Making Chips In A Tower Air Fryer: Quick And Easy!

Chips are a universally loved snack, but the unhealthiness of packaged and deep-fried chips has become a growing concern. Air fryers have emerged as a popular alternative, as they require minimal oil and produce a crispy texture. The Tower air fryer is a lightweight, easy-to-use appliance that can help you make healthy and delicious chips from the comfort of your home. Here's a step-by-step guide to making perfect chips in a Tower air fryer.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

When it comes to choosing the right type of potatoes for your air fryer chips, there are a few varieties that work particularly well. Look for starchy potatoes with low moisture content, such as Russet, Idaho, or Yukon Gold potatoes. These varieties tend to crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Russet potatoes, in particular, are widely available and make excellent air fryer chips. If you're in the UK, Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster potatoes are also great choices.

Amount

The amount of potatoes you need will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you want to make. As a general rule, use 4-5 large potatoes (about 1kg) for a standard-sized air fryer. This should yield a generous portion for multiple people.

Preparation

Before cooking your chips, it's important to prepare the potatoes properly. Start by peeling the potatoes with a peeler or a knife. Then, rinse them in cold water to remove any dirt or residue. You can also choose to leave the skin on for a more rustic texture, but be sure to give them a good scrub. After rinsing, let the potatoes air-dry or pat them dry with a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels.

Cutting

Once your potatoes are clean and dry, it's time to cut them into chip-like shapes. You can cut them into thin slices for traditional chips or thicker wedges for chunkier chips. If you're making thinner chips, use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to achieve uniform thickness. Thicker chips can be cut with a vegetable slicer/chipper or a knife. Remember, the thickness of your chips will impact their cooking time, with thinner chips cooking faster than thicker ones.

Soaking (Optional)

Some recipes recommend soaking the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps remove excess starch from the potatoes, which can improve their texture and crispiness. However, others suggest that rinsing the potatoes thoroughly in cold water is sufficient, and soaking is not necessary. If you choose to soak your potatoes, be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the air fryer.

In summary, choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer chips involves selecting the right variety, amount, and preparing and cutting them appropriately. With the right potatoes and proper preparation, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy air fryer chips.

Preparing the potatoes

The first step in making chips in a tower air fryer is to prepare the potatoes. Begin by peeling the potatoes using a peeler or a knife. If you want to leave the skin on for extra texture, simply give the potatoes a good scrub.

Once peeled, rinse the potatoes in cold water to wash them. This will help remove any excess starch, which can make the potatoes soggy during cooking. After rinsing, let the potatoes air-dry or pat them dry with a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels.

Now it's time to cut the potatoes into chip shapes. You can cut them thin like French fries or leave them thicker for chunky chips. If you're cutting them thinly, be careful not to cut them too thin, or they may break during cooking.

Once cut, it's a good idea to rinse the potatoes again and then dry them. This extra step will ensure that any remaining starch is removed, resulting in crispier chips.

At this point, you can coat the chips with your favourite seasoning. You can keep it classic with salt and pepper, or get creative with paprika, mixed herbs, or even Cajun seasoning. If you're using olive oil, this is also the time to add it. A light coating of oil will help the potatoes crisp up and enhance the flavour of your seasonings.

Adding oil and seasoning

Once your potatoes are prepared, it's time to add some oil and seasoning. You can use a variety of oils for this step, such as sunflower oil, olive oil, or even a spray oil. If you're using a standard oil, pour a small amount into a bowl and toss the chips until they are evenly coated. If you're using a spray oil, simply spray the potatoes a few times to ensure they are lightly coated.

Now it's time to season! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic granules, curry powder, or even grated parmesan. Simply sprinkle your chosen seasoning over the chips and toss again to ensure they are evenly coated.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices. For example, you could try a Cajun-style seasoning or a chip seasoning blend. You could also add some flour to the chips for extra crispiness.

Once your chips are coated in oil and seasoning, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. However, make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess. It's best to cook the chips in batches to ensure they are perfectly crispy.

Now, you're ready to start frying! Place the chips in the air fryer and set the temperature and timer according to your desired level of crispiness. Remember to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking on all sides.

And that's it! By following these steps and choosing your favourite seasonings, you can create delicious, crispy air-fried chips that are healthier than traditional deep-fried chips.

Preheating the air fryer

To begin, make sure that your air fryer is placed on a level and heat-resistant surface. Ensure that there is an electrical outlet nearby to connect the device. Turn on the air fryer and adjust the temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the air fryer to heat up for about 2 to 3 minutes.

Preheating your air fryer will help to reduce the overall cooking time, as the appliance will already be at the desired temperature when you add your chips. This step is especially important if you are using a thicker cut of potato, as it will help to ensure that the inside of the chip is cooked through while the outside remains crispy.

While preheating your air fryer is not mandatory, it is recommended to ensure the best results and to help prevent sogginess. By taking this extra step, you can be sure that your chips will turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.

Cooking the chips

Now that you have your tower air fryer, potatoes, and seasonings ready, it's time to start cooking! Here's a detailed guide on how to make delicious and crispy chips:

Prepare the Potatoes: Start by peeling the potatoes using a peeler or a knife. If you prefer, you can simply scrub the potatoes and leave the skin on for a more rustic texture. Once peeled, rinse the potatoes in cold water to remove any dirt or residue. After rinsing, let the potatoes air dry or use a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels to speed up the drying process.

Cut and Season the Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into your desired shape, whether thin fries or thick chips. Coating the potatoes with your favourite seasoning is the key to delicious chips. You can use salt, paprika, mixed herbs, curry powder, chip seasoning, or even Cajun spices. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Place your air fryer on a flat, heat-resistant surface near an electrical outlet. Plug in the device and preheat it to 200°F (or 93°C) for about 2-3 minutes. Preheating ensures that your chips will be crispy and reduces the chances of sogginess.

Add Chips to the Air Fryer Basket: Take out the air fryer basket and arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. If you have a large batch of chips, cook them in smaller batches or use an air fryer rack to stack multiple layers without blocking air circulation.

Set the Cooking Time and Temperature: Set the cooking duration for around 20 minutes, maintaining the same temperature as the preheating temperature. You may need to adjust the time and temperature based on your desired crispness and the type of potato you're using.

Cook the Chips: Let the chips cook for 10 minutes, then pause and remove the air fryer basket. Gently shake the basket to rotate the chips, ensuring even cooking on all sides. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the chips, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your chips.

Check for Doneness: As you approach the end of the cooking duration, carefully check the chips for doneness. If they are crispy and cooked to your liking, turn off the air fryer. If they need more time, continue cooking and check periodically to avoid overcooking.

Cool and Serve: Once the chips are cooked to perfection, carefully remove the air fryer basket by its handle and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Allow the chips to cool down for a few minutes before serving. Remember, the air fryer and its contents will be extremely hot, so avoid touching the food or the basket immediately after cooking. Serve your crispy, golden chips with your favourite dipping sauce!

Your tower air fryer chips are now ready to be devoured! Enjoy the delicious, crispy texture and the satisfaction of knowing they are healthier than deep-fried chips.

Frequently asked questions