Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag

Lay's
Bioengineered
22 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 11
Owned by PepsiCo
Category Chips & Salty Snacks
Summary

Lay's Baked BBQ is standardized to its current formulation — dried potatoes baked with olive oil (the 2025 reformulation replaced corn oil) plus BBQ seasoning with sugar and maltodextrin; an ultra-processed potato crisp despite the cleaner oil. All pack sizes are standardized to this score.

Key ingredients 24

Corn Oil
Very Bad

Corn oil is a seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation when consumed excessively. It is extracted using high heat and chemicals, which may degrade its nutritional quality. Compared to healthier oils, it lacks beneficial monounsaturated fats.

Risks

High omega-6 content may promote inflammation when consumed in excess.

See more about Corn Oil →
Soybean Oil
Very Bad

Soybean oil is a seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation when consumed excessively. It is extracted using high heat and chemicals, which may degrade its nutritional quality. Compared to healthier oils, it lacks beneficial monounsaturated fats.

Risks

High omega-6 content may promote inflammation when consumed in excess.

See more about Soybean Oil →
Sunflower Oil
Very Bad

Sunflower oil is a seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation when consumed excessively. It is extracted using high heat and chemicals, which may degrade its nutritional quality. Compared to healthier oils, it lacks beneficial monounsaturated fats.

Risks

High omega-6 content may promote inflammation when consumed in excess.

See more about Sunflower Oil →
Sugar
Bad

Refined sugar is a simple carbohydrate that can contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues when consumed in excess. It is highly processed and offers no essential nutrients. Excessive intake is linked to various health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Risks

May contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders when consumed in excess.

See more about Sugar →
Soy Lecithin
Bad

Soy lecithin is an emulsifier derived from soybeans, often used to improve texture and shelf life. It is a processed ingredient and may contain traces of soy allergens. While it serves a functional purpose, it does not offer significant nutritional benefits.

Risks

May contain soy allergens and is a highly processed ingredient.

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Maltodextrin
Bad

Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate used as a thickener and filler. It has a high glycemic index and can spike blood sugar levels. It is often used in processed foods for texture and bulk.

Risks

May cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.

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Dextrose
Bad

Dextrose is a simple sugar derived from corn, used to sweeten foods. It is rapidly absorbed and can contribute to blood sugar spikes. It is a refined carbohydrate with no essential nutrients.

Risks

May contribute to blood sugar spikes and related metabolic issues.

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Brown Sugar
Bad

Brown sugar is a refined sugar with molasses added for color and flavor. It is similar to white sugar in terms of nutritional impact and can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess. It offers minimal nutritional benefits beyond calories.

Risks

May contribute to obesity and metabolic disorders when consumed in excess.

See more about Brown Sugar →
Fructose
Bad

Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to metabolic issues when consumed in excess. It is often used in processed foods for sweetness. High intake is linked to insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.

Risks

May contribute to insulin resistance and fatty liver disease when consumed in excess.

See more about Fructose →
Natural Flavors
Bad

Natural flavors are a catch-all term for flavoring agents derived from natural sources. They are highly processed and can contain a variety of chemicals. The lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their health impact.

Risks

May contain undisclosed chemicals and allergens.

See more about Natural Flavors →
Caramel Color
Bad

Caramel color is a food coloring made by heating sugar, often used in processed foods. It is a highly processed ingredient and may contain contaminants like 4-MEI, which is a potential carcinogen. It is used for aesthetic purposes rather than nutritional value.

Risks

May contain contaminants like 4-MEI, which is a potential carcinogen.

See more about Caramel Color →
Dried Potatoes
Neutral

Dried potatoes are a processed form of potatoes used for convenience in snack foods. They retain some nutritional value but lack the freshness and full nutrient profile of whole potatoes. The drying process can reduce vitamin content.

Risks

Potential loss of nutrients during processing and may contain added preservatives.

Benefits

Provides carbohydrates and some fiber, contributing to energy supply.

See more about Dried Potatoes →
Corn Starch
Neutral

Corn starch is a refined carbohydrate used as a thickener and stabilizer in foods. It is highly processed and lacks significant nutritional value. It is primarily used for texture and consistency in food products.

Risks

May contribute to high glycemic load if consumed in large quantities.

See more about Corn Starch →
Salt
Neutral

Salt is used to enhance flavor and preserve food. It is a necessary nutrient but can contribute to high blood pressure if consumed in excess. The product uses refined salt, which lacks trace minerals found in unrefined salts.

Risks

Excessive consumption can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.

Benefits

Provides essential sodium needed for various bodily functions.

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Onion Powder
Neutral

Onion powder is a dehydrated form of onion used for flavoring. It retains some of the flavor compounds of fresh onions but lacks the full nutritional profile. It is a convenient way to add onion flavor without moisture.

Benefits

Adds flavor without significant calories or fat.

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Molasses
Neutral

Molasses is a byproduct of sugar refining, containing some vitamins and minerals. It is used for flavor and color in foods. While it contains more nutrients than refined sugar, it is still high in sugar content.

Risks

High sugar content can contribute to metabolic issues if consumed in excess.

Benefits

Contains small amounts of minerals like iron and calcium.

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Tomato Powder
Neutral

Tomato powder is a dehydrated form of tomatoes used for flavoring. It retains some nutrients like lycopene but lacks the water content and full nutrient profile of fresh tomatoes. It is a convenient way to add tomato flavor.

Benefits

Contains lycopene, an antioxidant that may support heart health.

See more about Tomato Powder →
Yeast
Neutral

Yeast is used in food products for fermentation and flavor development. It can provide some B vitamins and minerals. In this context, it is likely used for flavor enhancement.

Benefits

May provide small amounts of B vitamins and minerals.

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Acacia Gum
Neutral

Acacia gum is a natural gum used as a stabilizer and thickener in foods. It is derived from the sap of acacia trees and is generally considered safe. It is used to improve texture and shelf life.

Benefits

May provide some dietary fiber.

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Paprika Extracts
Neutral

Paprika extracts are used for coloring and flavoring, derived from paprika. They contain some antioxidants but are used in small amounts. They are primarily used for their color-enhancing properties.

Benefits

May provide antioxidants and enhance color.

See more about Paprika Extracts →
Annatto Extracts
Neutral

Annatto extracts are natural colorants derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. They are used to impart a yellow to orange color in foods. They are generally considered safe and have been used traditionally in various cuisines.

Benefits

Provides natural coloring without synthetic additives.

See more about Annatto Extracts →
Spices
Good

Whole-food seasonings, antioxidant-bearing.

Benefits

May provide antioxidants and enhance flavor without adding calories.

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Garlic Powder
Good

Concentrated whole-food seasoning.

Benefits

May provide some antioxidant benefits and enhance flavor.

See more about Garlic Powder →
Paprika
Good

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

Benefits

May provide antioxidants and enhance flavor.

See more about Paprika →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag

Common questions

Is Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag healthy?

Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag scores 22/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Lay's Baked BBQ is standardized to its current formulation — dried potatoes baked with olive oil (the 2025 reformulation replaced corn oil) plus BBQ seasoning with sugar and maltodextrin; an ultra-processed potato crisp despite the cleaner oil.

How processed is Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag?

Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Lay's Baked BarBeQue Potato Crisps 6.25 Ounce Plastic Bag's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Spices, Garlic Powder, Paprika count in its favor; Corn Oil, Sugar, Soy Lecithin are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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