Consumer Reports just tested 32 different snack chips made from bean chips, pea chips, veggie chips, and kale. Don't get the idea that they're as good for you as fresh vegetables, but most of the ones tested are a little lower in fat and calories than classic potato chips. Several of the new chips qualify as low sodium. And some are an excellent source of fiber. Consumer Reports found several to recommend:
• Top rated: Calbee Snapea Crisps Original Lightly Salted. They're airy and crispy, have a pleasant pea flavor, and are low in sodium.
• Beanitos White Bean With Sea Salt are also recommended, with a white bean and toasty grain flavor. Ten chips have 6 grams of fiber—the same as a large apple!
• Terra Original Real Vegetable Chips Sea Salt are the best tasting of the veggie chips tested. They're a colorful mix of real fried veggie slices, including sweet potato.
• Food Should Taste Good Falafel Tortilla Chips are also tasty and cost less than the others. Consumer Reports panelists found them "bold and unique," with bean, corn, garlic, and coriander flavors.
Consumer developed a simple recipe for homemade kale chips and in blind taste tests pitted them against commercial kale chips, costing $7. The homemade version won.
Homemade Kale Chips:
1⁄2 bag (16 oz.) kale greens, washed, trimmed, cut into bite-sized pieces, and dried
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Place garlic and oil in a small bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. Discard garlic.
2. Pile kale on two large baking sheets. Toss with olive oil, coating each leaf. Sprinkle with salt and spread evenly on the baking sheets.
3. Bake 5 minutes. Toss kale using tongs to ensure even cooking. Bake until kale turns dark green and is very crisp, about 7 to 9 minutes. Do not overcook. Cool before serving.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website.
