Banana chips and potato chips are two popular snack foods that are each made by deep frying or dehydrating slices of their respective fruits or vegetables. Many people enjoy the crunchiness and flavors of both banana chips and potato chips. But which one is the healthier or tastier choice? Let’s take a closer look at how banana chips and potato chips compare nutritionally, ingredient-wise, and taste-wise.
Nutritional Value
When comparing the nutritional value of banana chips versus potato chips, banana chips come out on top as the healthier choice. Here’s a breakdown of the nutrition facts:
| Nutrient (per 1 oz serving) | Banana Chips | Potato Chips |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 93 | 154 |
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 1.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 3 mg | 154 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22 g | 16 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 1 g |
| Sugars | 12 g | 1 g |
| Protein | 1 g | 2 g |
As you can see, banana chips contain far less fat, sodium, and calories compared to potato chips. Banana chips also provide more carbohydrates, mainly in the form of natural sugars. Both contain minimal protein and fiber. So banana chips are the healthier choice if you’re looking to limit fat, sodium, and calories.
Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, banana chips have a much shorter and simpler ingredient list compared to potato chips.
Banana chips typically contain just bananas, coconut oil or olive oil, and sometimes a small amount of salt or other seasonings.
Meanwhile, potato chips contain potatoes, vegetable oil, and then a lengthy list of additional seasonings and preservatives like:
- Salt
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrose
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
- Yeast extract
- Citric acid
- Sunflower oil
- Corn oil
The additives and vegetable oils give potato chips more flavors, but also make them more processed and less natural than banana chips.
Taste
When it comes to taste, there is no definitive winner between banana chips and potato chips. It all comes down to personal preference.
Banana chips tend to have a sweeter, fruitier taste. Their flavor can vary depending on the ripeness of the banana used. Riper bananas make banana chips taste sweeter. Some people feel banana chips have a tropical, almost candy-like taste.
Potato chips come in a huge variety of flavors. Popular ones include salty, sour cream and onion, barbecue, and cheddar. Potato chips tend to have an oilier mouthfeel and stronger crunch. The seasonings give potato chips a stronger, more complex flavor many people crave.
In the end, taste depends if you favor fruity and sweet snacks versus salty and savory ones. Both banana chips and potato chips come in different seasonings too, so there’s lots of room for personal preferences.
Texture
Both banana chips and potato chips have a satisfying, crunchy texture. However, there are some differences.
Banana chips tend to be crispy but also slightly chewy. They have a bit more “give” when you bite into them. The slices of banana retain some moisture, even when dehydrated, giving them a certain denseness.
Potato chips have a more delicate, brittle crunch. The chips are very thin and crispy, practically melting in your mouth with little chewiness. Potato chips also seem to have an oilier mouthfeel due to being fried in vegetable oil.
Some people prefer the heartier crunch of banana chips, while others like the light crispness of potato chips. It’s another area that comes down to personal preference.
Cost
Banana chips tend to be more expensive than potato chips. Here’s a typical price comparison:
| Snack | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| 1 oz banana chips | $0.70 |
| 1 oz potato chips | $0.50 |
The price difference comes down to a few factors:
- Bananas themselves tend to be more expensive than potatoes.
- Banana chips are often positioned as a premium, healthier snack, commanding a higher price tag.
- Potato chips have become a commodity product manufactured at a very large scale.
Of course, prices vary greatly depending on brand, ingredients, manufacturing process, and where you shop. But banana chips do tend to retail for higher prices than potato chips pound for pound.
Health Benefits
Both banana chips and potato chips do provide some health benefits, but banana chips have the nutritional edge.
The top nutrients in banana chips include:
- Potassium – Helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
- Vitamin B6 – Supports immune function and energy levels.
- Vitamin C – An antioxidant that promotes skin health.
- Magnesium – Supports muscle and nerve function.
- Copper – Helps form red blood cells.
- Manganese – Involved in metabolizing carbs and cholesterol.
Potato chips’ nutrients include:
- Vitamin C – Although frying destroys much of potatoes’ natural vitamin C content.
- Potassium – Needed for fluid balance.
- Vitamin B6 – For energy metabolism.
- Magnesium – For bone formation.
Banana chips provide more key vitamins and minerals than potato chips. The lower fat content also gives them an advantage for heart health.
Downsides and Risks
Both banana chips and potato chips come with some potential downsides:
Banana Chips
- High in sugar if bananas are overripe.
- Can cause bloating for people with sensitivities.
- High calorie density if overeaten.
- Oil used for frying may be unhealthy if low quality.
Potato Chips
- High in fat and sodium.
