It’d be a lie to say that we don’t enjoy munching on a good bag of prawn cocktail crisps. Because, other than being our nation’s fave snack, crisps are also the answer preeetty much everything.
Sex and the City marathon? Crisps. Bad day at work? Crisps. Hefty hangover? CRISPS.
If you haven’t already realised, we’re big crisp advocates, and we’re also advocates for guilt-free eating regardless of calorie content – at the end of the day, as long as you’re eating intuitively and to your heart’s content, then you’re doing it right, in our book.
Having said that, if you’re gluten-free, vegan or just looking for a healthy alternative to crisps, finding snacks that meet your needs can get a teensy bit frustrating – and that’s putting it nicely.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best low-cal crisps on the market. Many of our choices are naturally flavoured, free of preservatives, and contain less fat than traditional deep-fried crisps. Remember, while all our choices are low in calories, please read the nutrition labels to make sure they are in keeping with your dietary requirements.
Classic crisps
It's safe to say that no one does crisps quite like Walkers, and its Oven Baked selection contains only 163 calories per mini pack. Coming in the classic flavours of Cheese and Onion, Ready Salted and Salt and Vinegar, the rich taste and crispy texture will only leave you wanting more.
Do you go crazy for cheesy snacks? Then these really cheesy flavoured corn puffs melt in your mouth and will satisfy your cravings for 82 calories. The corn-based crisps have no wheat in the ingredients but are made in the Walkers facility that handles gluten.
www.tesco.com
If you love crunchy, salty flavourful snacks (who doesn't?), then French Fries crisps satisfy your cravings without the extra cals. It comes in Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion and Salt & Vinegar flavours and is suitable for vegetarians.
Listen up, pickled onion lovers; these tangy Monster Munch crips will hit the spot without the guilt. The spooky family favourites are just over 100 calories a bag and are suitable for vegetarians. So tuck in.
These tingly fizzy prawn cocktail crips are super light, delicious and low cal. Made primarily from tapioca starch; these crips are gluten-free and even vegan. Who remembers putting them on your tongue and letting them melt in your mouth?
You might be glad to hear that these old-school faves are not only a major throwback to our childhood, they're also a great low-cal snack. The classic cheesy snack is only 88 calories per pack, meaning you can enjoy them all you like, even when you're on that fitness grind.
groceries.morrisons.com
Who knew that your childhood favourite snack is also one of the lowest cal crisps you can buy. At only 64kcal a bag, these salty potato Pom-Bear bites are deliciously light, crispy and fun to eat. They are also free from gluten, artificial colours and flavours.
These salt and vinegar savoury treats pack a punch for under 100 calories. The potato squares are wheat-free and vegan so you can tuck into these iconic family favourites this lunchtime.
Healthy crisp alternatives
OK, before you run away at the word 'lentil' – hear us out. These lentil chips are divine, giving us the perfect amount of crunch and saltiness that we crave. The fresh sea salt is mouth-watering, and these snacks are the definition of moreish. Even better, Eat Real crisps are completely gluten-free, suitable for vegans and only 130 calories per serving size.
If you are keto or just love cheese, you'll love this snack. Cheesies’ five classic varieties are sharp cheddar, tangy Red Leicester, smooth gouda, goatu2019s cheese and Emmental, as well as the new, special-edition chilli cheddar. Plus, at only 122 kcals per 20g bag, you're in for a satisfying treat.
Hippeas puffs taste so good, you'll hardly believe their calorie content. Made from organic chickpeas, Hippeas puffs are crunchy and delicious, yet super-light, AKA you can snack away minus the uncomfortable bloat. They come in five flavours: Cheese, Sweet & Smokin, Herbs, Chilli Haze and the classic Salt & Vinegar – FYI, you'll love the Cheese flavour if you're a fan of Wotsits.
Allow us to introduce you to sour cream and onion heaven - but healthy. These hand-baked bites are made from quality sourdough bread, packed with bold and all-natural seasoning. These may be less than 100kcals per serving, but don't let that fool you – their rich flavour and crunchy texture makes them a serious contender to classic crisps.
Popchips keeps its potatoes out of the deep fryer for a healthier yet flavour-packed crisp. You can get your Popchips in a variety of interesting flavours, such as Crazy Hot and Cajun Honey, but if you like to keep it traditional, the classic BBQ and Sea Salt flavours are just as yummy and only 94 calories per serving size.
From the makers of the famous Propercorn comes Properchips, and they're amazing. The Barbecue Lentil Chips are bursting in flavour, with a crunchy texture that's absolutely satisfying – but seriously, when did lentils start tasting so good? With only 94kcals per serving, these naturally seasoned snacks will be your next go-to.
Another fab creation by Eat Real, these hummus chips are the real deal. Much like their lentil chip sibling, the hummus version is a whole vibe with a satisfying crunch and rich flavour that'll have you snacking all day.
www.ocado.com
Well and Truly's paprika-flavoured crisps are well and truly... delicious. Made from corn, these snacks are gluten-free, contain all-natural ingredients and still have that authentic crisp taste – seems like a win-win to us. Their smokey flavour and crunchy texture will make you forget that these contain 40 per cent less fat than most other paprika crisps.
An absolute gem, these delicious treats have made their way into our meal deals more than a few times. The rice and corn snacks have a flavour that packs a punch and are perfect for a lunchtime snack or to slip in your bag while you're on the go. With only 93kcals per pack, these are a pretty great alternative to OG crisps.
Good news for our gluten-free and vegan gals, cheese puffs have now made a plant-based and dairy-free comeback. The authentic cheesy flavour will almost melt in your mouth, and the sorghum super grains will keep you fuelled and energised for those long days – get munching!
The worst crisps for healthy eating
As you can see now, not all crisps are made equal, so if you are looking out for the naughtier treats, then deep-fried crisps are the worst in terms of calories.
Kettle Chipsare quite high in calories at 201 kcals a serving, Doritoshit 197 kcals, WalkersReady Salted are 186 kcals, McCoysare around 158kcals, Tyrrellscome to 151kcals, Sensationsdish out 123kcals a serving, and Hula Hoops come to 120kcals.
Of course, everything is in moderation, so if you want to treat yourself, we say go ahead. It is just about making the right choices for you.
At-home recipe for healthy crisps
If you’ve got a little bit of time on your hands, why not try and make your own crisps? After all, anything homemade will be LOADS healthier than shop-bought snacks, and there’s nothing like a crunchy crisp fresh from the oven.
If you’re up for a little cooking session, all you need is three ingredients:
• Maris piper potatoes
• One tablespoon of olive oil
• A sprinkle of salt
The first thing you need to do is pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees. Then, cut your potatoes into slices. Using a food processor will make this step much easier, but if you don’t have one - DW. Just take extra care during the cutting process to make sure they are as thin and even as possible.
Next up, coat your potatoes in salt and olive oil, and mix them well. Feel free to add any other seasoning at this point to achieve your desired crisp flavour. Paprika works well, as will garlic salt and rosemary. Mmm.
For the final step, spread the slices on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for ten minutes. Depending on your oven type and potato thickness, you may need to leave them in for a few minutes longer.
Take them out as soon as they start browning - and bon appétit.