Are Avocado, Olive, or Coconut Oil Potato Chips Healthier?
Nutrition & FitnessDiet & Nutrition

Are Potato Chips Made With Avocado, Olive, or Coconut Oil Any Healthier?

Are Potato Chips Made With Avocado, Olive, or Coconut Oil Any Healthier?
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Updated on July 31, 2025
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The origin of the potato chip is highly debated, with some claiming it was accidentally created in 1853 by a chef in Saratoga Springs, New York, who overcooked an order of fries. This is just one of many stories behind the snack’s origin.

No matter where or how it originated, what we can all agree on is that the potato chip is a delicious snack that has evolved in its branding, preparation, and, perhaps, nutritional value since its beginnings.

With the rise in health-aware consumers and the addition of new brands besides just the traditional Lay's and Pringles on store shelves, companies are using alternative oils rather than the standard canola, sunflower, or corn oil popular snack brands usually opt for. So, we spoke to a dietitian to get the low-down on whether chips made with avocado, olive, and coconut oil are any healthier.

Which Cooking Oil Is Best?

"While some oils are healthier than others, the type of oil used in potato chips won't make a huge nutritional difference or significance for overall health," says Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The thing is, many chip brands that opt for healthy oils like avocado and olive oil usually have shorter ingredient lists, too — so you likely won't get any of the artificial colors or flavors you'd normally find in traditional chips.

As with any snack, the amount you eat is key and "chips made with avocado oil or olive oil may be slightly healthier options — but in the end, potato chips should be enjoyed in moderation, regardless of the oil used," says Bochi.

If Bochi were to make chips at home, her go-to would be avocado oil because of its health benefits and its ability to withstand higher temperatures. Olive oil is her next best option since coconut oil has a higher percentage of saturated fat, which is associated with heart disease when consumed in high amounts.

If you're going to make your own homemade potato chips, be sure to not only use avocado oil but also watch the amount of salt you add and how much you eat. Bochi reminds us, again, to keep in mind that as satisfying as the classic snack may be, moderation is the key.

Now, let's provide some additional clarity and information on these three different types of oils.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is made from pressing avocado pulp, and its health benefits include reducing cholesterol and promoting heart health. With 10 grams of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids per tablespoon, avocado oil is rich in healthy fat, oleic acid, vitamin E, and lutein, an antioxidant for the eyes. In addition, avocado oil has a high smoke point, so it’s great for cooking at high temperatures.

Olive Oil

Olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, is associated with numerous health benefits, including lowering risk of heart disease, reducing inflammation, and protecting against cancer. It’s high in antioxidants and healthy fats.

Coconut Oil

There are three types of coconut oil: partially hydrogenated coconut oil, refined coconut oil, and virgin coconut oil.

Of the three, virgin coconut oil is considered to have the most health benefits, as it is removed without unnatural chemical processes from the fruit of fresh, mature coconuts. When the correct type is used — and used sparingly — coconut oil raises "good" HDL cholesterol in the body. However, recent research has discovered that it can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol as well.

The Takeaway

  • While some oils are healthier than others, the type of oil used in potato chips won't make a significant nutritional difference in the health of the snack.
  • More than the type of oil used in frying, consuming potato chips in moderation is the healthiest choice.
  • If you make your own potato chips at home, avocado oil is the best oil to use in frying due to its high smoke point.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. White A. The Story of the Invention of the Potato Chip Is a Myth. JStor Daily. May 4, 2017.
  2. Yes, Avocado Oil Is Good for You. Cleveland Clinic. December 19, 2024.
  3. 6 Major Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Cleveland Clinic. January 16, 2024.
  4. Coconut Oil — Healthy or Unhealthy? South Dakota Department of Health Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion. January 16, 2024.
  5. Coconut Oil. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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Kayli Anderson, RDN

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Kayli Anderson has over a decade of experience in nutrition, culinary education, and lifestyle medicine. She believes that eating well should be simple, pleasurable, and sustainable. Anderson has worked with clients from all walks of life, but she currently specializes in nutrition therapy and lifestyle medicine for women. She’s the founder of PlantBasedMavens.com, a hub for women to get evidence-based, practical, and woman-centered guidance on nutrition and cooking, hormone health, fertility, pregnancy, movement, mental well-being, nontoxic living, and more.

Anderson is board-certified in lifestyle medicine and serves as lead faculty of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s (ACLM) "Food as Medicine" course. She is past chair of the ACLM's registered dietitian member interest group, secretary of the women's health member interest group, and nutrition faculty for many of ACLM's other course offerings. She is the coauthor of the Plant-Based Nutrition Quick Start Guide and works with many of the leading organizations in nutrition and lifestyle medicine to develop nutrition content, recipes, and educational programs.

Anderson frequently speaks on the topics of women’s health and plant-based nutrition and has coauthored two lifestyle medicine textbooks, including the first one on women’s health, Improving Women's Health Across the Lifespan.

She received a master's degree in nutrition and physical performance and is certified as an exercise physiologist and intuitive eating counselor. She's a student of herbal medicine and women's integrative and functional medicine. She lives with her husband in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, where you’ll find her out on a trail or in her garden.

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Adrianna Aguilar

Author

Adrianna is a NY based dancer and writer When she is not dancing or producing a performance with her company, TREES, she is writing for Huff Post, Dance Magazine, or Everyday Health.

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