Cody Casey
Air fryers have become a must-have kitchen appliance in recent years, with many models offering a range of cooking functions beyond just air frying. While air fryers are often touted as a healthier alternative to deep frying, experts say that cooking chips in an air fryer is no healthier than cooking them in an oven. However, air-fried chips can be just as delicious and crispy as their deep-fried counterparts. So, which air fryer cooks the best chips? We tested several models to find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 20-30 minutes |
| Best potatoes | Maris Piper or Rooster |
| Oil | 2 tbsp of rapeseed, sunflower or vegetable oil |
| Cornflour | Toss the potatoes in cornflour |
| Seasoning | Salt and pepper |
| Best air fryers | Ninja Foodi multi cooker, Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multi Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer, Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXL EY942BG0, Lakeland Slimline air fryer, Philips 5000 Series NA555/09 dual basket steam air fryer, Ninja Max |
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What You'll Learn
Best air fryer for chips
Air fryers have become a must-have kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. They offer a healthier alternative to deep-frying, using little to no oil to create irresistibly crispy and golden chips that are fluffy on the inside.
When it comes to choosing the best air fryer for cooking chips, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want an air fryer that can cook chips evenly, with a consistent colour and texture. Deductions should be made for sogginess, burnt areas, or undercooked insides. The perfect chip should have a pleasant crunch and a fluffy centre.
Some air fryers that have scored well in this regard include the Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker ($500), which can be used in air fryer mode, and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer ($299). Both of these machines scored a perfect 100% in chip-cooking performance tests.
Another air fryer to consider is the Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXL EY942BG0 (£149.99 on Amazon). Tefal is known for its pioneering Actifry, and the Easy Fry Dual XXL is a large-capacity, double-drawer air fryer that excels at cooking chips and handling frozen food. It has a generous 11-litre capacity, making it ideal for families or entertaining.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Lakeland Slimline Air Fryer (£89.99 at Lakeland) is a great choice for the best single-drawer air fryer. For a slightly higher price, the Philips 5000 Series NA555/09 Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer (£179.99 at John Lewis) offers excellent value with its dual-basket design, allowing you to cook multiple types of food at the same time without transferring flavours or smells.
Finally, if you're looking for an air fryer that can do more than just cook chips, the ProCook Air Fryer Grill impressed reviewers with its sleek, stainless-steel design and versatile presets, including traditional settings like air fry, roast, grill, and bake, as well as unique functions like slow cook and steam. While it is a pricey and bulky investment, it offers great value for the quality of its components and cooking results.
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Best single-drawer air fryer
Air fryers are a great way to cook chips, offering the crispy and crunchy results of deep frying with far less oil. The best single-drawer air fryer for cooking chips is the Lakeland Slimline Air Fryer, priced at £89.99. This 8-litre model has windows on the front of the drawer, allowing you to watch your chips crisp up. It features eight presets, including one for chips, and its sync function is effective when cooking different dishes simultaneously. The chips cooked in this fryer were reported to have a pleasant crunch and a fluffy centre.
Another single-drawer air fryer to consider is the ProCook Air Fryer Grill, which impressed reviewers from the moment they unboxed it. Its sleek, stainless-steel design looks great on the countertop, and it comes with 12 presets, including traditional settings like air fry, roast, grill, and bake, as well as unique functions like slow cook and steam. The chips cooked in this fryer were crisp, golden, and well-sealed, with a fluffy centre. However, it is a pricey and chunky investment.
If you're looking for something more compact, the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer is a great option. While it doesn't have dual drawers, it is highly approachably designed with four physical buttons: Bake, Air Fry, Recrisp, and Max Crisp.
For those who want an even crispier result, the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer has impressed with its user-friendly interface.
Lastly, the Cosori Air Fryer is worth considering for its large 8.5-litre capacity and excellent cooking results. It features nine presets, including air fry, roast, grill, reheat, dehydrate, bake, preheat, and shake, ensuring even cooking. However, be cautious as some ingredients may become overdone due to its quick cooking time.
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Air fryer vs. conventional oven
Air fryers and conventional ovens are two popular methods for cooking chips, but which is better? There are several factors to consider when comparing the two.
Firstly, let's talk about cooking time. Air fryers are known for their quick cooking times, with most chips being ready in just 20 minutes. They also preheat quickly, so you can start cooking almost immediately. On the other hand, conventional ovens can take longer to preheat and cook the chips, depending on the oven and the quantity of chips being cooked.
The next factor is capacity. Air fryers are typically smaller than conventional ovens, making them ideal for cooking smaller portions. If you're cooking for a large group, you may need to cook the chips in batches or opt for a conventional oven, which can accommodate a larger volume.
Another important consideration is the cooking mechanism. Air fryers use a fan to circulate hot air around the food, resulting in crispy, golden chips. The compact chamber and perforated basket promote better air circulation, giving the chips a deep-fried taste and texture. In contrast, conventional ovens use a built-in heating mechanism with heating elements on the top and bottom, blowing hot air through a fan located at the back or side of the oven.
