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10 Healthier Alternatives For Chips & Fries

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10 Healthier Alternatives For Chips & Fries

If you find it hard to resist grabbing that bag of chips with your sandwich or ordering a side of fries with your salad, you’re not alone. These starchy snacks are favorite treats for many of us. The good news is that you can make healthier versions in your very own oven using nutrient-packed produce like sweet potatoes, parsnips — and even pears!

10 Healthier Alternatives for Chips and Fries

1. Paprika Parsnip Fries | The Wheatless Kitchen

With half the carbs, just as much flavor and even more fiber, these baked parsnip fries will conquer your cravings in no time. The best part is that the recipe only calls for four ingredients. For extra smokiness, sub smoked paprika for the regular paprika. Recipe makes 2 serving at 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 237; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 48mg; Sodium: 314mg; Carbohydrate: 42g; Dietary Fiber: 12g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 3g

2. Easy Baked Pear Chips | The Healthy Maven

We love these crunchy delights as a healthy on-the-go snack for adults and kiddos alike. They have a great crisp texture and sweet flavor with absolutely no added sugar — score! For more flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg. Recipe makes 2 servings at 1 pear each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 52; Total Fat: 0g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 9g; Protein: 1g

3. Jalapeno Cheddar Sweet Potato Puffs | MyFitnessPal Original Recipes

We love these drool-worthy baked puffs as a kid-friendly dinner side or a simple yet satisfying snack. Traditional potatoes are swapped for sweet potatoes, jalapeno, cheddar and Greek yogurt for a lighter savory treat. Serve with ketchup, hummus or plain Greek yogurt for dipping. A couple of sprigs of fresh parsley makes a great garnish! Recipe makes 6 servings at 3 puffs each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 170; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 84mg; Sodium: 354mg; Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 10g

4. Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas | Good Life Eats

When you want serious crunch without all the added fat and calories of fried foods, whip up a batch of roasted chickpeas. This unique version calls for a blend of chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder and lime to tantalize your taste buds. A splash of olive oil helps them crisp up in the oven. Recipe makes 4 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 297; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: g6; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 596mg; Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 10g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 11g

5. Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips | My Sequined Life

Crunchy, sweet and perfectly spiced, this homemade snack is guaranteed to become a family favorite in no time. For a fiber boost, look for 100% whole-grain pitas. Serve with vanilla Greek yogurt for dipping, or enjoy straight up! Recipe makes 4 servings at 8 chips each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 238; Total Fat: 16g; Saturated Fat: 8g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 100mg; Carbohydrate: 25g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 4g

6. Baked Tortilla Chips | The Baker Mama

Get your crunch on with these easy homemade tortilla chips. They take less than 15 minutes to make and will keep well in a resealable baggie for 4–5 days. Serve with guacamole, salsa, hummus or your favorite nacho toppings! Recipe makes 8 servings at 8 chips each. (Nutrition information calculated with corn tortillas and 1/2 teaspoon salt.)

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 62; Total Fat: 1g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 115mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 1g

7. Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries | Moon and Spoon and Yum

Crispy meets chewy in this simple yet scrumptious recipe for baked polenta fries. The best part is that they look just like French fries, too! If you’re feeling like a sweet treat, swap out the garlic and pepper for cinnamon and sugar. Serve with marinara or good old ketchup. Recipe makes about 4 servings at 11 fries each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 150; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 608mg; Carbohydrate: 19g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 3g

8. Oven Sweet Potato Fries | Eating Well

Bring out the delectable sweetness of sweet potatoes by making crispy fries in the oven. You can make them sweet by adding cinnamon and a pinch of sugar — or savory with garlic powder, cumin, salt and paprika. The possibilities are endless! Recipe makes 2 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 122; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 323mg; Carbohydrate: 19g; Dietary Fiber: 13g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 2g

9. Homemade Banana Chips | Diethood

These deliciously sweet and guilt-free baked banana chips are the perfect portable treat to have on hand for snacking emergencies. Ripe but firm (not bruised) bananas make the best banana chips. Be sure to cut the bananas as thinly as possible for the crunchiest “chip.” Recipe makes 10 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 106; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat:0; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 1mg; Carbohydrate: 27g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 15g; Protein: 1g

10. Salt and Vinegar Parsnip Chips | Jennifer Pantin

Lower-carbohydrate parsnips are a tasty stand-in for potatoes when making chips and fries at home. For crispier fries, slice the parsnips thinner. As an added bonus, parsnips are rich in fiber, vitamins B and C, and folic acid — delicious and nutritious! Recipe makes 4 servings at 3/4 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 156; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol:0mg; Sodium: 1774mg; Carbohydrate: 23g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 2g

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MyFitnessPal's Featured Recipes

MyFitnessPal’s Featured Recipes are simple dishes that showcase just how delicious healthy foods can be. Look for the nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly in MyFitnessPal by clicking on the “Log It” button. Scroll through our entire collection or explore: Low-Carb • High-protein • High-fiber • Gluten-free • Dairy-free • Vegetarian • Vegan

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