Air Fryer Spicy Chips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

There's nothing quite like a plate of hot, crispy chips. Even better when they're homemade and packed with spice. Making spicy chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, requiring less oil and less time. So, if you're looking for a quick, tasty snack, here's how to make spicy chips in an air fryer.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type of potatoes you use can make a big difference in how your spicy air-fried chips turn out. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right potatoes for your spicy chips:

Variety

Floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or Rooster, are excellent choices for air fryer chips. These varieties tend to give you a fluffier interior and crispier exterior. Maris Piper potatoes, in particular, are widely available and are known for their versatility, making them a popular choice for chips.

Amount

The amount of potato you need will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you want to make. A typical recipe might call for around 4 to 6 medium-sized potatoes, or about 700 grams, to serve four people.

Preparation

Before cooking, you'll want to peel and slice your potatoes into chips. The thickness of the chips is important—if they're too thin, they might break, and if they're too thick, they may not cook through properly. Aim for a thickness of about 1 cm or slightly thinner. You can experiment with different thicknesses to find your preferred level of crispiness.

Soaking

Some recipes recommend soaking the potato slices in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps remove excess starch, which can prevent the potatoes from burning before they are fully cooked. However, some people find that this step isn't necessary and doesn't significantly impact the final result.

Oil

After slicing and soaking (if you choose to do so), you'll want to dry your potatoes and toss them in oil before placing them in the air fryer. You can use a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, such as rapeseed, sunflower, vegetable, or olive oil. This step ensures that your chips get nice and crispy.

Remember, the key to choosing the right potatoes is considering the variety, amount, preparation, and oil used. By selecting the right type of potato and following the proper preparation steps, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, spicy air-fried chips.

Preparing the potatoes

Once you have chosen your potatoes, you will need to peel them and cut them into chips. For the best results, cut the potatoes into rectangular blocks first by trimming away any rounded edges. Then, cut these blocks into batons that are somewhere between fries and thick chips. Aim for a thickness of about 1cm to ensure they cook through without breaking. If you prefer a more rustic look, you can leave the skins on.

After cutting your potatoes, rinse them in cold water and then place them in a bowl of fresh cold water to soak for at least 30 minutes. This helps to remove some of the starch and will make your chips crisper.

Once the potatoes have soaked, drain them and ensure they are completely dry before cooking. You can use a clean tea towel or kitchen paper to pat them dry.

Adding flavour

There are many ways to add flavour to your air-fried chips. You can use a variety of spices, herbs, and other ingredients to enhance the taste of your chips. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spices and Seasonings

• Cajun spice
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Oregano
• Chilli powder
• Curry powder
• Garlic salt
• Chilli flakes
• Dried herbs (e.g. rosemary)
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt

Mixing Your Own Blend

You can mix your own blend of spices and seasonings to create a unique flavour profile for your chips. For example, you can use a mixture of salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Adjust the proportions to your taste, but a good starting point is roughly one-third salt and two-thirds herbs and spices.

You can add flavourings to your chips either at the start of cooking, halfway through, or after they are cooked. For example, you can add dried herbs, garlic granules, paprika, and black pepper at the beginning or halfway through cooking. If you are using grated Parmesan cheese, it is best to add it towards the end of the cooking process.

Dips and Sauces

If you want to add flavour to your chips without changing the recipe itself, consider serving them with dips or sauces on the side. Some options include:

• Spicy bang bang sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Classic burger sauce
• Homemade gravy
• Ranch dip
• Guacamole

Flavoured Oil

Using a flavoured oil can also enhance the taste of your chips. For example, you can use extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. These oils can add a subtle flavour to your chips without overpowering them.

Cooking the chips

Preparation

First, peel and cut the potatoes into chips. For straight, neat chips, trim away all the rounded edges so they become rectangular blocks. Cut the blocks into batons – they should be somewhere between fries and thick chips. If you cut them too thin, they might break; too thick, and they won't cook through. You can leave the skins on if you prefer a more rustic look.

Rinse the chips in cold water and then either soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, or simply rinse them repeatedly until the water runs clear, not white. This will remove the starch, which will help the chips to crisp up.

Drain the chips and dry them thoroughly with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper.

Cooking

Place the chips in a bowl and toss them in the oil, salt, pepper, and paprika (if using) until they are evenly coated.

Place the chips in the air fryer and cook at 190-195°C/375°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure they cook evenly. If your chips are not cooked through after this time, cook for a further 5 minutes.

Seasoning

If you are making spicy chips, mix together your chosen spices and set aside. Transfer the cooked chips to a large bowl and leave to cool for a few minutes, then add the seasoning and toss until fully coated. You can also simply sprinkle with salt and pepper if you prefer.

Tips

• If you want to add extra flavour, you can use Cajun spice, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or curry powder. However, add these halfway through the cooking process so they don't burn.
• If you are making a large batch of chips, cook them in several smaller batches to ensure they crisp up properly.
• You can also make these chips chunky, skinny or crinkle-cut. Skinny chips will take a few minutes less, and chunky chips will take a few minutes more – just check on them regularly and give the basket an extra shake to ensure they don't burn.

Serving suggestions

These spicy air fryer chips are a great side dish to accompany a variety of meals, including pizza, grilled chicken, chicken wings, fish, steak, and burgers. They can also be served as a snack on their own, especially if you have a favourite dip to go with them.

If you want to serve them as a snack, you could put them on some homemade bread or brioche buns for the ultimate chip butty, or dip them in spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce, or classic burger sauce. You could also smother them in homemade gravy or upgrade them further and make them into poutine, salt and pepper chips, or pizza fries.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, these chips go well with a variety of dishes such as lasagne or steak pie. They can also be served with a variety of sandwiches, including a meatloaf sandwich, steak sandwich, or BLT.

For a healthier option, serve these chips with a dip like guacamole or Greek yogurt ranch dip.

Frequently asked questions