Air Fryer Raw Chips: The Perfect Crunchy Treat

how to cook raw chips in air fryer

Air fryers are a quick, easy, and mess-free way to cook homemade chips. They require minimal preparation and are healthier than deep-fried chips as they use less oil. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, King Edwards, Maris Piper, or Rooster, and cut them into your desired shape and thickness. After tossing them in a mixture of oil and seasoning, they can be placed directly into the air fryer and cooked for 20-30 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Raw Chips in an Air Fryer

Characteristics Values
Potatoes Maris Piper, King Edward, Yukon Gold, Rooster
Potato Preparation Peel potatoes or leave the skin on for a rustic feel; cut into chip-like shapes, the thinner the crispier
Potato Soaking Not necessary; some recipes suggest soaking in cold water to remove excess starch but this is not required
Oil Olive oil, vegetable oil, or a cooking spray
Seasoning Salt, garlic salt, lemon and rosemary salt, paprika, curry powder, chip seasoning, cornflour, pepper, garlic granules, grated parmesan, dried herbs
Air Fryer Temperature Preheat to 200°C/400°F
Air Fryer Time 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chips and the air fryer model; shake the basket occasionally to prevent burning
Serving With dips, sauces, or gravy

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Potato varieties for air fryer chips

When it comes to choosing the right type of potato for air fryer chips, it's important to consider the starch content and moisture level of the potato variety. Starchy potatoes, also known as floury or mealy potatoes, are recommended for air fryer chips because they contain less moisture and will result in crispier chips.

  • Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) are a popular choice for air fryer chips because of their high starch and low moisture content. They are widely available and known for their ability to get crispy when fried.
  • Yukon Gold potatoes are a good substitute if you don't have Russets. They are considered all-purpose potatoes and fall somewhere in between waxy and starchy.
  • Maris Piper or Rooster potatoes are floury varieties that are commonly used for chips, and they can also work well in an air fryer. These varieties have a higher starch content, which can result in crispier edges.

It's important to note that waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, are generally not recommended for air fryer chips as they tend to turn chewy instead of crispy.

Now, let's go through the steps of making raw chips in an air fryer:

  • Potato Preparation: Peel the potatoes or leave the skin on for a rustic look. Cut the potatoes into rectangular blocks by trimming away the rounded edges. Then, cut these blocks into batons that are between fries and thick chips in size. Avoid cutting them too thin or too thick to ensure even cooking.
  • Toss with Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle olive oil over the potato batons and toss to coat them evenly. You can also add seasonings like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs at this stage for extra flavour.
  • Air Fry: Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to between 325°F and 400°F, depending on the model and your preference. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  • Cool and Serve: Once the chips are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. This will allow them to crisp up even further. Finally, serve the chips with your favourite dip or as a side dish.

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Oil and seasoning

While you can cook air fryer chips without oil, adding a little oil will make them taste better. You can use a tablespoon of oil and toss the chips in a bowl to evenly coat them before placing them in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use your hands to ensure the chips are covered in oil. If you want your chips to be crispier, you can add a little more oil. You can also use an oil spray bottle to distribute the oil evenly.

For the oil, you can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or a neutral cooking oil such as sunflower or rapeseed oil.

You can season the chips with your favourite spices, herbs, or seasoning blends. Some common seasonings used for air fryer chips include salt, pepper, paprika, curry powder, garlic granules, grated parmesan, dried herbs, and onion powder. You can also experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your preferred flavour.

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Preparing the potatoes

First, select your potatoes. Maris Piper, King Edward, and Rooster potatoes are all great options for making chips. You can also use sweet potatoes if you don't have regular potatoes at home. The number of potatoes you'll need depends on the size of your air fryer and how many servings you want to make.

Next, you'll want to peel the potatoes. Some people prefer to leave the skin on for a more rustic look and texture, but if you're going for that classic chip texture and colour, it's best to peel them. Don't throw away those peelings, though! You can season them and pop them into the air fryer for a tasty snack.

Once your potatoes are peeled, it's time to cut them into chip shapes. For straight, neat chips, trim the potatoes into rectangular blocks, then cut those blocks into chip-sized batons. Be sure to cut them evenly so that they cook evenly. If you want skinny fries, slice them thinly; for chunky chips, cut thicker slices.

Now, you can choose to soak your potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which can prevent burning. However, some people find that this step is unnecessary and prefer to simply rinse the potatoes in water or skip this step altogether. If you're short on time, you can certainly skip the soaking and still get great results.

After your potatoes are cut and rinsed or soaked, it's time to dry them and add some seasoning. Give them a good shake to remove any excess water, then toss them in a bowl with some oil and your choice of seasoning. You can use olive oil or another cooking oil, and season with salt and pepper, paprika, garlic salt, or any other spices you like. You can also add cornflour for extra crispness.

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Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for raw chips in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the chips and the model of the air fryer. Chunky chips will take longer to cook, while skinny chips will take less time. Most sources recommend cooking the chips for 20 to 25 minutes at 200°C/400°F, but some sources suggest cooking them for up to 30 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on the chips during cooking and give them a shake or a mix a few times to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

One source recommends preheating the air fryer to 200°C/400°F to reduce the cooking time. However, this step is not necessary, and the chips can still be cooked without preheating the air fryer.

It's also worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of the air fryer. For example, one source tested their recipe in a Tefal ActiFry Genius XL 2-in-1 air fryer, which has two sections: a bowl with a paddle and a tray. The cooking time for this specific model was set to 30 minutes, but the chips may need an additional 5 minutes if they are not tender and cooked through after the initial cooking time.

Additionally, the type of potato used can also affect the cooking time. Floury potatoes such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster are recommended for making chips, but other varieties such as Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes can also be used.

Overall, it's important to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on the specific air fryer model, the thickness of the chips, and the type of potato used. Checking on the chips regularly and giving them a shake or a mix will help ensure they are cooked to the desired doneness and prevent overcooking or burning.

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Serving suggestions

Air fryer chips can be served as a side dish or a snack. They go well with a variety of main dishes, such as lasagne, steak pie, and chicken wings or thighs. For a snack, try them on homemade bread or brioche buns for the ultimate chip butty, or dip them in spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, or classic burger sauce. You can also smother them in homemade gravy or upgrade to poutine, salt and pepper chips, or pizza fries.

For a tasty kitchen shortcut, try Jamie Oliver's frozen range of next-level chips.

If you're making skinny fries, they will take a few minutes less than chunky chips. If you're serving them as a side, you can also sprinkle them with salt and pepper, or finish with a shake of vinegar.

For a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips, try using an air fryer. Air-fried chips are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them perfect for a Sunday roast dinner.

Frequently asked questions

It takes around 20 to 25 minutes to cook raw chips in an air fryer. The time may vary depending on the thickness of the chips and the model of the air fryer.

Maris Piper, King Edward, and Rooster potatoes are recommended for making air fryer chips.

No, there is no need to soak or parboil the potatoes before air frying. Simply cut the potatoes and put them directly into the air fryer.

You can experiment with different seasonings such as paprika, curry powder, chip seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also try garlic salt, lemon and rosemary salt, or standard table salt.

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