Air-Fryer Potato Chips: Quick, Easy, And Crunchy!

Making potato chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to frying them in oil. The air fryer chips are crispy, crunchy, and less greasy than their store-bought counterparts. They are also easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and a handful of steps.

Choosing the right potatoes

First, look for the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are an excellent choice due to their high starch content, which helps them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. They are also readily available in most places, making them a convenient option. However, if you can't find Russet potatoes, don't worry. Yukon Gold potatoes are a great alternative and are known for their creamy flavour. They strike a good balance between starchy and waxy, making them a suitable substitute.

When selecting your potatoes, pay attention to their appearance. Choose potatoes with a firm texture, clean, smooth skin, and no cuts, bruises, or discolouration. Avoid green potatoes, as they contain a chemical called solanine, which gives them a bitter taste. If you do come across green spots, simply cut them away before using the potatoes. Also, if your potatoes have started to sprout, don't worry; you can still use them. Just remember to remove and discard the sprouts before proceeding with your recipe.

Storage is another important factor to consider. To maintain the freshness of your potatoes, store them in a dark, well-ventilated area, preferably between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Perforated plastic bags or paper bags are ideal for extending their shelf life. Additionally, avoid washing the potatoes until you are ready to use them.

Lastly, when preparing your potatoes for air frying, be sure to slice them thinly and evenly. A mandoline slicer is highly recommended for achieving uniform slices, which is key to ensuring even cooking. If you don't have a mandoline, you can use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, but it may be more challenging to get consistently thin slices.

Slicing the potatoes

If you are slicing the potatoes by hand, aim for a similar thickness and try to make the slices as even as possible. This will ensure that all the chips cook evenly and crisp up at the same time.

Once you have sliced the potatoes, place them in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak the potatoes for around 15-20 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, which will give the potatoes a great crunch when they cook and prevent them from sticking together in the air fryer.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and place them on paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Pat them dry thoroughly to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This step is crucial to achieving crispy potato chips. Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Soaking the potatoes

To soak the potatoes, start by slicing them as thinly as possible using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. A mandoline slicer will help you achieve even slices, which is important to ensure that all the chips cook evenly. Place the potato slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water or ice water. Soak the potatoes for around 15-20 minutes.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and add more ice water to the bowl. Soak the potatoes for an additional 15 minutes. This extended soaking time will help ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly crisp when cooked.

Once the potatoes have soaked for the second time, drain them again and place them on towels or paper towels. Pat the potatoes dry to remove any excess moisture. Removing this moisture is key to achieving crunchy potato chips.

At this point, your potatoes are ready to be seasoned and placed in the air fryer!

Drying the potatoes

First, place the sliced potatoes on a clean surface, such as paper towels or kitchen towels. It is important to spread them out evenly to allow for more effective drying. You can also use a colander for this step if you prefer.

Next, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Make sure to blot away any visible moisture to ensure the potatoes are thoroughly dried. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of the final product.

Once the potatoes are patted dry, return them to a clean, dry bowl. It is important to ensure that the bowl is completely dry before adding the potatoes back in.

At this stage, you can proceed to add the oil, salt, and any desired seasonings to the potatoes. Toss the potatoes in the bowl to ensure they are evenly coated.

After drying and seasoning the potatoes, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 325°F to 400°F, depending on your preference and the specific model of your air fryer.

By following these steps, you will have successfully dried your potatoes and prepared them for cooking in the air fryer. This process is essential to achieving the desired crispiness and texture of your homemade potato chips.

Seasoning the potatoes

Now comes the fun part: seasoning your potatoes! You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of salt, or go wild with any seasoning of your choice. Here are some ideas to get you started:

BBQ seasoning

For a smokey, slightly spicy flavour, try tossing your potatoes in BBQ seasoning before air frying. You can also make your own mix with smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and chilli powder.

Ranch seasoning

For a creamy, tangy flavour, sprinkle dry ranch seasoning mix over your potatoes. You can also use ranch dressing and dip mix, but be aware that it will add a more assertive flavour.

Salt and vinegar

For a classic flavour combination, sprinkle your potatoes with salt before cooking, then sprinkle with distilled white vinegar powder or lightly spritz with white vinegar after cooking.

Sour cream and onion

For a creamy, savoury flavour, dust your potatoes with a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder after cooking.

Spicy

Turn up the heat with a blend of spices such as chilli powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.

Dill

Add some fresh dill, onion powder, and garlic powder to your potatoes for a tangy, pickle-inspired flavour. You can also spritz them with vinegar for an extra punch.

Cheese

Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan cheese to your cooked potatoes. For a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead. You may need to spritz the potatoes with water first to help the powder stick.

Black pepper

Add some coarsely ground black pepper to your potatoes for a classic, savoury flavour.

Sea salt

Sea salt will add a briny, savoury note to your potatoes.

Garlic salt

For a savoury, garlicky flavour, use garlic salt in place of regular salt.

Truffle salt

Truffle salt will give your potatoes an earthy, umami flavour.

Cayenne pepper

A little cayenne pepper will add a kick of heat to your potatoes.

Once you've seasoned your potatoes, it's time to cook them! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, or two layers if your potatoes are very thin. Air fry at 325°F to 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Frequently asked questions