- Often contain unhealthy oils and preservatives.
- Very low in nutrients due to high processing.
- Highly addictive, easy to overeat.
- Can cause weight gain.
As you can see, the primary downsides of banana chips relate to sugar and portion size, while potato chips are more concerning for fat, sodium, and low nutrient content. But both snacks should be eaten in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
Environmental Impact
Banana chips likely have a lower environmental impact than potato chips. Here’s why:
- Banana farming uses fewer pesticides than potato farming.
- Bananas themselves have lower carbon emissions than potatoes when transported.
- Banana chips use less processing and packaging overall.
- Banana production supports small farmers and fair trade initiatives in tropical countries.
However, comparing sustainability is complex. Potato chips’ environmental impact depends heavily on sourcing practices, production methods, and transportation distances that vary between brands.
But bananas are viewed as more environmentally friendly than potatoes in general. Choosing organic, low footprint brands of both snacks can reduce environmental impacts.
Manufacturing Process
Although both are fried snack foods, banana chips and potato chips actually have quite different manufacturing processes.
Banana Chips Manufacturing
Banana chips are made in a relatively low tech, small batch process:
- Bananas are washed, peeled, and sliced to 1/8 – 1/4 inch thickness.
- The raw banana slices are soaked in citric acid or lime juice to prevent browning.
- Slices are dried slowly at low temperatures, usually 130-170°F for 8-12 hours.
- The dried chips are fried in coconut or olive oil until crispy, around 325°F for 1-3 minutes.
- Excess oil is drained off and chips are seasoned if desired.
- Chips are packaged while still warm to seal in freshness.
This careful process retains more of bananas’ nutrients and flavors versus high heat potato chip frying.
Potato Chips Manufacturing
Potato chips are mass produced using an automated process:
- Potatoes are washed, peeled, and sliced by machines into thin uniform chips.
- Chips are fried in hot oil around 375°F for 3-7 minutes depending on thickness.
- They are salted and seasoned using automated shakers and tumblers.
- Chips are inspected for quality and packaged by speedy conveyor systems.
- Packaged chips are sealed and shipped out for distribution.
This efficient process allows potato chips to be made cheaply in high volumes. But the harsher high heat frying degrades nutrients and requires more additives for flavor and shelf life.
Popularity and Sales
Without question, potato chips are vastly more popular than banana chips worldwide. Some key statistics:
- Annual potato chip sales exceed $22 billion globally.
- Americans eat over 1.5 billion pounds of potato chips per year.
- Potato chips make up over 35% of savory snack food sales.
- Banana chip sales equal less than 1% of the potato chip market.
However, banana chip sales are growing steadily as the snacks increase in popularity and availability. More manufacturers now produce banana chips to meet demand. But potato chips remain the dominant salty snack food for the foreseeable future.
Serving Suggestions
Both banana chips and potato chips are versatile snacks that pair well with dips and other foods.
Banana Chips Serving Ideas
- Sprinkle banana chips on yogurt, oatmeal, salads.
- Dip banana chips into nut butters or chocolate hummus.
- Trail mix – combine with nuts, seeds, coconut flakes.
- Parfaits – layer banana chips with granola and fruit.
Potato Chips Serving Ideas
- Nachos – pile chips with cheese, beans, salsa, etc.
- Sub for croutons on salads or soups.
- Crush chips into breading for fried foods.
- Dip into French onion dip, spinach dip.
Banana chips add a naturally sweet flavor and crunch to snacks and meals. Potato chips are more savory and well suited for hearty appetizers or garnishes.
Storage
To maintain freshness and texture, both types of chips should be stored properly:
- Keep opened bags tightly sealed, press out excess air.
- Store in a cool, dry pantry away from light and humidity.
- Avoid storage in hot garages, cars, or in direct sunlight.
- Refrigeration can extend shelf life after opening.
- Look for “best by” dates and use within 1-2 months.
The low moisture content of chips enables them to stay shelf stable for a period of time. Just keep them sealed from air exposure to prevent staleness.
Conclusion
When comparing nutritional value, ingredients, taste, cost, and more, banana chips come out on top as the generally healthier and more nutritious snack overall versus traditional potato chips.
Banana chips have less fat, fewer additives, and provide more key vitamins and minerals. They also rate better for environmental impact. However, potato chips are tastier and preferred by many people based on their ultra crispy texture and robust flavor from seasonings.
In the end, both snacks can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Banana chips make a great substitution for potato chips when you want something lighter and fruitier. But sometimes you just crave that salty crunch only a potato chip can provide. Mixing up your snacking between both options helps add variety to your routine.
