Air Fryers: The Secret To Crispy Chips?

Air fryers are a popular alternative to deep-fat frying, promising to deliver crispy, tasty chips with a fraction of the calories. But do air fryers really make chips crispy? The answer is yes, air fryers can produce crispy chips with a fluffy centre, but there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best results. Firstly, it's important to cut your potatoes into even-sized chips, as this will ensure they cook evenly. Secondly, drying your chips thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer is crucial to removing excess moisture and promoting crispiness. Additionally, using a small amount of oil or cooking spray can help to enhance the crispiness of your chips and give them a more fried taste. It's also recommended to shake the basket of your air fryer regularly during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Lastly, the type of potato you use can impact the crispiness of your chips, with floury potatoes like King Edwards, Maris Piper, or Russet potatoes being ideal. By following these tips, you can achieve crispy, delicious, and healthier chips with your air fryer.

The best types of potatoes for air fryer chips

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as they require less oil. You can make crispy, golden, and fluffy chips in an air fryer, which can be a perfect side dish or snack.

• Idaho
• Russet
• Yukon Gold
• Maris Piper
• King Edward
• Rooster

These potatoes have a high starch content, which helps them crisp up perfectly.

For thinner chips, use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to cut the potatoes into slices. For thicker, chunkier chips, use a knife or a vegetable slicer/chipper.

To prepare the potatoes, you can either peel them or give them a good scrub and leave the skin on. Soaking the potatoes in water is not necessary, but it can help remove excess starch. If you do soak them, be sure to pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer. Add a small amount of oil and your desired seasoning, and cook in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chips.

How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, tasty chips with less oil than traditional frying methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare potatoes for air frying:

Step 1: Choose the Right Potatoes

Select potatoes that are suitable for air frying, such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Rooster, Yukon Gold, or Russet. These varieties tend to crisp up nicely and have a good flavour.

Step 2: Peel or Scrub the Potatoes

You can choose to peel the potatoes for a neater appearance, especially if you want straight, even chips. Alternatively, you can simply scrub the potatoes and leave the skin on for a more rustic look and added crispiness.

Step 3: Cut the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into your desired shape and thickness. For chips, cut them into rectangular blocks or batons—something between thick chips and thin fries. If you prefer wedges or baby potatoes, cut them accordingly.

Step 4: Soak or Rinse the Potatoes

Some recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which can help them crisp up. However, others suggest that simply rinsing them in water works just as well and is much quicker.

Step 5: Dry the Potatoes

After washing the potatoes, use a clean tea towel or kitchen roll to pat them dry. This step is important as it ensures the potatoes will roast rather than steam.

Step 6: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it can help reduce the cooking time and promote crispiness. If you have the time, preheat it to around 200°C/400°F for a few minutes before adding the potatoes.

Step 7: Season the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a bowl and add your choice of oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil, sunflower oil, or a spray oil, along with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or any other spices you like. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.

Step 8: Arrange the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer for even cooking. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook them in batches.

Now you are ready to start air frying your potatoes! Depending on the thickness of your chips and your desired level of crispiness, set the timer for 20 to 30 minutes, checking on them regularly and giving the basket a shake to prevent them from sticking.

The best oils for air fryer chips

Air fryers are a fantastic, healthier alternative to deep frying, as they require far less oil to achieve a similar crispy texture. While you can air fry chips without oil, a light coating of oil will give you a crispier, golden finish.

Avocado Oil

The top choice for air frying is avocado oil, which has a very high smoke point of 520°F and a neutral flavour. This means it won't burn at high temperatures and will work with most foods.

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee, or clarified butter, is another excellent option, with a smoke point of 482°F. It is commonly used in French and Indian cuisine and has a high smoke point, making it a great choice for air frying.

Light Olive Oil

If you're looking for a heart-healthy option, light or extra light olive oil is a good choice. With a smoke point of 465-470°F, it has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil, which has a lower smoke point of 320-374°F. Regular virgin olive oil can also be used if you're cooking at 400°F or lower, as it has a smoke point of 410°F.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a high smoke point of 450°F. It is commonly used for stir-frying and deep frying, and its subtle flavour will add a nice touch to your air fryer chips.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another good option, with a smoke point of 450°F. It is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats, giving it a long shelf life and making it a healthy choice for air frying.

