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

Making potato chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to frying them in oil. They are crispy, crunchy, and golden brown. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Russet, Idaho, or Yukon Gold, and slice them thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Soaking the potato slices in cold water for around 15 minutes helps remove excess starch and ensures crispiness. After soaking and drying the potatoes, season them with salt, pepper, or other spices of your choice. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F and place the potato slices in a single layer, cooking for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy your homemade potato chips as a snack or a side!

Choosing the right potatoes

When making air fryer chips, the type of potato you use is important. The best potatoes for air fryer chips are those that are starchy, as this helps them to crisp up.

Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer chips as they are starchy and have less moisture than other types of potatoes. Idaho potatoes are also a good option for the same reasons.

Yukon Gold potatoes are also recommended for air fryer chips. They have a creamy flavour and crisp up well. They are a good balance of starchy and waxy.

When choosing potatoes, look for those that have a firm texture and no cuts, bruises or discolouration. Avoid green potatoes, which will have a bitter taste.

Slicing the potatoes

Once you have your mandoline, set it to the thinnest level or adjust it to cut slices of about 1/16 of an inch (2 mm) thick. Carefully cut the potatoes into thin slices using the mandoline. If your potatoes are large, you may want to cut them in half or quarters lengthwise before slicing to make them easier to manage. Try to make the slices as even as possible, as this will help ensure that all your chips cook at the same rate.

If you are having trouble getting thin, even slices with a knife, there are a few alternative tools you can try. A handheld mandoline slicer can be purchased inexpensively and will make it much easier to get thin, even slices. If you don't want to buy a mandoline, you could also try using a potato peeler, although the slices may not be as uniform.

In summary, slicing the potatoes thinly and evenly is key to making crispy air fryer chips. Using a mandoline is the best way to achieve this, but a sharp knife, vegetable peeler, or handheld mandoline slicer can also work. With the right tools and a little practice, you'll be slicing potatoes like a pro!

Soaking the potatoes

To soak the potatoes, start by thinly slicing them using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. The thinner the slices, the crispier the chips will be. 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. You may need to adjust the soaking time depending on the thickness of your slices.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and place them on towels or paper towels. Pat them dry to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as removing the moisture is key to achieving crunchy chips. Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

If you want to enhance the flavour and make your chips even crispier, you can also try soaking the potatoes in other liquids such as vinegar or pickle juice after soaking them in cold water.

Drying the potatoes

First, drain the water from the bowl of potato slices. Then, place the potato slices on a clean towel and pat them dry. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are very dry before you start cooking. If you are using a paper towel, the drying process should only take a few minutes.

If you want to add a little extra flavour to your chips, you can season them while they are still damp so that the seasoning sticks better.

Seasoning the potatoes

The best part about making your own air fryer potato chips is that you can season them however you like. The seasoning possibilities are endless!

Before seasoning, it's important to dry the potatoes as much as possible. This will help them to get extra crispy.

Salt and pepper chips

A classic combination. You can use regular salt or get creative with something like smoked Cheddar salt or truffle salt. Add coarsely ground black pepper for an extra kick.

BBQ chips

Try tossing the chips in BBQ seasoning or a mix of smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and chili powder.

Ranch chips

Sprinkle dry ranch seasoning mix over the potatoes.

Dill pickle potato chips

Add fresh dill, onion powder, and garlic powder. You could also spritz the chips with vinegar for an extra tangy kick.

Sea salt and vinegar chips

Sprinkle the chips with distilled white vinegar powder after cooking, or lightly spritz them with white vinegar before air frying.

Sour cream and onion chips

After cooking, dust the chips with a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder. You could also use ranch dressing and dip mix, but it will have a more assertive flavor.

Cheese chips

Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan to the cooked chips. To keep the recipe vegan, you can use nutritional yeast instead (you may need to spritz the chips with water first to help the powder stick).

Spicy chips

Turn up the heat with some cayenne pepper, chili powder, or garlic powder.

Parsley chips

Add some fresh flavor with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley.

Other seasoning ideas

• Za'atar
• Lemon pepper
• Garlic powder
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Frequently asked questions