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GET IT NOWThese Crispy Pepperoni Chips Are The Easiest High Protein Snack
My pepperoni chips are made with just one ingredient (yep, just plain old pre-sliced pepperoni), but when you bake them, they crisp up into the most irresistible little chips. While I usually prioritize less processed meats and veggies, these satisfy a salty, crunchy craving in their own special way. Here’s why:
- They actually stay crunchy – They sizzle in the oven, then crackle as they cool. And as long as you store them in an airtight container and let them cool completely, they stay crisp for days.
- No greasy mess – The first time I made pepperoni chips, they turned out greasy and sat in their own oil. Using a rack and blotting keeps them light, crisp, and less oily.
- Quick and easy – They take literally 5 minutes and zero prep.
- High protein snack – I love zucchini chips, kale chips, or almond crackers for something salty and crunchy, but pepperoni chips satisfy the craving with protein.
- Family approved – My kids love them dipped in marinara sauce (total pizza vibes) or ranch, my husband enjoys them plain, and I like sprinkling them over salads. Try them on my BLT salad instead of bacon, on a board with cheese and crudites, or with your favorite dip!
I came up with these pepperoni chips one day when I made bacon in the oven and then wondered if I could make pepperoni crisp up the same way. And even though it’s already cooked, it worked. Make these low carb snacks with me and see why I can’t stop eating them!
Reader Review
“I love pepperoni. These are easy and delicious. I felt as if I had a slice of pizza!” –Nicole
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How To Make Pepperoni Chips
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Arrange the pepperoni. Lay the slices in a single layer on a rack over a sheet pan, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Bake until crispy. Pop your pepperoni chips in the oven until a little crisp. I find they get even more crispy as they cool. Blot any excess grease at the end.
My Tips For Maximum Crunch
- For a less processed option, choose uncured pepperoni. Any kind works, I just prefer uncured to avoid artificial preservatives.
- How do I make sure pepperoni chips are crispy and not greasy? If they feel greasy, I bake them a little longer, and don’t forget to blot with paper towels. But the best way I’ve found to keep them crispy is using a cooling rack over the baking sheet (this is the set I use and love).
- Line the pan under the rack for easier cleanup. You can use parchment paper or foil.
- Watch closely at the end. They can go from crispy to burnt really quickly! The sweet spot in my oven is about 7 minutes, but always check them at the 5 minute mark. The time can vary depending on the thickness of your pepperoni slices.
- They’ll crisp up more as they cool. I usually let them cool for 5–10 minutes before packing them up or eating.
- Can I air fry pepperoni chips? Yes! For air fryer pepperoni chips, I cook them at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes, checking often so they don’t burn.
- Can I microwave pepperoni chips? Also yes! Arrange them on a paper towel lined plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds. Add an extra 15 seconds if needed. I use this method when I want a small amount, but the oven is better for a big batch.
Pepperoni Chips (5-Min Protein Snack)
Pepperoni chips are crispy, baked slices of pepperoni. They're ready in minutes, packed with protein, and perfect for a quick, crunchy snack.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Place an oven-safe cookie rack on top of a large baking sheet (I use this set).
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Arrange pepperoni slices on the rack.
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Bake for about 5-7 minutes, until crispy. Cool to crisp up more.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: ~14 pepperoni chips, or 1/6 of entire recipe
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get ultra crispy pepperoni chips.
- Storage: I keep them in an airtight container (I like these for on the go snacking) on the counter for 1-2 days. They’ll last longer in the fridge, but lose their crispiness. If they soften, a hot oven brings the crunch back.
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I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Pepperoni Chips
55 Comments
Dawn R
1I love this! I used my air fryer, with the same temperature, and found that 7-8 minutes was best! This is better than crispy bacon 🙂 love it! I cooled on paper towels.
Judy Johnston
0These are great!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m happy you liked them, Judy!
brenda kelly
0We really enjoyed these “chips” and had some homemade ranch dip already made. This at least gives us something to actually dip. I left my in over for full 7 minutes. Thank you again, Wholesome Yum!! I use your recipes and one other woman, probably should not name her here, most of the time. Can not think of one recipe I have not liked. I just placed an order from your products. One thing, I am trying your syrup with your pancake mix. Hope it is good. Again, thank you so much. Keep on inspiring us to stay keto. I need it desperately due to type II diabetes.
Nicole Roselle
0I love pepperoni. These are easy and delicious. I felt as if I had a slice of pizza! Thanks!!!
Angelica
0Do you think this idea would work with salami? I’m not a huge fan of pepperoni taste.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Angelica, Yes, I think that would work!
Carol
0I love these pepperoni chips. Applegate pork and beef uncured pepperoni makes it a delicious choice to serve anytime. Thank You. I would never have thought to make this. Pizza without the crust!
Denice
0Once cooked, how are they stored and for how long?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Denice, These can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Ebony
0Dangerously delicious. I love all things pepperoni and can’t believe I never thought to try this. So glad you did! I placed mine in an air fryer @400° for 2 minutes peeked, then let them go for another 2. So they wouldn’t blow about, I put a round air fryer rack upside down on the ‘ronis. Perfect afternoon snack.
Audra Kane
0What a great treat! I usually make cheese crisps so I thought I’d give these a try. They are great by themselves. I made my last 2 batches with a piece of cheese on top. Amazing! I usually feed myself deprived of salty snacks but this treat checks all my boxes.
