Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe
If you’re craving a crunchy, salty snack but want to skip the grease and mess of deep frying, you’re in for a treat! This Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe is exactly what you need — crispy, golden chips made right in your air fryer using just a few simple ingredients. I love how quick and hands-off it is, making it perfect for whenever those chip cravings hit without piling on the calories.
One of the best parts about this Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe is how customizable it is. Whether you’re making a batch for a movie night or a light snack on a busy day, these chips come out perfectly crispy every time. Plus, soaking the potato slices in ice water before cooking really makes a difference in texture, which I’ll explain along the way. You’ll be surprised how easily you can whip this up!
Why This Recipe Works
- Crispiness without the mess: Air frying cuts down on oil, delivering that perfect crunch with less grease.
- Soaking for starch removal: Soaking potato slices in ice water removes excess starch, preventing soggy chips.
- Simple ingredients: Just potatoes, a little olive oil spray, and seasoning make it quick and wholesome.
- Perfect portion control: Making chips yourself means you choose the batch size and seasoning level.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe plays a key role in getting those perfect crispy chips without any added fluff. Here’s why these ingredients come together so beautifully and some shopping tips along the way.
- Russet potatoes: Their high starch content and firm texture make them ideal for crisping up into chips.
- Ice water: Soaking in cold water helps draw out excess starch, which prevents the chips from sticking together and getting gummy.
- Olive oil cooking spray (non-aerosol): Using a spray with no additives ensures even, light oil coverage without overwhelming the chips.
- Seasoned salt (Lawry’s brand): Adds just the right blend of salt and herbs for classic chip flavor—feel free to swap your favorite blend here!
- Optional fresh herbs (parsley or chives): Fresh garnishes brighten flavors and add a pop of color for serving.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with flavors in this Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe. Once you have the basic method down, you can adjust seasoning or try different potato varieties for fun. Personalizing it really makes the snack your own.
- Herb Infused Chips: I sometimes toss the sliced potatoes with a sprinkle of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even cayenne before spraying with olive oil for a flavor punch.
- Different Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes offer a creamier texture and golden color if you want a twist on the classic Russet.
- Salt-Free Version: If you’re watching sodium, skip the seasoned salt and use fresh lemon juice or a pinch of nutritional yeast for flavor boost.
- Batch Size: My air fryer is small, so I usually make a couple of smaller batches to ensure every chip crisps evenly without overcrowding.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe
Step 1: Slice and Soak for Maximum Crisp
Start by thinly slicing your Russet potatoes about ⅛-inch thick. I use a mandoline slicer for even thickness—it really helps with consistent crisping. Then, place the slices in a bowl filled with ice water and let them soak for 15-20 minutes. This step is a game changer because it pulls out excess starch, making your chips crispier rather than soggy.
Step 2: Dry Thoroughly Before Air Frying
Drain the potatoes and rinse under cold water to wash away loosened starch. Next, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Use another paper towel to pat each slice dry really well. This drying step is key — moisture on the potato surface will steam the chips instead of crisping them.
Step 3: Lightly Oil and Preheat the Air Fryer
Lightly spray both sides of your dried potato slices with non-aerosol olive oil spray. I find that less oil works better in the air fryer — just enough to help the chips turn golden and crisp but not soak them. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F while you do this.
Step 4: Cook in Batches for Even Crisping
Place a single layer of potato slices in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overlap them. Overcrowding causes uneven cooking and soggy spots. Cook for about 15 minutes total, shaking the basket around halfway through so each chip crisps evenly. Keep an eye on the last few minutes—chips can go from perfect to burnt quickly!
Step 5: Season and Serve Immediately
As soon as the chips come out, sprinkle them with seasoned salt while they’re still hot so the seasoning sticks. I love adding fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and fresh flavor—totally optional but highly recommended if you want to impress guests.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Mandoline Magic: Using a mandoline slicer means every chip cooks evenly—totally worth the small investment.
- Don’t Skip the Soak: I tried skipping the soak once and ended up with floppy chips. The soak really makes all the difference!