Other Options

Other oils that can be used in an air fryer include grapeseed oil, refined coconut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil. However, these oils have lower smoke points, so they may not be suitable for very high-temperature cooking.

Tips for Using Oil in an Air Fryer

When using oil in an air fryer, it's important to add it directly to the food before placing it into the air fryer basket. This will help ensure that the oil doesn't come into contact with any electrical pieces. You can also add oil to the air fryer basket itself, but be extremely careful to avoid any electrical components.

Additionally, avoid using nonstick cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage the lining of the air fryer basket due to the added chemicals. Instead, opt for a non-aerosol oil mister or a refillable oil sprayer filled with a high smoke point oil.

How long to cook air fryer chips

Air fryer chips are a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried chips. They are crispy, golden, and fluffy—the perfect side to any meal or snack.

The cooking time for air fryer chips depends on the thickness of the chips and the type of potato used. The cooking time also varies depending on the air fryer model, so you may need to adjust the time and keep an eye on the chips during the cooking process.

For thin or French fries, check on them sooner than thicker-cut chips to ensure they don't burn. Thicker-cut chips will take a few minutes longer in the air fryer.

The recommended cooking time for air fryer chips is between 20 and 30 minutes. Check the chips regularly and shake or turn them. If you are making thinner chips, check on them at the 10-minute mark and give them a good shake. If they are not crispy enough after 25 minutes, put them back in for a few more minutes.

• Peel and slice the potatoes into chips (about 1 cm thick).
• If the potatoes are dirty, rinse them in cold water, then drain and pat dry.
• Add the chips to a bowl and toss them with cornflour, oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until they are evenly coated.
• Place them in the air fryer and cook at 190C/375F for 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
• If you prefer crispier chips, add a little more oil and put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Some recipes suggest leaving the potatoes unpeeled for a more rustic feel. You can also soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, but this step is not necessary.

How to prevent soggy air fryer chips

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, golden, bite-sized foods with less oil than traditional frying methods. However, it's easy to end up with soggy chips if you don't follow certain steps. Here are some tips to ensure your air-fried chips come out crispy:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential when cooking foods like potatoes, meats, fish, or vegetables. Home economist Fiona Mair explains, "It's important to preheat your air fryer when cooking these types of foods so it's the correct temperature at the start. That way, food starts to cook and crisp immediately."

Don't Overfill the Basket

Air needs to be able to circulate around the food in your air fryer to create a crisp outside. Overfilling the basket will cause your air fryer to steam the food, resulting in uneven cooking and soggy areas. Cook food in batches or consider purchasing an air fryer with a larger basket.

Shake and Turn the Chips

Many items need to be shaken or turned halfway through the cooking process to ensure even crisping on all sides. Check your manual to see if your air fryer has a setting that will remind you to shake the food. If not, set a timer for yourself every 5-10 minutes.

Pat Food Dry Before Cooking

Moisture is an air fryer's enemy as it will cause steam and reduce crispiness. Always pat dry any unbreaded foods, such as potatoes, meat, fish, or vegetables, before placing them in the air fryer.

Use Oil

While you can air fry chips without oil, adding a little oil will help your chips crisp up. You can use a spray bottle or toss the chips with oil to ensure a light, even coating.

Cut Chips to the Right Size and Shape

If your chips are too thin, they may break, and if they're too thick, they won't cook through. Aim for a thickness between fries and thick chips. Trimming the potatoes into rectangular blocks before cutting them into batons can help achieve a more uniform size and shape.

Soak or Rinse Potatoes Before Cooking

Soaking chopped potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes can help remove excess starch, which can contribute to sogginess. If you're short on time, simply rinsing the potatoes in water can also help remove some of the starch.

Give Chips Space in the Basket

Even with proper shaking and turning, if your chips are too crowded in the basket, they may still come out soggy. Be sure to give them enough space to allow for adequate air circulation and crisping.

Frequently asked questions