Air Fryer Chips: Crispy, Golden Treats In Minutes

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook chips. They are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook crispy textures within minutes, and they can be used to cook a variety of foods, from chicken and meat to vegetables and, of course, chips. Using an air fryer can also save you money on takeout and chip shop purchases. In this article, we will cover how to cook chips in a tower air fryer, the best type of potato to use, and some tips and tricks to get the perfect air-fried chips.

Cooking Chips in a Tower Air Fryer

Potato preparation

Peeling and Cutting: Start by deciding whether you want to peel your potatoes. Peeled potatoes will give you a more traditional chip appearance, but leaving the skin on boosts the nutritional value and creates a unique look. If you choose to peel, use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the potato skins. Next, cut the potatoes into rectangular blocks by trimming away the rounded edges. This step ensures that your final chips have a neat, straight shape.

Size and Thickness: After creating the rectangular blocks, cut them into batons or chips. Aim for a thickness that falls somewhere between fries and thick chips. Avoid cutting them too thin, as they may break during cooking, and don't make them too thick, as they may not cook evenly. The ideal size will allow for a fluffy interior and a golden exterior.

Potato Variety: For the best air-fried chips, opt for floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward. These varieties tend to result in fluffier middles compared to waxy potatoes. However, if you don't have access to floury potatoes, any potato variety will work just fine.

Parboiling: Once your potatoes are cut into the desired shape and size, it's time to parboil them. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the potatoes. You can also add the potatoes to the pot before boiling, but either way, boil them for just a minute or two. This step helps remove excess starch and kick-start the cooking process. After parboiling, drain the potatoes and let them steam dry in the empty saucepan. Then, transfer them to a large baking sheet and place them in a slightly warm oven for about 15 minutes to dry out and cool slightly.

Oil and Seasoning: Before placing the potatoes in the air fryer, it's essential to toss them in oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. You can use olive oil for a more robust flavour or opt for other oils like vegetable, sunflower, or rapeseed oil. Add your chosen oil to the bottom of the air fryer, along with the potatoes, and toss until they are evenly coated. Seasoning is also crucial – use sea salt for added flavour and texture. You can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic granules, paprika, or dried herbs.

Oil type

When it comes to the type of oil to use for your chips in a tower air fryer, you have several options. The oil you choose will depend on the flavour you want to achieve and the oils you have available.

Firstly, it is important to note that air-frying uses less oil than deep-frying, so it is a healthier alternative. You only need a little bit of oil to coat the chips and ensure they cook evenly and achieve a crispy texture.

Olive oil is recommended for the best flavour. It will impart a distinct taste to your chips, making them more savoury and fragrant. However, if you do not have olive oil, other options will work just fine and will not affect the cooking process. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil are all suitable alternatives. These oils have higher smoke points, making them ideal for the high temperatures of air frying.

It is best to avoid using oils with low smoke points, such as avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil, as they may burn and impart a bitter taste to your chips.

Once you have chosen your oil, toss the chips in the oil to ensure they are evenly coated. You can then add your desired seasonings, such as salt, garlic granules, paprika, or dried herbs.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your chips will depend on a few factors, including the type of potato you are using, the thickness of your chips, and the model of your Tower air fryer.

First, you will need to parboil your chips. This involves boiling them for one to two minutes, which helps to kickstart the cooking process and remove some of the starch. After parboiling, the potatoes should be left to dry and cool for around 15 minutes.

Next, you will need to preheat your air fryer if required. The ideal temperature for cooking chips in a Tower air fryer is around 160ºC/320ºF to 200°C / 400°F. It is important to ensure that your chips are in a single layer and well-spaced out in the fryer to ensure even cooking.

The cooking time will depend on the temperature you set your fryer to. For example, at 160ºC/320ºF, your chips will need 10-15 minutes, while at 200°C / 400°F, they will need 15-20 minutes. It is a good idea to shake the fryer at least once during the cooking process to ensure that the chips are cooked evenly on all sides.

The size and type of potato you use will also impact the cooking time. Smaller or thinner chips will cook faster, and floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King Edward, tend to cook more quickly than waxy varieties.

Seasoning

Firstly, it is recommended to season the chips before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that the seasoning adheres well to the surface of the chips. You can use a variety of seasonings, depending on your preference. Sea salt is a popular choice as it adds flavour and texture to the chips. If you don't have sea salt, table salt can also be used.

In addition to salt, you can experiment with other seasonings such as garlic granules, paprika, or dried herbs. For a cheesy flavour, you can add grated parmesan, but it is suggested to add this towards the end of the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning. If you want to get creative, you can even try making your own seasoning blends by mixing different herbs and spices.

Another important aspect of seasoning is controlling the amount you use. It's generally recommended to start with a smaller amount and adjust to your taste preferences. You can always add more seasoning during or after cooking if needed.

Additionally, the type of oil you use can also impact the flavour of your chips. While olive oil is suggested to give the best flavour, other oils such as vegetable, sunflower, or rapeseed oil can also be used. These alternative oils will not affect the cooking process and can be chosen based on your personal preference or what you have available.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find the seasoning combinations that you enjoy the most. You can add seasonings at the beginning of the cooking process or halfway through, allowing you to customize each batch to your liking.

Air fryer models

The Kmart Anko 3-in-1 Oven Air Fryer is a good option for cooking chips. It has a rotating basket that turns the chips during cooking, ensuring uniform cooking and even colouring. This model scored 85% for chip cooking performance.

The Russell Hobbs Air Fryer, on the other hand, scored 75% and produced slightly unevenly browned chips.

The Tower brand, which includes the T17005 and T14001HT Halogen Airwave Air Fryer models, is also a popular choice for cooking chips. The T17005 model is lightweight at 3.82 kg and has detachable dishwasher-safe components for easy cleanup. The T14001HT model has a glass cooking bowl, but it may take longer to cook than some other brands.

When choosing an air fryer model for cooking chips, consider the following:

• Look for a model with a pre-programmed chip setting or a rotating basket that will turn the chips for you during cooking.
• Ensure the air fryer has good heat circulation to ensure even cooking.
• Choose a model with a pull-out basket, as shaking the basket during cooking is essential for even results.
• Opt for a model with a large enough capacity to accommodate the desired amount of chips.

Frequently asked questions