Quick Answer

No, Siete does NOT use seed oils in their potato chips. Instead, Siete uses avocado oil for frying, making them one of the few major chip brands that avoids problematic seed oils like canola, soybean, and sunflower oil. This Mexican-American brand has maintained their commitment to clean ingredients even after being acquired by PepsiCo for $1.2 billion in 2024.

What Oils Does Siete Use?

Siete potato chips are cooked in 100% avocado oil, which is a significant departure from the industry standard. Most major chip brands use a cocktail of seed oils including:

• Canola oil (rapeseed oil)
• Soybean oil
• Sunflower oil
• Safflower oil
• Corn oil
• Cottonseed oil

These seed oils are problematic because they're extremely high in omega-6 linoleic acid, which can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress when consumed in large quantities. The modern Western diet already contains 10-20 times more omega-6 fatty acids than our ancestors consumed.

Avocado oil, by contrast, is primarily composed of monounsaturated fats (similar to olive oil) and contains much lower levels of omega-6 fatty acids. It also has a high smoke point, making it more stable during the high-heat frying process used for potato chips.

Full Ingredients Breakdown

Looking at Siete's potato chip ingredient list reveals a refreshingly clean profile:

Siete Sea Salt Potato Chips ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Avocado oil
• Sea salt

That's it. Three ingredients total.

Compare this to a typical mainstream potato chip brand like Lay's, which uses "vegetable oil (canola, corn, soybean, and/or sunflower oil)" along with potatoes and salt. The difference is stark: Siete commits to a single, higher-quality oil while most brands use whatever blend of seed oils is cheapest.

Siete's flavored varieties do include additional seasonings and spices, but the base remains the same: potatoes cooked in avocado oil. Even their more complex flavors like Lime or Jalapeño maintain this clean oil foundation.

Are Siete Chips Healthy?

From a seed oil avoidance perspective, Siete chips are excellent. They're one of the few widely available potato chip brands that don't contribute to your daily omega-6 load from industrial seed oils.

However, it's worth noting that even "healthy" chips are still a processed snack food. Potatoes cooked at high temperatures can form acrylamide, a potentially concerning compound. The chips are also relatively high in sodium and calories.

That said, if you're going to eat potato chips, Siete represents one of the cleanest options available in mainstream grocery stores. The avocado oil provides stable fats that won't contribute to lipid peroxidation the way seed oils do.

The brand's grain-free approach also makes them suitable for people following paleo, Whole30, or gluten-free diets. They're made in facilities that don't process wheat, making them a safer choice for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Seed Oil Free Chip Alternatives

If you're looking to avoid seed oils in your snacking, here are the best chip alternatives currently available:

Boulder Canyon Tallow Chips

Available at Costco, these chips are cooked in beef tallow, which is one of the most traditional and stable cooking fats. Beef tallow was the gold standard for frying before the seed oil revolution of the 1980s and 90s.

Jackson's Honest Chips

This brand uses coconut oil for their sweet potato and regular potato chips. Coconut oil is highly saturated and extremely stable at high temperatures, making it an excellent choice for frying.

Good Health Avocado Oil Chips

Similar to Siete, Good Health offers potato chips and veggie chips cooked in avocado oil. They're widely available in most grocery stores.

Epic Provisions Pork Rinds

While technically not potato chips, pork rinds cooked in lard provide a crunchy, salty snack without any seed oils. They're also nearly zero-carb for those following ketogenic diets.

The key is reading ingredient labels carefully. Many brands that market themselves as "natural" or "healthy" still use seed oil blends. Look specifically for chips cooked in avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or animal fats like tallow or lard.

The PepsiCo Acquisition: What It Means

In 2024, PepsiCo acquired Siete for $1.2 billion, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the better-for-you snack space. This raised concerns among health-conscious consumers about whether Siete would maintain their ingredient standards under corporate ownership.

So far, Siete has maintained their avocado oil commitment. The brand continues to operate semi-independently within PepsiCo's portfolio, similar to how brands like Bare Snacks and Health Warrior have maintained their identities after acquisition.

However, it's worth monitoring ingredient lists over time. Large food corporations have a history of gradually reformulating acquired brands to improve margins, sometimes by switching to cheaper oils.

The Bottom Line

Siete potato chips are a rare find in the snack aisle: a widely available brand that genuinely avoids seed oils. Their commitment to avocado oil sets them apart from virtually every other major chip brand, which rely on inflammatory seed oil blends.

While they're still a processed snack food and shouldn't make up a large portion of your diet, Siete chips represent one of the cleanest options when you want to indulge. They're proof that companies can create delicious products without relying on cheap, problematic ingredients.

For health-conscious snackers trying to avoid seed oils, Siete chips earn a solid recommendation. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation as part of an overall diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods.

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