Air Fryer Potato Chips: Healthy, Homemade, And Crispy!

Making potato chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to store-bought chips. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients and steps. The process involves thinly slicing potatoes, soaking them in cold water to remove excess starch, seasoning them, and then air-frying them in a single layer. The result is a crispy, crunchy, and addictive snack that can be seasoned in a variety of ways, such as BBQ, ranch, or salt and vinegar.

Choosing the right potatoes

For air-fried potato chips, it is generally recommended to use starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Idaho potatoes. These potatoes contain less moisture and more starch, resulting in chips that are crispier and less greasy. Their larger size also makes them ideal for slicing into even, thin pieces. Additionally, Russet potatoes are rich in fibre and antioxidants, adding to the nutritional value of your snack.

If you do not have access to Russet or Idaho potatoes, there are alternative options available. Yukon Gold potatoes, for instance, are a good middle ground as they possess a balance of starchiness and waxiness. They have a creamy flavour and can also crisp up well, making them a suitable substitute.

However, it is recommended to avoid waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, for air-fried chips as they tend to be less dry and will not yield the desired crispiness. Instead, reserve these waxy varieties for recipes like roasted potatoes.

Preparing the potatoes

Select the Right Potatoes: Choose potatoes that are suitable for air frying, such as Russet or Idaho potatoes. These potatoes have a lower moisture content and are starchier, making them ideal for crispy chips. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, which are a good balance of starchy and waxy.

Slice the Potatoes: Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into very thin slices. The recommended thickness is around 1/16 of an inch (or 2 mm). This ensures that the potato chips cook evenly and become crispy.

Soak the Potato Slices: Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soaking the potatoes helps remove excess starch, which will give them a better crunch when cooked. Soak the potatoes for around 15-20 minutes, changing the water once or twice during that time.

Dry the Potatoes: After soaking, drain the potatoes and place them on paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Pat them dry to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as removing moisture is essential for achieving crispy potato chips.

Season the Potatoes: Return the dried potatoes to a clean, dry bowl. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the potatoes and add your desired seasonings. A sprinkle of salt is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like black pepper, ranch seasoning, BBQ spice blends, or even fresh herbs like dill or parsley. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Seasoning

The fun part about making your own potato chips is that you can experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite combinations. While chips taste great with a sprinkle of salt, they can be taken to the next level with any seasoning of your choice. Here are some ideas to get you started:

BBQ

For a classic BBQ flavour, toss the chips with barbecue seasoning or a dry rub. You can also add extra cayenne or chilli powder to adjust the spice level according to your preferences.

Ranch

Sprinkle dry ranch seasoning mix over the potatoes. If you prefer a stronger ranch flavour, you can also sprinkle additional ranch seasoning over the top of your cooked potato chips.

Salt and Vinegar

For salt and vinegar chips, lightly spritz the chips with white vinegar before air frying. You can also sprinkle the chips with distilled white vinegar powder after cooking.

Sour Cream and Onion

After cooking, dust the chips with a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder. Ranch dressing and dip mix also work here but will add a more assertive flavour.

Spicy

Turn up the heat with this seasoning! Season your potato chips with chilli powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.

Dill

Swap in chopped fresh dill for parsley to give the chips a dill-pickle spin. You can also add onion powder and garlic powder. Optionally, spritz with vinegar.

Cheese

Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan to the cooked chips. To keep the recipe vegan, you can use nutritional yeast instead (although you may need to spritz the chips with water first to help the powder stick).

Black Pepper

Give the chips a little kick with ground black pepper. Add it when you season the potato chips with salt.

Truffle Salt

Truffle salt will add a luxurious, savoury flavour to your potato chips.

Garlic Salt

For garlic lovers, garlic salt will add a punchy flavour to your chips.

Air-frying

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (Russet, Idaho, or Yukon Gold)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Optional seasonings: black pepper, ranch seasoning, barbecue seasoning, dill, etc.

Instructions:

• Slice the Potatoes: Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into very thin slices, preferably 1/16 inch or 2 mm thick.
• Soak the Potatoes: Place the potato slices in a large bowl of cold water and soak for about 15-20 minutes. This step removes excess starch, preventing the chips from sticking together and helping them get extra crispy. Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels.
• Add Oil and Seasonings: Return the dried potatoes to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil or cooking spray. Toss to coat the slices evenly. Sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings.
• Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 375°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer or two staggered layers. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. Air fry for about 15-20 minutes, tossing the potatoes every 5-7 minutes, until they are golden brown and crisp. You may need to cook the potatoes in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Serve and Enjoy: Remove the potato chips from the air fryer and let them cool to room temperature. Air-fried potato chips can be served as a snack, side dish, or appetizer. They pair well with dips like guacamole, Greek yogurt ranch dip, or hummus.

Tips for Success:

• Russet potatoes are ideal for air-fried chips due to their low moisture and high starch content, but Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option.
• Soaking the potatoes is essential for removing excess starch and achieving maximum crispness.
• Be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to prevent sogginess.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavors.
• Store leftover chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze for later enjoyment.

Storing

Air fryer potato chips are best stored in an airtight container or plastic storage bag. They can be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. This will ensure the chips remain fresh and crispy for as long as possible.

When stored correctly, air fryer potato chips can last for up to two weeks. This makes them a great snack to make in batches and store for when cravings hit.

If you want to store your air fryer potato chips for longer, you can freeze them. First, place the chips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the chips to a freezer-safe plastic storage bag. To serve, simply pop them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to reheat and crisp up.

Frequently asked questions