Air Fryer Chips: Crispy, Fresh, And Easy!

Making fresh chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The key to success is in the preparation of the potatoes, and the addition of a few simple ingredients. The air fryer's powerful heat will then do the rest, creating crispy, golden chips in around 20 minutes.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type ofsection: potato you choose for your air fryer chips can make a big difference to the final result. Here's what you need to know about selecting the perfect potatoes for your air fryer chips.

Potato varieties

There are several varieties of potatoes that are well-suited for making chips in an air fryer. The best options include:

• Maris Piper
• King Edward
• Rooster
• Yukon Gold
• Sweet potatoes

These types of potatoes tend to have a higher starch content, which helps them crisp up nicely in the air fryer while still retaining a fluffy texture on the inside.

Amount of potatoes

The amount of potatoes you'll need depends on two main factors: the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you want to make. As a general rule, use larger potatoes for a bigger air fryer and a greater number of servings.

Preparation

When preparing your potatoes, you have the option to peel them or simply give them a good scrub and leave the skin on. Leaving the skin on adds a rustic touch to your chips and can also provide some extra texture and flavour. If you do decide to peel your potatoes, consider saving the skins to make crispysection: potato peels as a tasty snack.

Once your potatoes are cleaned and peeled (if desired), it's time to cut them into chip-like shapes. You can use a vegetable slicer/chipper or a sharp knife to get evenly sized chips. The thickness of your chips will depend on your personal preference – thinner slices will result in crispier chips, while thicker slices will give you chunkier, fluffier chips. Just be sure to cut your potatoes into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Soaking

There is some debate among home cooks about whether or not to soak potatoes before air frying. Some people recommend soaking the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which can help prevent the chips from sticking together or burning during cooking. However, others find that simply rinsing the potatoes in water and patting them dry is sufficient and doesn't warrant the extra time and effort of soaking. Ultimately, it's up to your personal preference and the desired level of crispiness.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select your potatoes. Maris Piper, King Edward, or Rooster potatoes are all excellent choices for making chips. The quantity of potatoes you need will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you want to make.

Next, decide whether to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. If you opt to peel them, consider saving the skins for air fryer potato peels, a tasty snack. If you prefer a more rustic look, simply scrub the potatoes well and leave the skin intact.

Now, it's time to cut the potatoes into chip shapes. You can use a vegetable slicer/chipper or a sharp knife to slice them. The thickness of the chips is up to your preference; thicker slices will result in chunky chips, while thinner slices will give you crispy, French-style fries. Just be sure to cut the potatoes evenly to ensure even cooking.

After cutting, transfer the potatoes to a bowl or saucepan of cold water and rinse them thoroughly. This step helps remove excess starch, which can cause the potatoes to stick together or burn during cooking. If you have time, you can soak the potatoes for at least 30 minutes, but a simple rinse will also do the trick.

Once rinsed, use a clean tea towel or kitchen paper to pat the potatoes dry. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of the final product.

At this point, you can season the potatoes with your favourite herbs and spices. Smoked paprika, curry powder, chip seasoning, or just salt and pepper are all excellent choices. You can also experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.

Finally, add a small amount of oil to the potatoes. You can use a spray bottle or drizzle the oil and toss the potatoes to coat them evenly. Using oil is optional, but it does enhance the flavour and texture of the final product.

Now that your potatoes are prepared, it's time to move on to the next step – cooking them in the air fryer!

Oil and seasoning

The amount of oil you'll need depends on the type of fryer you have. If you have a paddle-type air fryer, you'll need about 1 tablespoon of oil. If you have a basket-type fryer, you'll need about 2 tablespoons of oil. You can also use an oil spray bottle to distribute the oil evenly.

When it comes to choosing the type of oil, it's best to go with a neutral-tasting frying oil such as rapeseed, sunflower, vegetable, or olive oil.

Before adding the oil, make sure your potatoes are dry. You can pat them with a clean tea towel or some kitchen roll.

Once your potatoes are dry, add the oil and toss the chips until they are evenly coated. You can use your hands to ensure all the chips are covered.

Now it's time to season! You can experiment with different spices and herbs. Some popular options include:

• Smoked paprika
• Curry powder
• Salt and pepper
• Cajun spice
• Garlic salt
• Chilli flakes
• Dried herbs (rosemary is a great option)
• Grated parmesan
• Garlic granules

If you're feeling creative, you can also try making your own seasoning blends. For example, you could make a lemon and rosemary salt or a barbecue seasoning mix.

After seasoning, give the chips another good toss to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.

And that's it for the oil and seasoning part! Now, you're ready to pop those chips into the air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer chips will depend on the type of potato, the thickness of the chips, and the model of the air fryer.

For thin chips, check on them sooner than thicker-cut chips to ensure they don’t burn. The thicker the chip, the longer the cooking time.

Most recipes recommend a cooking time of 20 to 25 minutes, with some suggesting 30 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the chips and shake the air fryer basket regularly to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

The ideal temperature for cooking chips in an air fryer is between 190°C and 205°C (375°F and 400°F). However, the temperature may vary depending on the model of the air fryer.

It is worth noting that preheating the air fryer is not always necessary, but it can help reduce the cooking time.

Serving suggestions

These homemade air fryer chips are a versatile side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions:

• On homemade bread or brioche buns for a chip butty
• Dipped in sauces like 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
• As a side with meals like lasagne or steak pie
• With your favourite dipping sauce or seasoning—if you have guests over, use a crinkle cutter and sprinkle over onion powder
• For a spicysection title: spicy kick, coat the chips in curry powder or hot paprika seasoning, or black pepper before air frying
• For children, serve these chips with banana bread or 3-ingredient oat cookies
• Pair with a grilled piece of chicken or steak
• Dip them in vegan sour cream or vegan mayo
• For a dill-pickle spin, swap the parsley with fresh dill
• Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan to the cooked chips; to keep the recipe vegan, use nutritional yeast instead (spritz the chips with water first to help the powder stick)
• For a barbecue flavour, toss the chips with barbecue seasoning or a dry rub; add extra cayenne or chilli powder to adjust the spice level according to your preference

Frequently asked questions