Air Fryer Potato Chips: How Long Do They Take?

Air fryer potato chips are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried chips. They are crunchy, crispy, and can be made in just 15 to 20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chips and the type of air fryer being used.

Soaking the potatoes

• Slice the Potatoes: Start by thinly slicing your potatoes. A handheld mandoline slicer is a great tool to create uniform, super-thin slices. This ensures even cooking and a crisp texture. Don't forget to wear cut-resistant gloves for safety!
• Soak in Cold Water: Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with ice water. The soaking time can vary from a quick 30-minute soak to an extended soak of up to 24 hours. The longer soak is especially useful if you're preparing the potatoes in advance. Soaking draws out the natural starches from the potatoes, which will enhance their crunch and prevent them from sticking together during cooking.
• Double Soak (Optional): For even better results, you can opt for a double soak. After the initial 15-minute soak, drain the potatoes and add fresh ice water for another 15 minutes. This extra step ensures maximum starch removal and an even crispier texture.
• Dry the Potatoes: Once the soaking process is complete, thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with kitchen towels or paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial to achieving that sought-after crunch.
• Add Oil and Seasonings: After drying, transfer the potatoes to a bowl and toss them with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil or a neutral-tasting oil like avocado oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. Don't skimp on this step, as the oil helps the potatoes crisp up without burning. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika at this stage, or simply stick to salt for a classic chip flavor.
• Air Fry: Now it's time to load the potatoes into your air fryer! Place them in a single layer on a greased tray or basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. A preheated air fryer will hit the potatoes with intense heat, starting the cooking process immediately. Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices, the cooking time may vary, but it typically takes around 15-20 minutes for the potatoes to turn golden brown and crispy.
• Stir and Turn: During the cooking process, remember to stir and turn the potato slices every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
• Repeat in Batches: If you have a large batch of potatoes, you may need to cook them in multiple batches. Simply repeat the process until all your potatoes are cooked to perfection!

Remember, the key to successful soaking is to draw out the starches, which ensures crispiness and prevents sticking. So, don't skip this step and enjoy the delicious results!

Drying the potatoes

After slicing your potatoes into thin pieces, it's time to remove the excess moisture. Place the potato slices on clean towels or kitchen paper and gently pat them dry. This step is essential to achieving crunchy chips, so don't be tempted to skip it!

Some recipes recommend soaking the potato slices in cold water before drying. This process helps remove excess starch, which can make the potatoes stick together and affect their crispness. If you choose to soak them, use a colander to drain the water, and then pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible.

Once your potatoes are dry, it's time to move on to the next step in the air-frying process.

Seasoning the potatoes

The seasoning is the fun part of making potato chips in an air fryer. You can experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite. While chips taste great with a sprinkle of salt, they can be taken to the next level with any seasoning of your choice.

• BBQ: Use paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, smoked paprika, chilli powder, and garlic powder.
• Salt and vinegar: Sprinkle the chips with distilled white vinegar powder or actual vinegar after cooking.
• Sour cream and onion: Toss the chips with buttermilk powder and onion powder, or ranch dressing and dip mix.
• Ranch: Add ranch seasoning mix to the potatoes.
• Spicy: Season your potato chips with chilli powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
• Dill: Add some chopped fresh dill, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Cheese: Grate some parmesan over the cooked chips, or use nutritional yeast to keep the recipe vegan.
• Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, dried herbs, and curry powder are also great additions.

If you're using chilli flakes or dried herbs, add them halfway through cooking so they don't burn.

Air-frying the potatoes

Preparation

First, gather your ingredients: potatoes, olive oil or cooking spray, and salt. You can also add other seasonings like black pepper, paprika, or garlic powder for extra flavour. The type of potato you use is important. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their low moisture content and starchiness, which makes them ideal for air frying. However, other options include Yukon Gold, Idaho, and sweet potatoes.

Before slicing the potatoes, ensure they are clean. You can peel them if desired, but it's not necessary. The key to successful air-fried potato chips is to slice the potatoes as thinly and uniformly as possible. A mandoline slicer is highly recommended for this step, as it ensures even slices. If you don't have a mandoline, a sharp knife or vegetable peeler can be used, but aim for slices that are about 1/8-inch or 2 mm thick.

Soaking and Drying

Once you have your potato slices, it's time to remove the excess starch by soaking them in cold water. Place the slices in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes. This process helps the potatoes crisp up during cooking and prevents them from sticking together. After soaking, rinse the potatoes again and then pat them dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Removing moisture is crucial for achieving that desired crunch.

Seasoning and Air Frying

After drying the potatoes, it's time to add some flavour! Place the potato slices in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or cooking spray. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also add salt and any other desired seasonings at this stage.

Now, it's time to cook the potatoes in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 325°F and 400°F. Place the potato slices in the air fryer basket in a single or double layer, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Air fry the potatoes for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the recommended temperature and your desired crispness. It's important to keep an eye on the potatoes and toss or flip them periodically to ensure even cooking.

Final Touches

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Allow them to cool to room temperature before serving. You can also experiment with different seasonings at this stage. For example, sprinkle salt and vinegar over the chips for a classic flavour or add barbecue seasoning for a smoky twist.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy potato chips made right in your air fryer. Enjoy them as a snack, side dish, or dipped into your favourite sauce.

Storing the potatoes

Before Cooking:

It is recommended to store uncooked potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place. Ideal storage conditions include a temperature of around 45-50°F (7-10°C) and relative humidity of 85-90%. Under these conditions, whole potatoes can last for weeks or even months. However, once potatoes are cut into chips, the storage guidelines change.

If you want to cut your potatoes ahead of time, it is best to place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning and cover them. They can be left at room temperature for up to an hour, but for longer storage, they should be refrigerated. Potatoes should not be left in water for more than 8 hours, as they can start to lose their texture and absorb too much water, affecting the crispness of your chips.

After Cooking:

Once your potato chips are cooked, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to one week. This will ensure they remain crispy and fresh. If you have a large batch of chips, consider freezing them. Spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the chips to a freezer-safe plastic bag or container for up to three months. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispness.

Frequently asked questions