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    Home » Air Fryer

    01/27/2023

    Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips (+Flavor Variations)

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    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. It’s an easy and guilt-free recipe as you’ll only need a small amount of cooking spray. Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!

    This air fryer potato chips recipe is so good and foolproof. Cooking the potato slices at a low temperature first and finishing with a higher temperature in the air fryer is the best way to make the super crispy and crunchy potato chips without burning. Simple tips will guarantee success EVERY TIME!

    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. No oil needed! Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!
    Table of Contents Show
    Healthy air fryer potato chips recipe
    How to make Air Fryer Potato Chips
    Step 1: Thinly slice the potatoes
    Step 2: Soak potato slices in cold water
    Step 3: Dry potato slices
    Step 4: Cook the potato slices in the air fryer
    Step 5: Season the potato chips
    Tips and tricks
    What potatoes are good for making air fryer chips?
    How long do you cook potato chips in an air fryer?
    Troubleshooting: why are my air fryer potato chips burnt or soggy?
    Flavor variations
    How to store and how long do air fryer potato chips last
    FAQ
    Should I arrange potato chips in a single layer in the air fryer?
    How to serve air fryer potato chips
    Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
    Why are my air fryer potato chips not crispy?
    What is the best temperature to cook potato chips in an air fryer?
    Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe

    Healthy air fryer potato chips recipe

    Who doesn’t like potato chips? They are crispy, crunchy, and addictive! But the store-bought potato chips are high in fat and sodium. By making them at home, you’ll have full control of the fat level and seasonings. You can now enjoy them without feeling guilty. Plus, it’s so much cheaper than buying at the store!

    Cooking potato chips in an air fryer is a game-changer! It allows you to get the crispy texture without the need to deep-frying the chips in tons of oil! 

    How to make Air Fryer Potato Chips

    Step 1: Thinly slice the potatoes

    The best potato chips start with evenly sliced thin pieces. Although you can use a knife to cut the potatoes, a mandolin slicer makes life much easier, and you’ll get the even thickness for each piece. I like thin and crispy chips and recommend slicing the potatoes about 1/8-inch thick. (See the photos below. You can also use a vegetable peeler to make them very thin).

    Thinly sliced potato slices next to a mandolin.
    Closeup of holding a potato slice, showing the thickness.

    Step 2: Soak potato slices in cold water

    Place potato slices into a large bowl of cold water. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. This process helps to get rid of the excess starch, which could cause dark spots during cooking. 

    Soaking potato slices in the cold water.

    Step 3: Dry potato slices

    After that, rinse the potatoes in running water, and pat dry with paper towels. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to make sure they are completely dry.

    Placing potato slices on the paper towel in one single layer.
    Adding another layer of paper towel on top of the potato slices to soak up the moisture.

    Step 4: Cook the potato slices in the air fryer

    Spray the cooking spray on the potato slices and place them into the air fryer basket. Cook them until crispy and golden brown. 

    Adding potato chips into the air fryer basket.

    Step 5: Season the potato chips

    Season with salt or the seasoning of your choice!

    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. No oil needed! Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!

    Tips and tricks

    • Baking potatoes are the best, especially Yukon potatoes or Russet potatoes. Both of these potatoes have a high starch content making them ideal for potato chips. Yukon potatoes have a smooth, wavy texture allowing them to hold shape when fried. Russet potatoes are rough and bumpy, helping them crisp up easier when fried.
    • Make sure the potato slices are very thin and uniform in thickness. By doing this, you will produce chips that are crispy and cooked evenly.
    • It’s important to soak sliced potatoes in cold water before air frying. This helps draw out the starch which results in a crispier potato chip.
    • Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your potatoes and your air fryer. Some air fryers run hotter than others, cooking the potatoes faster than you’d like. If your potatoes are larger you will want to turn the air fryer to a lower temperature that will cook them evenly.
    • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. By avoiding this you will allow your potato chips to crisp, cook evenly and avoid undercooking.

    What potatoes are good for making air fryer chips?

    Baking potatoes are the best for making potato chips. Some popular ones include Russet, Maris Piper, King Edwards, or you can use all-purpose potatoes such as Yukon Gold. 

    How long do you cook potato chips in an air fryer?

    After testing this recipe multiple times, I find it’s best to cook them at 300°F (150°C) for 16 minutes and then raise the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the final 3-5 minutes. It produces very crispy chips without much browning or burning. 

