Reviving Soggy Chips: Air Fryer Tricks For Crispiness

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, using less oil to achieve the same crispy finish. But what happens when your chips don't turn out as expected? Can you make chips crispy again in the air fryer?

The best types of potatoes for crispy chips

There are over 200 varieties of potatoes in the world, and while some are better for boiling, others are more suitable for mashing or frying. If you're looking to make crispy chips, it's important to choose the right type of potato.

• Maris Piper: This variety is widely available across the UK and is known for its creamy, yellow flesh and yellow-brown skin. Maris Piper potatoes are firm, starchy, and low in sugar, making them ideal for deep frying. They also hold their shape well and have a combination of waxy and floury qualities, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior when fried.
• King Edward: With its light tan skin and pink blush spots, King Edward potatoes are another good all-rounder. They have a lovely flavour and are also firm, starchy, and low in sugar, making them perfect for deep frying.
• Sante: These potatoes are similar to Maris Piper but with lighter brown skin and yellower flesh. They are disease-resistant and tend not to brown easily when peeled.
• Rooster: A heritage variety with red skin and creamy yellow flesh, Rooster potatoes are popular in the UK for mashing, chips, and roasting. They have an earthy flavour and a combination of waxy and floury qualities, making them ideal for achieving crispy chips.
• Pentland Dell: These potatoes are longer and more oval-shaped, originating from Scotland and Ireland. They are firm with white skin and waxy flesh, making them a great choice for even-sized chips with good flavour.

When selecting potatoes for chips, look for those that are approximately uniform in size, firm to the touch, and free from green spots or sprouts. Newly harvested potatoes or those stored in a cool, dark, and dry space for 2-3 weeks tend to yield the best results.

Tips for Making Crispy Chips in an Air Fryer:

If you're using an air fryer, here are some additional tips to ensure your chips come out crispy:

• Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized batons or chips.
• Soaking the potatoes in water before cooking is optional. Some people do it to remove excess starch, but it's not necessary, especially if you're using an air fryer.
• Toss the potatoes in a little cornflour, oil, and your desired seasoning.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook at 190°C/375°F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• For thinner chips, such as French fries, reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes. For thicker cuts like wedges, add an extra 5-10 minutes.
• Always ensure the air fryer is preheated to prevent the chips from defrosting and not crisping up.
• Arrange the chips in a single layer with minimal overlap to allow proper air circulation. You may need to cook them in batches.

How to prepare your potatoes

Preparing your potatoes for the air fryer is simple and only takes a few steps. First, select your potatoes. For air fryer chips, floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or Rooster are recommended, as they will ensure a fluffier chip interior and a crispier exterior. For roasted potatoes, baby golden potatoes, baby red potatoes, or yellow potatoes are ideal, but you can also use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.

Next, peel and cut your potatoes. For chips, cut them into chip-shaped batons, around 1 cm thick. For roasted potatoes, cut them into quarters or eighths, depending on their size. If you prefer, you can leave the peel on your potatoes for a more rustic look and a crispier texture.

Once your potatoes are cut, rinse them in cold water and pat them dry. Then, place them in a bowl and toss them with a small amount of oil and your desired seasonings. For chips, cornflour is recommended for extra crispness, along with salt and pepper, and seasonings like paprika, Cajun spice, garlic salt, or curry powder. For roasted potatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper are a great combination, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning.

After your potatoes are seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Cook them at a temperature between 190-400°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the potatoes every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Your potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

And that's it! You now have perfectly crispy and delicious air-fried potatoes.

The ideal cooking temperature and time

If you are making chips from scratch, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 190°C/375°F and cook the chips for 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen chips, it is recommended to cook them at a higher temperature of 200°C/400°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chips. Again, it is important to shake the basket regularly to avoid sticking.

For crispy chips, some recipes suggest using a two-temperature method. First, air fry the chips at 160°C for 12 minutes, shaking the basket several times during cooking. Then, turn up the temperature to 200°C for another 10 minutes, checking on the chips after 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.

