Air-Fried Triple Chips: Crispy, Golden, Perfect

how to cook triple cooked chips in an air fryer

Triple-cooked chips are a type of potato chip (French fry) that is cooked three times, resulting in a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. They are typically served in high-end restaurants and require more time and effort than traditional chips. Air-fried triple-cooked chips are healthier than deep-fried chips as they use less oil. The process of making triple-cooked chips in an air fryer involves blanching the chips, followed by double frying them in the air fryer. The chips are then seasoned with salt or flavoured salt. The result is a delicious, crispy, and fluffy chip that is worth the extra effort.

Triple-Cooked Chips in an Air Fryer

Characteristics Values
Type of Potato Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster
Potato Shape Chips, fries, steak-cut chips, wedges, batons
Potato Skin Peeled or unpeeled
Oil Yes or no
Oil Type Rapeseed, sunflower oil, truffle oil
Seasoning Salt, paprika, curry powder, Parmesan, dried herbs, chip seasoning, garlic granules, flavoured salt, truffle oil
Air Fryer Temperature 140-200°C/340-400°F
Cooking Time 15-30 minutes
Additional Steps Blanching, boiling, shaking the fryer, pre-heating the fryer, soaking in cold water

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Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

Select potatoes that are suitable for making chips. Varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster are recommended by chefs and home cooks alike. These potatoes tend to have the right balance of starch and moisture content, resulting in crispy yet fluffy chips.

Starch Content

The starch content of potatoes plays a vital role in the final texture of your chips. Choose potatoes with a higher starch content if you prefer crispier chips. On the other hand, if you like your chips softer, opt for potatoes with a lower starch content. You can also reduce the starch content by soaking or rinsing the cut potatoes in cold water before cooking.

Potato Size and Shape

Consistency in the size and shape of your potato chips is key to even cooking. Aim for uniform, thick-cut chips. Avoid cutting them too thin, as they may break, and don't make them too thick, or they won't cook through properly. A rectangular shape is ideal, so consider trimming away any rounded edges before cutting the potatoes into batons.

Peeled or Unpeeled

The decision to peel or not to peel the potatoes is a matter of preference. Peeled potatoes will give you a more traditional chip appearance, while leaving the skin on adds a rustic look and extra nutrients. If you do peel them, consider using the potato skins for a tasty snack in your air fryer.

Freshness

Always choose firm, fresh potatoes for air frying. Older potatoes tend to have a higher sugar content, which can affect their texture and taste during the frying process. Look for potatoes that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, taut skin.

Remember, the key to successful triple-cooked chips in an air fryer is taking the time to select the right potatoes and prepare them properly. Don't be afraid to experiment with different varieties and cutting techniques to find your perfect chip!

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Blanching the potatoes

Blanching is the first step in making triple-cooked chips in an air fryer. It is a simple process but requires attention to detail.

First, select your potatoes. Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster potatoes are recommended for making chips. You can choose to peel the potatoes or simply scrub them and leave the skin on. Leaving the skin on is a nutritious option and can add a unique look to your chips. Next, cut the potatoes into thick, steak-cut chips. The size of your chips is important; they should be cut into rectangular blocks, somewhere between fries and thick chips. If they are too thin, they may break, and if they are too thick, they may not cook through. Aim for chips that are about 2x3cm thick.

Once you have cut your potatoes, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove the excess starch. This step will help ensure that your chips are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Bring a large pan of unsalted water to a boil. Carefully add the potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until they are soft but still hold their shape. Do not overcook the potatoes at this stage, as you want them to remain slightly firm. Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes from the water, and place them on a clean, dry tea towel to absorb any excess moisture. Allow them to steam-dry for a few minutes until they are cool to the touch.

Now your potatoes are blanched and ready for the next step of the triple-cooking process!

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Preparing the air fryer

Choose the Right Potatoes

Select potatoes that are suitable for chip-making. Varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster are recommended. The number of potatoes you use will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you need.

