Making homemade chips in an air fryer gives you a crispy result with far less oil than deep frying. This guide covers the method step by step, along with tips to get consistently good results every time.
Why Air Fryers Work Well for Homemade Chips
An air fryer circulates hot air rapidly around food, crisping the outside in a similar way to deep frying, but using a fraction of the oil. This makes it a popular choice for a lighter take on a classic side dish. If you’re still deciding on an appliance, our home kitchen appliances guides cover other popular additions to a modern kitchen.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
Maris Piper and King Edward potatoes are popular choices for chips, since their starchy texture gives a fluffy interior and crisp exterior. Waxy varieties, such as new potatoes, tend to hold their shape but don’t crisp up in quite the same way.
Step-by-Step Method
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into even chip-sized pieces, roughly 1cm thick, so they cook at the same rate
- Rinse the cut chips under cold water to remove excess surface starch, then pat them thoroughly dry
- Toss the chips in a small amount of oil, roughly one tablespoon per large potato, along with a pinch of salt
- Arrange the chips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding
- Cook at around 180°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crisping
- Check for a golden colour and crisp exterior before removing, cooking a little longer if needed
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the basket, which traps steam and prevents proper crisping
- Skipping the drying step, which leaves excess moisture that stops chips crisping well
- Using too much oil, which can make chips greasy rather than crisp
- Cutting chips unevenly, leading to some pieces overcooking while others remain undercooked
Getting Extra Crispy Results
Soaking cut potatoes in cold water for 20-30 minutes before cooking removes additional starch, often resulting in a crisper finish. Cooking in two smaller batches, rather than one crowded batch, also tends to improve overall crispiness.
Seasoning Variations to Try
Beyond plain salt, try adding smoked paprika, garlic powder, or dried herbs to the oil before tossing the chips. Adding delicate seasonings, such as fresh herbs or grated parmesan, works best after cooking, since they can burn during the cooking process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to soak potatoes before air frying chips?
It’s not essential, but soaking for 20-30 minutes removes extra starch and often gives a crisper final result.
How much oil do I need for air fryer chips?
Roughly one tablespoon per large potato is usually enough for a crisp result without making the chips greasy.
Why aren’t my air fryer chips crispy?
Overcrowding the basket and not drying the chips thoroughly beforehand are the two most common causes of soft, rather than crispy, results.
