Air Fryer Salt And Vinegar Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Salt and vinegar chips are a popular snack, but store-bought versions can be greasy and unhealthy. Luckily, you can make your own at home using an air fryer! This method gives you crispy, crunchy, and tasty chips without the excess oil and calories of deep-fried chips. All you need are thinly sliced potatoes, white vinegar, salt, and oil. You can also experiment with other types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar, for different flavor profiles.

Choosing the right potatoes

First, consider the type of potatoes. Starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, are ideal for making crispy chips. These varieties have a higher starch content, which contributes to the desired crispiness. If you prefer a different variety, red potatoes are also a suitable option and can be thinly sliced on a mandoline.

When it comes to quantity, two medium-sized potatoes should be sufficient for a decent batch of chips. However, you can always adjust the amount based on your appetite or the number of people you're serving.

The thickness of the potato slices plays a significant role in achieving the perfect crispiness. Aim for slices that are about ⅛ inch thick (approximately 2-3 mm). Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer will help you achieve uniform slices. If you opt for thicker cuts, keep in mind that they may not get as crispy as desired when cooked in the air fryer.

Before cooking, it's essential to rinse the potato slices under running water to remove excess starch. This step helps prevent the potatoes from browning or burning too quickly during the cooking process.

Additionally, consider soaking the potato slices in cold water for at least 15 minutes before cooking. This step further reduces the starch content, resulting in even crispier chips.

By following these guidelines when choosing and preparing your potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy salt and vinegar chips in your air fryer.

Preparing the vinegar

Choosing the Right Vinegar

Select a vinegar that is neutral and has a subtle flavor. White distilled vinegar is the best option for this purpose. However, if you want to experiment with different flavors, you can try apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar.

Soaking the Potato Slices in Vinegar

Slice your potatoes thinly, preferably using a mandoline, to a thickness of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch. The thinness of the slices is key to achieving crispy chips.

Combine the potato slices with vinegar in a bowl, ensuring that the vinegar completely covers the potatoes. If needed, add more vinegar. You can also add a bit of water to ensure the potatoes are fully submerged.

Let the potatoes soak in vinegar for at least 15 minutes, but preferably 30 minutes, for a stronger flavor. If you're a fan of bold vinegar flavors, you can even soak them for up to 2 hours.

Boiling the Vinegar and Potato Slices (Optional)

Some recipes suggest taking the vinegar preparation a step further by boiling the vinegar and potato slices together. Bring the vinegar to a boil in a pot, add the potato slices, and continue boiling for about 5 minutes. Then, remove from the heat, cover the pot, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.

Drying the Potato Slices

After soaking or boiling, it's crucial to dry the potato slices thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean cloth to pat them dry. This step is essential, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of the chips.

Seasoning with Vinegar Powder (Optional)

To enhance the vinegar flavor even further, you can use vinegar powder. This is dehydrated vinegar in powder form, which adds tanginess without the liquid. Toss the potato slices in a mixture of vinegar powder and salt before cooking.

Final Thoughts

The longer you soak the potato slices in vinegar, the stronger the flavor will be. However, be cautious not to oversoak, as it can make the potatoes mushy. Always ensure the slices are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer to achieve the perfect crispiness.

Soaking the potatoes

To begin, thinly slice your potatoes. A handheld mandolin is a great tool for this as it will help you achieve uniformly thin slices. Aim for slices that are about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick.

Once you have your potato slices, place them in a bowl and cover them with vinegar. The potatoes should be completely submerged, so add more vinegar if needed. You can also add some salt to the mixture at this point if you like. Let the potatoes soak for at least 15 minutes, but the longer they soak, the stronger the vinegar flavour will be. For a more subtle flavour, 15 to 30 minutes should be enough. If you prefer a stronger vinegar taste, you can soak the potatoes for up to 2 hours or even overnight.

After soaking, remove the potatoes from the vinegar and pat them completely dry with paper towels. It's important to make sure the potatoes are extra dry before cooking, as any remaining water can cause oil splatter and affect the crispiness of the chips.

Drying the potatoes

After slicing the potatoes, the next step is to remove the excess starch from the potato slices by rinsing them under running water or soaking them in cold water for at least 15 minutes. This step will help to ensure crispier chips. Once the potatoes have been soaked, it is important to dry them thoroughly. Water is the enemy of oil, so use paper towels to pat them down before cooking. Place the potato slices on a clean towel or paper towel, ensuring that both sides of the potatoes are dry. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture on the potatoes can affect the cooking process and prevent the chips from achieving the desired crispiness.

It is also important to note that the potatoes should be arranged in a single layer while drying. This allows for even drying and prevents the potatoes from sticking together. If using an air fryer, it is recommended to place the potato slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer as well. This ensures proper air circulation and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy chips.

By following these steps and ensuring that the potatoes are completely dry before cooking, you will be well on your way to achieving crispy, flavorful salt and vinegar chips with your air fryer!

Cooking the chips

Now that you've gathered your ingredients and prepared your potatoes, it's time to cook your chips! Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious salt and vinegar chips in your air fryer:

Soak the Potato Slices: Place your thinly sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water, white vinegar, and your desired seasonings. This step helps remove the starch from the potatoes, ensuring crispier chips. You can also add the potato slices directly to a pot of boiling vinegar, as mentioned in some recipes. Soak the potatoes for about 25-30 minutes, or longer if you prefer a stronger vinegar flavor.

Dry the Potatoes: After soaking, it's crucial to dry the potato slices thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean cloth to pat them dry. Spread the slices in a single layer on a paper towel and let them air dry for about 10 minutes. This step is essential, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of your chips.

Season the Potatoes: Drizzle or spray your favorite cooking oil over the potato slices. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other high-heat oil. Ensure that all slices are evenly coated. Then, sprinkle salt and black pepper (or any other desired seasonings) over the potatoes.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 350°F/180°C for about 5 minutes. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to go and will help you achieve the desired crispiness.

Arrange the Potatoes in the Air Fryer: Place the seasoned potato slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy chips. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches.

Cook the Chips: Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your potato slices, but it typically ranges from 8 to 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on the chips, especially towards the end of the cooking process, as they can go from crispy to burnt very quickly.

Flip or Shake the Chips: For even cooking and browning, it's a good idea to shake the air fryer basket or flip the chips a few times during the cooking process. This ensures that all sides of the chips get evenly browned and crispy.

Check for Doneness: Your chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy. Remember that air fryers can vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed.

Season and Serve: Once your chips are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and season with additional salt or other desired seasonings while they are still hot. Serve them immediately, and enjoy the crispy, tangy treat!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chips:

• Choose starchy potatoes like Russets for the crispiest chips.
• Slice the potatoes evenly and thinly, preferably using a mandoline slicer.
• Soak the potato slices in vinegar for a stronger flavor.
• Ensure the potato slices are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
• Shake or flip the chips during cooking for even browning.
• Season the chips with salt while they are still hot.
• Let the chips cool for a few minutes after cooking, as they will continue to crisp up.

Frequently asked questions