Air Fryer Potato Chips: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

how to cook potato chips in air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make potato chips that are crispy, golden, and fluffy. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips as they require less oil and can be made in about 15-20 minutes. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon gold potatoes, and season them with salt, pepper, paprika, or even ranch seasoning. The chips can be served as a side dish or enjoyed as a snack on their own.

Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Potato Chips

Characteristics Values
Type of Potato Russet, Idaho, Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, Rooster
Potato Preparation Peel potatoes, cut into thin slices/chips, soak in water, pat dry
Potato Seasoning Cornflour, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, ranch seasoning, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika
Air Fryer Temperature 180C/350F or 325°F
Air Fryer Time 15-20 minutes, shaking the fryer every 5-7 minutes
Potato Characteristics Crispy, golden brown, fluffy, crunchy

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No need to soak or parboil

You might be used to the idea of soaking potatoes in water before frying, but with an air fryer, you can skip this step. Parboiling is also unnecessary. This is because the air fryer's cooking method doesn't require these pre-cooking steps to ensure even cooking or shorten cooking time.

Air frying is a dry heat cooking method, so there's no need to worry about the potatoes absorbing excess oil if you don't soak them first. You can simply slice your potatoes and give them a quick rinse under the tap to remove surface starch, and they'll be ready for the air fryer.

The air fryer's hot air circulation will cook the potato chips evenly without the need for parboiling, which is a technique typically used to partially cook potatoes before roasting or frying. This means less preparation time and a quicker path to crispy, golden chips.

By skipping the soaking and parboiling, you also get to retain more of the potato's natural flavor and nutrients, which can leach out into the water during those processes. So, not only is it more convenient, but it also produces delicious and healthier results.

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Use olive oil for crispness

Olive oil is an excellent choice for cooking potato chips in an air fryer. It helps the chips become crispy and prevents them from burning. You only need a small amount of olive oil to achieve this effect.

To use olive oil for cooking potato chips in an air fryer, start by thinly slicing your potatoes. A mandoline can help you achieve the desired thickness of 1/16" or very thin slices. Soak the potato slices in ice water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which can make your chips soggy. Drain the water, refill the bowl with cold water, and mix with your hands to clean the chips. Drain the potatoes again and lay them out on a tea towel or paper towels. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are completely dry before cooking, as any remaining moisture can affect crispness.

Once the potatoes are dry, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle or spray olive oil onto the potatoes, using just enough to lightly coat them. Sprinkle salt onto the potatoes and add any additional seasonings of your choice, such as black pepper. Toss the potatoes to evenly coat them with oil and seasonings.

Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket can prevent the chips from crisping up properly. Set the air fryer to 325°F and cook the chips for 15-20 minutes, shaking and flipping them every 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on the chips, and remove them from the air fryer once they are golden brown and crispy.

Using olive oil in this way will help you achieve crispy and delicious potato chips without the need for deep-frying in a pot of hot oil.

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Russet potatoes are best

To make potato chips in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 180C/350F or 325°F. Peel the potatoes and trim away any rounded edges to create straight, neat chips. Cut the potatoes into thin slices, about 1/16-inch thick. Place the potato slices in a large bowl and cover with cold or ice water. Soak for 5-10 minutes, then drain and pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean tea towel.

Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray, such as olive oil, and place a single layer of sliced potatoes on top. Spritz with more oil and season with salt, or other seasonings of your choice, such as cornflour, paprika, pepper, or ranch seasoning. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, tossing the potatoes with tongs every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are ready when they are dark golden and crisp.

Your homemade potato chips will be golden, crispy, and crunchy with very little oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips.

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Add cornflour for extra crispness

Air fryer potato chips are a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried chips. They are golden, crispy, crunchy, and can be made with very little oil.

To make your chips extra crispy, toss the potatoes in cornflour after cutting them. Cornflour forms a light, crunchy coating that gives the chips a great texture when cooked. After coating the potatoes in cornflour, add a small amount of oil and toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. You can also add salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika for extra flavour. The paprika will also add a smoky colour to the chips.

Before adding the coated potatoes to the air fryer, preheat the air fryer for a few minutes. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the basket in an even layer, with no more than two layers of potatoes overlapping. Air fry for 20 minutes, tossing them with tongs every 5 to 7 minutes so they cook evenly. If some chips finish earlier than others, remove them to a plate as they are ready.

Your chips will be perfectly crispy, crunchy, and golden. They are best eaten freshly cooked but can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

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Flavouring options

There are many ways to flavour your homemade potato chips. You can season them with salt and pepper, or add a few grinds of fresh black pepper for a salt and pepper variation. You can also add some olive oil and a sprinkle of cornflour for extra crispness.

For a spicy kick, try adding 1 teaspoon of chilli powder, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Alternatively, you can make sour cream and onion chips by tossing your cooked chips with 1 tablespoon of buttermilk powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

If you're a fan of barbecue chips, mix 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon of chilli powder. For a more subtle flavour, try ranch seasoning—add 1 1/2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix to the potatoes, and if you like a strong flavour, sprinkle some more over your cooked chips.

You can also experiment with different types of salt, such as Himalayan salt or hibiscus-chile salt. For a more indulgent option, try making cheddar-flavoured chips.

Frequently asked questions

It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to cook potato chips in an air fryer.

First, cut the potatoes into thin slices. Then, soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes, place them on paper towels, and pat dry. Next, grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place a single layer of sliced potatoes on top. Spritz with oil, add some salt, and air fry for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Russet potatoes are a good option for making potato chips in an air fryer because they contain less moisture and are starchy, which helps the chips crisp up.

You can add a variety of seasonings to your potato chips such as salt and pepper, ranch seasoning, chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

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