Air Fryer Crisps: Can You Make Them?

Yes, you can make crisps in an air fryer! They are a healthier alternative to conventional crisps, as they are not deep-fried in oil. The air fryer's blast of high heat is enough to crisp up thinly sliced potatoes, and you only need a small amount of oil to get them crunchy. You can also experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour.

How long to soak potatoes

Soaking the potatoes before air frying is a great way to remove the starch from the cut sides, allowing them to crisp up more in the air fryer. The length of time you should soak them depends on the recipe you are following. Some recipes suggest that you soak the potatoes for 15 minutes, others suggest 30 minutes, and some even suggest that you can soak them overnight. However, one source says that you don't need to soak the potatoes at all if you follow their easy rinsing steps.

If you are slicing the potatoes by hand, it is recommended to use a cut-resistant glove to keep your fingers safe. If you are using a mandolin slicer, be sure to cut the potatoes to a thickness of 1/16 of an inch (or 2 mm).

After soaking, it is important to dry the potatoes thoroughly before cooking. If they are even slightly wet, they won't crisp up.

Potato types and thickness

When making crisps in an air fryer, the type of potato and the thickness of the slices are important factors in achieving the desired level of crispiness.

It is recommended to use starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Idaho potatoes, as they contain less moisture and are perfect for frying as they become crispy. These potatoes have a high starch content, which helps them crisp up perfectly in the air fryer. Other potato varieties that can be used include Yukon Gold, which are an all-purpose potato with a blend of waxy and floury characteristics, and King Edwards and Maris Pipers, which are commonly available in the UK. However, it is best to avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they tend to turn chewy instead of crisp.

To ensure crispiness, it is crucial to slice the potatoes thinly, ideally around 1/8-inch to 1/16-inch thick. If the slices are too thick, they won't get crispy, and if they are too thin, they may cook unevenly and burn in some spots before reaching the desired crispiness. The recommended thickness allows for even cooking, resulting in crispy and golden brown chips.

To achieve uniform thickness, it is best to use a mandoline slicer, which ensures super-thin and consistent slices. If a mandoline is not available, a vegetable peeler, a sharp knife, or the slicing side of a box grater can be used, although achieving even slices may be more challenging.

Oil types and amounts

The amount of oil you need to use when air-frying crisps is significantly less than what you would use when deep-frying. You can brush the air fryer basket and the food with a little oil using a pastry brush, or spray it lightly using an oil sprayer.

When choosing an oil, you want to use one with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at. Avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and light olive oil are examples of oils with high smoke points.

If you are cooking at 400°F or lower, you can use virgin olive oil, which has a smoke point of 410°F. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point of 375°F, so it is best to be used only in recipes cooked at temperatures below this point.

You can also use cooking sprays, but avoid any pressurized, propellant oil sprays that contain chemicals. Instead, buy a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray that has no propellant, or use a refillable oil sprayer or mister and fill it with a high smoke point oil.

Seasoning options

There are many different ways to season your homemade crisps. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Salt and Vinegar Crisps

For a classic, tangy flavour, sprinkle distilled white vinegar powder over your crisps after cooking. You can also add salt before cooking to make the flavour really pop.

Sour Cream and Onion Crisps

For a creamy, savoury flavour, dust your crisps with a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder after cooking. If you want a stronger flavour, you can use ranch dressing and dip mix, but be warned that it might be a bit overpowering.

Barbecue Crisps

For a smoky, slightly sweet flavour, toss your crisps with barbecue seasoning or a dry rub. You can also add extra cayenne or chilli powder to turn up the heat.

Dill Crisps

For a tangy, pickle-inspired flavour, swap out the parsley for some freshly chopped dill. You can also add onion powder and garlic powder to enhance the flavour.

Cheese Crisps

Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan to your crisps. If you want to keep the recipe vegan, you can use nutritional yeast instead. You might need to spritz the crisps with a little water first to help the powder stick.

Spicy Crisps

For a kick of heat, season your crisps with chilli powder, cayenne pepper and garlic powder.

Ranch Crisps

Add some ranch flavouring to your crisps with a mix of fresh herbs like dill, parsley and chives, as well as garlic powder and onion powder.

Sea Salt and Garlic Crisps

Coat your potato slices with olive oil spray, salt and garlic granules before placing them in the air fryer.

Cajun Crisps

For a spicy, savoury flavour, toss your crisps with Cajun seasoning.

Garlic Crisps

Add some extra flavour to your crisps with garlic salt or garlic granules.

Truffle Crisps

A sprinkle of truffle salt will give your crisps an earthy, umami flavour.

Air fryer settings

To make potato crisps in an air fryer, you will need to adjust the settings on your air fryer to the correct temperature and time. The temperature and time will vary depending on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of your potato slices.

Most recipes recommend a temperature between 325°F and 400°F (162°C and 200°C). The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your potato slices and the power of your air fryer, but it usually takes around 15-20 minutes. It is important to check on your crisps regularly and shake the basket to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

If your air fryer has a preheat setting, it is recommended to preheat it to the desired temperature before adding your potato slices. This will ensure that the cooking process starts immediately and will help to achieve the desired crispness.

It is also important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the potato slices in batches, ensuring that there are no more than two layers of potato slices overlapping. This will allow for even cooking and prevent sogginess.

Additionally, some recipes suggest soaking the potato slices in water before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent sticking. However, others recommend simply rinsing the slices until the water runs clear.

Once your potato crisps are cooked to a golden brown colour and desired crispness, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dip.

Frequently asked questions