Air Fryer Veggie Crisps: A Healthy, Homemade Snack

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crunchy snacks without using a lot of oil. You can make vegetable crisps in an air fryer using root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and zucchini. The process is simple: first, slice the vegetables thinly and evenly, then coat them in a small amount of olive oil or another cooking oil. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, smoked paprika, rosemary or chilli powder. Place the slices in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 15-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Once they're crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer and season to taste.

How to Make Vegetable Crisps in an Air Fryer

Choosing your vegetables

Some popular choices include sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, parsnips, and turnips. You can also use onions, garlic, zucchini, or even fruit like apples and pears. The more colourful the better! If you're feeling adventurous, you could try making crisps with kale, courgette, or taro.

Once you've chosen your vegetables, it's time to prepare them for the air fryer. Give them a good scrub and dry them off—there's no need to peel them. Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, cut the vegetables into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the crispier your crisps will be. Aim for about 1/16-inch or 3mm thick. If you're using beets, prepare them last to avoid staining the other vegetables.

After slicing, place the vegetables in a bowl of salty water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This step is especially important for starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and potatoes. If you're using low-starch vegetables like courgette or kale, you can skip this step.

Now you're ready to season and cook your vegetable crisps!

Preparing your vegetables

Firstly, select your desired root vegetables. You can choose from a variety of options, including sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, golden beets, purple potatoes, parsnips, zucchini, and many more. The more colourful your selection is, the better! It is recommended to scrub and clean the vegetables thoroughly before proceeding.

Once your vegetables are cleaned, it's time to slice them. Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, cut the vegetables into thin, even slices. Aim for a thickness of about 1/16 inch or 3mm. The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is to ensure that the slices are as thin and uniform as possible. Remember to dry the vegetables thoroughly with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel after slicing.

Next, consider the seasonings you want for your crisps. You can use spices, herbs, or seeds to enhance the flavour. Some popular options include caraway seeds, fennel seeds, rosemary, chilli powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, and sea salt. You can also use olive oil to make the crisps crunchier and complement the taste.

At this point, you can choose to soak the vegetable slices in water for about 30 minutes, especially if you're using starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes or potatoes. This step helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier chips. Make sure to dry the vegetables thoroughly again after soaking.

Now, it's time to coat the vegetables with oil and season them. Place the slices in a large bowl, drizzle or spray them with oil, and toss to ensure an even coating. Then, add your chosen seasonings and toss again to coat the vegetables evenly.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 320°F or 180ºC. Place the seasoned vegetable slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

And that's it! You're now ready to air fry your vegetable crisps. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, and enjoy your delicious, healthy snack!

Seasoning your vegetables

Choosing Seasonings:

Before you start making your veggie crisps, it's important to decide on the seasonings you want to use. This will depend on your personal preference and the type of veggies you're using. Here are some options to consider:

• Salt: A good quality sea salt or regular salt will do.
• Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper or regular ground black pepper can be used.
• Spices: Smoked paprika, chilli powder, cinnamon, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, or cayenne pepper are some options.
• Herbs: You can use dried or fresh herbs like parsley, dill, thyme, or oregano.
• Seeds: Caraway seeds or fennel seeds can add a unique flavour.

Seasoning Techniques:

Once you've selected your seasonings, it's time to apply them to your veggies. Here are some techniques to ensure your seasonings are evenly distributed and adhere well to the vegetables:

• Use oil: Olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice can be drizzled or sprayed over the veggies before adding the seasonings. This helps the spices stick to the vegetables and also promotes crispiness.
• Toss to coat: After adding oil and seasonings, toss the veggies in a large bowl or bag to ensure they are evenly coated. You can use tongs or your hands (just be sure to wash your hands first!).
• Season in batches: If you're using multiple types of vegetables, season them separately. For example, season your potatoes separately from your beets or carrots to ensure each veggie gets the right amount of seasoning.
• Don't skip the soak: If you're using starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, be sure to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before seasoning. This helps remove excess starch, which can affect the crispiness of your chips.
• Use a paper bag: An easy way to season your veggies is to place them in a paper bag with the seasonings and shake vigorously. This helps distribute the seasonings evenly.

Remember, you can always add more seasoning after your veggie crisps are cooked. It's better to start with a lighter touch and adjust to your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different seasoning combinations to find your favourite veggie crisp flavours!

Cooking your vegetable crisps

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your vegetable crisps! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Slice your vegetables: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut your chosen vegetables into thin, even slices. Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots work well, but you can also get creative with zucchini, parsnips, or even garlic! The thinner the slices, the crispier your chips will be.
• Coating (optional): For an extra crispy texture, coat your vegetable slices in cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot. This step is optional but will help to absorb moisture and give your chips that satisfying crunch.
• Prepare your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically between 320-356°F.
• Seasoning: Drizzle or spray your vegetable slices with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. Toss to coat evenly, then add your desired seasonings. You can keep it classic with salt and pepper or get creative with smoked paprika, rosemary, chilli powder, cinnamon, or garlic powder.
• Air frying: Place your seasoned vegetable slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Finishing touches: Once your chips are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you're making a large batch, you may want to place them on a baking sheet to cool.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy vegetable crisps made right in your air fryer. Enjoy them as a snack on their own, or pair them with your favourite dip.

Some additional tips for perfect air fryer vegetable crisps:

• Slice your vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible. This will ensure that all your chips cook evenly and at the same rate.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Always arrange the vegetables in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time as needed. Different vegetables and slice thicknesses may require slightly different cooking times, so keep an eye on your crisps and adjust accordingly.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can go savoury with ranch seasoning or spicy with chilli powder, or even add a touch of sweetness with cinnamon.
• For extra crispy chips, blot or pat your vegetables dry before seasoning and placing them in the air fryer. This helps remove excess moisture.
• If your vegetable slices are still soggy, try increasing the cooking time in small increments until they reach the desired crispness.
• Store any leftover crisps in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh and crispy for up to 5 days.

Now you're ready to become an air fryer vegetable crisp connoisseur!

Storing your vegetable crisps

After you've made your delicious vegetable crisps, allow them to cool completely before storing them. It is important to let them cool to room temperature to prevent condensation, which can make your crisps soggy. Once they are cooled, you can begin the storage process:

• Choose an airtight container: Select a container with an airtight seal to keep out moisture and maintain crispness. Glass or ceramic containers with airtight lids are ideal for storing vegetable crisps.
• Layer the crisps with parchment paper: Place a layer of parchment paper or wax paper at the bottom of the container. Then, arrange a single layer of vegetable crisps on top. Continue layering with parchment paper and crisps until all your crisps are in the container. This layering helps to absorb any excess moisture and keeps the crisps from sticking together.
• Store at room temperature: Vegetable crisps are best stored at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator. A cool, dry place, such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet, is ideal. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this can affect their freshness.
• Consume within 5 days: Homemade vegetable crisps have a shorter shelf life than store-bought ones. For the best quality and taste, it is recommended to consume them within 5 days of preparation. Label your container with the date of preparation so you know when they need to be finished.
• Re-crisp if needed: If your vegetable crisps start to lose their crunch over time, you can easily restore them. Simply place them back into the air fryer for a few minutes at the same temperature you originally cooked them. This will help to remove any moisture and give them a fresh, crispy texture again.

By following these storage instructions, you can enjoy your delicious and healthy vegetable crisps for several days. Remember to practise good hygiene when handling food, and always wash your hands before serving or consuming the crisps.

Frequently asked questions