Emilie Meyer
Cooking chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or side dish. The cooking time will depend on the type of chip you want—skinny, straight, or chunky—and the variety of potato you use. For example, floury potatoes like Maris Piper or Rooster will give you crispier chips, while waxy varieties are better for chunkier, chip-shop-style chips. You can also use sweet potatoes and add extra flavourings like Cajun spice, dried herbs, or garlic salt. The key to crispy chips is to ensure your potatoes are completely dry before cooking and to cook them in a single layer. Depending on the thickness of your chips, they should be done in around 15 to 20 minutes.
How long do you cook chips in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 15-30 minutes |
| Preparation time | 20 minutes |
| Potato type | Russet, waxy, sweet, Maris Piper, Rooster |
| Potato shape | Thin, chunky, skinny, rectangular blocks |
| Potato size | 1cm/0.5in thick |
| Potato weight | 700g/1.5lbs |
| Soaking time | Up to 30 minutes |
| Par-boiling time | 8-10 minutes |
| Oil type | Olive, avocado, canola, rapeseed, sunflower, vegetable |
| Oil amount | 2 tbsp |
| Temperature | 180C/360F |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, ranch, chilli, garlic, paprika, cornflour, parsley |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crisp
To get the perfect crisp, there are several steps you can take before and during the cooking process. Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of potatoes. Floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or Rooster, are recommended for a crispier exterior and a fluffier interior. Alternatively, you can use sweet potatoes for a unique flavour. If you want neater-looking chips, peel the potatoes and trim away the rounded edges to create rectangular blocks. Cut these blocks into batons—a thickness between fries and thick chips is ideal. However, if you don't mind the appearance, you can leave the potatoes unpeeled and cut them into chips without trimming.
Before cooking, thoroughly dry your potatoes. You can do this by rinsing them in cold water and then spreading them onto a layer of paper towels or clean kitchen towels to pat them dry. Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving a crunchy texture. Next, toss the potatoes with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice, such as avocado oil or canola oil. Make sure the potatoes are evenly coated, and be careful not to use too much oil, as it can make your chips less crispy. You can also add salt and pepper or other seasonings of your choice at this stage.
Now, you can arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a greased tray in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to cook at 180°C for 20 to 30 minutes, tossing the potatoes every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Thinner chips will take less time to cook, while thicker chips may require a few extra minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not crisp enough, you can always put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.
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The best potatoes for air fryer chips
To prepare your potatoes, peel them or leave the skin on for a more rustic feel. Then, cut them into thin slices, about 1cm/0.5in thick, using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer. Soaking the potatoes in water for 15-30 minutes can help to remove excess starch and prevent them from sticking together during cooking. However, some recipes recommend skipping this step. After slicing and soaking, be sure to thoroughly dry your potatoes with paper towels or clean kitchen towels, as potatoes that are not completely dry may turn out soggy.
Once your potatoes are prepared, preheat your air fryer to 360°F-400°F (180°C-200°C) for 10 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil, and place the potatoes in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the thickness of your potato slices, air fry for 10-20 minutes, tossing them every 10 minutes or so to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. For skinny chips, cooking will take a few minutes less, while chunky chips will take a few minutes more.
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Oil and seasoning
You can use any cooking oil of your choice for seasoning the chips. Some common options are olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or vegetable oil. The amount of oil used should be minimal, as too much oil can make the chips soggy. The oil is added to the chips in a bowl, and the chips are tossed to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also spritz the oil onto the chips.
For seasoning, you can use salt and pepper, or get creative with spices and herbs. Some popular options include paprika, cornflour, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, ranch seasoning, and dried herbs like rosemary. You can also try more exotic combinations like sour cream and onion powder, barbecue seasoning, or spicy chili and garlic powder. If you want to add cheese, it is recommended to add it towards the end of the cooking process.
If you are using dried herbs or spices that may burn easily, it is best to add them halfway through the cooking process. You can also season the chips after they are cooked.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for air fryer chips depend on the type of potatoes used, the thickness of the chips, and the desired level of crispiness.
For skinny chips, set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 15-20 minutes. Check on them regularly and give them a shake to ensure they don't burn.
For thicker, chunkier chips, increase the cooking time to 20-30 minutes at 360°F. Toss the chips every 10 minutes or so to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the basket.
If you're using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into very thin rounds, about 1/16-inch thick. Rinse and soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the starches, then pat them dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy chips.
If you prefer your chips with the skins on, peel the potatoes first, but leave the skins intact for a rustic look. Cut the potatoes into 1 cm/ 0.5-inch thick chips.
To ensure even cooking, toss the chips with olive oil or a similar cooking oil, such as avocado oil or canola oil, and a generous amount of salt before placing them in the air fryer.
For extra crispiness, you can also add a light coating of cornflour to the chips before tossing them in oil. However, be cautious not to use too much oil, as it can make your chips soggy.
Remember to preheat your air fryer, and always keep an eye on your chips to prevent overcooking or burning.
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Soaking and par-boiling
While some sources claim that there is no need to soak or parboil potatoes before air frying, others suggest that these steps can improve the texture and taste of your chips.
Soaking
Soaking potatoes in cold water helps to remove excess starch, which can result in crispier chips. The ideal soaking time varies, with some sources recommending a minimum of 20 minutes, while others suggest rinsing and repeating until the water runs clear. If you're short on time, you can skip the soaking and simply rinse and dry the potatoes before proceeding to the next step.
Par-boiling
Par-boiling potatoes for 5 to 8 minutes helps break down starches and improves the texture of the chips. It also reduces the cooking time when using other frying methods. Par-boiling can be especially beneficial if you plan to season your chips, as it allows the spices to infuse into the softened interior, resulting in a more flavourful chip. After par-boiling, you can choose from various frying techniques, including deep frying, baking, or using an air fryer.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times may vary depending on the type of chip you are making, the type of potato you are using, and the size of your air fryer batches. However, on average, chips made from scratch in an air fryer take between 15 and 30 minutes to cook.
To make your air fryer chips crispy, it is important to remove excess starch and moisture from your potatoes before cooking. This can be done by soaking and thoroughly drying your potatoes prior to cooking. You can also toss your potatoes in a small amount of oil and cornflour before cooking to enhance crispness.
Waxy varieties of potatoes are best for making air fryer chips. For crispy edges, you may want to use a floury potato such as a Maris Piper or Rooster. For a healthier option, use a potato that contains less moisture, such as an Idaho (russet) potato.
You can season your air fryer chips with salt and pepper or olive oil before cooking. After cooking, you can add further seasoning such as fresh parsley, garlic granules, paprika, or grated parmesan.
