Air Fryer Potato Chips: A Healthy, Homemade Snack?

Potato chips are a popular snack food, but they can be unhealthy due to the high levels of fat from being fried in oil. Air fryers provide a healthier alternative to frying, as they require little to no oil. You can make potato chips in an air fryer by thinly slicing potatoes, soaking them in water, drying them, seasoning, and then cooking them in the air fryer. The results are crispy, crunchy, and golden brown potato chips that can be enjoyed as a snack or side dish.

Soaking the potatoes

The potatoes should be sliced into thin pieces using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. They should then be placed in a bowl and covered with cold water or ice water. The exact amount of time that they should be soaked for varies depending on the source, but it is generally between 10 and 20 minutes. One source suggests that the potatoes should be soaked for 15 minutes, drained, and then soaked for an additional 15 minutes in fresh ice water.

After soaking, the potatoes should be drained and any excess moisture should be removed by patting them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step is important because it helps to ensure that the potatoes will be crispy.

Drying the potatoes

After slicing your potatoes into thin, uniform slices using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, it's time to remove the excess moisture. This step is essential to achieving that sought-after crispiness. Place the potato slices in a colander and give them a good rinse. Continue rinsing and draining until the water runs clear, indicating that most of the starch has been washed away. Alternatively, you can soak the potato slices in a bowl of cold water for about 10 to 20 minutes to achieve the same goal.

Once you've removed the excess starch, it's crucial to pat the potatoes dry thoroughly. Use paper towels or clean kitchen towels to absorb as much moisture as possible. Make sure to get them as dry as you can before moving on to the next step. This step cannot be emphasized enough—any remaining moisture will hinder the crispiness of your chips.

If you want to add some extra flavour to your chips, this is the perfect time to do it. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil or a similar cooking oil over the potatoes and toss them to ensure an even coating. You can also add your favourite seasonings at this point. A sprinkle of salt is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other options like black pepper, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick.

Now that your potatoes are dry and seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and leave some space between the slices to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they don't overlap too much.

Remember, the key to crispy potato chips is taking the time to remove excess moisture and ensuring your potatoes are nice and dry before placing them in the air fryer. So, don't skip the drying step and be generous with your paper towels!

Potato types

The best potatoes for air fryer chips are starchy potatoes with high levels of starch and less moisture, such as Idaho or Russet potatoes. These potatoes crisp up perfectly due to their starch content and are widely available.

If you don't have access to Idaho or Russet potatoes, you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose variety that falls somewhere between waxy and starchy. They will crisp up nicely but may have a slightly harder crunch.

It is recommended to avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they tend to turn chewy instead of crisp.

For a more rustic feel, you can leave the potato skins on, but be sure to scrub and wash them thoroughly before slicing.

Oil types

The type of oil you use for your air fryer potato chips can make a difference in terms of flavour and crispiness. Here are some options:

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular choice for air fryer potato chips as it helps to add flavour and crispiness without burning. It is also a healthy option due to its high smoke point and monounsaturated fats.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another healthy option with a high smoke point and a neutral flavour, allowing the taste of the potatoes and seasonings to shine through.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is also a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, making it a good choice for air frying.

Rapeseed Oil

Rapeseed oil is a favourite for frying due to its neutral flavour and high smoke point.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another neutral-tasting oil that works well for air frying.

Cooking Spray

If you want to reduce the grease factor of your potato chips, you can use an olive oil-flavoured cooking spray instead of a traditional oil. This will lightly coat the potato slices and help them crisp up without adding too much oil.

No Oil

It is possible to make air fryer potato chips without any oil at all. However, they may not be as crispy as chips made with a small amount of oil.

Other Options

Other neutral-tasting oils with high smoke points that you can use for air fryer potato chips include vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, and safflower oil.

Remember, when choosing an oil for your air fryer potato chips, consider the smoke point, flavour, and health benefits.

Seasoning

The seasoning is a key part of making potato chips in an air fryer. It's important to season the chips to your liking, as this will enhance the flavour. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning your potato chips:

• Salt is a must-have seasoning for potato chips. It adds that salty goodness that we all know and love. You can use regular salt, or get creative with something like smoked Cheddar salt, sea salt, or even salt and vinegar powder.
• Black pepper is a great way to kick things up a notch. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper for an extra kick of flavour.
• For a classic flavour combination, try salt and pepper chips.
• Ranch seasoning is a tasty option. Add a ranch seasoning mix to the potatoes before cooking, or sprinkle some on top of your cooked chips.
• For a spicy kick, season your chips with chilli powder, cayenne pepper, and/or garlic powder.
• If you're a fan of sour cream and onion chips, toss your chips with buttermilk powder and onion powder.
• To make barbecue-flavoured chips, use a combination of paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, smoked paprika, chilli powder, and garlic powder.
• For a unique twist, give your chips a dill-pickle spin by adding fresh dill, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Cheese lovers can add some finely grated Parmesan cheese to their cooked chips. For a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead.
• Get creative with other seasonings like Cajun spice, garlic salt, curry powder, dried herbs (rosemary is a great option), chilli flakes, or even something like Everything Bagel Seasoning.
• Don't be afraid to experiment and combine different seasonings to find your perfect flavour!

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure that all your potato slices are evenly coated. This will ensure a consistent flavour with every bite. Happy frying!

Frequently asked questions