How to cook oven chips in an air fryer
If you’re craving a crispy and delicious side dish but want a healthier option, consider cooking oven chips in an air fryer. Air fryers are revolutionizing the way we cook by using hot air to fry food, resulting in a satisfying crunch without all the excess oil. While oven chips usually require a long bake time and a lot of oil, air fryers can cook them quickly and with much less fat.
So, how exactly do you cook oven chips in an air fryer? It’s surprisingly simple. First, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature. Then, place your chips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for the suggested time, flipping them halfway through for even browning. The result? Crispy golden chips that are oh-so satisfying to munch on.
To make your oven chips even tastier, consider adding some seasonings or spices. Sprinkle salt and pepper, or get fancy with paprika, garlic powder, or rosemary. The options are endless, and you can experiment with different flavors until you find your favorite combination. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or enjoying them as a snack, oven chips made in an air fryer are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ready to try this healthier take on oven chips? Grab your air fryer and let’s get cooking! Follow the simple steps below, and you’ll be enjoying crispy and flavorful chips in no time. With less oil and a shorter cooking time, you’ll be able to satisfy your chip craving guilt-free.
Preparing the potatoes
Before you can cook oven chips in an air fryer, you’ll need to prepare the potatoes. Here’s how:
1. Choose the right potatoes
For the best results, choose a starchy variety of potato, such as russet or Maris Piper. These potatoes have a higher starch content, which helps them become crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
2. Wash and peel
Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, using a vegetable peeler, peel the potatoes to remove the skin. Removing the skin will help the chips cook evenly and prevent them from becoming mushy.
3. Cut into chips
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the peeled potatoes into evenly sized chips. Aim for a thickness of around ½ inch (1.3 cm) to ensure that the chips cook evenly and become crispy.
4. Soak in water
Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soaking the potatoes helps to remove excess starch, resulting in crispier chips. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour for maximum crispiness.
Once the potatoes have finished soaking, they’re ready to be air fried into delicious oven chips. Make sure to follow the instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust the cooking time accordingly for the best results!
Peeling and cutting the potatoes
To start preparing your oven chips, you’ll need to peel and cut the potatoes into the desired shape. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose the potatoes
Select firm and fresh potatoes for the best results. Look for potatoes with a smooth texture and avoid ones with green spots or signs of sprouting.
Step 2: Clean the potatoes
Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a vegetable scrubber to gently scrub the skin and ensure they are clean.
Step 3: Peel the potatoes
Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the potatoes. Start from one end and carefully peel the skin in a downward motion. Try to get rid of as little of the flesh as possible to minimize waste.
Step 4: Cut the potatoes
Decide on the shape and thickness of your chips. You can cut them into thin or thick slices or go for classic rectangular shapes. It’s up to you! Use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes according to your preference. Just make sure the pieces are roughly the same size for uniform cooking in the air fryer.
Size of chips | Cooking time |
---|---|
Thin (1/4 inch) | 10-12 minutes |
Thick (1/2 inch) | 12-14 minutes |
Remember to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your chips for the best results!
Soaking the potatoes in water
To achieve crispy oven chips in an air fryer, it is crucial to start by soaking the potatoes in water. This simple step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, resulting in a crispier end product.
Follow these steps to soak the potatoes:
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Peel the potatoes if desired, or leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition.
- Slice the potatoes into chip-sized pieces, ensuring they are of relatively uniform thickness.
- Place the potato slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water.
- Let the potatoes soak in the water for at least 30 minutes. This step can also be done overnight for even better results.
- After soaking, drain the water from the bowl and pat the potatoes dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Soaking the potatoes in water before cooking is an essential step that shouldn’t be skipped. It helps to remove excess starch, resulting in crispier and tastier oven chips when cooked in the air fryer. Now that you have properly soaked and dried the potatoes, you are ready to prepare them for cooking in the air fryer.
Seasoning and Preheating
Before cooking oven chips in an air fryer, it’s important to properly season and preheat the air fryer. This will help ensure the chips turn out crispy and flavorful.
First, take the time to season the air fryer basket. Coat it with a thin layer of cooking oil or use a non-stick spray. This will help prevent the chips from sticking and make them easier to remove after cooking.
Next, preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature. Typically, oven chips are cooked at around 200°C (400°F). Preheating the air fryer allows it to reach the optimal temperature for cooking, ensuring an even and crispy result.
Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the seasoned oven chips into the basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the chips from cooking evenly. If desired, you can sprinkle additional seasoning or spices on the chips for added flavor.
Close the air fryer and set the cooking time according to the package instructions or your desired level of crispiness. It’s good to occasionally shake or flip the chips halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
By properly seasoning and preheating the air fryer, you’ll have perfectly cooked oven chips that are crispy and packed with flavor.
Seasoning the chips
Seasoning is an essential step in making oven chips in an air fryer. It helps to enhance the taste of the chips and adds an extra layer of flavor. Here’s how you can season your chips:
1. Salt and pepper
Start by sprinkling a generous amount of salt and pepper all over the chips. This basic seasoning combination adds a delicious savory taste to the chips.
2. Garlic and herb mix
If you are a fan of garlic and herbs, you can create a flavorful mix to season your chips. Combine garlic powder, dried herbs like thyme or parsley, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mix on the chips to infuse them with a delightful garlic and herb aroma.
Make sure to evenly coat the chips with the seasoning to ensure every bite is full of flavor. After seasoning the chips, place them in the air fryer basket and follow the cooking instructions for perfectly crispy and seasoned oven chips.
Preheating the air fryer
Before you begin cooking oven chips in your air fryer, it’s important to preheat the air fryer first. Preheating helps to ensure that the oven chips cook evenly and turn out crispy.
To preheat your air fryer, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Place your air fryer on a heat-resistant surface in a well-ventilated area.
- Step 2: Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 3: Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 3-5 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Step 4: While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the oven chips by following the instructions on the packaging.
Tip: It’s important to preheat your air fryer to ensure that the cooking time is consistent and the chips cook thoroughly. Skipping this step may result in unevenly cooked chips that are not as crispy.
Cooking the Air Fryer Chips
Once you have prepared your oven chips following the instructions on the package, it’s time to cook them in your air fryer. The air fryer offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying as it uses minimal to no oil while still achieving a crispy and delicious result.
To begin, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for cooking chips. This will typically be around 200°C or 400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, line the cooking basket with parchment paper or spray it with a thin layer of cooking spray to prevent the chips from sticking.
Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully transfer the prepared oven chips into the cooking basket. Try to spread them out in a single layer for even cooking. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Next, set the cooking time for the chips. This will vary depending on the brand and thickness of the chips, so refer to the cooking chart provided by your air fryer manufacturer. In general, most oven chips will require a cooking time of around 10-15 minutes.
During the cooking process, it’s important to shake or flip the chips halfway through to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. You can use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip the chips. Take this opportunity to check their progress and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the cooking basket from the air fryer using oven mitts or tongs. Place the hot chips on a serving plate or tray lined with kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil or moisture.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chips:
To achieve the best results, consider the following tips:
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Experiment with different cooking times and temperatures to find your preferred level of crispiness.
- For added flavor, consider sprinkling your chips with seasonings or herbs before cooking. This can include salt, pepper, paprika, or even grated Parmesan.
Enjoying Your Air Fryer Chips
Once your air fryer chips are cooked to perfection, it’s time to enjoy them! Serve them as a tasty side dish with your favorite dipping sauce or pair them with a burger or sandwich for a delicious meal. Air frying allows you to indulge in crispy and satisfying chips without the guilt of excessive oil, making it a great option for healthier snack alternatives.
Arranging the chips in the air fryer basket
Once you have preheated your air fryer to the desired temperature, it’s time to arrange the chips in the air fryer basket. Properly arranging the chips ensures even cooking and crispy results.
Follow these steps to arrange the chips:
Step | Description |
---|---|
1 | Take a handful of the oven chips and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket. |
2 | Avoid stacking or piling up the chips. They should be spread out in a single layer for best results. |
3 | If you have a larger amount of chips, you may need to cook them in batches. This ensures proper air circulation and even cooking. |
4 | Alternatively, you can use a cooking rack or a perforated parchment paper to further promote air circulation and prevent the chips from sticking together. |
5 | Make sure the chips are evenly spaced out, allowing hot air to flow around each chip. This promotes uniform cooking and crispy texture. |
Bear in mind that the arrangement may vary slightly depending on the size and shape of your air fryer. It’s always a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal cooking results.