They’re salty. They’re crispy. And they really are irresistible. It’s no wonder that Americans spend millions of dollars each year on potato chips and all of their high-calorie derivatives. Not coincidentally, chips are a major contributor to unhealthy lifestyles and weight gain. The good news is that there are alternatives that you can make at home.
Sweet Potatoes
Packed with manganese and vitamin A, sweet potatoes can be the perfect alternative to traditional potato chips. And you can make your own spice blend to suit your own taste. Some people combine a little salt, sugar, and cinnamon. Others prefer a savory blend of salt, black pepper, cumin, and garlic powder. Either way, sweet potato chips are easy to make. Here’s how:
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• Slice sweet potatoes very thin and lay in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with the desired seasoning.
• Cook for about 50 minutes.
• Turn chips over and cook for another 40 minutes.
• Cool chips on a baking sheet and store in an airtight container.
Kale
Who would have ever thought that healthy green, leafy vegetables attain chip status as a snack food? But surprisingly, kale makes a wonderful-tasting, salty, crispy chip when dehydrated in the oven. Here is the simple recipe:
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• Wash and dry kale leaves thoroughly.
• Remove tough center rib.
• Tear kale pieces into chip-sized pieces.
• Place kale leaves in a large bowl.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a teaspoon of salt over kale leaves.
• Toss to thoroughly coat.
• Cook in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet for 45 minutes.
• Turn leaves and cook for 10 minutes at a time until they reach the desired doneness.
• Cool on a baking sheet.
Chickpeas
If you love chips, then welcome to your new obsession – roasted chickpeas. And better yet, they are a quick and easy fix. Here’s how:
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Drain a can of chickpeas from the grocery store.
• Lay them out on paper toweling to get all excess moisture off. They have to be very dry.
• Spray an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Spread peas out so they are in one layer and spray the top of them with cooking spray.
• Season any way you want. Herb combinations, cayenne pepper, or just plain salt work well.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Turn. Bake for 15 minutes longer.
To satisfy the craving for crispy or salty food, many people munch on chips. But not only can you not eat just one, but oftentimes it’s hard not to eat the entire bag. Instead of breaking your chip habit, try replacing it with healthier alternatives. You may be delightfully surprised.
