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

If you're craving crunchy chips but don't want the hassle of deep frying, an air fryer is a great alternative. You'll get crispy, golden chips in just 20 minutes, with less oil and mess than traditional frying methods. The key to perfect air fryer chips is to cut your potatoes into thin, even slices, and to dry them thoroughly before cooking. You can also experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour.

Use the right type of potatoes

The type of potatoes you use can make a big difference in how crispy your air fryer chips turn out. While you can technically use any type of potato, some varieties will give you better results than others.

Floury potatoes, such as King Edward, Russet, Maris Piper, or Rooster, are recommended for the crispiest chips. These potatoes contain more starch, which helps them to get that perfect golden crunch. Russet potatoes, in particular, are ideal because they have less moisture and more starch than other types of potatoes, making them ideal for air frying.

If you want to use sweet potatoes, you definitely can, but keep in mind that they won't get as crispy as regular potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes also tend to be less crispy, but they can still work if that's what you have on hand.

When preparing your potatoes, you'll want to cut them into batons or fries that are about 1cm thick. You can peel the potatoes first or leave the skin on for a more rustic look and some extra fibre. Just be sure to cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.

Once your potatoes are cut, give them a quick rinse in cold water and then pat them dry with a clean towel. This step helps to remove excess starch, which can make the potatoes burn before they're fully cooked. After drying, you can proceed to season and cook your potatoes according to your preferred recipe.

Using the right type of potatoes is key to achieving that perfect crunch in your air fryer chips. So, the next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to pick up one of the recommended varieties to ensure your chips turn out crispy and delicious!

Cut the potatoes into thin, evenly-sized chips

To make crunchy chips in an air fryer, you'll want to cut your potatoes into thin, evenly-sized chips. This will ensure that your chips cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:

Step 1: Select the Right Potato Variety

Choose a floury potato variety such as King Edward, Russet, Maris Piper, or Rooster. These types of potatoes are ideal for air fryer chips as they tend to result in crispier exteriors and fluffier interiors.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Give the potatoes a good rinse in cold water, especially if they appear dirty or grubby. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on is also an option. The skin adds a nice crispy texture and is where most of the fibre is found.

Step 3: Cut the Potatoes into Thin, Evenly-Sized Chips

Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, cut the potatoes into thin, evenly-sized chips. Aim for a thickness of about 1 cm (0.5 inches) for the best results. If you're creating straight, neat chips, trim away any rounded edges first to create rectangular blocks before cutting them into batons.

Step 4: Soak the Chips (Optional)

While not mandatory, some recipes suggest soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for a few minutes. This helps remove excess starch and can result in fluffier interiors. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5: Season the Chips (Optional)

At this point, you can season your chips if desired. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and add your preferred seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or experiment with other options like garlic granules, smoked paprika, cayenne, or even cheese. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 6: Cook the Chips

Once your potatoes are cut and seasoned to your liking, it's time to cook them in your air fryer. Place the chips in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer or no more than two layers for optimal crispiness. Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and cooking time, typically around 200°C for 20 minutes. Remember to shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking.

By following these steps and paying close attention to the thickness and evenness of your potato slices, you'll end up with delicious, crunchy chips cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

Rinse and dry the potatoes before cooking

Rinsing and drying potatoes before cooking is an important step in achieving the desired crunchiness and fluffiness of air-fried chips. Here's a detailed guide on this step:

Firstly, it is recommended to peel the potatoes, although leaving the skin on is also an option, especially if you prefer a rustic look or want to save time. If you do peel them, give the potatoes a quick rinse in cold water, focusing on removing any dirt or grime. Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. This initial rinse and dry step ensures that any excess starch is removed, which can cause the potatoes to burn during cooking.

Next, cut the potatoes into your desired shape. For straight, neat chips, trim away the rounded edges to create rectangular blocks, then cut these into batons about 1cm thick. Alternatively, you can simply cut the unpeeled potatoes into chips without trimming if you don't mind a more rustic look.

Once your potatoes are cut, it's a good idea to rinse them again in cold water and then leave them to soak for a few minutes. Soaking helps to remove even more starch, which will result in fluffier chips. After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry once more. This step ensures that your chips will not end up soggy and will cook evenly in the air fryer.

Now your potatoes are ready to be seasoned and cooked! Remember to preheat your air fryer for the best results.

Add oil and seasonings

Now it's time to add the oil and seasonings to your chips. For the oil, you can use a neutral-tasting oil like rapeseed, sunflower, or olive oil. If you want to reduce the amount of oil used, you can also use a cooking spray.

Add your chosen oil, along with salt and pepper, to the bowl of chips. You can also add other seasonings like paprika, garlic granules, onion powder, or dried herbs like rosemary. Give the chips a good mix so that they are evenly coated.

If you want to get creative with your flavours, here are some seasoning blend ideas:

• Mexican
• Chinese five spice
• Cajun
• Italian
• Fajita
• Barbecue
• Dill

For example, to make barbecue-flavoured chips, you can use a blend of paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, smoked paprika, chilli powder, and garlic powder.

You can also add some cornflour to the chips before adding the oil and seasonings. This will give them a little extra crispness. However, some people find that it changes the flavour slightly.

Cook for 20 minutes at 200°C, shaking the basket regularly

Cooking your chips at 200°C for 20 minutes is a crucial step in achieving the perfect level of crunchiness. However, it's important to remember that air fryers can vary, so you may need to adjust the timing slightly for your specific model. Shaking the basket regularly during this 20-minute cook is essential to ensure even cooking and to prevent your chips from sticking or burning.

When air frying chips, it's best to use a floury potato variety, such as Maris Piper, Rooster, or King Edward. These types of potatoes will give you that desired fluffy interior and crispy exterior. Cut your potatoes into batons or fries, aiming for a thickness of about 1cm. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, whichever you prefer.

Before cooking, it's important to rinse and dry your potatoes. Rinsing helps remove excess starch, which can make your chips soggy. After rinsing, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly, as any remaining moisture can impact the crispiness of your chips.

Once your potatoes are prepared, it's time to season them. Toss them with a small amount of oil, such as olive, sunflower, or rapeseed oil. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like paprika, garlic granules, or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours!

Now, it's time to cook your chips. Place them in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 200°C. Let them cook for 20 minutes, remembering to shake the basket regularly to ensure even cooking. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking.

As the cooking time passes, keep an eye on your chips. You want them to achieve a golden brown colour and a crispy texture. If they start to look too dark or smell like they're burning, adjust the temperature or cooking time accordingly. Remember, every air fryer is different, so you may need to adapt the timing slightly to suit your specific model.

When the 20 minutes are up, your chips should be crunchy and golden. Serve them immediately to enjoy that satisfying crispiness! Air fryer chips are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crunchy texture.

Frequently asked questions