When it comes to snacking, whether sweet or savory, we all have a few weaknesses. For some it might be chocolate or candy, but I think potato chips are one of those snacks that are just seriously satisfying. Salty, crunchy, and crisp, let's face it, you really can't have just one!
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Now that it's summertime, I think we're all trying to feel our best after a long winter of indulging. It's time to start getting outside again to break out the shorts and last year's bathing suit! Watching what you snack on doesn't have to be such a bore. There are a ton of ways to snack smarter with these homemade fruit and veggie chips that you can easily make at home.
1. Sweet Potato Chips
For most of these recipes, I recommend using a mandolin slicer. It really comes in handy when you want to slice something super thin. It can be hard, unless you have some serious knife skills, to slice something like a sweet potato really thin. You can always make thicker chips, but thinner ones crisp up better in the oven.
For these sweet potato chips, all you do is slice them up and toss in some olive oil and salt. You can control the amount of salt added and these chips can take on other spices, too. Try sprinkling some cayenne pepper for a little heat or maybe a little ground cinnamon. You can't go wrong!
2. Strawberry Chips
Strawberry chips are one of my favorite healthy snacks. They're perfect to eat on their own or in cereal or oatmeal. They're sweet, crunchy and rich in vitamin c. Just slice up some fresh strawberries, lay them on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake in a low oven.
You'll be reaching for this delicious snack all day! Here's the recipe.
3. Garlic Dill Baked Cucumber Chips
A low carb, healthy snack that'll have you forgetting all about regular potato chips! Since cucumbers are made up of mostly water, after slicing, try and dry them off as best as you can with paper towels so you end up with crispy chips.
4. Plantain Chips
Plantains are basically like a bananas fraternal twin. They both look sort of similar, but plantains are starchier and not as sweet. Plantains are easy to slice and you can toss them simply with some olive oil and sea salt. You can also try experimenting with different spices.
Plantain chips are perfect for dipping in guacamole, salsa, or just to enjoy on their own. Here's the recipe.
5. Pear Chips
I love salty veggie chips, but sweet fruit chips are just as satisfying! These gluten-free pear chips are crispy, sweet, and so tasty. Just slice them thin, lay them on a baking sheet, and brush them with honey and cinnamon sugar.
6. Celery Root Chips
If you have a celery root hanging around in the kitchen and you're at a loss of what to do with it, try out these celery root chips.
You'll find the celery stalks attached to the celery root. It's kind of an ugly looking thing that's about the size of a small melon. For these vegetable chips, just slice it thin and place it in a large bowl with some extra virgin olive oil (or canola oil), cayenne pepper, jalapeño juice, sea salt, and pepper.
7. Snap Pea Chips
I always pass buy this healthy snack in the grocery store, but I'm usually turned off by the price. An inexpensive way to snack on this fun treat is to make it at home. Combine frozen or fresh snap peas with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast (optional) and dry them out in the oven or a dehydrator.
8. Pineapple Chips
How pretty are these pineapple chips? They're so easy to make and require only one ingredient-pineapple! You can also make a bunch of these chips ahead of time and store in an airtight container for whenever you have a craving.
And don't forget to check out the listed nutrition facts- they're actually really good for you. Here's the recipe.
9. Rosemary Sea Salt and Vinegar Beet Chips
Beets, you either love em' or hate em'. I absolutely love them and it almost seems natural to prepare these beet chips with rosemary, sea salt, and vinegar. You can go with only red beets, but there are many different colors of beets you can find at the grocery store.
This recipe calls for pan frying the beet slices, but you can always bake them in the oven, which I definitely recommend. Just place them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake until crisp. Here's the recipe.
10. Crunchy Cinnamon Baked Banana Chips
If you're craving a crunchy snack, look no further! These cinnamon baked banana chips are slightly sweet and just as crunchy as potato chips. Bananas are naturally pretty sweet, so you don't even have to add any sugar.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container and get ready for the perfect healthy snack fix! Here's the recipe.
11. Parsnip Chips
Parsnips are one of my favorite root vegetables. I like to add them to soups, roast them, or even purée them. Making parsnip chips is another way to utilize this veggie because they're crisp, healthy, and look a lot like regular potato chips!
Simply bake them in the oven with a little olive oil and sea salt. You can also test out other spices and combinations if you like: cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and more. Here's the recipe.
12. Cinnamon Apple Chips
If you want your house smelling like a cinnamon apple candle, try baking a batch of these apple chips. You can absolutely buy them at the grocery store, but making them yourself is cheaper, simple, and you get to control the amount of ingredients. It's also fun to be in the kitchen, too!