- Batch Size Matters: Cooking in smaller batches ensures no overlapping and maximum crispiness.
- Keep an Eye in the Last Minutes: Chips can burn quickly—checking early helps avoid wasted batches.
How to Serve Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with fresh parsley or chives tossed on top just before serving—it adds a fresh, herbal note and looks beautiful on the plate. Sometimes, I’ll even sprinkle a little smoked paprika or a zesty dukkah spice mix for an unexpected kick.
Side Dishes
This Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe pairs perfectly with classic dips like creamy ranch, guacamole, or a tangy sriracha mayo. I also like serving it alongside sandwiches or burgers for a homemade, healthier chip alternative.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to pile these chips in colorful bowls or even in mini paper cones for easy serving. A little sprinkle of fresh herbs on top always makes the presentation feel festive and inviting. Plus, you can spice things up by offering a trio of seasonings for guests to sprinkle themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and I know that’s rare!), I store them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep them at room temperature, but know they’ll slowly lose crispness by the next day.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing these chips because they lose their delicate crisp texture once thawed. They’re best enjoyed fresh or within a day or two.
Reheating
To revive leftover chips, a quick 3-5 minutes at 350°F in the air fryer works wonders. This helps crisp them back up without drying them out. Avoid the microwave, which makes chips soft and chewy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of potatoes for the Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe?
Absolutely! Russet potatoes are ideal because of their starch content, but Yukon Gold or red potatoes work too. Just keep in mind that waxier potatoes might yield chips that are a bit less crispy than Russets.
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Do I need to soak the potatoes before air frying?
Yes, soaking the thin slices in ice water for at least 15 minutes removes excess starch, which is key for achieving crispy chips. It also helps prevent the slices from sticking together during cooking.
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What’s the best way to avoid chips sticking in the air fryer basket?
Make sure to spray both sides of the potato slices with olive oil spray and avoid overcrowding the basket. Also, shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps prevent sticking and promotes even frying.
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How long do air fryer potato chips stay crispy?
They’re crispiest right after cooking but can stay reasonably crisp for a few hours if stored in an airtight container with paper towels. Beyond that, they tend to soften due to moisture.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe is one I keep coming back to, especially when I want a healthier snack that still hits that satisfying crunch. It’s foolproof once you get the hang of soaking and drying the potatoes, and it feels great knowing exactly what’s going in your snack. If you haven’t tried air frying your own potato chips yet, this recipe is the perfect place to start—grab your air fryer and get ready for some seriously delicious results!
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Air Fryer Potato Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and delicious air fryer potato chips made from thinly sliced Russet potatoes, lightly seasoned and cooked to perfection using an air fryer for a healthier alternative to traditional fried chips.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large baking potatoes Russet potatoes, sliced into 1/8-inch slices
- 6 cups ice water
- Non-Aerosol olive oil cooking spray no propellants and no additives
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt Lawry’s brand
Optional Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Soak Potatoes: Place the thinly sliced potatoes into a large bowl with the ice water and allow them to soak for 20 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Rinse and Dry: Drain the starchy ice water and rinse the potato slices under fresh cold water. Spread them out on paper towels in an even layer and pat them very dry with another paper towel.
- Oil the Potatoes: Spray the dried potato slices evenly on both sides with the non-aerosol olive oil cooking spray to ensure crispiness during cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F to prepare for cooking the chips.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place a single layer of the olive oil-coated potato slices into the air fryer basket without overlapping, working in 2-3 batches if necessary.
- Air Fry Chips: Cook the chips for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Monitor closely during the last 3 minutes to prevent burning.
- Season and Serve: Transfer the hot chips to a serving plate and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Garnish with fresh parsley or chopped chives if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to slice the potatoes very thin (1/8 inch) for crispy chips.
- Patting the potato slices very dry before spraying oil is key to crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking; cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to prevent sticking and uneven crisping.
- Use non-aerosol olive oil spray to avoid chemicals and additives.
- Seasoning salt can be substituted with sea salt or your preferred seasoning blend.
- Garnish with fresh herbs to add a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
