Craving something crunchy but tired of reaching for regular crisps? Pea chips, beetroot snacks, broccoli chips, and shiitake mushroom crisps have arrived – and they're making the snack aisle a lot more interesting. These aren't unhealthy snacks dressed up to look like health food. They're real superfoods, gently dried or dehydrated to keep their nutrients intact, turned into something genuinely satisfying to eat.
Here's a look at the five superfoods making the switch from produce section to snack bag, and what they actually bring to the table.
Why Are Veggie Chips Having Such a Moment?
It’s simple, really: People want snacks that taste good and actually do something useful.
Australia's healthy snacks market is facing rising demand for plant-based, vegan, and more dietary-friendly options. Traditional potato chips haven't changed much, but what shoppers want certainly has. Real ingredients, shorter label lists, no artificial nasties – that's the new standard.
Superfood chips fit right in.
1. Beetroot Snacks
Beetroot has been a nutritional heavy hitter for a long time, but it's notoriously annoying to eat – it stains everything, takes forever to roast, and has no place in a work bag.
Beetroot crisps solve all of that. Dehydrated beetroot snacks carry the same earthy, slightly sweet flavour with a satisfying crunch, minus the mess.
Nutritionally, beetroot is high in dietary nitrates, which can help lower blood pressure over time by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow. It's also a good source of folate, manganese, and potassium. For anyone eating more plant-based foods, it's one of the more versatile additions to the snack rotation.
2. Broccoli Chips
Broccoli probably has the most complicated PR history of any vegetable. Kids hate it, adults know they should eat more of it, and nobody wants to steam it at 3 pm as an afternoon snack.
Broccoli chips are a different story.
Broccoli is rich in glucosinolates – sulphur-containing phytonutrients linked to immune health and detoxification – as well as vitamin C, which helps the body absorb more iron from other foods, and calcium. It also contains lutein, which supports eye health.
When gently dried rather than deep-fried, broccoli chips retain a meaningful amount of these nutrients. The texture becomes light and crisp – very different from the limp, overcooked broccoli that put people off it in the first place.
3. Pea Chips
Pea chips are arguably the most snackable superfood on this list, and the numbers back them up nutritionally.
Green peas are an excellent source of protein, fibre, and nutrients – with one cup of cooked peas delivering around 8 grams of protein and 9 grams of fibre. That's impressive for something that looks like a simple little snack. The protein and fibre in peas slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, helping to regulate blood sugar and keep you fuller for longer.
Peas are also rich in vitamins C and K, folate, magnesium, and antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin.
Crispy snap pea chips made from real snap peas capture all of that in a crunch that honestly competes with conventional crisps. The key is the making – quality pea chips use actual peas, not pea flour mixed with rice starch and formed into the shape of a pea. Real snap pea chips have an airy, light texture and a naturally sweet, savoury flavour that doesn't need heavy seasoning.
4. Shiitake Mushroom Crisps
Shiitake is the wild card on this list – and it's probably the most underrated.
Shiitake mushrooms contain beta-glucans and other polysaccharides that support immune function by protecting against cell damage and boosting white blood cell production. They're also among the few plant-based sources of vitamin D and are particularly rich in copper.
As shiitake mushroom crisps, you get that distinctive umami depth in snack form. It's savoury, slightly earthy, and genuinely different from anything else in the snack aisle.
How to Tell If a Veggie Chip Is Actually Good for You
Not every chip with a vegetable on the packet deserves the health halo. A few things to check before you buy:
Ingredient List
The shorter, the better. The vegetable should be the first ingredient. If you see "pea flour" buried third after corn starch and rice powder, that's a reconstructed pea chip – not the same thing.
Preparation Method
Look for dehydrated, baked, or freeze-dried. Deep-fried veggie chips can still be a better choice than standard chips, but they won't preserve nutrients as well.
Sodium
Some veggie chips pack more salt per serve than regular crisps. A reasonable benchmark is under 400mg of sodium per 100g.
Added Sugars and Oils
A light coating is fine. A chip that lists several oils and sweeteners mid-label is no longer trading on the vegetable's nutrition – it's just flavouring.
The Easiest Way To Add Superfoods To Your Diet
Superfood chips are one of the easier ways to add variety and actual nutrition to your snacking without giving up the satisfying crunch that makes crisps worth eating. Pea chips, broccoli chips, beetroot snacks, and shiitake mushroom crisps each bring something different to the mix – nutritionally and in terms of flavour.
Shary's range covers all four, with minimal ingredients and no artificial additives. Vegetables are freeze-dried to maintain their nutritional value while adding that satisfying crunch. They’re worth a look if you're building out a smarter snack drawer.
FAQs
Are veggie chips healthier than potato chips?
They can be, but it's not a given. Some veggie chips are baked or freeze-dried rather than fried and contain more fibre or nutrients from the base vegetable. However, many are comparable in fat and salt to regular potato chips. Comparing nutrition panels side by side is the most reliable way to tell.
Can kids eat superfood chips in their lunchbox?
Yes, superfood chips can be a suitable lunchbox snack, provided the school allows the specific ingredients and they comply with any allergen policies. Check for nut-free certification if required. They're generally a better option than standard chips, but should sit alongside whole foods rather than replace them.
Do superfood chips count as one serving of vegetables?
No. Despite being made from nutrient-rich ingredients, superfood chips are processed snacks and don't meet the requirements for a vegetable serve under the Australian Dietary Guidelines. They can contribute useful nutrients to your day, but shouldn't be counted as a substitute for whole vegetables in your diet.
Where can I buy superfood chips in Australia?
Superfood chips are increasingly available across Australia at major supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths, as well as health food stores, independent grocers, and online retailers like Shary. Availability varies by brand and region, so checking the brand's website for a stockist locator is often the quickest way to find them near you.
Are superfood chips gluten-free and vegan?
Many superfood chips, including those from Shary, are both gluten-free and vegan, as they're commonly made from plant-based ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, kale, or beetroot. However, this varies by brand and flavour. Always check the packaging for certified gluten-free labelling and scan the ingredients list to confirm there are no animal-derived additives.