Protein Chips Recipe

Say goodbye to unhealthy snacks, this is how to make Protein Chips at home, from scratch. Baked and not fried, these keto tortilla chips are unbelievably crispy and delicious. 12 grams of protein per serving!

Recipe highlights

Combining taste, nutrition and simplicity, this is one of those recipes you’ve always wanted. I promise, you will love my homemade protein chips because they are: 

• Healthy: Unlike the ones you buy, these chips are only made with ingredients that are wholesome and nutritious. They’re high protein, low carb, packed with fibers, minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin E from the almond flour. Further, they are not fried, but baked in the oven!
• Diet-friendly: As it uses almond flour in combination with protein powder, this recipe is suitable for all those who follow high protein, low carb, keto and gluten-free diets. 
• Simple: This is a simple protein chips recipe that only requires five ingredients, an oven and less than 20 minutes of your day. Anyone can make it!  
• Crispy and delicious: The taste of these keto chips will leave you speechless; you’ll never believe they are also healthy and good for you.
• Customizable: Add some extra seasonings, shredded cheese or a selection of seeds and you’ll come up with your own tortilla chips.
• Versatile: As snack, side dish or for nachos, these keto protein chips come in very handy in many occasion. 

The ingredients

Here are all the ingredient that this protein chips recipe calls for, including details and substitutes.

• Almond flour: Made from ground nuts, the almond flour adds a nutty flavor and provides a good amount of plant based protein, healthy fats, fiber and nutrients to the protein chips.
• Protein powder: This recipe requires the use of unflavored protein powder. For the best result I recommend plant based protein powders (I used unflavored soy protein), but also unflavored whey protein can work.
• Egg: The egg helps bind the dough and prevents the homemade protein chips from falling apart.
• Olive oil: I like extra virgin olive oil, but you can replace with any other oil. Great options are avocado oil, seed oil or walnut oil. 
• Sea salt: A must for delicious chips, the sea salt enhances the taste and makes flavorsome protein tortilla chips.

Which protein powder for chips?

As it is savory, this recipe requires the use of unflavored protein powder. For the best keto protein chips I recommend a vegan protein powder, but also unflavored whey can work.

You should however keep in mind that different protein powders have different characteristics and properties. Therefore, you may need to adapt the recipe accordingly. Here is an overview.

• Vegan protein powder and casein: As they absorb more liquid, you may need to fix a crumbly dough with about 1 tablespoon of water or milk, or more olive oil if preferred.
• Whey protein powder: As it mixes very well, you may get a sticky dough requiring more almond flour (but not more protein powder!).

Adapt the recipe to your diet

Do you follow any particular diet or lifestyle? Here is how to adapt this recipe to your dietary needs and preferences:

• Vegan diet: Replace the egg with one flaxseed egg.
• Keto diet: With just 4 grams of carbs per serving, these chips are already keto-friendly. 
• Gluten-free diet: Make sure to use gluten-free protein powders, usually almond flour does not contain any gluten.  
• Dairy-free diet: No need for changes because there is no dairy product in these chips. 
• Nut-free diet: Substitute the almond flour with oat flour or seed flours (such as sunflower seed flour or pumpkin seed flour).

How to make protein chips at home

In a large bowl, combine the almond flour with unflavored protein powder and sea salt. Quickly stir to mix the dry ingredients, then add the egg and the olive oil. Start mixing to combine all ingredients together. Based on the type of protein powder, you may need to adjust with up to 1 ½ tablespoon of water or milk if the dough results thick and dry. Conversely, adjust with more flour if it is sticky.

Sprinkle a clean surface with flour and knead the protein chip dough until it is smooth. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle then cut into triangles or wedges.

Line the protein chip triangles over the baking sheet and drizzle or brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes, making sure you flip them halfway through the baking time.

Storage information

Although they taste better fresh, you can also save some almond flour chips for later. Storing leftovers in the right way is however essential to maintain their crispness and flavor. Here are some guidelines on how to best store homemade protein chips:

1. Let cool completely: After baking, allow the protein chips to cool completely first.
2. Transfer to an airtight container: Place the cooled protein chips in an airtight food container, layering them with parchment paper if making a large batch.
3. Store protein chips: After transferring to the food container, store homemade protein chips at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.

When storing keto tortilla chips, one thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid humidity. As homemade protein chips are prone to becoming soggy in humid conditions, do not refrigerate. Keep in your pantry in a food container where they are safe from direct sunlight and humidity.

Troubleshooting

Before getting your hands in the dough, take a minute to get familiar with some problems you may encounter and how to solve these.

Dough issues:

• Crumbly dough: If the dough is dry and crumbly, try adding slightly more olive oil or adjust with little water (or milk) until smooth. This will help bind the ingredients together and provide moisture.
• Sticky dough: If the mixture is too sticky, fix the texture with more almond flour (or oat flour).

Structural issues:

• Adequate mixing: If the chips are falling apart or breaking easily, make sure you’ve mixed the ingredients and knead the dough thoroughly.
• More flour: If it is necessary, increase the amount of almond flour to achieve a firmer dough and better chips.

Burning issues:

• Adequate temperature: Make sure that you do not cook the protein chips with baking times and temperatures that are too high; especially protein powder tends to dry out and burn when overheated.
• Flipping side: Flip your protein tortilla chips halfway through the baking time to ensure even baking and browning.

Crispiness issues:

• Chip thickness: Make sure you’re spreading the dough thinly and evenly on the baking sheet, as thicker chips tend to get softer.
• Olive oil: For superior crispiness, brush, drizzle or spray with olive oil the surface of your almond flour chips before baking.
• Baking time: If necessary, increase both baking time and temperature until the chips are nicely crispy; but be careful not to burn them.

Flavor issues:

• Extra seasonings: If you feel that the chips are too boring just with salt, experiment with different seasonings, herbs, spices, or grated cheese.
• Sapidity level: Adjust the salt content to your likings; add more if you feel they are lacking flavor.

How to serve protein chips

As snack or side dish, homemade protein chips are a versatile food that can be served in many tasty ways. Just like normal chips, but much much healthier, non-fried and packed with protein. Be original, give vent to your creativity. And if you still need inspiration, here are a few serving ideas:

• On their own: Grab and enjoy just like you would do with a bag of chips from the store.
• With dips: Pair the protein chips with a variety of dips such as guacamole, hummus, salsa, or Greek yogurt dip.
• For nachos: Create a healthier nachos plate with a base of almond flour chips and diced tomatoes, onions, black beans, jalapenos, and a sprinkle of cheese as toppings. Pop in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and enjoy!
• With salads: Crush your protein powder chips and sprinkle salads or bowls for a crunchy texture, just like you would do with croutons.
• As a side dish: Serve a handful of almond flour chips alongside your sandwiches, burgers or grilled chicken.
• In cheese platters: Include as part of a cheese platter loaded with cheese, fruits, nuts, and a variety of spreads.

More high protein finger foods

• Greek yogurt pizza
• Low calorie chicken tenders
• KFC popcorn chicken
• Cornflakes chicken nuggets
• Greek yogurt chicken Buffalo dip

Watch the video recipe