    Shake and stir after 8 minutes, and then check and shake every 2 minutes after 16 minutes. It takes about 20 minutes in total to cook 30 slices ( 1/8-inch thick).

    Note: The cooking time depends on the thickness of the potatoes and how full the basket is.

    Holding a piece of potato chip, showing the perfect crispy texture.

    Troubleshooting: why are my air fryer potato chips burnt or soggy?

    The two biggest problems with cooking potato chips at home are that they burn quickly or are soggy in the middle. Some simple tips will help you to avoid the issue. 

    Slice the potatoes thinly and evenly: Uneven slices can cause some potatoes to overcook and burn while others are still soggy. Thicker slices take longer to cook, and are more easily to get dark spots on the surface while the middle is still soggy. Using a mandolin slicer is the best way to avoid this problem.

    Dry your potato slices completely: If there’s still some moisture on the surface when adding the slices into the basket, they’re more likely to get soggy. Also make sure you rinse them properly and get rid of the starch before you dry them.

    Don’t fill your basket too full: I find it’s best to cook one potato at a time (slices from one potato). When the basket is too full, the chips get cooked unevenly, making some burnt while others are still soft and soggy.

    Monitor carefully during the final high-temperature cooking: I recommend checking every 2 minutes after 16 minutes to avoid burnt chips and dark spots. 

    Flavor variations

    Now is the fun part! Besides simple salt flavor, there are so many delicious flavor combinations for your air fryer potato chips. It’s time to get creative!

    BBQ flavoured air fryer potato chips.
    BBQ Flavor
    Parmesan and herbs flavoured air fryer potato chips.
    Parmesan and herbs flavor

    The key is to add the seasoning as soon as the chips come out and are nice and hot. This will make sure that the seasoning sticks to the chips. Here are some ideas:

    • Salt and vinegar: Sprinkle the freshly cooked potato chips with salt and vinegar powder. 
    • Parmesan and herbs: Sprinkle the chips with freshly grated parmesan cheese, dried herbs and chopped parsley. 
    • BBQ flavor: In a small bowl, whisk together smoked paprika (2 teaspoons), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), sugar (1 teaspoon), onion powder (1/2 teaspoon), salt (1/8 teaspoon), and chili powder (1/2 teaspoon). For the BBQ seasoning, you can add the seasoning for the last 3-4 minutes of the cooking time so that they can stick better to the chips. Use your hands to rub them in if necessary.
    • Other popular seasonings include ranch, taco seasoning, etc.

    You can also serve them with your favorite dips for your next party!

    How to store and how long do air fryer potato chips last

    Let them cool down completely and store them in an airtight container or sealed zip-top bags. These homemade air fryer potato chips will last about 10 days at room temperature.

    FAQ

    Should I arrange potato chips in a single layer in the air fryer?

    We recommend that you arrange your potato chips in a single layer in order to allow them to cook properly. However, if you’re running out of time, you can double them up here, just ensure you toss them a few times while they are cooking.

    How to serve air fryer potato chips

    All you have to do for you and your guests to enjoy air fryer chips is cook, take them out, cool them and enjoy.

    Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

    This depends on your air fryer. Most air fryers don’t require preheating, but you can preheat your 2-3 minutes, which helps your recipe get the crispiness you’re after.

    Why are my air fryer potato chips not crispy?

    The first thing to look at is, were your potatoes completely dried before you put them in? If they were still a bit wet, then this will cause them to undercook and not get crispy. Another reason could be that you put too many in at once or they were cut too thick.

    What is the best temperature to cook potato chips in an air fryer?

    The most ideal temperature to cook your potato chips is at 200C/400F.

    If You Like This Recipe Try Out These Air Fryer Recipes

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    If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Air Fryer Potato Chips turn out in the comments below!

    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. No oil needed! Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!

    Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe

    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. No oil needed! Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Resting Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 25 potato chips
    Author: Izzy
    Calories: 7kcal

    Ingredients 

    • 1 medium potato Yukon gold or Russet*
    • cooking spray
    • salt to taste

    Instructions 

    • Wash the potato and peel the skin. (I like to peel the skin for the better look of the chips, but you can leave it on if you prefer.)
    • Slice the potato into thin rounds using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife. Aim to cut them about 1/8 inch thick.
    • Soak the potato slices in cold water for about 30 minutes. Then drain and rinse them a couple of times to remove the starch.
    • On a flat surface, place a layer of paper towel, and then place the potato slices on top in one single layer. Add another layer of paper towel to dry the potato slices. Let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes until the slices are completely dry.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C). It usually takes about 3 minutes to be ready.
    • Spray cooking spray on both sides of the potato slices. Add the potato slices to the air fryer basket, trying to spread out evenly. (If you cook more than 1 potato, cook them in batches, and only add about 30 slices at a time)
    • Set the timer to 16 minutes. After 8 minutes, take out the basket and gently shake the chips. Use tongs to separate any chips that are stuck to each other.
    • Put the basket back, and after another 8 minutes, take out the basket again and shake.
    • Now increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C), and set the timer to 5 minutes. Put back the basket. Watch very closely, and check every 2 minutes until the chips are crispy and golden around the edges. If there are only a few chips with soft centers, put them back and cook for 2 more minutes.
    • Sprinkle with salt or the seasoning of your choice.

    Equipment

    Air Fryer
    Mandoline
    Mandoline Slicer
    Mixing Bowl
    Baking Sheet

    Notes

    • I used Yukon gold for this recipe, but you can use other potatoes such as Russet and King Edwards, etc. 
    • Add the seasoning as soon as the chips come out and are nice and hot. This will make sure that the seasoning sticks to the chips.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 7kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Air Fryer Potato Chips
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
    Crispy and healthy homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips made with only 3 ingredients. It's an easy and guilt-free recipe as you'll only need a small amount of cooking spray. Season them up the way you like. This crunchy snack tastes so good and you’ll never buy store-bought potato chips again!

    Editor note: Originally published Dec 5, 2019 and updated March 31, 2021.

    Filed Under: Air Fryer, Recipes, Side Dish, Snacks Tagged With: cooking spray, potatoes, salt

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dale brandt says

      March 29, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      Very good chips made a batch then tweaked it
      Today’s chips crispy and not burnt.

      Reply
      • izzycooking says

        March 30, 2020 at 10:18 pm

        Hi Dale, great to hear that. Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    2. Rebecca Bowles says

      April 02, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      Excuse me. Cooking spray is oil!

      Reply
      • ELi lenoff says

        January 30, 2021 at 11:54 am

        It’s a very fine amount of oil instead of being cooked in a pot of oil

        Reply
    3. Rosemarie Grabowski says

      April 18, 2020 at 2:37 am

      Can the potatoes be cooked in a rotating basket versus in a flat pan?

      Reply
      • izzycooking says

        April 21, 2020 at 10:56 am

        Yes, you can cook them in a rotating basket. The cooking time may vary, and you can check it more frequently to make sure everything’s cooked properly.

        Reply
    4. Ruth says

      December 18, 2020 at 8:23 pm

      Can you make these chips in a Cuisinart, (toaster oven style) air fryer?

      Reply
      • izzycooking says

        December 19, 2020 at 5:10 pm

        Hi Ruth, it works with the toaster oven style air fryer too.

        Reply
    5. Nate says

      March 21, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      Was hyped to see an oil free chips recipe….. and then got to the cooking spray part. le sigh

      Reply
    6. Jen says

      June 08, 2021 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious and easy, perfect with our black bean burgrs! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Izzy says

        June 09, 2021 at 9:07 am

        Hi Jen, glad that you like the recipe. Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    7. Arlene Potter says

      August 26, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      My chips blow over to the corner of the air fryer into a big pile when I do this – am I doing something wrong? They all seem the same size and thickness.

      Reply
    8. Renee Hirsch says

      April 13, 2022 at 3:42 am

      Sounds good and I will try it but most air fryers tell you not to use oil sprays as they will damage the basket of the air fryer and you cant buy replacement baskets. They suggest using oil in a sprayer not commercial oil sprays, but I have found these need to contain a lot of oil for the sprayer to work properly. Perhaps that is what you meant. Otherwise they suggest drizzling with oil but this probably uses more oil. Another alternative would be to brush oil onto the potato but this would be much more time consuming.

      Reply
    9. Joanne says

      May 29, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      I have tried several recipes and none came out good. The air fryer chips burned or were undercooked. These were perfect! I used red potatoes and a veggie peeler. I am so grateful.

      Reply

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