Make Fluffy Chips In Your Air Fryer: Tips And Tricks

There are many ways to make fluffy chips in an air fryer. Some recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in water before air frying, while others recommend skipping this step. One recipe suggests steaming the potatoes in a foil parcel in the air fryer first, but notes that this can be a fire risk. Most recipes agree that thin slices of potato are best, and that olive oil or cooking spray, salt, and pepper are the only other ingredients needed. Some recipes also suggest adding cornflour for extra crispness. The cooking time varies depending on the model of the air fryer, but most recipes suggest cooking the chips for around 20 minutes, shaking the basket every so often to ensure even cooking.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type of potatoes you use will determine the crispiness of your chips. The best potatoes for air fryer chips are those with high starch content, such as Idaho and Russet potatoes. These potatoes crisp up perfectly in the air fryer. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option as they have a creamy flavour and crisp up well. If you're in the UK, Maris Piper or Rooster potatoes are a great choice for fluffy chips with a crispy exterior.

If you want to make sweet potato chips, you can use sweet potatoes instead of common potatoes. However, keep in mind that sweet potato chips will not be as crispy as those made with russet potatoes.

When choosing potatoes, look for those that are dry and starchy, as these are ideal for making fries. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they are not suitable for this purpose. If you want to make roasted red potatoes, you can use waxy potatoes.

For the perfect air fryer chips, select potatoes that are firm and have smooth, blemish-free skins. Avoid potatoes that are sprouting or have a greenish tinge, as these may have a bitter taste.

In terms of quantity, a good rule of thumb is to use 3 large potatoes (1 kg) or 700 g (1 ½ lbs) of floury potatoes for a single batch of chips.

Preparing the potatoes

The first step to making fluffy chips in an air fryer is to prepare the potatoes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Selecting the potatoes

It is recommended to use floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or Rooster, as they will ensure a fluffier chip interior and a crispier exterior. However, other common types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or King Edwards, can also be used.

Step 2: Peeling and cutting the potatoes

Start by peeling the potatoes. If the potatoes are a bit grubby, rinse them in cold water, drain, and pat dry. Then, cut the potatoes into chip-like shapes. You can cut them into thin slices for crispy chips or thicker slices for chunky chips. Try to cut the potatoes into similar-sized chips to ensure even cooking. If you prefer a rustic look, you can leave the skin on.

Step 3: Rinsing and drying the potatoes (optional)

Some recipes suggest rinsing and drying the potatoes to remove excess starch, which can help prevent burning and promote crispiness. Simply place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl, fill it with cold water, and rinse the potatoes by moving them around. Drain the water and repeat the rinsing process until the water runs clear, not white. Then, spread the potatoes on a layer of paper towels or clean kitchen towels and pat them dry.

Step 4: Seasoning the potatoes

Place the dry potatoes in a bowl and add the desired seasonings. For fluffy chips, it is recommended to toss the potatoes in cornflour (cornstarch) first until they are fully coated. This adds extra crispness to the chips. Then, add oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings, such as paprika, and toss again to coat the potatoes evenly. You can also add flavourings like Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or curry powder. However, add these seasonings halfway through the cooking process to prevent burning.

Adding flavour

There are many ways to add flavour to your homemade air fryer chips. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spices and herbs

A variety of spices and herbs can be added to your chips for extra flavour. For example, you could try:

• Paprika
• Cajun spice
• Chilli flakes
• Dried herbs (e.g. rosemary)
• Garlic salt
• Curry powder
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Ranch seasoning
• Chilli powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Dill

Cheesy chips

For cheese lovers, adding some grated parmesan or finely grated parmesan to your chips is a great way to add flavour. If you want to keep the recipe vegan, you can use nutritional yeast instead.

Lemon and rosemary salt

For something a little different, try making your own lemon and rosemary salt to sprinkle on your chips.

Other flavour ideas

• Salt and vinegar
• Barbecue seasoning
• Sour cream and onion
• Parsley

When to add flavour

You can add your chosen flavourings to the chips either at the start of the cooking process or halfway through. If you are using dried herbs, it is best to add them halfway through cooking so they do not burn.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for fluffy chips in an air fryer will depend on the type of potato you use, the thickness of your chips, and the model of your air fryer.

For example, if you are using a floury potato such as a Maris Piper or Rooster, you can cook your chips at 190C/375F for 20 minutes, shaking the fryer every 5 minutes. If you are using a different type of potato, such as a Yukon Gold, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly.

The thickness of your chips will also affect the cooking time. Skinny chips will take less time to cook, while chunky chips will take longer. As a general rule, the thicker the chip, the longer it will take to cook. It's important to keep an eye on your chips to ensure they don't burn.

Different models of air fryers will also have different cooking times and temperatures, so you may need to adjust the settings depending on your particular air fryer. Some air fryers may also have different settings for different types of food, so you can experiment with these settings to find the perfect temperature and cooking time for your fluffy chips.

It's worth noting that you don't need to soak, par-boil, or pre-cook your potatoes before putting them in the air fryer. Simply toss them in cornflour, oil, and seasoning, and they are ready to go into the air fryer.

Serving suggestions

These fluffy chips can be served as a side dish for a variety of meals. Here are some ideas:

• Lasagne
• Steak Pie
• Burgers
• Fishcakes
• Grilled Salmon Burgers
• Mushroom Burger
• Grilled chicken or steak
• Blue Cheese Burger
• Vegan Burger
• Turkey Burgers
• Chicken Tenders
• Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
• Baked BBQ Chicken
• Salmon Croquettes
• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Meatloaf Sandwich
• Steak Sandwich
• BLT

They can also be served as a snack, for example:

• On homemade bread or brioche buns for a chip butty
• Dipped in spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, or classic burger sauce
• Smothered in homemade gravy or upgraded into poutine, salt and pepper chips, or pizza fries
• With your favourite dipping sauce or seasonings
• With onion powder
• Crinkle-cut

Or, if you're feeling creative, you could try making:

• Air fryer potato wedges
• Air fryer smashed potatoes
• Air fryer jacket potatoes
• Air fryer roast potatoes
• Air fryer sweet potato fries

Frequently asked questions