Air-Fryer Chips: Make Your Own At Home!

Air fryers are a great way to make your own potato chips at home. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips, with up to 60% less fat, and they taste great too—crispy, crunchy, and full of flavour. Making your own chips does require a bit of time and effort, but it's worth it for the delicious, healthy, homemade result.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The type of potato you choose will impact the final texture and flavour of your chips. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air-frying due to their high starch content, which helps them crisp up nicely. Idaho potatoes also fall into this category. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes are an excellent option, as they have a slightly waxy skin and an ultra-creamy flavour. They crisp up well and are recommended by several sources.

Potato Texture

When selecting potatoes, look for those with a firm texture. Avoid potatoes that feel soft, as they may have higher moisture content and could affect the crispness of your chips.

Potato Size

For air-fryer chips, it's best to choose medium to large potatoes. This will give you more surface area to work with when slicing, ensuring you get a good yield of chips.

Freshness

Always opt for fresh potatoes over sprouted or green ones. Sprouted potatoes have a higher level of solanine, a toxic compound that can cause gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, older potatoes tend to have higher sugar levels, which can affect their texture and colour during frying.

Starch Content

As mentioned earlier, high-starch potatoes like Russets and Idahos are ideal for air-frying. These potatoes will give you that sought-after crispy texture. However, if you prefer a creamier texture, you can opt for Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a slightly lower starch content but still crisp up well.

Thickness of Slices

Once you've selected your potatoes, it's crucial to slice them thinly and uniformly. A mandolin slicer is highly recommended for achieving super-thin slices with a consistent thickness. This ensures that all your chips will cook evenly. If you don't have a mandolin, you can use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, but aim for slices as thin as possible.

In summary, choosing the right potatoes for air-fryer chips involves selecting the right variety, ensuring freshness and firm texture, and slicing them thinly. With the right potatoes and proper preparation, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy chips in your air fryer!

Slicing the potatoes

When slicing the potatoes, it is also important to wear a cut-resistant glove to protect your fingers. Once the potatoes are sliced, they should be immediately submerged in a bowl of very cold water. This step helps to remove the starch from the potatoes, which will improve their crispiness and prevent them from sticking together during cooking. It is important to use cold or ice water, as warm or hot water can cause the starches to activate and make the potatoes gummy and sticky. The potatoes should be soaked for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and rinse them with more cold water. Then, place the potatoes in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat them dry with more paper towels until they are as dry as possible. Removing excess moisture is crucial to achieving crispy potato chips.

Soaking the potatoes

When soaking the potatoes, it is important to use cold water. Warm or hot water can cause the starches in the potatoes to activate, making them gummy and sticky. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as removing the moisture will help the potatoes achieve a crunchy texture when cooked.

In addition to enhancing the texture of the chips, soaking the potatoes in cold water can also improve their appearance. By preventing oxidation, the potatoes will maintain their colour and won't turn brown as quickly.

It is worth noting that the type of potato you use can also impact the outcome of your chips. Russet potatoes, for example, are recommended due to their high starch content, which helps them crisp up perfectly. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option, as they have a slightly waxy skin and an ultra-creamy flavour.

Overall, soaking the potatoes is a key step in making potato chips in an air fryer. It helps to improve their texture, appearance, and flavour by removing excess starch and preventing oxidation. By following this step and using the right type of potato, you can ensure that your homemade chips turn out crispy and delicious.

Drying the potatoes

First, remove the potatoes from the cold water they have been soaking in. Rinse them with more cold water, then place the potato slices in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat them dry with more paper towels until they are as dry as possible. The more moisture you remove, the crispier they will get.

It is important to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This is key to achieving a crunchy chip. If you don't dry them properly, your chips may end up steaming instead of crisping.

You can also use a colander to drain the potatoes. Shake the colander a few times to remove excess water, then pat the potatoes dry with paper towels.

Make sure you dry off your potato slices completely. You can also let them air-dry on the colander for a few minutes. If you are using a paper towel, it should be a pretty quick process.

Seasoning the potatoes

Drying the Potatoes

Before adding any seasonings, it's important to thoroughly dry the potato slices. Use paper towels to pat them dry, removing as much moisture as possible. This step is key to achieving crispy chips, as air frying works best on dry surfaces.

Oil

After drying the potatoes, it's time to add a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. Spray the potatoes with the oil or drizzle a small amount and toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. This step helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and promotes even cooking.

Salt

Salt is a classic seasoning for potato chips, and it's important to be generous with it. Sprinkle sea salt or kosher salt over the potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that every bite is infused with salty goodness.

Other Seasonings

While salt is essential, you can also experiment with other seasonings to add more flavour to your chips. Here are some ideas:

• Black pepper: Add a little ground black pepper for a kick.
• Fresh herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley over the chips for a fresh flavour.
• BBQ seasoning: Toss the chips in BBQ seasoning or dry rub for a smoky flavour.
• Ranch: Dust the chips with a mixture of buttermilk powder and onion powder, or use ranch dressing mix for a more assertive flavour.
• Chili powder: Add chili powder or cayenne pepper to give your chips a spicy kick.
• Cheese: Use a Microplane grater to add finely grated Parmesan cheese to the cooked chips. For a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead.

Timing of Seasoning

The timing of when you season the potatoes is also important. For most seasonings, it's best to add them before placing the potatoes in the air fryer. However, if you're using fresh herbs or other delicate toppings, it's best to add them after cooking to preserve their flavour and texture.

Storing Seasoned Chips

If you have any leftover seasoned chips, it's best to store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to one to two weeks. You can also freeze leftover chips for up to three months. However, the seasonings may not stick to the chips as well after freezing.

Frequently asked questions