Peel or Scrub

Decide whether you want to peel your potatoes or simply scrub them. Peeled potatoes will look more like traditional chips, but leaving the skin on adds extra nutrients and a unique appearance. If you do peel them, consider saving the skins for a tasty snack.

Cut the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into thick, chunky chips. You can use a vegetable slicer/chipper or a sharp knife. Aim for a uniform size to ensure even cooking. The ideal thickness is somewhere between fries and thick chips—too thin, and they may break; too thick, and they won't cook through.

Soak or Rinse

Some recipes suggest soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. However, an alternative method is to simply rinse them thoroughly under cold water, which is a quicker process.

Seasoning (Optional)

Before placing the chips in the air fryer, you can experiment with different seasonings. Try using smoked paprika, chip seasoning, curry powder, salt, and pepper, or a combination of these. You can also add oil at this stage, tossing the chips to ensure they are evenly coated, although some prefer to add oil later in the process.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is not always necessary, but it can help reduce the overall cooking time. If you choose to preheat, set the temperature to around 200°C/400°F.

Cooking Time

Place the chips in the air fryer basket and set the timer. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and your desired level of crispiness. Check the chips regularly and give them a shake or turn to ensure even cooking. The typical cooking time is around 20 to 25 minutes, but this may vary.

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Adding oil and seasoning

When it comes to adding oil and seasoning to your triple-cooked chips, there are a few different methods you can use. Some recipes suggest adding oil to a large bowl first, followed by the chips, and then tossing them so they are evenly coated. You can then add your seasoning of choice to this bowl and mix again before transferring the chips to the air fryer. Other recipes suggest adding the chips directly to the air fryer first, then spraying them with oil, and finally sprinkling your chosen seasoning on top.

The type of oil you use is important. Rapeseed or sunflower oil, for example, are recommended over olive oil. You can also use truffle oil for a more gourmet option. You can also use an oil spray bottle to distribute the oil evenly, which is a great way to control the amount of oil you are using.

As for seasoning, the options are endless. You can use salt, flavoured salt, paprika (smoked or regular), curry powder, chip seasoning, garlic granules, grated parmesan, dried herbs, or just plain old salt and pepper. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to find a combination that suits your taste.

Don't be afraid to get creative and try out different oils and seasonings until you find your perfect combination. Remember, the key to getting crispy chips is to ensure they are evenly coated in oil, so don't skip this step!

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Serving suggestions

Triple-cooked chips are typically served in high-end restaurants and are a great healthier alternative to deep-fried chips. They are perfect as a side to your favourite meal or on their own with a dipping sauce.

When it comes to serving suggestions, you can keep it classic with a sprinkle of salt or flavoured salt. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs such as paprika, curry powder, garlic, or chip seasoning. For a more indulgent option, try truffle oil or sour cream and chive dip. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle some spice blends like Cooks' Ingredients Gunpowder Spice Blend on your chips before serving.

For a heartier meal, serve your triple-cooked chips with chicken wings or chicken thighs. They are also a great addition to a Sunday roast dinner. If you're feeling creative, try making Air Fryer Indian Potatoes (aka Bombay Potatoes) or Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes with Mexican flavours.

Don't forget to adjust the seasoning and cooking time based on your preferences and the type of potato you use. Enjoy your triple-cooked chips!

Frequently asked questions

Triple-cooked chips are typically served in high-end restaurants and require more time and effort than traditional chips. The result is a deliciously crispy and fluffy chip. Air Fryer triple-cooked chips are chips that are air-fried rather than deep-fried.

First, blanch the chips in a large pan of unsalted water for 10-15 minutes. Then, preheat the air fryer to 140 degrees Celsius and add the chips, cooking them for 15 minutes. Next, set the air fryer to 170 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Finally, set the air fryer to 210 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes, or until the chips are crispy and golden brown.

Use potatoes with high starch content for crispier chips. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized, thick chips. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes can help remove excess starch. You can also experiment with different seasonings like paprika, curry powder, salt, and pepper.

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