Making homemade chips was one of the first things I tested when I finally got around to buying my air fryer.I tried a number of different methods:
Soaking the potatoes in water, then patting dry before air frying. Verdict: The outcome didn’t warrant the effort and time of washing and drying the potatoes. Yes, the idea is to remove excess starch so the potatoes don’t burn before they’re cooked. But I found I could cook them without soaking, and they were ALWAYS cooked in the middle before the outside got too brown. Steaming in a foil parcel in the air fryer to par-cook the potatoes before air frying. The idea was to par-cook them in an air fryer because who has the time to par-cook chips in water? So I thought I’d see if my air fryer could steam them for me. Verdict: Turns out if can’t. Even after 15 minutes air-frying in foil, the potatoes were hard and rather dry. Plus I was worried the foil could be a fire-risk. So that ruled this option out. Air frying the chips in just oil, salt and pepper (rather than using the addition of cornflour and paprika in the final recipe). Verdict: This worked just fine, and I’d recommend this if you didn’t have cornflour or paprika in. The cornflour adds just a little bit more crispness and the paprika adds just a little more gorgeous golden colour.
📋 Ingredients
Potatoes – I like to use floury potatoes – such as Maris Piper or Rooster, as the edges go a little more crispy. I peel the potatoes first, but you can leave them skin-on for a more rustic feel. Cornflour (cornstarch) – adds a little extra crispness to the chips Oil – use your favourite neutral-tasting frying oil (such as rapeseed or sunflower).
📺 Watch how to make it
Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post You can also make these chips chunky, skinny or crinkle-cut. Skinny chips will take a few minutes less, and chunky chips will take a few minutes more in the air fryer – just check on them and give them a shake an extra couple of times to ensure they don’t burn. Crispy, golden and fluffy. They are the perfect side to any meal, or can just be eaten by themselves as a snack. 😋
On some homemade bread or brioche buns for the ultimate chip butty (there’s the Northern girl coming out) Dipped in spicy bang bang sauce, BBQ sauce or classic burger sauce Smothered in homemade gravy, or upgrade further and make into poutine, salt and pepper chips or pizza fries!
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Chip Shop-Style Chips
Easy Duchess Potatoes
Garlic and Coriander Potatoes
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Hasselback Potatoes
This post was first published in Sept 22. Updated in July 2024 with a video and some housekeeping. Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.