5 Healthy Alternatives to Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are a mouth-watering, crunchy snack made from corn. However, as with any other fried food, tortilla chips aren’t exactly healthy if eaten on a daily basis.

So what are our options when we want a salty-crunchy snack? Well, there are plenty of other alternatives, and not just any type of alternatives — much, much healthier ones.

We recommend trying tofu, sweet potato, carrot, kale, or zucchini chips. Without further ado, let’s find out more about each of them.

Tortilla Chips Healthy Alternatives: Nutritional Value & Cooking Ratio

What Does Tortilla Chips Taste Like?

Depending on the flavoring, tortilla chips can have a variety of tastes, including spicy, cheesy, peppery, and even pizza. That said, traditionally-made tortilla chips, which include maize, salt, water, and vegetable oil, are salty and crunchy.

Although tortillas are a type of Mexican dish, tortilla chips were actually first mass-produced in Los Angeles in the 1940s.

Tortilla Chips Nutritional Value

One serving size (1 oz) of plain tortilla corn chips contains:

• 140 calories
• 6.3g fat
• 19.1g carbs
• 1.3g fiber
• 1.9g protein

Healthy Alternatives to Tortilla Chips

1. Tofu Chips
2. Sweet Potato Chips
3. Kale Chips
4. Carrot Chips
5. Zucchini Chips

Tofu Chips

Tofu chips are our first healthy alternative to tortilla chips. Also known as soy cheese, tofu commonly has a high protein and unsaturated fat content, making it a great alternative for those on a diet.

Although healthier, tofu chips are more expensive than tortilla chips, so if you want a budget-friendly snack, you can always make them at home. They are really simple and quick to make. Most importantly, though, they are healthy.

Tofu is a superb flavor absorber, so homemade tofu chips are a great base for experimenting with various ingredients. Just remember to cut the tofu a bit thicker so that the pieces stay together and absorb all the flavors. 

Sweet Potato Chips

Everyone has tried potato chips, but what about sweet potato chips? They have a nice crunchy texture and a small amount of sweetness, much like tortilla chips.

Sweet potato chips are healthier than traditional tortillas and potato chips. They include a lot of iron and vitamins B6, C, and D.

The best part is that you can also make sweet potato chips at home. We suggest baking rather than frying them, as they’ll retain their nutritional value much better. Sprinkle some olive oil and salt, and in a matter of minutes, you’ve got the most nutritious snack there is!

Kale Chips

Kale chips are the most heart-healthy snacks on our list in terms of fiber and protein, yet they are just as delectable as tortilla chips.

While you can’t commonly buy kale chips in a store, there are several ways to make them at home. As with sweet potato chips, we think that the baked variety is much better. They’ll be just as crispy, and their curly edges are perfect for dipping them into rich dips and creamy sauces.

Even if you manage to find them in a store, homemade baked kale chips are much cheaper. They may need a little more time to prepare, but they are unquestionably worthwhile.

Carrot Chips

You may swap out the typical tortilla chips for carrot chips to significantly improve the nutritional value of your diet.

Chips made from carrots are simple to prepare and have a pleasant crunch. They include vitamin A, which is beneficial for your skin and eye health. Moreover, they have zero fat, making them the only fat-free option on our list.

No matter whether you make them at home or buy them at the grocery store, carrot chips taste great. Consider eating them on their own or dipping them in a rich sour cream dip.

Zucchini Chips

Zucchini chips are quite filling, so you should definitely think about switching from tortilla chips to zucchini if you’re trying to lose weight.

You may deep-fry, air-fry, or even bake zucchini chips. Baking them would be the best choice since, as you’ve realized by now, that’s the healthiest way to prepare them.

The downside is that you can’t commonly buy zucchini chips in the store, so if you opt for this healthy alternative, you’ll have to make them at home. The recipe includes olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Serve them with a wide variety of dips and enjoy the rich flavors.

Popular Recipes That Call for Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are a great complement to many different meal recipes. They are crunchy and salty, making them the ideal snack food. Below we list the finest recipes that you can make with these crunchy delights.

Taco Salad

One of the best weeknight meals is taco salad. It’s a fantastic choice if you don’t have much time to prepare a meal. This recipe includes ingredients like ground beef, salsa, lettuce, beans, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and olives.

Of course, the addition of tortilla chips takes the salad to a whole different dimension. The best part is that it’s easy to prepare and delicious to eat, making it a dish that everyone can enjoy — even the cook!

Nachos

Nachos are a terrific appetizer, but this dish is filling enough to serve as a complete meal! Aside from their mouth-watering look, we appreciate nachos because they are highly versatile in terms of toppings. This recipe includes guacamole, ground beef, salsa, beans, and cheese — perfect for supper or simply anytime you crave a snack.

Crunchy Chicken Wings

Whether it be a party, game day, or weeknight meal, chicken wings are an excellent choice for a snack or even a full meal. This recipe of chicken wings has the ideal ratio of spiciness, crunch, and taste.

They are quick and simple to make, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. To give them a wonderful crispy, yet spicy exterior, they are breaded with jalapeno-flavored tortilla chips. Serve them with salsa, salad, and tomato sauce or paste.

Veggie Tortilla Soup

Have you ever tried chicken tortilla soup? Well, this is a veggie version of the same recipe! It’s among our absolute favorites. It includes onion, jalapeno, red bell pepper, garlic, chipotle, roasted tomatoes, black beans, veggie stock, corn, spices, herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. When done, serve the soup over tortilla strips or chips, or simply toss them on top!

It makes a simple yet filling lunch or dinner. Your diet won’t suffer because it is also vegan and quite nutritious. Therefore, we strongly advise giving it a shot.

Conclusion

There’s no such thing as too many tortilla chips, but if we want to watch how much food we eat and cut back on calories, then we need to choose a healthier snack.

If you opt for something that’s 100% fat-free, then carrot chips are clearly the winning alternative. Kale, on the other hand, is the substitute with the highest amount of fiber and protein.

Whichever option you go for the next time you opt for a snack, your body will definitely be grateful!