Alternatives to the Potato Chip: Ideas for healthy homemade vegetable chips

Who does not love a bowl of crispy chips dusted with salt and a dollop of ketchup? Chips are a universal favourite. Unfortunately, this beloved food is notoriously high in carbohydrate, bad fat and empty calories. Before you go ahead and ban these fries from your child’s diet, take a deep breath. There is a way of serving healthy chips. Yes, you heard right. In this article, we will share some ideas about healthy homemade vegetable chips, which are great alternatives to the conventional potato chips. These will not only satisfy your little ones with their taste, but will also provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need from veggies. Too good right! Let’s get started.

# Recipe 1: Sweet potato chips

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt

Method of preparation

• To prepare this potato chip alternative, first, preheat the oven to around 225 degrees.
• Sweet potatoes need to be washed and dried.
• Now, chop the sweet potatoes into thin slices.
• On a baking sheet (covered with cooking spray), place the potatoes in a single layer.
• Lightly coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil, using a brush.
• Sprinkle some salt on top as a seasoning.
• Bake the chips for 1.5 to 2 hours. Flip the potato slices every hour and after every 15-20 minutes, to check if they are done. Cook the chips till they are crisp, curled from the sides, i.e. edges, and avoid burning the chips.
• These chips can remain fresh for a few days if stored in an airtight container.

# Recipe 2: Baked green bean fries

These healthy potato chip alternatives can be consumed with your child’s favourite dip or can be eaten hot or warm, directly out of the oven. Green beans are also low in carbohydrates and, therefore, perfect for a low-carb diet.

Ingredients

• Green beans (French beans): washed, dried and trimmed
• Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese: finely grated
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika (red chilli powder)

Method of preparation

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Use olive oil to coat the green beans lightly.
• Mix parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and paprika in a separate bowl.
• Coat the green beans with a mixture of parmesan cheese.
• Take a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil, coated with cooking spray. On this baking sheet, place the coated green beans. Place all the beans in a single layer.
• Roast them for 10-12 minutes and then let the beans cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• You will see brown spots appearing on the beans. Make sure they don’t turn dark or get burnt.
• Serve the green beans hot or warm with the dip, if needed.

# Recipe 3: Healthy, baked carrot chips

If you are looking for healthy alternatives to potato chips, the baked carrot chips or fries are perfect. Add the seasoning as per your choice, such as salt, curry powder, vinegar, garlic, or whatever your toddler likes.

The baked carrot chips can be consumed as a mid-evening snack.

These will create a distraction too, and keep your children away from junk and processed foods. Carrot chips are both sweet and savoury in flavour.

Ingredients

• Carrots (If possible, take thick carrots)
• Olive oil or coconut oil
• Salt
• Cumin (grounded)
• Cinnamon (grounded)

Method of preparation

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Keep a large baking sheet and parchment paper ready.
• Remove the top part of the carrot. Begin from the thick portion and chop in elongated slices. The end portion can be reserved for use in soups or salads.
• In a big bowl, take the sliced carrots and mix oil, salt, cumin, and cinnamon. Mix or stir properly for even coating.
• On the baking sheets, place the carrot slices in a single layer.
• Let them bake for 12-15 minutes till the chips turn crisp and curl from the edges.
• Turn around all the chips and bake for another 8-10 minutes. They will turn crisp from the bottom.
• The chips can be consumed when they are hot or warm, or stored in an airtight container for later use.

# Recipe 4: Dill and zucchini chips

These chips are very easy to prepare and have a crunchy and unique taste. The dill can lend a fresh flavour and aroma to the chips too.

Ingredients

• Zucchinis
• Vinegar
• Olive oil
• Chopped fresh dill
• Garlic powder
• Salt, as per taste

Method of preparation

• First, pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Chop the zucchini into thin slices of 1/8th inch. See to it that the width of the slices is similar.
• Mix all the ingredients and zucchini slices. Onto every single slice, press dill/vinegar mixture using your hands.
• Take both the baking sheet and parchment paper and spray with cooking oil. Then arrange the zucchini slices on the sheet in a single layer.
• Let the slices bake for 2-2.5 hours, till they turn crisp and get golden spots. A few slices might get cooked quicker than others. So, you have to remove them accordingly.
• Once done, enjoy the chips hot or warm.