Kelly ann
0I tried it at 400°F for 5 minutes and it made carbon instead of chips:(
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Kelly, Sorry this recipe didn’t meet your expectations. It sounds like your pan may have been too close to the heating element. I recommend watching them closely while baking so they don’t burn again.
Sharon Lee
0You didn’t say what temp to cook them on.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Sharon, 400 degrees F. It’s located in step 1 on the recipe card for future reference.
John
0Is it possible to do this in an airfryer? Has anyone tried? If so, time/temperature would be great if you could share.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi John, Yes, these will work in an air fryer. Feel free to use the same time/temperature. Just know that they make crisp up earlier than the time listed. I would check them about 2.5 minutes in to see if they ready.
Lindsey
0Mine no matter what I did were oily. Cooked on a cookie sheet on a cooling rack, cooked longer, dabbed with a paper towel. Tried it all. Still oily. Wish they would have worked. Used 2 types of pepperoni as well. Used Hormel and Bridgford pepperoni brands. Any ideas????
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Lindsey, These chips do lose a bit of oil as they are cooked. You can try flipping them halfway through the baking process so the grease doesn’t pool up in the center.
Ci-Ci Thomson
0I love this idea, but every brand of pepperoni I have tried is just so salty. Anyone have recommendations on a brand that isn’t so salty when baked?
Wendy
0I think the oven makes then taste better. Microwaves work for a lot of things, doesn’t mean it’s better though, in my opinion.
Charity
0Really good, easy to make.
mary lou
0I have made these for 40 years or longer but why heat the oven when they cook just as well in the microwave under a minute?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Mary Lou, You can make a much larger quantity in the oven.
Ashley Swanson
0So tasty!!!! I don’t have cooling racks, so once I removed from oven I instantly transferred to a cookie sheet that I lined with paper towels. I let them sit/cool as recommended. Delicious! My bf is a huge fan, so this recipe is made weekly. I will pack these in his work lunches. Great for a quick snack! Thank you again for all your recipes. So far, not ones had done me wrong!
Kayla
0Can you still make these and then turn out if you don’t have a rack to cook them on?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Kayla, These pepperoni chips won’t get crunchy if you don’t have a rack for them.
Mayra
0Love your recipes and always taste great.
Love pepperoni, but I’m allergic to all mammal meat (alpha-gal) so I have to find turkey options. I prefer uncured versions, but can’t seem to find a brand of turkey pepperoni that does not contain dextrose (glucose) do you have a recommendation?
Emily
0Applegate Uncured Turkey Pepperoni has sugar in the ingredients, but when you look at the nutrition facts, it says 0 sugars. On the website, the ingredients are listed as:
“Ingredients
Turkey, Sea Salt. Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Turbinado Sugar, Water, Spices, Cultured Celery Powder, Granulated Garlic, Cherry Powder, Lactic Acid Starter Culture (Not From Milk), Rosemary Extract, Oleoresin Of Paprika, Lime Juice Concentrate.
Spices
White Pepper, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Anise Seed Powder, Allspice, Fennel Seed.”
I’m not sure if this is okay for you or not since sugar is in the ingredients, but thought I’d mention since it’s not on the nutrition facts!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Mayra, I have not seen a brand of turkey bacon or pepperoni that doesn’t contain sugar. The amounts are generally low at less than 2%, but it seems to be a standard ingredient.
Mary L
0I used Turkey Pepperoni – high protein and less saturated fat. Great recipe.
Gina
0based on 12 servings using 10 grams of pepperoni, how many pieces can you eat as a serving im trying to put this in carb manager.
Thanks
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Gina, One serving is 14 pepperoni chips. Hope this helps!
Karen Williams
0Could you use air fryer to cook pepperoni?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Karen, Yes, you can use your air fryer to make these pepperoni chips!
Dori
0What temperature is the oven supposed to be at?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Dori, The oven temp should be 400 degrees. See above in the recipe card for complete instructions.
Tanya
0Can pre-cut packaged pizza pepperoni be used for this?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Tanya, Yes, that will work!
Regina Fulton
0These are terrific! They especially go well with your broccoli cheese soup! Yum
Susan
0Can these be done I food dehydrator as well?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Susan, I think that should work. I have not personally tried this, but the dehydrator should get you to the same end result. Enjoy!
Dia
0Can turkey pepperoni be used?
Wholesome Yum A
0That should work fine, Dia! There’s likely less fat in it, so watch closely for any signs of burning.
Betty
0How do you store them after cooking?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Betty, Store in an airtight container. No need to refrigerate.
Amanda Kanashiro
0I love these. I could eat pepperoni all day, but never even considered turning it into chips. This is gamechanger!
Kelly
0What a cool idea. I can’t wait to have my first pepperoni chip!
Heidy L. McCallum
0These sound amazing! I love pepperoni so this would be right up my alley for snacks! Love all the tips about storing as well.
Tara
0Love this idea! The crunchy pepperoni are the best part of any pizza.
Cookilicious
0Love such snacking options! Such an easy recipe!
Adrianne
0What a great appraiser!! I love how easy you have made these look and I can’t wait to try them. Pepperoni anything and I am in!! I will be making these soon. Cheers
Cindy
0Yummy, I love pepperoni but haven’t had pepperoni chips. I want to try with natural pepperoni too. tysm
Dannii
0This is a great low carb snack idea.