Crispy & Healthy Cucumber Chips: Your Low-Carb Alternative to Potato Chips

Are you craving the satisfying crunch and savory flavor of potato chips but want to skip the carbs and unhealthy fats? Look no further! These homemade cucumber chips are a game-changer. Perfectly seasoned with classic salt and vinegar, they deliver all the addictive taste and texture you love, without any of the guilt. Easy to make and incredibly customizable, these crispy cucumber chips will become your new go-to snack for satisfying those salty cravings in a deliciously healthy way. Imagine biting into a light, airy chip that’s bursting with flavor – that’s exactly what these offer. They’re ideal for anyone on a keto, low-carb, or simply health-conscious diet looking for a wholesome alternative to traditional junk food. Get ready to transform humble cucumbers into an irresistible snack that’s crunchy, salty, and utterly delightful.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Cucumber Chips

1. Effortlessly Simple to Prepare: You might be surprised at just how straightforward these cucumber chips are to make. The process involves minimal steps: slice your cucumbers, lightly coat them in a flavorful oil mixture, then let your oven (or dehydrator) work its magic for a few hours. There’s no complicated technique or specialized equipment required beyond a good knife or mandoline. The most ‘challenging’ part is achieving consistently thin slices, but even if they’re not perfect, they’ll still turn out delicious and crispy. This ease makes them perfect for beginner cooks or anyone seeking a fuss-free, healthy snack recipe.
2. A Wholesome and Delicious Potato Chip Alternative: Say goodbye to greasy, calorie-laden potato chips without sacrificing taste or crunch! These cucumber chips offer a delightfully crispy and satisfying snack experience. They boast significantly fewer calories, a much cleaner ingredient list, and are virtually carb-free, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of dietary preferences, including keto and low-carb lifestyles. You get the same satisfying saltiness and crisp texture as your favorite fried snacks, but with the added benefits of fresh vegetables. It’s truly a guilt-free indulgence that supports your healthy eating goals.
3. Perfect for Batch Prepping and Long-Term Storage: One of the best aspects of this recipe is how easily you can prepare a large batch to have on hand for those inevitable snack attacks. Once thoroughly dehydrated and cooled, these crispy cucumber chips can be stored effectively, providing a healthy grab-and-go option whenever hunger strikes. For optimal freshness and to maintain their irresistible crunch, store them in an airtight container or, even better, a vacuum-sealed bag. When stored correctly, dehydrated produce like these cucumber chips can last anywhere from 6 to an impressive 12 months, ensuring you always have a healthy, flavorful snack ready.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cucumber Chips

• Precision Slicing is Key: While a sharp chef’s knife can certainly do the job, a mandoline slicer is truly your best friend when it comes to creating uniformly thin cucumber discs. Consistency in thickness ensures that all your chips dehydrate and crisp up at the same rate, preventing some from burning while others remain soft. If using a mandoline, always prioritize safety by using a guard or wearing cut-resistant gloves to protect your fingers. Aim for slices around 1/8-inch thick for optimal crispness and drying time.
• Thoroughly Dry Cucumber Slices Before Oiling: This step is absolutely critical for achieving truly crispy chips. Cucumbers contain a high water content, and any excess moisture on the surface will prevent the avocado oil mixture from properly adhering. If the oil doesn’t coat the slices well, they won’t crisp up as effectively in the oven and may turn out chewy or soggy instead of crunchy. After slicing, spread the cucumber discs on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and gently pat them completely dry on both sides before moving on to the seasoning step. Don’t rush this part!
• Choose Smaller Cucumbers for Finer Texture: If you’re particular about the texture of your chips, opting for smaller cucumbers (like Persian or Kirby cucumbers) can make a difference. These varieties tend to have smaller, less developed seeds compared to larger slicing cucumbers. While the seeds are perfectly edible, smaller seeds can contribute to a more delicate and uniform chip texture. If you’re using larger cucumbers, you can always scoop out the seeds with a spoon before slicing, though this is an optional step.
• Consider a Food Dehydrator for Best Results: While your oven is perfectly capable of making excellent cucumber chips, a dedicated food dehydrator often yields superior results and frees up your oven for other culinary tasks. Dehydrators operate at a lower, more consistent temperature, which is ideal for slowly removing moisture without cooking the cucumbers. If using a dehydrator, arrange the oiled slices in a single layer on the trays and set the temperature to 125°-135° Fahrenheit (approximately 52°-57° Celsius). The dehydration process will take longer, typically 10-12 hours, but the outcome is often a more uniformly crispy and intensely flavored chip.

More Healthy & Easy Recipes to Explore

• Fresh Guacamole Salad
• Hearty Chickpea Salad Sandwich
• Light Zucchini Salad
• Quick Instant Pot Carrots
• Perfect Sous Vide Asparagus
• Flavorful Mexican Tuna Salad
• Simple Cottage Cheese Flatbread
• Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
• Vibrant Cherry Tomato Salad
• Creamy Avocado Salad
• Hearty Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
• Crunchy Homemade Pita Chips
• Savory Keto Cheese Chips

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For more delicious and innovative recipes perfect for a healthy lifestyle, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.

