Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep frying, allowing you to cook crispy, crunchy chips with minimal oil. While some recipes suggest using a few sprays or tablespoons of oil, it is possible to cook chips in an air fryer without any oil at all. This method of cooking chips is not only healthier, but also gives you greater control over the texture and taste of your chips. In addition, the rapid circulation of hot air in an air fryer means that you can achieve the signature crispiness of fried food without the use of oil.
Can you cook chips in an air fryer without oil?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possible | Yes |
| Taste | May be crispier and drier |
| Seasoning | Use your favourite spices, herbs, and seasonings |
| Potato Varieties | Maris Piper, King Edward, Rooster, Russets, Red, Yukon Gold, Gold, Purple, Fingerling Red |
| Potato Preparation | No need to soak or par-boil; scrub, peel (optional), and cut into equally thick strips |
| Potato Thickness | Around 1 centimetre thick |
| Potato Weight | 600-700 grams |
| Potato Temperature | 180°C (350°F) or 330°F |
| Potato Cooking Time | 20-25 minutes |
| Potato Colour | Golden brown |
| Potato Texture | Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer chips without oil
Air fryers are a great way to make healthier chips without using much oil. The rapid circulation of hot air gives food a crispy, fried texture and taste without the need for deep frying in oil.
To make chips in an air fryer, you'll first need to prepare your potatoes. You can peel the potatoes or just scrub them and leave the skin on for a more rustic feel. If you do peel them, you can save the skins for a tasty snack by cooking them in the air fryer. Next, cut the potatoes into chips. For even cooking, try to make the chips of equal thickness, around 1 centimetre thick. If you have one, you can use a vegetable slicer/chipper, or just use a sharp knife. Rinse the chips in cold water if they are dirty, then drain and pat dry.
Some recipes suggest leaving the chips to soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which can cause them to burn. However, others find that this step is unnecessary and makes no difference to the final result. If you want to add a little extra crispness to your chips, you can toss them in a little cornflour before cooking. You can then add your chosen oil and seasoning. While you can make chips in an air fryer without oil, adding a small amount of oil will improve the taste and texture. Use your hands to ensure all the chips are coated, then add them to the air fryer basket. You can use a spray bottle to distribute the oil, or just a tablespoon or two of your chosen oil.
When it comes to seasoning, you can experiment with different spices and herbs. Try paprika, curry powder, chip seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also add some parmesan cheese or drizzle the finished chips with truffle oil. Add your chosen seasoning to the chips and toss to combine.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F if desired, which will help reduce the cooking time. Add the chips to the air fryer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, checking regularly and shaking or turning the chips. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chips and how crispy you like them, so you may want to cook them for a little longer. Your chips are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.
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Potato types for air fryer chips
When making chips in an air fryer, it's important to use the right type of potatoes to ensure they come out crispy. The best potatoes for air fryer chips are those that are starchy, or floury, such as Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes. These varieties contain less moisture, so they crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
Other good options for air fryer chips are Maris Piper or Rooster potatoes, which are also floury varieties. These will give you a fluffier chip interior and a crispier exterior.
It's best to avoid waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, as these tend to turn chewy instead of crispy.
When preparing your potatoes, it's recommended to peel them first, but you can leave the skin on for a more rustic feel. Cut the potatoes into strips, around 1 centimetre thick, or thinner if you prefer crispier chips. Try to make them evenly thick so they cook evenly. You can also toss the potatoes in a little cornflour before cooking to add extra crispness.
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Air fryer temperature and time
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying as they use less oil to cook. The temperature and time for cooking chips in an air fryer vary depending on the type of chips and the desired crispiness. For regular thick-cut chips, the temperature should be set at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes. If you prefer crispier chips, adjust the cooking time instead of the temperature. You can cook for an additional 5 minutes if they are not crispy enough.
Some recipes recommend pre-cooking the potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. This can be done by soaking the potatoes in cold water for 5 minutes to remove any excess starch, then boiling them for 7 minutes. However, this step is not necessary, and the potatoes can be placed directly in the air fryer after cutting and seasoning.
When preparing the potatoes, it is important to cut them into even sizes, about 1-1.5 cm thick and 8-9 cm long. This ensures that they cook evenly. You can peel the potatoes first or leave the skin on for a rustic look. After cutting, coat the potatoes with a small amount of oil and seasonings of your choice. Two tablespoons of oil are usually enough, but you can use up to four tablespoons for a crispier texture. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated, then place them in the air fryer.
It is recommended to cook the chips for 20-30 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and desired crispiness. Check on the chips occasionally and give the basket a shake to ensure even cooking. If you are using an air fryer with a paddle, like the Tefal ActiFry, you can cook the chips for 30 minutes without needing to shake the basket. Once they are golden brown and tender, they are ready to be served.
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Potato preparation
Scrub the Potatoes:
Start by giving your potatoes a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can also peel them if you prefer, but it is optional. Leaving the skin on adds a rustic feel to your chips and provides extra nutrients.
Select the Right Potato Variety:
Certain potato varieties work better for making chips. Look for floury potatoes such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Rooster, or Russets. These potatoes will give you fluffier interiors and crispier exteriors.
Slice the Potatoes:
After cleaning and/or peeling, slice the potatoes into chips. Aim for evenly thick chips, around 1 centimetre thick. You can use a vegetable slicer, a sharp knife, or even a mandoline to get uniform slices. If you want straight, neat chips, trim the potatoes into rectangular blocks first, then cut them into batons. Avoid making them too thin, as they may break, and not too thick, to ensure even cooking.
Soaking (Optional):
Some recipes suggest soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water for about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, reducing the chances of burning and promoting even browning. However, others find that simply rinsing the potatoes in water works just as well, making it an optional step.
Drying:
Whether you soaked or just rinsed the potatoes, make sure to pat them dry before proceeding to the next step. Removing the excess moisture will help achieve the desired crispness during cooking.
Seasoning and Oil (Optional):
At this stage, you can toss the potatoes in a little cornflour (for extra crispness) and your choice of oil. You can use a neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable oil, or opt for avocado oil or olive oil for added flavour. A light spritz or a few sprays of oil are usually enough, and you can always add more later if needed. If you prefer to avoid oil, you can use a few sprays of cooking spray or even skip it altogether, but your chips may turn out drier. Add your favourite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, onion, curry powder, or herb blends. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to create your signature blend.
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Potato seasoning
You can cook chips in an air fryer without oil, but they will turn out crispier and drier. A few sprays of cooking spray or olive oil are recommended to give the chips a crunchy texture.
The great thing about making chips in an air fryer is that you can season them with almost anything. You can use a blend of seasonings to make the potatoes crispy and flavourful. Here are some seasoning ideas:
- Salt and pepper
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Basil
- Thyme
- Red pepper
- Cornflour
- Cajun seasoning
- Avocado oil
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook chips in an air fryer without using oil. However, it is recommended to use at least a few sprays or a drizzle of oil to get that familiar crunchy texture and taste.
It takes around 20-25 minutes to cook homemade chips in an air fryer. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chips and how crispy you like them.
Maris Piper, King Edward, and Rooster potatoes are recommended for making chips in the air fryer. It is suggested to use floury potatoes for a fluffier interior and crispier exterior.
Simply scrub the potatoes, peel them if desired, and cut them into equally thick strips. You can also try rinsing or soaking the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, which can help prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
You can experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, curry powder, chip seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also try adding cornflour for extra crispness and a golden color.
