Cody Casey
Air fryers are a great way to make homemade chips that are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They are healthier than deep-fried chips as they use less oil and there is no need to parboil the potatoes, making them a quick and easy option. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Maris Piper, Rooster, or sweet potatoes, and add your own choice of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, or garlic salt. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chips and the model of your air fryer, but on average, it takes around 20-30 minutes to get golden, crispy chips.
What You'll Learn
Potato types and preparation
The type of potato you use is important when making homemade chips. The best potatoes are floury, starchy varieties such as Russets, Maris Pipers, Rooster, or Sweet Potatoes. These potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture, resulting in a crispier chip.
You should avoid waxy potatoes like Red Bliss or Fingerlings, as they are lower in starch and higher in moisture, which means they hold their shape when cooked.
When preparing your potatoes, you can peel them or leave the skin on for a more rustic feel. If you are making straight, neat chips, trim away any rounded edges so that you are left with rectangular blocks. Cut these into batons—somewhere between fries and thick chips. They should not be too thin, or they may break, nor too thick, or they won't cook through.
If you are not concerned with neatness, you can simply cut the unpeeled potatoes into chips without trimming. Rinse the chips and pat them dry with a clean tea towel.
You can also experiment with the thickness of your chips. For an air fryer, it is recommended to cut the potatoes into 1cm-thick slices.
Once you have cut your potatoes, you can add flavour by tossing them in a little cornflour, oil, and seasoning. You can also add extra flavourings such as Cajun spice, dried herbs, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or curry powder.
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Oil types
When making homemade chips in an air fryer, you can use a variety of oils, but they are not all created equally. Some oils have a higher smoke point than others, meaning they can withstand higher temperatures without producing smoke. It's important to use the right type of oil, use it in moderation, and be mindful of the type of food you are cooking.
Avocado oil is a great choice for air frying as it has a very high smoke point of around 520°F (270°C) and a neutral flavour. Ghee (clarified butter) is another good option as it has a smoke point of 482°F (485°F). Light olive oil or extra light olive oil is a suitable option with a smoke point of 465-470°F (468°F).
Other oils with high smoke points include peanut oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and refined coconut oil. These oils will add a subtle flavour to your chips, so if you want to keep things neutral, stick with avocado oil, ghee, or light olive oil.
Canola oil is a popular choice for cooking and can be used in an air fryer, but it has a lower smoke point of around 400-450°F (400°F). Extra virgin olive oil also has a low smoke point of 375°F, so it's best to use it only for recipes under 375°F.
When using oil in an air fryer, it's important to add it directly to the food instead of the basket. You only need a light coating of oil on your chips, and you can use a small spray bottle or an oil mister to apply it.
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Seasoning
The seasoning is what makes homemade chips in an air fryer so delicious. You can use a variety of seasonings to add flavour to your chips, and get creative with different combinations.
Before Air Frying
Before air frying, you can season your chips with salt, pepper, cornflour, paprika, Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, curry powder, dried herbs (rosemary is recommended), or grated parmesan.
After Air Frying
After air frying, you can add fresh herbs like parsley or dill to your chips. You can also add a sprinkle of vinegar powder, or a dusting of buttermilk powder and onion powder. For a sour cream and onion flavour, add a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder. For a barbecue flavour, toss the chips with barbecue seasoning or a dry rub, adding extra cayenne or chilli powder to adjust the spice level to your preference.
Flavour Combinations
- Sea salt and olive oil
- Sea salt and vinegar
- BBQ seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Sour cream and onion
- Ranch seasoning
- Spicy (chilli powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder)
- Cheese (finely grated parmesan or nutritional yeast)
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for homemade chips in an air fryer depend on the type of potatoes used and the desired thickness of the chips. The cooking time also varies depending on the model of the air fryer.
For example, if you are using an air fryer with a paddle, like the Tefal ActiFry Genius XL 2-in-1, you should cook your chips at 180°C for 30 minutes. After this time, check if the chips are tender and cooked through. If not, cook for another 5 minutes.
If you are using a Ninja Max or a similar drawer-style air fryer, you should cook your chips at 190°C for 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
For a basic air fryer, a cooking time of 20-25 minutes at 200°C is recommended. However, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chips, with thinner chips cooking faster. It is important to keep a close eye on the chips to ensure they do not burn.
Additionally, some recipes suggest giving the chips a shake halfway through the cooking process, which helps to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
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Serving suggestions
Homemade chips in an air fryer are a great side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions:
As a Side Dish
Air fryer chips can be the perfect side dish to a main course. They go well with a variety of dishes, such as:
- Lasagne
- Steak Pie
- Chicken
- Fish
- Burgers
- Steak
As a Snack
If you're looking for a snack, air fryer chips can be served:
- In a chip butty
- Dipped in sauces like spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, or classic burger sauce
- Smothered in gravy or upgraded to poutine, salt and pepper chips, or pizza fries
Loaded Fries
For a more indulgent option, you can turn your air fryer chips into loaded fries. Here are some ideas for toppings:
- Chilli con carne, smoked cheddar, and soured cream
- Grated cheese and gravy (poutine)
Dipping Sauces
If you want to dip your chips, some sauces that go well are:
- Vegan Sour Cream
- Vegan Mayo
- Burger Sauce
- BBQ Sauce
- Bang Bang Sauce
Flavour Variations
You can also experiment with different flavours for your air fryer chips. Here are some ideas:
- Spicy – coat them in curry powder, hot paprika, or black pepper before air frying
- Deluxe – use a crinkle cutter and sprinkle with onion powder
- Cajun spice
- Garlic salt
- Dried herbs (add these halfway through cooking so they don't burn)
- Chilli flakes
- Curry powder
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Frequently asked questions
First, peel and slice your potatoes into chip shapes. Then, toss them in a large bowl with oil and salt. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket every so often, until they are golden brown.
No, there is no need to soak or parboil the potatoes beforehand. Simply cut the potatoes and put them directly in the air fryer.
Maris Piper or Rooster potatoes are good options, as they will ensure a fluffier chip interior and a crispier exterior. However, most common types of potatoes will work.
You can use your favourite neutral-tasting frying oil, such as rapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable oil. Olive oil is also a good option, as it helps to give the chips maximum crispiness.
Yes, you can add flavourings such as Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, curry powder, or dried herbs. You can add these either at the start or halfway through cooking.
