Least Processed Chips & Crisps Brands
Basic potato chips need just three ingredients: potatoes, oil, and salt. But flavored varieties add maltodextrin, artificial flavors, MSG (as "yeast extract"), artificial colors, and multiple forms of processed cheese powders. The processing gap between plain and flavored chips is one of the largest in any snack category.
Chips & Crisps at a Glance
15 Least Processed Chips & Crisps Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glean | 5 | 1.0 7.2 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Natierra | 14 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 14 |
| 3 | Pocasville | 14 | 1.3 6.1 | 0 | 12 |
| 4 | Gembos | 7 | 1.6 2.9 | 0 | 7 |
| 5 | Mama lycha | 14 | 1.7 4.8 | 0 | 14 |
| 6 | Mitica | 5 | 2.0 6.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | Ara real | 5 | 2.0 7.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | Natura | 7 | 2.0 4.7 | 0 | 7 |
| 9 | Hacienda de gutierrez | 6 | 2.0 6.5 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Big papis kitchen | 8 | 2.0 6.5 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 | Crunchin cuts | 10 | 2.0 5.8 | 0 | 10 |
| 12 | Michael seasons | 6 | 2.0 4.6 | 0 | 6 |
| 13 | Schnuncks | 5 | 2.0 4.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 14 | Caulipower | 6 | 2.0 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | El ranchero | 9 | 2.0 7.3 | 0 | 9 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Chips & Crisps Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Chips & Crisps Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Plain salted chips (potatoes, oil, salt) are Level 2 — the simplest option
- 2Flavored chips with "seasoning blend" typically contain 10+ hidden sub-ingredients
- 3"Natural flavors" in chips is not the same as natural — it is an industrial extract
- 4Kettle-cooked chips use the same ingredients as regular but a different cooking method
Most Processed Chips & Crisps Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frito-lay | 12 | 42.3 4.5 | 10 | 1 |
| 2 | Wilton | 9 | 29.9 3.8 | 9 | 0 |
| 3 | Kelloggs | 5 | 25.2 4.9 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Rancheritos | 6 | 19.1 5.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Doritos | 609 | 17.9 5.0 | 549 | 6 |
| 6 | Sabritones | 16 | 17.7 3.5 | 16 | 0 |
| 7 | Yummies | 8 | 17.6 4.0 | 8 | 0 |
| 8 | Encanto | 5 | 17.5 5.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 9 | Cravem snacks | 6 | 17.5 5.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Chesters | 20 | 16.7 4.8 | 20 | 0 |
| 11 | Snaky | 7 | 16.6 4.9 | 4 | 0 |
| 12 | Funyuns | 5 | 16.5 5.3 | 5 | 0 |
| 13 | La molienda | 5 | 16.5 5.2 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Dots | 6 | 16.0 6.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Sabritas | 19 | 15.9 4.8 | 17 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are potato chips ultra-processed?
Plain salted potato chips (potatoes, oil, salt) are Level 2 — processed but not ultra-processed. Flavored varieties with artificial seasonings jump to Level 3-4.
Are kettle-cooked chips less processed?
Kettle cooking is a different method (batch vs continuous frying) but does not change the ingredients. If the ingredient list is the same, the processing score is the same.
Which chip brands use the fewest ingredients?
The brands ranked here have the lowest average processing scores across their chip product lines. Brands using just potatoes, oil, and salt consistently score lowest.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.