Crispy Homemade Cucumber Chips (Salt & Vinegar Flavored)

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 4 hours hours

Total: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

These incredibly flavorful and crunchy cucumber chips offer all the addictive taste of classic potato chips, but without the high carbs, calories, or guilt. They are a perfect, light, and refreshing snack alternative!

Cheryl Malik

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4 servings

Ingredients for Your Crispy Cucumber Chips

• ▢ 2 large cucumbers (approx. 8 ounces each, ideally thinner for fewer seeds and better crisping)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or another neutral high-heat oil like grapeseed or light olive oil)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar work well for the classic salt & vinegar flavor)
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to your preferred saltiness, adding more if desired)

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Essential Equipment

• Oven
• large baking sheet
• Parchment paper (or a reusable silicone baking mat for non-stick baking)
• vegetable brush (or a clean, dedicated dish towel for scrubbing)
• Cutting board
• sharp chef’s knife (or a mandoline slicer for uniform thinness and speed)
• Paper towels (for thoroughly drying cucumber slices, a crucial step!)
• medium mixing bowl
• whisk

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Preheat your oven to a low temperature of 175° Fahrenheit (approximately 80° Celsius). This gentle heat is crucial for dehydrating the cucumbers rather than cooking them. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup, then set it aside. You might need a second baking sheet if you have a lot of cucumber slices to ensure proper spacing.
• Thoroughly wash 2 large cucumbers under running cool water. Use a vegetable brush or a clean dish towel to remove any surface dirt or residue. Ensuring they are clean and free of impurities is the first step to a great-tasting, healthy snack.
• Place one cucumber on your cutting board. Using either a sharp chef’s knife or, preferably, a mandoline slicer, carefully slice the cucumber into very thin discs, each approximately ⅛-inch-thick. Aim for consistency in thickness as this is vital for ensuring all your chips dehydrate and crisp up evenly. Repeat this precise slicing process with the remaining cucumber.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon avocado oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until they are well incorporated and the salt is dissolved, creating a uniform, flavorful coating for your chips.
• Lay the cucumber discs out on paper towels and pat them thoroughly dry on both sides. This is a critical step for achieving true crispiness, as excess moisture prevents the oil from adhering properly. Once completely dry, dip each disc one-by-one into the avocado oil mixture, ensuring it’s lightly and evenly coated. Allow any excess oil to drip back into the bowl before carefully placing the coated cucumber disc onto your prepared baking sheet.
• Continue this process until all cucumber discs have been dipped in the oil mixture. Arrange the discs on the baking sheet in a single, even layer, making absolutely sure they do not touch or overlap. Overlapping pieces will steam rather than crisp, resulting in soft or chewy spots. Use a second baking sheet if necessary to ensure proper air circulation around each chip.
• Once all cucumber discs are arranged on the baking sheet(s), place them into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 3 to 4 hours, or until the discs are visibly dehydrated, shrunken, and have achieved a light golden color and a perfectly crispy texture. The exact baking time will depend on your oven’s calibration and the precise thickness of your cucumber slices, so monitor them closely.
• Carefully remove the baking sheet(s) from the oven and set them aside on a wire rack to cool completely. As the chips cool down, they will continue to crisp up and become even more delightful. Serve these delicious and healthy cucumber chips as desired and enjoy your guilt-free, crunchy snack!

Helpful Recipe Notes

• Slicing Thickness Matters: Don’t fret if you’re not entirely sure what ⅛-inch thick looks like. The key is to aim for very thin slices, but not so thin that they become transparent or fall apart easily. Think potato chip thin, but with enough structural integrity. The thinner your slices, the faster they will dehydrate and the crispier they will become. Conversely, thicker slices will take longer to bake and might retain a bit more chewiness. Always keep a close eye on your chips in the oven, especially towards the end of the baking time, and adjust the duration as needed based on their crispness.
• Storage for Maximum Crispness: For optimal freshness and crunch, allow your cucumber chips to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. If they are still warm when stored, condensation can form, making them soggy. Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they will maintain their crispness for several days, making them perfect for meal prepping healthy snacks throughout the week.
• Flavor Customization is Encouraged: Remember the “Recipe Variations” section above! These chips are a blank canvas for your culinary imagination. Feel free to swap out the salt and vinegar for other delicious seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ranch seasoning, or even a spicy chili-lime blend like Tajin. The possibilities are endless to suit your personal taste preferences and keep your snack routine exciting!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 45kcal | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Total Carbs: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Net Carbs: 1g | Vitamin C: 4mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 154mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg

The number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes and the size of your cucumbers.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients or flavor variations. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used, as well as any additions.

 

To accurately determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished batch of cucumber chips, then divide that total weight (excluding the container) by your desired number of servings. The result will be the precise weight of a single serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik