Making Chips In An Air Fryer: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and one of the most popular dishes to cook in them is chips. But how long do they take to cook? Well, it depends on the thickness of the chips and the model of the air fryer. For example, if you cut your potatoes into thin French fries, they will only need 10 minutes of cooking, followed by a mix, and then another 15 minutes in the air fryer. However, thicker-cut chips may need up to 30 minutes in total. It is also important to remember to shake the basket regularly to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess.

How to cut potatoes for air fryer chips

Preparation

Before cutting your potatoes, it's a good idea to rinse them in cold water, especially if they are a bit dirty. Drain and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Cutting the Potatoes

For straight, neat chips, peel the potatoes and trim away all the rounded edges to create rectangular blocks. Cut these blocks into batons—somewhere between fries and thick chips. If they're too thin, they might break; if they're too thick, they won't cook through. If you're not bothered about neatness, you can cut the unpeeled potatoes into chips without trimming.

You can also make the chips chunky, skinny or crinkle-cut. Skinny chips will take a few minutes less to cook, and chunky chips will take a few minutes more.

Soaking the Potatoes

While some recipes suggest that you can skip this step, others recommend soaking the potatoes in ice water for 15-20 minutes to draw out their natural starches, which will give them a great crunch when they cook. It also helps prevent the potatoes from sticking to each other in the air fryer basket. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Seasoning the Chips

Place the potato slices in a large bowl and drizzle them with vegetable oil, olive oil, or a similar cooking oil. Add sea salt and black pepper to taste, and toss to combine and evenly coat. You can also experiment with different seasonings, like garlic powder, lemon pepper, chilli powder, or cayenne pepper.

Cooking the Chips

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Arrange the potato slices in the basket, side by side, in a single layer. Do not crowd the basket, and don't stack the slices. You'll need to cook the chips in batches for 7-10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through, until they are browned and crispy.

Serving the Chips

Taste the chips for salt and adjust accordingly. Let them cool, then serve. These chips are best eaten freshly cooked, but you can store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to a week.

Oil and seasoning

You can air fry chips without oil, but they taste much better with at least a little oil added. You don't need to use much, and it's best to use a neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable oil. You can also use olive oil or a spray bottle to distribute the oil.

Once you've cut your potatoes into chip shapes, add them to a bowl and toss them with oil and your chosen seasonings. You can experiment with different spices and herbs, such as paprika, curry powder, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or dried herbs. You can also add cornflour to the chips before adding the oil and seasoning for some extra crispness.

After coating the chips, add them to the air fryer basket and give them a good shake to ensure they don't stick or burn. Depending on the thickness of your chips, they will take 20-30 minutes to cook, but be sure to check on them regularly to ensure they don't burn. If you want them extra crispy, you can add a little more oil halfway through the cooking process.

For some extra flavour, you can add grated parmesan or dried herbs towards the end of the cooking time.

Air fryer settings

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, healthy chips with minimal mess. The settings you use will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of your chips, and your personal preferences for crispiness. Here are some general guidelines to help you get the perfect chips:

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. This step is not always necessary, but it can help reduce the cooking time.
• Prepare your potatoes by peeling them or giving them a good scrub if you prefer to leave the skin on. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster.
• Cut the potatoes into chip shapes. For thinner French fries, cut them into thin strips. For thicker, chunkier chips, cut them into batons about the size of your index finger.
• Rinse the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is optional, as some people find it doesn't make a significant difference to the final result.
• Dry the potatoes with a kitchen towel or tea towel. This step is important to ensure the oil and seasoning coat the potatoes evenly.
• Add oil to the potatoes. You can use a spray bottle or toss the potatoes in a bowl with oil. Vegetable, sunflower, olive, or rapeseed oil are all good options. You only need a small amount, just enough to coat the potatoes lightly.
• Season the potatoes with your favourite herbs and spices. Paprika, curry powder, garlic, salt, and pepper are all popular choices. You can also add flavourings like Cajun spice, dried herbs, or chilli flakes after the chips are cooked to avoid burning.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded, or they may turn out soggy.
• Set the air fryer to cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chips. For thinner French fries, cook for 10 minutes, mix, and then cook for an additional 15 minutes.
• Check on the chips regularly and shake or turn them to ensure even cooking.
• If you prefer your chips extra crispy, you can add a little more oil or cook them for a few extra minutes.
• Once the chips are golden brown and cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

How long to cook air fryer chips

Air fryer chips are a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook chips. The length of time it takes to cook them depends on the type of chip you want, the thickness of the chips, and the type of air fryer you have.

Preparation

First, peel your potatoes or just scrub them and leave the skin on. Then, slice your potatoes into chip shapes. If you want thinner, French-fry style chips, you will need to check on them sooner than thicker-cut chips to ensure they don't burn.

Cooking Time

For thicker, chunkier chips, you should air fry for 20-25 minutes, checking regularly and shaking/turning them. For thinner, French-fry style chips, cook for 10 minutes, then mix, and then cook for another 15 minutes. You may want to add a little more oil if you want them really crispy.

Tips

• You can add flavouring to your chips either at the start or halfway through cooking. Garlic granules, paprika, grated parmesan (added nearer the end), or dried herbs all work well.
• If you are cooking thinner chips, you will need to check on them sooner than thicker-cut chips to ensure they don't burn.
• If your chips are soggy, you may have overcrowded the basket. Try to give enough space between the chips so they can crisp up all over. Also, remember to shake them.
• You can cook frozen chips in an air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer chips are a versatile side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany your air fryer chips:

Lasagne or Steak Pie

For a hearty meal, serve your air fryer chips with a generous portion of lasagne or a hearty steak pie. The combination of a rich, meaty dish with crispy chips is a classic for a reason!

Chip Butty

For a more casual snack, why not try making a chip butty? Place your air fryer chips on some homemade bread or brioche buns, and don't hold back on the butter! It's a simple yet satisfying option.

Dips and Sauces

Enhance your chip-eating experience with some delicious dips and sauces. Try spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, or classic burger sauce. For an indulgent treat, smother your chips in homemade gravy or upgrade to poutine with cheese curds and gravy.

International Flavours

Take your taste buds on a trip with some international-inspired toppings. Try chilli con carne, smoked cheddar, and soured cream loaded fries for a Mexican twist, or go for the UK classic, poutine, with cheese and gravy.

On the Side

If you're serving air fryer chips as a side dish, they go well with a range of other potato sides, such as air fryer roast potatoes, garlic and coriander potatoes, or air fryer baked potatoes.

Frequently asked questions