Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a great way to make fried foods healthier, and they're especially useful if you're following a Weight Watchers program. You can cook a variety of chips in an air fryer, including potato, tortilla, and apple. Air fryer chips are a healthier alternative to store-bought chips, and they tend to be crispier and fresher. They're also a cheap and easy way to use up leftover tortillas or apples. In this article, we'll provide step-by-step instructions for making delicious and healthy chips in a Weight Watchers air fryer.
Characteristics and Values Table for Weight Watchers Air Fryer Chips
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of potato | Floury potatoes, such as sebago or golden delight |
| Potato slice thickness | 5mm-thick sticks or 1cm-thick slices |
| Soaking time in cold water | 20-30 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature | 170°C-200°C |
| Cooking time | 13-20 minutes |
| Additional toppings | Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper |
| Serving size | 3-4 tortillas worth of chips |
| Points per serving | 3 points |
| Calories per serving | 191 |
| Suitable for | Weight Watchers program |
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What You'll Learn
Potato chip preparation
First, select the right potatoes. Floury potatoes, such as sebago or golden delight, are the best choice for air-fryer chips because waxy varieties won’t get as crispy. Cut the potatoes into thin slices, about 1cm thick. Then, cut each slice into 5mm-thick sticks. Soak the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help remove some of the starches and keep them from becoming gummy when cooked.
After soaking, drain the potatoes in a colander and spread them out on a large tray lined with paper towels. Blot with extra paper towels until they are completely dry. Next, return the potatoes to the bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing to ensure they are lightly coated. Preheat your air fryer to 170°C. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 170°C for 13-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally during the cooking process. Increase the temperature to 200°C and air fry for another 11-13 minutes, or until the chips are lightly golden. Transfer the chips to a clean bowl and season with salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Toss well, then return the chips to the air fryer basket and cook for a final 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
You can also experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to add extra flavour to your chips. For example, you could try adding garlic or onion powder, or even nacho cheese seasoning if you're not following a strict healthy eating plan.
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Air fryer settings
Air fryers work like miniature convection ovens, continuously circulating hot air around the food placed in the machine's cooking basket. This ensures the outside of the food turns crispy and crunchy, while the inside remains tender.
When cooking potato chips in a Weight Watchers air fryer, it is recommended to first cut the potatoes into thin slices or sticks. The potatoes should then be soaked in a bowl of cold water for 20 to 30 minutes to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess. After soaking, pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel, and season with salt, oil, and any other desired seasonings. Ensure the potatoes are well coated.
Next, preheat the air fryer to 170°C or 350°F, and lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the potatoes in the basket in small batches to avoid overcrowding, and air fry for 13 to 20 minutes at 200°F, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. For the final few minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F or 200°C, and cook until the potatoes are golden and crispy.
For tortilla chips, a similar process is followed. Corn tortillas are cut into triangles and arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket. They are then air-fried at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes until brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
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Cooking time and temperature
When it comes to cooking time and temperature, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, the potatoes should be sliced thinly, around 5mm thick, and soaked in cold water for at least 20 minutes to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess. After drying and seasoning the potatoes, they are ready for the air fryer.
For potato chips, the air fryer should be preheated to 170°C. Then, the basket should be lightly sprayed with oil, and the potatoes should be placed inside in small batches to ensure even cooking. The initial cooking time is around 13-15 minutes at this temperature, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.
The temperature should then be increased to 200°C, and the potatoes should be cooked for a further 11-13 minutes, again shaking the basket occasionally. Finally, the temperature remains at 200°C for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking, resulting in golden and crispy chips.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the air fryer model and the desired crispiness of the chips. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a close eye on the chips during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning.
For apple chips, the cooking time and temperature differ slightly. The apples are sliced thinly and seasoned with cinnamon and salt. They are then placed in the air fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Similar to potato chips, the cooking time for apple chips may vary based on the air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a watchful eye on the apple chips during the cooking process to prevent overcooking.
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Seasoning options
When it comes to seasoning your Weight Watchers air fryer chips, there are several options to choose from. The most basic seasoning is salt, which can be added before or after cooking the chips in the air fryer. You can also add oil to the chips before cooking to help the salt stick and add some extra flavour.
If you're looking for something a little more complex, you could try adding garlic or onion powder to the chips before cooking. For an extra boost of flavour, you could also sprinkle on some parmesan cheese, powdered ranch mix, or even nacho cheese seasoning after cooking, though this may not be suitable for those following Weight Watchers or another healthy eating plan.
If you're making tortilla chips, you can use any corn tortillas, but if you're following the Weight Watchers program, it's best to use Mission brand Extra Thin Corn Tortillas. You can also serve your tortilla chips with dips such as Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa, WW Instant Pot Black Bean Dip, or WW Baked Black Bean and Corn Dip.
If you're making apple chips, cinnamon is a popular seasoning choice. You can also add a little oil and salt to the apples before cooking.
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Storage and reheating
If you have any leftover potato chips, store them in an airtight container to prolong their crispiness. You can reheat them in the air fryer if you'd like to eat them warm.
If you're making tortilla chips, store them in an airtight container to keep them crisp. You can reheat them in the air fryer when you want to eat them.
For apple chips, let them cool down after air frying. They will crisp up even more as they dry. You can reheat them in the air fryer if you prefer to eat them warm.
You can also store leftover potato chips in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
If you have leftover tortilla chips, you can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
Floury potatoes, such as sebago or golden delight, are the best choice for air fryer chips. Waxy varieties won't get as crispy.
Cut the potatoes lengthways into 1cm-thick slices, then cut each slice into 5mm-thick sticks.
Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps remove starches and prevents the potatoes from becoming gummy.
Preheat your air fryer to 170°C. Then, increase the temperature to 200°C for the cooking process.
Air fry the chips for 13-15 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking. Then, increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for a further 11-13 minutes. Finally, sprinkle with seasoning and air fry for another 3-5 minutes.
