Air-Fried Chips: A Healthy, Crunchy Treat

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, requiring less oil to achieve the same crispy texture. You can make a variety of chips in an air fryer, including potato, tortilla, sweet potato, kale, zucchini, and parmesan kale. The process is simple: cut your desired ingredient into thin slices, soak in water (optional), dry, add oil and seasoning, then cook in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes.

Potato chips in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 small Idaho, russet potatoes (about 8 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Method

• Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes crosswise into very thin rounds (1/16-inch thick).
• Place the potato slices in a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water.
• Rinse, drain, and repeat until the water runs clear.
• Spread the potatoes onto a layer of paper towels or clean kitchen towels and pat dry.
• Return the potatoes to a dry bowl and add the oil, salt, and black pepper (if using). Toss to coat.
• Preheat your air fryer to 325°F.
• Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the air fryer basket in an even layer, ensuring no more than two layers of potatoes are overlapping.
• Air fry for 20 minutes, tossing them with tongs every 5 to 7 minutes, until the potatoes are dark golden and crisp.
• If some chips are done before others, remove them to a plate and repeat with the remaining potatoes.

Tips

• For the best results, use Russet/Idaho potatoes as they contain less moisture and are starchier than other types of potatoes.
• Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before cooking to ensure maximum crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Stagger the layers if necessary.
• You can also make sweet potato chips, but note that they won't be as crispy as russet potatoes.
• Experiment with different seasonings like ranch, barbecue, or dill.

Storage

Store the chips in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.

Sweet potato chips in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt
• Optional: Other seasonings of your choice

Method

• Using a mandolin slicer, slice the sweet potatoes into very thin slices.
• Soak the sweet potato slices in cold water for 20 minutes to remove the additional starch from the potatoes.
• Remove them from the water and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Toss the air fryer slices in the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as black pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika.
• Lay the slices in an even layer in the air fryer. Make sure they don't overlap too much, as this will prevent them from cooking properly.
• Cook at 350°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes or until crisp. Keep an eye on them near the end of the cooking time to prevent burning.
• Remove from the air fryer and repeat until all of the sweet potato slices are used.
• Let the chips cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Storage

Store the sweet potato chips in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Corn tortilla chips in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Other seasonings (optional)

Method

• Slice the corn tortillas into 6-8 triangles or squares, depending on their size. You can use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to do this.
• Lightly spray or brush the tortillas with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Place the tortillas into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Cook at 350°F for 3 minutes, then flip the tortillas over, spray with oil and add more salt if desired.
• Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until browned and crisp.
• Remove from the basket and allow to cool. They will continue to crisp as they do so.

Tips

• You can experiment with different seasonings, such as Cajun seasoning, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and sugar, or lime juice.
• If your tortillas are stale, they will still work well in this recipe.
• You can also make these chips in the oven. Follow the same preparation instructions, then bake for 7 minutes at 350°F. Flip the tortillas, spray with oil and bake for another 2-5 minutes, or until crisp.
• Air fryer tortilla chips will stay fresh for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container or bag at room temperature.

Olive oil for air fryer chips

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crispy chips with less oil and no deep frying. Olive oil is a fantastic choice for making chips in an air fryer, giving them a great flavour and the maximum crispiness.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Potatoes (ideally floury potatoes such as Maris Piper, King Edward or Idaho/Russet)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. black pepper, garlic salt, rosemary, chilli powder)

Method

• Wash the potatoes and slice them into evenly sized chips. Thinner chips will cook faster.
• Soak the potato slices in water for 15 minutes, then drain and soak again. This removes the starch so your chips will be crisp.
• Dry the potato slices thoroughly with kitchen roll or towels.
• Place the dried potato slices in a bowl and add olive oil and salt. Toss the slices so they are evenly coated.
• Place the slices in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Cook for around 20 minutes at around 200-205°C, shaking the basket or tossing the chips every 5-7 minutes so they cook evenly.
• Once the chips are golden brown and crispy, they are ready to serve.

Tips

• If your air fryer doesn't rotate, you will need to shake the basket or toss the chips regularly to ensure even cooking.
• You can use other types of oil, such as sunflower or rapeseed, but olive oil gives the best flavour.
• You can add extra flavour with seasonings like garlic salt, rosemary, chilli powder, paprika or Cajun spice.
• For a more rustic look and texture, leave the skin on the potatoes.
• If you want to make your chips ahead of time, you can cut and slice the potatoes, then place them in a bowl of cold water for up to 8 hours. Drain and pat dry before cooking.

Enjoy your homemade, crispy, golden air fryer chips!

Air fryer temperature for chips

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, crunchy, and healthier chips. They are also much easier to use and clean than a deep fryer. The ideal temperature for making chips in an air fryer is around 325°F to 360°F.

First, cut the potatoes into thin slices or batons. If you want straight, neat chips, peel the potatoes and trim the rounded edges to create rectangular blocks. The slices should be about 1/16 of an inch thick, or 2 mm. If the slices are too thin, they might break, and if they are too thick, they won't cook through.

Next, rinse the potato slices with water to remove the starch, which will help the chips become crisp. You can also soak the potatoes in water for about 15-30 minutes to draw out their natural starches and prevent them from sticking together during cooking. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel after rinsing or soaking.

Then, add oil and seasonings to the potatoes. Olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil are good options, and you only need a small amount. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also add salt, black pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature and place the potatoes in the basket in a single or double layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can affect crispness. Cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, tossing them every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking. Check the chips at the end of the cooking time and add more time if needed.

You can also get creative with different flavours for your chips. For example, barbecue, sour cream and onion, dill, or cheese. Simply toss the chips with your desired seasonings before or after cooking, depending on the flavour.

Frequently asked questions