Air-Fryer Chips: Crispy, Quick, And Easy

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crispier chips with less fat and fewer calories than their deep-fried counterparts. The process is simple: slice potatoes, soak them in water, pat them dry, season, and air fry! The key to crunchy chips is removing the excess starch by soaking the potatoes in water and ensuring they are dry before cooking. You can also add a small amount of oil to help the chips crisp up. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of potato and air fryer used, but generally, chips will be done in around 20 minutes. So, if you're looking for a healthier, easy-to-make snack, air fryer chips are a great option!

Soak potatoes in water to remove starch

Soaking potatoes in water is an important step in making chips in an air fryer as it helps to remove excess starch, which can prevent the potatoes from becoming crispy. The first step is to peel and slice your potatoes into the desired thickness for your chips. Then, load the potatoes into a bowl and cover them with cold water. The potatoes should be soaked in the fridge for a minimum of 15 minutes, but for best results, they can be left for a few hours or even overnight. This will help to draw out more starch and ensure crispier chips. After soaking, the potatoes should be drained and patted dry with a clean towel or kitchen paper.

It is important to note that the soaking time depends on the thickness of the chips. For thicker-cut fries, the potatoes should not soak for more than 24 hours, while thinner shoestring fries should not be soaked for more than 12 hours. If the potatoes are left in the water for too long, they may start to absorb the water, resulting in mushy fries. To avoid this, it is recommended to use the refrigerator to keep the potato water cold, as cold water is essential for drawing out the starch.

Additionally, if the potato water becomes cloudy and starchy, it is a good idea to change it for fresh, cold water to ensure the best results. This will help to remove any remaining starch and ensure that the potatoes cook evenly. Once the potatoes have been soaked and dried, they can be seasoned and cooked in the air fryer according to your preferred recipe.

Dry potatoes thoroughly

Drying the potatoes thoroughly is a crucial step in making crispy chips in the air fryer. After rinsing the potato slices in cold water, it's essential to remove excess moisture by patting them dry with a clean tea towel, kitchen paper, or paper towels. This step ensures that the potatoes are not soggy when placed in the air fryer, promoting even cooking and a crispy texture.

When drying the potatoes, it's important to be gentle and not squeeze or wring them too hard. The goal is to remove the surface moisture without breaking or damaging the potato slices. It's also crucial to ensure that the air fryer basket is dry before placing the potatoes inside.

Additionally, the potatoes themselves should be firm and not overly moist. If they are old or have started to sprout, they may contain more moisture, which can affect the final result. Therefore, it's best to use fresh, firm potatoes for air-frying.

By taking the time to dry the potatoes thoroughly, you'll be well on your way to achieving crispy, golden chips with that satisfying crunch!

Season with salt, pepper, and other spices

Seasoning your chips is an important step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and crispiness to your chips.

Firstly, you should season your chips with salt and pepper. You can add other spices too, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, or Chinese five spice. If you want to make garlic parmesan chips, you can add freshly crushed garlic and vegan parmesan.

You can season your chips before or after cooking them in the air fryer. If you want to season them before, you can add the spices to a large bowl with olive oil and toss the chips in the mixture until they are well coated. If you want to season them after, you can sprinkle the spices on top of the cooked chips.

It's up to you how much salt, pepper, and other spices you add. You may want to start with a small amount and then add more to taste. Remember that you can always add more, but you can't take away!

Layer potatoes in the air fryer

Layering potatoes in the air fryer is a crucial step in making crispy, fluffy chips. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Preparing the Potatoes:

Start by peeling your potatoes. You can use a potato chipper or a sharp knife to cut them into uniform chip-sized pieces. If you're using a knife, slicing the potatoes in half lengthwise first will make the process quicker and easier. Aim for a thickness of around 3/4-inch for your chips.

Soaking and Drying:

Once you have your potato pieces, it's time to remove the excess starch. Place them in a large bowl of cold water and soak them for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps ensure that your chips will be crispy and not overly starchy. After soaking, thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper.

Seasoning and Coating:

Now, it's time to add flavour to your chips. Place the dried potato pieces into a large bowl and drizzle them with a coating of olive oil, canola oil, or cooking spray oil. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are lightly coated. Then, season your chips. You can use a combination of salt, black pepper, and your choice of herbs and spices. For example, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, rosemary, or Cajun seasoning will all add a delicious kick to your chips. Give the potatoes a gentle toss to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 160-200°C. Place the seasoned potato pieces into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. Close the air fryer and cook for about 12 minutes at the lower temperature, shaking the basket several times during this initial cooking period.

Final Crisp:

After the initial cooking time, increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on your chip size and desired crispness. Keep a close eye on them during this final stage, as they can cook quickly and burn if left too long. Again, remember to shake the basket regularly to ensure even cooking.

Serving:

Once your chips are golden and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs and transfer them to a plate. You can sprinkle some additional seasoning or fresh herbs, such as rosemary, on top. Serve immediately while they're nice and hot, or let them cool and store them in an airtight container for later.

Cook at 160C for 12 minutes, then 200C for 10 minutes

So, you've peeled, sliced, soaked, seasoned and oiled your potatoes, and now it's time to cook them. Set your air fryer to 160C and cook your chips for 12 minutes. After this, turn the temperature up to 200C and cook for another 10 minutes.

It's important to shake the basket regularly to ensure the chips don't stick and cook evenly. You'll want to shake your chips at least twice during the second cooking stage. Depending on the size of your chips, they may cook a little faster, so check on them after 5 minutes at 200C.

If your chips are looking a little raw, give them a few more minutes. Cooking times can vary depending on the size of your chips, the type of potato used and the type of air fryer being used.

Frequently asked questions