Air Fryer Chips: Which Model Makes Perfect Crisps?

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, golden, and fluffy chips. While any type of potato can be used, floury potatoes like King Edward, Russet, or Maris Piper are best for that extra crunch. Before air frying, the potatoes should be cut into thin fries, soaked in water, and thoroughly dried. They can then be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs like garlic, paprika, rosemary, or chilli flakes.

When it comes to choosing the best air fryer for making chips, there are several options available in the market. Here are some of the top-rated ones:

- Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer 10.4L

- Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Digital Air Fryer

- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer with ClearCook

- COSORI Lite Air Fryer

- Ninja AF300UK Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer

- Ninja Air Fryer MAX PRO 6.2L AF180UK

- Breville Halo Flexi Air Fryer

Air fryer vs oven: which is best?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, but how do they compare to traditional ovens? Here, we break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Cooking Performance

Air fryers circulate hot air to cook food, resulting in a "fried" finish without the need for large amounts of oil. This makes air fryers a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying, as well as more energy-efficient for cooking smaller portions than ovens.

When it comes to cooking chips, air fryers can produce evenly golden, crisp, and fluffy chips. The Kmart Anko 3-in-1 Air Fryer, for example, scored highly in tests for its ability to cook chips evenly and efficiently. Ovens, on the other hand, may require longer cooking times and can result in unevenly cooked chips, especially if they are not stirred or rotated during cooking.

Ease of Use

Air fryers are typically compact in design and have quick heat-up times, making them convenient for small portions or quick meals. Many air fryers also come with pre-programmed settings and touch screen controls, making them easy to use. For example, the Ninja AF160UK Air Fryer Max 5.2L has a circular tray design and clear instructions, making it a user-friendly option.

Ovens, on the other hand, usually have a larger capacity and can accommodate multiple dishes at once. They are ideal for cooking for a larger crowd or when you need to cook something else at the same time as your chips. However, ovens may require longer preheat times and can be less energy-efficient for smaller portions.

Cost

Air fryers vary widely in price, ranging from £39.99 to £300. The initial cost of an air fryer may be higher than a traditional oven, but the energy savings over time, especially for smaller portions, can offset this. For example, the Proscenic Air Fryer T22 uses just 21p to cook a batch of chips, compared to 52p in an oven.

So, which is best? The answer depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a convenient, energy-efficient way to cook small portions or quick meals, an air fryer may be the best choice. On the other hand, if you often cook for a larger crowd or need the ability to cook multiple dishes at once, a traditional oven may be more suitable. Ultimately, both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and cooking habits.

How to make the best air fryer chips

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-fat fryers, using hot air instead of oil to cook food. They are healthier, more energy-efficient, and versatile. Here are some tips to help you make the best air fryer chips:

Choosing the Right Air Fryer

• Consider the size of the air fryer based on your needs. If you're cooking for a family, look for larger capacities, such as 5-litre machines, which can cook around 800g to 1kg of chips.
• Look for easy-to-use controls for temperature and time settings.
• Additional features like auto-stop, keep warm functions, and touch screens can be convenient.
• Some air fryers have pre-programmed settings for specific foods like chips, while others have features like shake reminders to ensure even cooking.
• If counter space is a concern, consider the size and design of the air fryer to fit your kitchen layout.

Preparing the Potatoes

• For the best air fryer chips, use floury potatoes like King Edward, Russet, Maris Piper, or Rooster. These varieties tend to result in crispier exteriors and fluffier interiors.
• Cut the potatoes into thin fries, about 1cm thick. Leaving the skin on adds crispness, fibre, and helps prevent sticking to the air fryer.
• Soaking the potatoes in cold water for a few minutes and then drying them thoroughly can help remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier chips.
• You can also parboil the potatoes for 5 minutes before air frying for extra fluffy interiors, but ensure they are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking the Chips

• Preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Coat the potato chips with a small amount of oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil) and your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic granules, paprika, or other spice blends like Mexican, Chinese 5 spice, or Cajun.
• Place the coated chips in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C for 20 minutes.
• Shake the basket regularly, especially after the first 5 minutes, to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
• For maximum crispiness, serve the chips immediately.
• If you prefer chunkier chips, add about 4 minutes to the cooking time.
• For extra indulgence, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top a few minutes before they are fully cooked.

Troubleshooting and Tips

• If your air fryer chips are soggy, ensure you dry the potatoes thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.
• If they are burning, reduce the amount of oil and cooking time.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the type of potatoes, the thickness of the chips, and your specific air fryer model.
• For skinny chips, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes, and for chunky chips, add a few extra minutes.
• Always check your chips regularly during cooking and shake the basket to ensure even cooking.
• You can also experiment with different seasonings and dips to create various flavoured chips.

Frozen chips in the air fryer

Frozen chips can be cooked in an air fryer and will be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The time it takes to cook them will depend on the size of the chips, but generally, it will take between 10 and 20 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

To get the best results, make sure the chips are frozen and not thawed, and that the air fryer is preheated. Only cook one layer of chips at a time, and shake or flip the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. You can also spritz the chips with a little oil before cooking to help them crisp up.

Frozen chips cooked in an air fryer are healthier than deep-fried chips as they use less oil. They are also faster than cooking chips in the oven.

Parboiling air fryer chips

Parboiling is an optional step when making air fryer chips, but it can help make the chips fluffier. If you want to parboil your chips, first peel and slice your potatoes to your desired thickness. Then, add the chips to a pan of boiling water and simmer for around five minutes. Drain the pan and allow the chips to air dry while you preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Coat the chips in oil and cook in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every five minutes to ensure even cooking.

Air fryer chips: seasoning and flavouring

Air fryer chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips, requiring less oil to achieve a similar crunch.

Seasoning and flavouring

The great thing about air fryer chips is that you can season them to your liking. You can add flavouring either at the start of the cooking process or halfway through.

Some seasoning options include:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Salt and vinegar
• Sour cream and onion
• Barbecue seasoning
• Dill
• Parmesan
• Nutritional yeast
• Garlic granules
• Paprika
• Grated parmesan
• Dried herbs

If you're making spicy air fryer chips, you can use a mixture of salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and oregano.

Other tips for making air fryer chips

• Soak the potatoes in water before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent them from sticking together in the air fryer.
• Cut the potatoes as thinly and uniformly as possible to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow the chips to crisp up nicely.
• Shake the basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions