The Short Answer
Jackson's Chips are one of the cleanest chips on the market. They earn a solid clean rating for doing exactly what most snack brands refuse to do: ditching cheap seed oils.
Instead of frying their chips in highly processed canola or sunflower oil, Jackson's uses premium avocado oil and coconut oil. Combined with non-GMO sweet potatoes and sea salt, their classic flavors cap out at just three whole-food ingredients.
Why This Matters
If you want to know Are Chips Bad, the answer usually comes down to the oil. Almost every major chip brand on the shelf is deep-fried in inflammatory, highly refined polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) like canola, soybean, or safflower oil.
These cheap oils are extracted using harsh chemical solvents and high heat. Once consumed, they drive systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which is why understanding Oils In Chips is the single most important step in upgrading your snack pantry.
Jackson’s fixes the primary problem with chips by using ancestral, cold-pressed fats. Avocado oil and coconut oil are stable at high heats, meaning they don't break down into toxic byproducts during the kettle-cooking process, making them the gold standard for Chips No Seed Oils.
What's Actually In Jackson's Chips
Most of Jackson’s lineup follows a strict minimalist philosophy. Here is exactly what you are eating in their classic Sea Salt chips:
- Non-GMO Sweet Potatoes — A nutrient-dense root vegetable packed with fiber and Vitamin A. Unlike conventional potatoes, these offer a slower blood sugar release.
- Avocado Oil (or Coconut Oil) — Heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory fats that tolerate high cooking temperatures without oxidizing. Chips No Seed Oils
- Sea Salt — Unrefined salt that provides flavor and trace minerals without the chemical anti-caking agents found in conventional table salt.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Three-ingredient profiles — The fewer ingredients, the less room for sneaky additives.
- Stable cooking oils — Coconut and avocado oil are heat-stable and won't oxidize in the fryer.
Red Flags:
- "Natural Flavors" — Found in their flavored varieties (like Jalapeno or Ranch). While not a dealbreaker, it's a proprietary catch-all term that hides the exact flavoring compounds.
- Yeast Extract — Used in flavored varieties to mimic MSG's savory profile; some sensitive individuals prefer to avoid it.
The Best Options
Jackson's classic sea salt options are flawless, but you should read the labels on their flavored varieties. Flavors like Ranch or BBQ introduce minor processing additives. If you want a clean tortilla chip alternative, check out Is Siete Chips Clean.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson's | Sea Salt with Avocado Oil | ✅ | Just sweet potatoes, avocado oil, and salt. |
| Jackson's | Sea Salt with Coconut Oil | ✅ | AIP-friendly and zero seed oils. |
| Jackson's | Spicy Jalapeno | ⚠️ | Contains natural flavors and yeast extract. |
| Jackson's | Farmhouse Ranch | ⚠️ | Contains natural flavors and maltodextrin. |
The Bottom Line
1. Stick to the Sea Salt flavors. They offer a perfect, three-ingredient nutritional profile.
2. Read the labels on flavored bags. Flavors like Ranch and Jalapeno introduce maltodextrin and yeast extract.
3. Enjoy the healthy fats. The avocado and coconut oils used here actually support your health rather than driving inflammation.
FAQ
Why is there a Prop 65 warning on Jackson's chips?
The warning is for acrylamide, a natural byproduct of cooking starchy foods. Acrylamide is not an added chemical ingredient; it naturally forms whenever foods like potatoes or bread are roasted, baked, or fried at high temperatures. Because Jackson's sells in California, state law requires them to print this warning.
Are sweet potato chips healthier than regular potato chips?
They offer slightly more nutrients but are still a calorie-dense snack. Sweet potatoes are higher in Vitamin A and fiber than white potatoes. However, once fried, the nutritional gap narrows. If you want the Healthiest Chips, focus on the quality of the cooking oil rather than just the type of potato.
Which is better: the coconut oil or avocado oil chips?
Both are excellent, clean options. Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) and has a completely neutral flavor. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and imparts a very subtle, slightly sweet coconut flavor to the chip. Choose based on your personal taste preference.
Does Jackson's make other snacks?
They also make Super Veggie Straws. If you're wondering Are Veggie Chips Healthy, Jackson's version is much cleaner than mainstream brands like Terra chips or Sensible Portions because they use pure avocado oil instead of canola oil.
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