Air Fryer Chips: Timing And Temperature Perfection

Chips are a popular snack worldwide and can be made healthier by using an air fryer instead of deep-frying them. The cooking time for chips in an air fryer varies depending on the type of fryer and the thickness of the chips. Generally, thinner chips will cook faster than thicker ones. Frozen chips can also be cooked in an air fryer and typically take around 10-20 minutes. When cooking chips in an air fryer, it is important to ensure they are not overcrowded, as this can lead to sogginess.

How long do chips take in a tower air fryer?

How long do chips take in a tower air fryer?

Air fryer chips are a quick, easy, and healthy way to make chips at home. The time it takes to cook chips in a tower air fryer depends on the type of chip you are making and the type of air fryer you are using.

Preparation

Before cooking, you should peel and wash the potatoes, then dry them with a clean dishcloth, paper towels, or kitchen roll. You can also leave the skin on for a more rustic feel. Next, cut the potatoes into chip shapes. The size of the chip will determine the cooking time, with thinner chips cooking faster than thicker ones. You can also coat the chips in a tablespoon of oil and add seasoning.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Place the chips in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer to avoid uneven frying. Depending on the type of chip, the cooking time will vary from 8 to 25 minutes. For example, skinny chips will take around 8-10 minutes, while chunky chips will take 18-20 minutes. It is important to shake the basket regularly to ensure the chips cook evenly.

Tips

To save time, you can skip the step of soaking the potatoes in water. The cooking time can be adjusted depending on how crispy you like your chips. If you want them crispier, simply add more oil and put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Which potatoes are best for air fryer chips?

Air fryer chips are a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried chips. When making chips in an air fryer, it's best to use floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Rooster or Yukon Gold. These types of potatoes will ensure a fluffier chip interior and a crispier exterior.

If you're looking for a more rustic chip, you can leave the skin on. However, if you prefer to peel your potatoes, you can save the peelings and make some tasty air fryer potato peels as a snack.

Before placing the chips in the air fryer, it's important to rinse off the excess starch. Some recipes recommend soaking the potatoes in water for around 20 minutes and then patting them dry. However, others suggest that this step is unnecessary and simply rinsing the potatoes will suffice.

Once your potatoes are prepared, you can add your choice of oil and seasoning. Olive oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil and avocado oil are all good options. For seasoning, you can keep it classic with salt and pepper, or experiment with spices like smoked paprika, curry powder, garlic salt, chilli flakes or Cajun spice.

Place the chips in the air fryer at around 200°C/400°F for 20 minutes, shaking the basket every so often to ensure even cooking. For thinner chips, check on them sooner to avoid burning. And there you have it—perfectly crispy air fryer chips!

Do you need to soak potatoes before air frying?

There are a few different methods you can use to prepare potatoes before air frying. Some recipes suggest soaking potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch and improve crispiness. However, this step may be skipped by simply rinsing the potatoes in water and patting them dry with a tea towel or kitchen roll.

Preparing potatoes for air frying:

• Peel the potatoes or give them a good scrub if you prefer to leave the skin on.
• Rinse the potatoes in cold water. Soaking the potatoes in a bowl of water for 30 minutes can help to remove excess starch, but this step is not necessary.
• Dry the potatoes using a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels.
• Cut the potatoes into chip shapes.
• Coat the chips with your choice of seasoning.
• Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
• Place the chips in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Cook for 20-25 minutes, checking regularly and shaking or turning the chips.

Tips for crispy air fryer chips:

• Use the right type of potatoes. Russet, Yukon Gold, or Idaho potatoes work well for crisping.
• Soak the potatoes before air frying to remove starch and improve crispiness.
• Dry the potatoes completely before adding oil to ensure the oil sticks properly.
• Use oil on the potatoes. Even air frying requires a small amount of oil to help the chips crisp up.
• Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.

What temperature should you cook chips at in a tower air fryer?

To cook chips in a tower air fryer, you should first prepare your potatoes. Peel the potatoes, then rinse them in cold water and allow them to dry. You can speed up the drying process by using a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels. Next, cut the potatoes into chip-like shapes.

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Place the chips in a large bowl and then into the air fryer basket. It is best to cook the chips in smaller batches to ensure even frying.

Cook the chips for around 20 minutes at the same temperature used for preheating. After 10 minutes, remove the basket and shake it to rotate the chips, ensuring they cook evenly on all sides. Then, return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer and potato used, so check the chips regularly to ensure they do not burn.

If you are using frozen chips, the cooking time will be shorter, typically between 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of chip. Shake the basket at the 5-minute mark and cook for longer if needed.

For homemade chips, you can add a tablespoon of oil and your choice of seasoning to the chips before placing them in the air fryer. Some recommended seasonings include salt, pepper, paprika, curry powder, and chip seasoning.

Can you cook frozen chips in a tower air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen chips in a tower air fryer. In fact, you can cook any brand of frozen chips using an air fryer. They taste just as good as deep-fried chips, but without the high calories.

Frozen chips are a handy standby to have in the freezer for a quick evening meal, and being able to make them in an air fryer helps speed up the process.

The length of time it takes to cook frozen chips in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have and the cut of the chip. Thin french fries will take less time than chunky chips, so check on them sooner to avoid burning.

As a general rule, the cooking time for frozen chips in an air fryer is as follows:

• French Fries (skinny chips) – 8 to 10 minutes
• Crinkle Cut/Straight Cut – 12 to 15 minutes
• Chunky Chips – 18 to 20 minutes

However, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the amount of chips you put in the air fryer and how crispy you like them. It's recommended to shake the air fryer basket at each 5-minute mark to ensure even cooking.

Most frozen chips come pre-coated with oil and seasoning, so you can usually just add them straight to the basket. However, if they don't seem to be crisping up enough during cooking, you can spray them with a little oil from an oil mister or low-calorie oil spray.

To prevent soggy chips, avoid overloading the air fryer basket. The chips can touch and be stacked, but don't put too many in. Also, give the basket a frequent shake to ensure all sides of the chips are getting an even distribution of heat.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Begin by peeling the potatoes using a peeler or knife. Once you're done peeling, rinse them in cold water, then let them air dry or use a clean dishcloth, kitchen roll, or paper towels to speed up the drying process. After the potatoes are dry, cut them into your desired shape and size.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Place the air fryer on a flat, heat-resistant surface near an electrical outlet. Turn on the device and preheat it to 200°F for about 2-3 minutes. Preheating ensures crispiness and reduces the chances of sogginess.

Step 3: Add the Chips to the Basket

Remove the basket from the air fryer and arrange the chips in a single layer. Avoid adding too many chips at once, as this can cause uneven cooking. If you need to cook a large quantity, it's better to cook them in smaller batches or use an air fryer rack to stack them in multiple layers without blocking air circulation.

Step 4: Set the Cooking Time and Temperature

Set the cooking time to around 20 minutes and maintain the same temperature used for preheating. After 10 minutes, pause the cooking and remove the basket to shake, which will help rotate the chips for even cooking.

Step 5: Complete the Cooking

When you're close to the end of the cooking time, check on the chips. If they're cooked through and crispy, turn off the air fryer. If not, put them back in and check periodically to avoid overcooking, as this can lead to burning. Once they're done, carefully remove the basket by its handle and place it on a heat-resistant surface to cool down.

It's important to note that you shouldn't touch the food or the basket immediately after cooking, as the air fryer will be very hot. Always allow some time for the food to cool before serving.

Frequently asked questions