It is worth noting that cooking times can vary depending on the type of potato, the size of the chips, and the specific air fryer being used. As such, it is important to keep an eye on the chips during cooking and adjust the time and temperature as needed.

How to prevent soggy chips

Soggy chips are a common problem when using an air fryer, but there are several ways to avoid this issue and achieve crispy, golden results. Here are some tips to prevent your chips from turning soggy:

Dry Your Potatoes

Before placing the potatoes in the air fryer, ensure they are thoroughly dried. Any excess moisture on the potatoes can lead to sogginess during cooking. After rinsing or soaking the potatoes, use a clean tea towel or kitchen paper to pat them dry. This step is crucial in removing excess starch and moisture, which can impact the crispness of your chips.

Don't Crowd the Air Fryer

When placing the potatoes in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with minimal overlap. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each chip, promoting even cooking and crispness. If you have a large batch of potatoes, cook them in smaller batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Use Oil

Adding a small amount of oil can help to crisp up your chips. You can use cooking spray or a neutral-tasting oil such as rapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable oil. Lightly coat the potatoes with oil before placing them in the air fryer, and consider adding an extra spritz of oil halfway through the cooking process.

Maintain High Temperature

Cooking at a high enough temperature is crucial to achieving crispy chips. Preheat your air fryer, and maintain a temperature of at least 190°C (375°F). This will ensure that the potatoes cook through without becoming soggy.

Shake and Flip

During the cooking process, remember to shake the basket or flip the chips periodically. This prevents the chips from sticking to the air fryer basket and ensures even cooking on all sides. Aim to shake or flip the chips every 5 minutes or so.

Avoid Overlapping

When placing the potatoes in the air fryer, ensure they are not overlapping. Overlapping chips can lead to uneven cooking, with some areas becoming soggy while others are crispy. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer, giving them enough space to cook evenly.

Soak and Rinse Potatoes

Before cooking, consider soaking your potato slices in cold water for 5-10 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which can cause sogginess. After soaking, be sure to rinse and dry the potatoes thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your chips from turning soggy and instead enjoy crispy, golden results from your air fryer.

How to reheat chip shop chips

Reheating chip shop chips in an air fryer is a great way to cut down on food waste and costs. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, it is important to note that the cooking time and temperature settings may vary depending on the type and size of your air fryer, as well as the size of your chips. As a general rule of thumb, thinner chips will take less time to cook than thicker ones. For example, French fries may take around 10 minutes, while thicker chips like steak fries or wedges could take up to 25-30 minutes. It is recommended to cook at a temperature of around 190-200°C (375-400°F).

Now, on to the steps for reheating your chip shop chips:

• Preparation: Start by peeling your potatoes (unless you prefer the skin-on rustic look) and cutting them into your desired shape. Rinse the chips in cold water to remove any excess starch, and then pat them dry with a clean towel or kitchen paper.
• Seasoning: This is an optional step, but you can add some flavour to your chips by tossing them in a little cornflour, oil, and your choice of seasoning. You can also add flavourings like Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or dried herbs (add these halfway through cooking to avoid burning).
• Air frying: Place the chips in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with minimal overlap to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your chips, cook for 12-20 minutes at 160-200°C, shaking the basket regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If your chips are not crispy enough, you can add a little extra cooking time, but keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
• Serving: Once your chips are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can sprinkle some salt and pepper, or add your favourite dips and sauces on the side.

Some additional tips for making crispy chip shop chips in an air fryer:

• Soaking the potatoes in water before air frying is not necessary, as it does not significantly improve the outcome and only adds extra time and effort.
• If you want to parboil your potatoes, you can do so by pricking them with a fork and microwaving them for around 3 minutes, or boiling them in salted water for about 6 minutes.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the chips in batches if needed to ensure they get equal access to the heat and become crispy.
• If your chips are too dry, add a little more oil and shake the basket regularly during cooking.
• Make sure your potatoes are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer, especially if you have soaked, washed, or parboiled them beforehand.

Frequently asked questions