Air Fryer Potato Chips: Achieving Maximum Crispiness

Making potato chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a crispy snack with minimal oil. The process is simple: thinly slice potatoes, soak them in water, dry them, add oil and seasoning, and then cook in the air fryer. The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is to ensure the potato slices are thin, dry, and evenly coated with oil before cooking.

Soak the potatoes in water for 10-20 minutes to draw out starch and prevent sticking

Soaking the potatoes in water is an important step in the process of making potato chips in an air fryer. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which can prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket and promote even cooking. It also helps to draw out the potato's natural starches, giving them a great crunch when they cook.

To soak the potatoes, place the slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them sit for around 10 to 20 minutes. This duration allows for effective starch removal and oxidation prevention. After soaking, it is crucial to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or clean kitchen towels. This step ensures that excess moisture is removed, as it is key to achieving the desired crispiness of the potato chips.

Once the potatoes are dry, they can be seasoned and placed in the air fryer basket. It is important to note that the potatoes should be in a single layer, with minimal overlap, to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess. The air fryer should be preheated to the recommended temperature, and the cooking time should be monitored to avoid overcooking or burning.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your air-fried potato chips are crispy, crunchy, and cooked evenly.

Dry the potatoes thoroughly to ensure crispiness

After rinsing the potatoes, it is important to dry them thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer. This is a crucial step in achieving the desired crispiness of your potato chips. Here are the reasons why drying the potatoes is essential:

Absorb Excess Moisture

The process of drying the potatoes with towels or paper towels helps to absorb any remaining moisture or water on the surface of the potatoes. Removing this excess moisture is a critical step in achieving the desired crispiness of your potato chips. Any lingering moisture can prevent the potatoes from crisping up properly during the air frying process.

Prepare for Oil and Seasoning

By ensuring that the potatoes are completely dry, you are preparing them for the next steps of coating them with oil and seasonings. Oil and water don't mix, so if you try to toss your potatoes in oil while they are still wet, the oil will not adhere properly. Similarly, any seasonings you intend to use will also have trouble coating the potatoes evenly if they are not completely dry. Therefore, drying the potatoes is essential to ensure that the oil and seasonings can be applied effectively.

Prevent Mushiness

Soaking the potatoes in cold water before cooking helps to release some of the starch contained within. Drying the potatoes after soaking is crucial because it ensures that any remaining excess starch is removed. This step helps to prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy during the air frying process. Instead, you will achieve the desired crispiness that is characteristic of potato chips.

Enhance Seasoning Adherence

Drying the potatoes before adding oil and seasonings helps to create a surface that can better absorb and retain the seasonings. This step ensures that the salt, pepper, herbs, or any other spices you choose to use will adhere properly to the potatoes. As a result, the seasonings will not only enhance the flavour but may also contribute to the crispiness of the final product.

Avoid Soggy Results

If you skip the drying step and place the potatoes directly into the air fryer after soaking or rinsing, they are more likely to turn out soggy. Taking the time to pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel is a crucial step in achieving the desired crispiness of your potato chips. It ensures that the potatoes are sufficiently dry, which is essential for the air frying process to yield crispy results.

Use a mandolin slicer to get a thin, even cut

Using a mandolin slicer is the best way to get a thin, even cut when preparing potatoes for the air fryer. A handheld mandolin slicer is the perfect tool to make super-thin slices with a uniform thickness, which ensures all the chips will cook evenly. The ideal thickness is 1/16 of an inch or 2 mm.

When using a mandolin slicer, it is important to wear a cut-resistant glove to protect your fingers. The slices should be as thin as possible because thicker slices may take longer to cook and won't get as crispy.

After slicing the potatoes with the mandolin, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for around 10 to 20 minutes to remove excess starch. This soaking step helps to draw out the potato's natural starches, which will give them a great crunch when they cook and prevents them from sticking to each other in the air fryer basket.

Once the potatoes have been soaked and dried, they are ready to be loaded into the air fryer. A preheated air fryer will quickly crisp up the thin potato slices, giving them a gorgeous, golden-brown hue in about 15 minutes.

Use a cooking spray to reduce the grease factor

Air-fried potato chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips, requiring less oil and cooking time. A cooking spray is a great way to reduce the grease factor and still achieve the desired crispiness.

Choosing the Right Cooking Spray

The type of cooking spray you use can vary depending on your preferences. Olive oil-flavoured cooking spray is a popular choice, as it adds a subtle flavour to the chips and helps them crisp up without burning. However, any kind of cooking spray will work, so feel free to use what you have on hand.

Preparing the Potatoes

Before applying the cooking spray, it's important to prepare the potatoes properly. Start by thinly slicing the potatoes using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. The key to crispy chips is to ensure that the slices are as thin and uniform as possible.

Once you have your potato slices, soak them in cold water for around 10-20 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, which can prevent the potatoes from sticking together and promotes crispiness. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Applying the Cooking Spray

Now it's time to apply the cooking spray. Place the dried potato slices in a large bowl and spritz them with the cooking spray. Toss the slices gently to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also add a sprinkle of salt at this stage for extra flavour.

Air-Frying the Chips

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350-360°F (180-200°C). Place the potato slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping the chips occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your chips, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time. If the chips aren't crisping up, try increasing the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last few minutes of cooking.

And that's it! With these simple steps and the help of a cooking spray, you can enjoy crispy, delicious, and healthier potato chips from the comfort of your own home.

Season with salt, pepper, and spices of your choice

Once your potato slices are dry, it's time to season them. You can use any spices you like, but a simple combination of salt and pepper is always a good option. Sprinkle the slices with salt and pepper, and don't be afraid to be generous! You can also add other spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, or chilli powder. If you want to get creative, you can try adding Italian seasoning, rosemary, curry powder, or even a mix of your favourite spices.

After seasoning, give the potato slices a good toss to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also add a small amount of oil to help the spices stick to the potatoes and to promote crispiness. Olive oil is a good option, but you can also use avocado oil or canola oil. Just make sure you only use a little bit, as too much oil can make your chips less crispy.

If you want to get really creative, you can try making flavoured chips. For example, if you want to make salt and vinegar chips, you can lightly spritz the potatoes with white vinegar before air frying. Or, if you want to make barbecue chips, you can toss the potatoes in barbecue seasoning or a mix of smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and chilli powder.

Once your potatoes are seasoned and tossed, they are ready to go into the air fryer!

Frequently asked questions