When it comes to nutrition, there is no significant difference between cooking chips in an air fryer or a conventional oven. Both methods are healthier than deep-frying, as they require little to no oil. However, air fryers may have a slight edge due to their ability to decrease calories by cooking with minimal oil.
Lastly, let's discuss the taste and texture of the chips. Air fryers are known for producing evenly cooked, golden, and crispy chips with a fluffy centre. The best air fryers for chips include the Ninja Foodi multi-cooker, Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer, and the Lakeland Air Fryer. Conventional ovens can also produce delicious chips, but the results may vary depending on the oven and the cooking instructions followed.
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Air fryer settings
Air fryers have become a must-have kitchen appliance in recent years. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying, as they use less oil, and can cook a variety of foods, from chips to chicken. When it comes to cooking chips, there are a few things to consider in terms of settings and preparation methods to ensure you get that perfect crisp and golden exterior with a fluffy centre.
Firstly, it is important to note that different air fryers will have different settings and capabilities. Some have pre-programmed settings for specific foods, such as the Ninja Foodi multicooker, which has an air fryer mode, and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer. These pre-programmed settings can be useful as they are designed to optimise the cooking of certain foods. However, if your air fryer does not have a pre-set chip function, a general temperature of 200°C for around 20-30 minutes is a good guideline.
The size and type of your chips will also determine the cooking time and temperature settings. For example, skinny chips will take less time to cook, while chunky chips will require a few extra minutes. It is also important to give the chips a shake a couple of times during cooking to ensure they don't burn and cook evenly.
Additionally, some recipes suggest tossing the potatoes in cornflour, oil, and seasoning before placing them in the air fryer. This can help to ensure a crispier exterior. However, others suggest that this step is unnecessary and that simply tossing the potatoes in oil and adding seasoning is sufficient.
Finally, some air fryers have additional features that can impact the cooking process. For example, some have a "shake" setting that helps to ensure even cooking, while others have a sync function that allows you to cook different dishes at the same time without transferring flavours or smells.
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Air fryer chips recipe
Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, golden, and fluffy chips with very little oil. Here is a recipe for making chips in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 700g of floury potatoes (Maris Piper or Rooster)
- 2 tbsp of neutral-tasting oil (rapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable)
- Cornflour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- Cajun spice
- Dried herbs (rosemary)
- Garlic salt
- Chilli flakes
- Curry powder
Method
- Prepare the potatoes: If desired, peel the potatoes. If the potatoes are dirty, rinse them in cold water, then drain and pat dry. If they are clean, there is no need to rinse.
- Cut the potatoes: Cut the potatoes into chips. For skinny chips, cut them into thin batons. For chunky chips, cut them into thicker batons.
- Soak the potatoes (optional) : If you want to prep ahead, you can place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for up to an hour. If you plan to soak them for longer, put them in the fridge. Soaking helps to remove excess starch, which can prevent the potatoes from burning before they are fully cooked. However, some people find that soaking is unnecessary and can make the potatoes too soft.
- Coat the potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with cornflour until they are fully coated. Then, add the oil and seasonings and toss again until evenly coated. The cornflour will add crispness, and the oil will help the potatoes become crispy and prevent them from burning.
- Air-fry the potatoes: Place the coated potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Set the air fryer to cook for 20 to 30 minutes, tossing the potatoes occasionally to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chips and the model of your air fryer.
- Season and serve: Once the chips are golden brown and crispy, season them with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings. Serve them immediately as a side dish or snack.
Tips
- For extra flavour, try adding spices or herbs to the potatoes before air-frying, such as Cajun spice, garlic salt, or dried rosemary.
- Check on the chips regularly to ensure they don't burn, and give them a shake a couple of times during cooking to prevent sticking.
- For the fluffiest and crispiest chips, it is recommended to use floury potatoes like Maris Piper or Rooster.
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Frequently asked questions
The best air fryer for cooking chips is the Philips 5000 Series NA555/09 dual basket steam air fryer, which is available at John Lewis for £179.99. The Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXL EY942BG0, which is available on Amazon for £149.99, is also a good option for cooking chips.
The Ninja Foodi multi-cooker, which can be used in air fryer mode, and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer, which costs $299, both scored a perfect 100% on chip-cooking performance. The Lakeland 8-litre model, which costs £89.99, also cooks chips well and has the added convenience of a sync function for cooking different dishes at the same time.
After peeling and cutting your potatoes into the desired shape, toss them in a bowl with some cornflour, oil, and seasoning. You can then put them in the air fryer for 20-30 minutes, tossing them in oil and adding any desired flavouring halfway through.
Air fryers use less oil than deep-frying, making them a healthier alternative. They are also better for cooking frozen chips than an oven, as they bake your food in the same way while using less oil.
Air fryers come in a variety of sizes and configurations, so it's important to consider your needs and preferences. If you want to cook chips, look for a fryer with a chip preset or follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking chips. You can also consider factors such as power use, noise level, and ease of cleaning when choosing an air fryer.
