Why Vacuum Frying Is the Future of Better-For-You Chips: What Emerging Snack Brands Need to Know

Posted by Liliana Cantrell on

Tags: vacuum frying, chip co-manufacturing, healthy snacks, snack copacker, startup snack brands, contract manufacturing, vacuum-fried chips

Workers operate vacuum frying equipment for sweet potato chips in a Southern Snacks copacker facility


Thinking about launching a snack brand? Or already in-market and looking for a co-manufacturer who gets your vision? If your dream chip is bold in flavor but lighter in oil, vacuum frying might be the missing piece in your product roadmap.

At Southern Snacks, we specialize in vacuum frying technology and partner with emerging chip brands to bring better-for-you snacks to life. Whether you’re formulating your first SKU or scaling beyond a commercial kitchen, here’s what you need to know.


What Is Vacuum Frying?

Unlike traditional frying, vacuum frying uses lower temperatures and reduced pressure to cook chips. This preserves color, flavor, and nutrients — and significantly reduces oil absorption.

Key Benefits:

  • Lower oil content: up to 50% less than traditional frying.
  • Crispier texture: without the greasiness.
  • Preserves natural color and flavor: great for sweet potato, beet, and other vibrant root chips.
  • Reduced acrylamide formation: ideal for brands marketing clean-label or kids’ snacks.

Why It Matters for New Chip Brands

Many health-conscious consumers are bored with baked chips but wary of greasy fried options. Vacuum frying creates a premium alternative with the crunch and richness of kettle chips — but a cleaner label.

If you’re an emerging brand, choosing the right snack copacker with this capability can differentiate you at shelf, especially in categories like:

  • Sweet potato chips
  • Veggie chips
  • Fruit crisps
  • Root-based snacks

How to Choose a Vacuum Frying Copacker

When looking for a co-manufacturing partner who offers vacuum frying, ask:

  • What batch sizes and minimum order quantities do they offer?
  • Can they help with R&D, seasoning application, or packaging formats?
  • Do they hold certifications like SQF, Organic, or Non-GMO Project Verified?

A great copacker is more than a production partner — they’re a product development ally.


Southern Snacks: Vacuum Frying Co-Manufacturing for Chip Brands

We’re one of the few facilities in the U.S. focused on vacuum frying for snack brands, especially those just starting or scaling from regional distribution.

We support:

  • Product development & seasoning trials
  • Small to mid-size production runs
  • Transparent costing and flexible MOQ
  • North Carolina-based production for easier East Coast logistics

Let’s Build Your Chip Brand Together

If you’re a founder, product developer, or food entrepreneur looking for a vacuum frying copacker, we’d love to talk. Contact us to schedule a facility tour or request a sample run.

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