Air Fryer Chips: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a great way to make chips, whether you're using potatoes, tortillas, or even sweet potatoes. They're healthier than deep-fried chips, as they use less oil, and are also quicker and easier to make. You can also add extra flavourings to your chips, such as Cajun spice, garlic salt, or curry powder.

Potato chip preparation

Ingredients

To make potato chips in an air fryer, you will need the following:

• Potatoes (ideally Idaho/Russet potatoes, but Yukon Gold potatoes are also an option)
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil)
• Salt
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, etc.)
• Cornflour/cornstarch (optional)
• Cooking spray (optional)

Preparation

First, peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even slices. A mandoline slicer is recommended to achieve the desired thinness and uniformity. If you don't have a mandoline, you can try using a knife or a potato peeler, but it may be difficult to get evenly thin slices.

Next, rinse the potato slices in cold water and drain. Repeat this process until the water runs clear, not white. This step helps remove the starch so that the chips will be crisp.

Spread the potatoes on paper towels or clean kitchen towels and pat them dry. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are completely dry before the next step.

Return the potatoes to a dry bowl and add the oil, salt, and any desired seasonings. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated.

Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (some recipes suggest 360°F, so you may want to experiment to find the optimal temperature for your air fryer). Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the air fryer basket in a single layer, or with no more than two layers of potatoes overlapping.

Air fry the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, tossing them with tongs every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking. The chips are done when they are dark golden at the edges and crisp. You may need to cook the potatoes in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Remove the chips from the air fryer and repeat the process with any remaining potatoes.

Storage

Air-fried potato chips can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months.

Troubleshooting

If your potato chips are not crispy, it may be because your potatoes were not completely dry before cooking, or you did not rinse and dry them thoroughly enough. Using too much oil can also make the chips less crispy. Try air frying them in a single layer to see if that improves crispness.

Variations

You can experiment with different seasonings to create a variety of flavored chips, such as barbecue, sour cream and onion, ranch, spicy, or dill.

You can also use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, but note that sweet potato chips will not be as crispy.

Potato chip cooking

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying, as they use less oil and are healthier. They are also a lot less messy and easier to clean up. You can make potato chips in an air fryer, and they will turn out crispy and crunchy.

Ingredients

To make potato chips in an air fryer, you will need:

• Potatoes (russet or Idaho potatoes are recommended, but other types such as Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, or Rooster can also be used)
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil are good options)
• Salt
• Optional: black pepper, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or other seasonings of your choice

Preparation

First, peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices, preferably using a mandoline slicer to ensure uniformity. Soak the potato slices in ice water for 15 minutes, then drain and soak in fresh ice water for another 15 minutes. This helps remove the starch and prevents the potato slices from sticking together during cooking.

After soaking, dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels or clean kitchen towels. This step is crucial to achieving a crunchy texture.

Next, toss the potato slices with oil and seasonings. Make sure all slices are evenly coated.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 360°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer or two staggered layers, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, tossing the potatoes every 5 to 7 minutes to ensure even cooking. The chips are done when they are dark golden and crisp.

Storage

Air-fried potato chips can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months.

Tips

• For the crispiest chips, use dry, starchy potatoes like russets.
• Slice the potatoes as thinly and uniformly as possible.
• Make sure to thoroughly dry the potatoes after soaking to remove excess moisture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• If your chips are soggy, put them back in the air fryer and cook for a little longer.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavours!

Other types of air fryer chips

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet potatoes can be used to make air fryer chips, but they will not be as crispy as regular potatoes.

Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips can be made in an air fryer.

Zucchini Chips

Zucchini chips can be made in an air fryer.

Kale Chips

Kale chips can be made in an air fryer.

Avocado Fries

Avocado fries can be made in an air fryer.

Pumpkin Fries

Pumpkin fries can be made in an air fryer.

Nacho Hot Dogs

Nacho hot dogs can be made in an air fryer.

Fish and Chips

Fish and chips can be made in an air fryer.

Potato Wedges

Potato wedges can be made in an air fryer.

Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes can be made in an air fryer.

Baked Potato

Baked potatoes can be made in an air fryer.

Potato chip seasoning

Making potato chips in an air fryer is a fun and healthier alternative to store-bought chips. The chips will be crispier, crunchier, and less greasy.

• Ranch: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix to the potatoes before air frying. For a stronger ranch flavor, sprinkle additional ranch seasoning over the chips after they are done cooking.
• Spicy: Season the chips with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Sour Cream and Onion: Toss the chips with 1 tablespoon buttermilk powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Barbecue: For a delicious BBQ flavor, use 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Dill: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to the chips for a dill-pickle spin.
• Salt and Vinegar: Sprinkle the chips with distilled white vinegar powder after cooking.
• Cheese: Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan to the cooked chips. For a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead.
• Black Pepper: Give the chips a kick by adding ground black pepper when seasoning with salt.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: This blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, and salt will give your chips a bagel-inspired flavor.
• Adobo Seasoning: A blend of spices and herbs such as garlic, onion, salt, black pepper, oregano, and turmeric will add a kick of flavor to your chips.
• Garlic Parmesan: Combine garlic granules and finely grated Parmesan cheese for a savory, cheesy flavor.

When it comes to seasoning your air fryer potato chips, the possibilities are endless! Get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices, herbs, and flavors to find your favorite.

Potato chip storage

Air-fried chips are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. They will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature.

If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Before serving, let them thaw for a few minutes on the counter. If they lose their crispiness, you can pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp them.

Storing Uncooked Chips

If you want to prepare your chips in advance, you can cut the potatoes, then place them in a bowl of cold water for up to an hour. For longer storage, put them in the fridge, but don't leave them in the water for more than eight hours.

Maximising Crispiness

To ensure your chips are crispy, it is important to dry them thoroughly before cooking. Removing excess moisture and starch will help to achieve that crispy texture on the outside and fluffy softness on the inside.

You can also add a light coating of oil and your preferred seasonings to enhance the flavour and crispiness of your chips.

Frequently asked questions