

Understanding the Keto Diet and Chips

The ketogenic diet does more than just help you lose weight, too. Some studies suggest that high fat, low-carb diets can help manage type 2 diabetes and prevent mental decline. In a ketogenic diet, most of your calories should come from fat. Because of this, you have to check the ingredients of chips, watching out for hidden sugars, starches, or unhealthy oils. Verify the serving size and only buy enough to meet your macros. Keto-friendly chips should be a part of your diet plan, to enjoy any time you need a bite between meals. You can eat them as is, or get creative with dips and toppings.

Most chips available in the market contain high-carb ingredients, like potatoes, corn, or wheat flour. Most chips are made from potatoes or corn, which are both red flags in the world of keto (say goodbye to any thoughts of keto potato chips). This does not align with the principles of keto, which limits carb intake to 20 to 50 grams per day.

Here's a breakdown of why traditional chips are not keto-friendly:

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

The main ingredient: Chips are usually made with potatoes or ground corn, which are both high in carbs. Fifteen potato chips is about 15 grams of carbs. Lay’s makes its chips with potatoes, vegetable oil and salt, so not only are they high in carbs, but they are also are cooked in unhealthy oil. One serving of Tostitos Nacho chips comes in at 32 grams of carbs per serving (40 chips). Tortilla chips are typically made with corn, vegetable oil and salt. The chip aisle at your Aldi or Publix is going to be Carbohydrate Junk Food City.
The cooking oil: Even if the main ingredient is keto-approved, you have to check the oil in which it’s cooked. Anything fried with common oils like canola, corn, soybean, or sunflower oil is not keto-friendly. Most traditional chip brands like Lay’s and Ruffles are high carb and made with refined vegetable oils.
The additives: Prepackaged chips are notorious for having hidden carbs and sugars.

In watching out for the three items above, your goal is to look for chips that are suitable for your keto diet. The most important thing to remember is to snack strategically. If you're following the ketogenic diet and find yourself getting snacky, don't panic!

Keto-Friendly Chip Alternatives

So, what kind of chips can you eat on keto? The best keto chip alternatives are the low-carb and no-carb variety, which are typically made from ingredients like meat, cheese, fish. While some of the keto chip recipes contain a small number of carbs, some options are entirely carb-free. As more and more people adopt the keto diet regime, brands are scrambling to provide the demand for keto-friendly chips.

Here are some excellent keto chip alternatives to satisfy your cravings:

1. Pork Rinds (Chicharrones)

Pork rinds are the perfect low-carb chip alternatives and the supreme snack on keto. They are made from fried, baked, or roasted pig skins, making them the quintessential keto carnivore snack. They contain large amounts of fat and protein and most importantly, they contain zero carbs, which make them the superstars of keto chips. Pork Rinds are zero-carb keto chips made with simple ingredients.

Serving Suggestions: Sprinkle with taco seasoning and some shredded cheese and you’ve got keto nachos in a matter of minutes. Pair pork rinds with any keto-friendly dip or try delicious flavors like Chili & Salt or Jalapeno Cheddar. Look for brands that fry the rinds in pork fat like EPIC Provisions and 4505 Meats. Avoid any pork rinds that list vegetable oil in the ingredients.
Homemade Cinnamon Keto Pork Rinds: When you're in the mood for a sweet and crunchy snack, these keto friendly chips have your back. They only have five ingredients and are super easy to make. Plus, you can break these cinnamon keto pork rinds into small bits and eat them with milk instead to make your own homemade cereal! Sprinkle cinnamon and erythritol over the butter coated pork rinds. Preheat the oven to 390F. Score the skin side of the pork rind in a square or diamond pattern with a sharp knife. Cook for 10 minutes.

2. Keto Tortilla Chips

Keto tortilla chips are perhaps one of the best low-carb chip alternatives out there. Keto Tortilla Chips are a low carb twist on nacho chips! Made with just 2 ingredients, these crunchy tortilla chips take minutes to make! These keto nacho chips are crispy, crunchy, and hold their shape beautifully. They are perfect to serve with guacamole, salsa, or as a fun appetizer. There are so many options, but be mindful of choosing appropriate keto chips.

Key Ingredients:
- Almond Flour- You must use blanched almond flour, so they achieve the crispy and light texture.
- Mozzarella Cheese- Pre-shredded cheese or you can shred your own. Avoid using other type shredded cheese (e.g.
- Spices of choice- Add any flavorings or spices you like!
Homemade Keto Tortilla Chips Recipe:
1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
2. Start by adding your almond flour to a large mixing bowl. If you are using other spices, add them here too.
3. Then, microwave your mozzarella cheese for 1.5-2 minutes, until warm and melted.
4. Pour the melted cheese on the almond flour and mix very well, until a thick dough remains.
5. Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a kitchen surface. Transfer the ball of dough on top and lightly flatten it.
6. Place the second sheet of parchment paper over the top and press down.
7. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until about 1/4 inch in thickness.
8. Next, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter and cut out small, triangular shapes.
9. Place the tortilla chips on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Air Fryer Keto Tortilla Chips: Follow the instructions as directed. Place the tortilla chips in a single layer, in the air fryer basket (you may need to make several batches). Bake for 8-10 minutes at 180C/350F.
Flavor Variations: Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips- Mix some cinnamon and monk fruit sweetener or erythritol into the dough.
Storage: Homemade keto chips must be stored in a sealed container, at room temperature.
Common Problems: Your low carb chips have become soft because you didn’t bake them long enough! Another reason why your chips aren’t super crispy is that you didn’t flatten them out thin enough.
Vegan Note: I tried making these with vegan shredded cheese and honestly was not happy with the outcome. This is the kind of recipe that it’s best to keep to the original.

3. Pepperoni Chips

Any pepperoni or salami can be made into crispy and crunchy keto chips, perfect for dipping. Pepperoni Chips are one of the easiest keto recipes on the planet and they pair perfectly with a Low-Carb Pizza Dip. If you’ve got a Friday night hankering for pizza AND chips, you’re going to want to give this recipe a try. That's it! Swap potatoes for pepperoni and make your own keto chips at home.

4. Vegetable Chips

We're big fans of veggie as low-carb chip alternatives. Some veggies that create the best keto chip alternatives are zucchini, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Vegetables are a classic, crunchy heathier alternative to potato chips. Celery, cucumber, and zucchini are some great options for dipping. Keto people are getting creative with their low-carb chip replacements, swapping Pringles for everything from chicken skin to seaweed.

Radish Chips: We love roasting radishes as an alternative to starchy potatoes, but it turns out they make a great keto chip replacement. There are a few recipes you can try online and whether or not you want to deep fry or oven roast, you’re guaranteed a low-carb crunch.

5. Cheese Crisps

What’s better than cheese? Crispy cheese. Cheese is naturally high in fat and low in carbs and can be keto-friendly, depending on the variety you go for. Cheese Crisps are becoming widely available in-stores and are only 1g of carb per serving. Brands have jumped on the low-carb band wagon with all kinds of cheese crisps, which are exactly what they say they are… crispy cheese!

Serving Suggestions: Cheese crisps are great on their own and come in a variety of flavors. Enjoy them dipped in salsa or even as a Keto Caesar salad Topper.*Homemade Cheese Crisps are ready in minutes and use simple ingredients you already have in the fridge.

6. Chicken Chips

Chicken Chips might sound peculiar, but they’re worth the shot. Another chip made from chicken with only 9g of net carbs per 20 chips. Flock Chicken Chips: Made from chicken and salt, these chicken chips have the crispy texture you love of potato chips.

7. Other Store-Bought Keto Chip Options

Short on time or prefer the convenience of ready-made options? These keto chip alternatives are perfect for satisfying your snack cravings while sticking to your diet. The chip aisle at your Aldi or Publix is going to be Carbohydrate Junk Food City.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

KetoLogic's Keto Buffalo Crisps: KetoLogic's Keto Buffalo Crisps are perfect if you are craving a snack that feels a bit more like junk food (and we mean that in the best way). Unlike a lot of other low-carb chip alternatives, Ketogenic Keto Buffalo Crisps are smaller in size, making them very snackable.
Epic Artisanal Oven Baked Pork Rinds: Epic Artisanal Oven Baked Pork Rinds are baked and come in a variety of different flavors.
4505 Meats Pork Rinds: 4505 Meats Pork Rinds are certified keto-friendly chips and avoid using any added hormones or antibiotics. The different sizes and textures available allow for some cool snacking ideas - for example, the brand recommends adding their carb-free chips to a taco for extra crunch.
Wilde Protein Chips: Wilde Protein Chips are made from chicken breast and seasoned with keto-approved ingredients like egg whites, tapioca starch, and sunflower oil.
Quest Nutrition Chips: Quest Nutrition brand also makes several kinds of popular keto chips. Quest Chips are high protein and taste like real nacho chips without all the carbs. Quest makes their keto chips with a long list of processed ingredients, starting out with protein powder, sunflower oil, and corn starch. These aren’t your healthiest keto chip option, but they are convenient and low-carb.
Quest Nutrition Tortilla Style Protein Chips: Quest Nutrition Tortilla Style Protein Chips are low in carbs and high in protein, just like their original Protein Style Chips.
Hilo Life Chips: Hilo life chips are one of the newest keto products on the scene. These chips are unlike anything else currently available. Made with almond flour they truly resemble a flavored tortilla chip and are a great chip replacement for a keto diet.
Quevos Egg White Chips: You read that right. Favorful chips made with egg whites and coming in at only 4g net carbs per bag. Find them on Amazon.

8. Jerky and Beef Sticks

While technically not keto-friendly chips, jerky and beef sticks are classic keto snacks, but not all jerky is healthy - not by a longshot. Lots of store-bought beef sticks have tons of extra sugars, additives, and nasty fillers. Chomps are made with the best ingredients possible and come in 3 low-carb varieties: Original Beef, Jalapeño Beef, Smoky BBQ Beef, and Salt & Pepper Venison. Meat is a staple in the keto diet, helping meet fat and protein macros.

9. Flaxseed Chips

If you’re in the market for a healthy, homemade, EASY recipe for keto chips, then Flaxseed chips are just the thing. Flaxseed Chips require just one ingredient and are full of fiber. Simply season flaxseeds, soak overnight, then bake. These chips are great with any keto dip and are perfect for wine and cheese parties.

Snacking Strategically on Keto

When choosing keto-friendly chips, remember to go for high fat and protein options that have a low net carb count. Buying keto chips should be done mindfully. Check the ingredients: Watch out for hidden sugars, starches, or unhealthy oils. Verify the serving size: Only buy enough to meet your macros. Keto-friendly chips should be a part of your diet plan. Enjoy them any time you need a bite between meals. You can eat them as is, or get creative with dips and toppings. The most important thing to remember is to snack strategically.

Remember that keto chips are just one type of keto snack, though, and there are a bunch of other great low- and zero-carb keto snacks you can dig into, too!

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