Air Fryer Avocado Chips: Quick, Easy, And Healthy Snack

Avocado chips in an air fryer are a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional, greasy French fries. They are crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. Avocado chips are also a perfect combination of textures for any fried dish. They can be served with a variety of dips, such as salsa, garlicky aioli, or spicy mayo. The recipe is simple and quick to make, perfect for a busy weeknight or when you're craving a snack.

Choosing the right avocado

Colour

Avocados start out bright green and gradually darken as they ripen. A ripe avocado will have skin that is dark green to nearly black, possibly with black speckles. If you're looking for an avocado to use in a few days, choose one that is a darker shade of green, and it will ripen at room temperature within four to five days.

Texture and Firmness

Feel the avocado's texture. Ripe avocados will have bumpy skin. Give the avocado a gentle squeeze. If it yields to gentle pressure without feeling mushy and springs back to shape, it is ripe. If it doesn't give at all, it is unripe, and if it feels mushy, it is overripe.

Weight

A heavier avocado is generally a good sign, as it indicates a higher moisture content and, therefore, a fresher fruit. A lighter avocado may be dried out or rotten inside.

Stem

While you don't need to look for a fully intact stem, the little "hat" on top of the avocado, where the stem attaches, is essential for slow, steady ripening. It helps keep the interior of the fruit moist and prevents oxidation or drying. If the stem is firmly attached, the avocado is less ripe, and if it's looser, it's probably ready to eat.

Skin

Inspect the avocado's skin for any obvious signs of damage, such as dry spots or bruises, which could indicate mealy, brown flesh underneath. Also, check for large indentations, as these may be a sign that the fruit has been bruised.

Avoiding Overripe Avocados

Avoid avocados that feel very mushy to the touch, have deep indentations, or have darker yellow or brownish flesh showing through the skin. Overripe avocados may also have a rancid, squash-like smell.

Remember, the perfect avocado for avocado chips will be slightly under-ripe, so aim for one that is firm yet yields slightly to pressure.

Preparing the avocado

Avocados are the star of the show, so it's important to select the right ones. You want your avocados to be ripe but still slightly firm. They should be able to hold their shape when sliced and give slightly when pressed. Avoid avocados that are too mushy or too firm.

To prepare the avocados, start by slicing them in half lengthwise and removing the seed. Then, carefully peel the skin away. To do this, gently slide your thumb between the avocado and the skin to gently peel it off. With the skin removed, slice the avocado into wedges or fries. Try to keep the slices as even as possible to ensure even cooking. Depending on your preference, you can also slice the avocado into halves and stuff them with fillings after frying.

Once you have your avocado slices ready, it's time to set up your breading station. This process will give your avocado fries a delicious crispy coating. Grab three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Give it a good stir to mix everything together. In the second bowl, beat an egg until it becomes frothy. You can also add a little water to the egg if you like. The third bowl should contain the panko breadcrumbs. If you want to make the recipe gluten-free, simply swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

Now it's time to coat your avocado slices. Start by rolling an avocado slice in the flour mixture, giving it a light tap to remove the excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, followed by the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure to gently press the panko into the avocado to ensure it's evenly coated. Repeat this process with all the avocado slices. If you find that the breadcrumbs are not sticking well, try lightly spraying the avocado slices with cooking oil spray before dipping them into the breadcrumbs.

Breading the avocado

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

Start by setting up your breading station, which will make coating the avocado slices a breeze. Grab three shallow bowls or dishes. In the first bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the breading. This typically includes flour, spices, and sometimes cornmeal or breadcrumbs. For an extra kick, you can add spices like chili powder, hot paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or salt. Mix everything together until well combined.

In the second bowl, prepare the egg wash by beating an egg until it becomes frothy. You can also add a little water to the egg if desired. The egg wash will act as a binder, helping the breading adhere to the avocado slices.

The third bowl will contain the final coating – the breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are highly recommended for air fryer avocado chips as they create an incredibly light and crispy coating. If you want to make the recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Coat the Avocado Slices

Now it's time to coat the avocado slices with your prepared breading. Start by rolling or dredging the avocado slice in the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly. Give it a light tap to remove any excess flour.

Next, dip the floured avocado slice into the egg wash, ensuring it's well coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off before moving on to the final step.

Finally, coat the avocado slice with the breadcrumbs. Gently press the breadcrumbs into the avocado to ensure an even coating. Repeat this process for all the avocado slices, creating an assembly line of sorts to streamline the process.

If you find that the breadcrumbs aren't sticking well, try lightly spraying the avocado slices with cooking oil spray before dipping them into the breadcrumbs. This will help the breadcrumbs adhere better and create an even crispier coating.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Once all your avocado slices are nicely coated, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray or another type of cooking spray. Place the avocado slices in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't overlap.

Gently spray the avocado slices with avocado oil spray or cooking spray to help them achieve that golden, crispy exterior. Now, you're ready to air fry! Set the air fryer to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F, depending on your preference and the air fryer's settings. Cook the avocado chips for about 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden and crispy.

And that's it! You now have perfectly breaded and crispy air fryer avocado chips. Enjoy them as a snack or appetizer, paired with your favorite dipping sauce.

Cooking the avocado

Now it's time to cook those perfectly coated avocado fries in the air fryer! Firstly, lightly grease the air fryer basket with avocado spray. Then, place the avocado fries in a single layer in the basket. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, make sure to use it before putting the avocados inside. It'll make a big difference to the overall cook.

Gently spray the avocado fries with the avocado oil spray. Air fry them at between 360°F and 400°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also try 390°F for 7 minutes, or 375°F for 7 minutes. Once the avocado fries are crispy and golden, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and allow them to cool for a few minutes.

Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket; otherwise, the avocado slices may not cook evenly. You may need to cook them in batches.

Serving the avocado

Dips and Sauces

Avocado fries go well with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some suggestions:

• Spicy ranch dressing: Mix ranch dressing with sriracha hot sauce.
• Spicy mayo: Combine mayonnaise with hot sauce and a squeeze of lime juice.
• Creamy ranch or chipotle aioli sauce.
• Guacamole and salsa.
• Cilantro lime crema: Combine sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and salt.
• Buffalo ranch, plain ranch, or hot sauce.

Main Course Ideas

Avocado fries can also be served as a side dish or appetizer. Here are some main course ideas to serve with your avocado fries:

• Smash burgers
• Chicken tinga tacos
• Tuna melt: Stuff avocados with tuna salad, top with cheese, and air fry for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Chicken salad: Stuff avocados and serve.
• Pulled pork or pulled chicken: Stuff avocados with pulled pork or chicken and top with cheese, if desired. Drizzle with BBQ sauce and serve.
• Scrambled eggs: Fill avocados with scrambled eggs and cheese and top with fresh salsa.
• Vegetarian tacos
• Chicken tinga tacos
• Smash burgers

Storage and Reheating

Avocado fries are best served fresh, as they can get soggy if stored. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until crispy again.

Frequently asked questions