These air fryer potato chips are so crispy and crunchy that they’ll have you questioning reality. They’re seriously that good! Perfect for backyard barbecues, they’ve become a family favorite. Plus, with way less fat than deep-fried options, you can indulge without worry.
Air Fryer Chips Recipe
I have a potato chip problem. I open the bag and eat them all, and that is a problem! Not so with our air-fried potato chips! These homemade chips use just three ingredients for a healthier twist on classic potato chips. Also, cooking in an air fryer cuts down on oil, reducing fat and calories compared to store-bought chips.
The best part of this recipe is that my family loves them! I can easily change up the flavor of them by adding some of my favorite Trader Joe spices like their Everything but the Bagel seasoning or their Everything but the Elote. They are both so good on homemade chips.
These homemade chips are not only crispy and delicious but also packed with vitamin C and potassium, making them a nutritious snack or side. Like my other air fryer favorites (french fries, chicken wings, and nachos), this recipe delivers that satisfying crunch without the fatty oils!
Ingredient Notes
- Baking potatoes: I used Russet potatoes (also called Idaho potatoes) to make my chips, but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes and red potatoes to make sweet potato chips. Keep in mind that the soak and cooking time will need to be adjusted as well as the temperature if they brown too quickly.
- Ice water
- Non-Aerosol olive oil cooking spray: Be sure you use an olive oil spray with NO Propellants and NO Additives. If you can not find a brand like this (I used Bertoli Brand), you can certainly use an extra light olive oil (about 1-2 tablespoons) to toss the soaked and dried potato chips to coat evenly. The propellants and additives from a standard can of cooking spray are not recommended for use in air fryers as the additives tend to leave an unwanted coating on the air fryer basket.
- Seasoned salt : I used Lawry’s brand to season my chip, but you can use your favorite meat or veggie seasoning pack, like Cajun, taco, or ranch. You can also make up your own seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian spices, or Old Bay seasoning.
- Fresh chopped parsley or chives (optional garnish)
How to make Potato Chips in Air Fryer
- Prepare Your Potatoes: Slice and soak the potatoes for 15-20 minutes. Drain the starchy ice water and rinse the potato slices under fresh cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Cook: Spray the dried potato slices on both sides with olive oil spray. Preheat the air frier to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the potato chips for 15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through and check your chips for the last 2-3 minutes to make sure that none of your chips are burning.
Pro Tip: Be sure not to overcrowd, or overlap, your potato slices. You will need to make 2-3 batches of air fryer chips if you have a smaller air fryer. - Season: Place your potato chips onto a serving plate and sprinkle with the seasoned salt while hot. Garnish with a fresh parsley or chives if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Serve With Sauce: You can serve your chips with some ketchup, BBQ sauce, Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, or buffalo dipping sauce.
- Flavor With Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some fresh herbs on the chips, such as parsley, chives, rosemary, or cilantro
- Do not crowd the air fryer basket. You will want to work in batches and not overcrowd the basket. This will help ensure that your chips get nice and crispy.
- These air fryer potato chips are best served immediately. These will not last very well, like a store-bought potato chip, as they have no preservatives added for storage and freshness.
- You will need to gently scrub the outside of your potatoes with cool water (no soap needed). You do not need to peel your potatoes before slicing and air frying.
- If you are making a large batch of air fryer potatoes, you can keep half your potato slices soaking in the cold water while you are air frying your first 1-2 batches. You can rinse and dry them as you prepare to air fry them.
- If you have two large baking sheets, you can use one of them for drying the potato slices and the other for spraying oil onto the potato slices. This will help if you are working in batches.
Serving Suggestions
Air-fried potato chips are the perfect side dish for many main dishes. We love to serve them with hamburgers, steaks, chicken, or just as a snack.
Proper Storage
- To Store: You can store your air-fried chips in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they get soft, just throw them in the air fryer until they crisp up.
Common Questions
You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline when slicing your potatoes. Whichever method you choose, be sure to be very careful with the blades of both, as you will need to make very thin, uniform cuts.
It is very important that you do not skip the ice water bath for the potato slices. This step not only helps to prevent the potatoes from oxidizing and turning brown, but it also helps to remove as much of the potato starches as possible and prevents pieces from sticking together. This is the key to cooking nice crisp chips.
After soaking your potatoes, make sure to drain them well and pat them dry with paper towels. Otherwise, you may end up with steamed potatoes instead of crispy chips.
Other Easy Potato Recipes
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Ingredients
- 2 large baking potatoes Russet potatoes, sliced into ⅛-inch slices
- 6 cups ice water
- Non-Aerosol olive oil cooking spray no propellants and no additives
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt Lawry’s brand
- Optional garnish – fresh chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Place the thinly sliced potatoes into a large bowl with the ice water.
- Allow the potato slices to soak for 15-20 minutes. This helps to remove as much of the potato starch as possible.
- Drain the starchy ice water and rinse the potato slices under fresh cold water.
- Place the potato slices onto a large baking sheet lined with paper towels, and spread them into an even layer.
- Using another paper towel, pat the potato slices very dry. Remove the paper towels from the tray of potatoes.
- Spray the dried potato slices evenly, on both sides, with the olive oil spray.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place a single layer of olive oil-coated potatoes into the basket of your air fryer. Be sure not to overcrowd, or overlap, your potato slices. You will need to make 2-3 batches of air fryer chips if you have a smaller air fryer.
- Air fry your potato chips for 15 minutes. You will need to shake your basket about halfway through to make sure that all the surface area of each chip is frying. Be sure to check your chips for the last 2-3 minutes of air frying to make sure that none of your chips are burning.
- Place your air fryer potato chips onto a serving plate and sprinkle with the seasoned salt while they are still hot.
- You can garnish your chips with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped chives if desired.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: You can store your air fryer chips in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- These air fryer potato chips are best served immediately. These will not last very well, like a store-bought potato chip, as they have no preservatives added for storage and freshness.
- You will need to gently scrub the outside of your potatoes with cool water (no soap needed). You do not need to peel your potatoes before slicing and air frying.
- If you are making a large batch of air fryer potatoes, you can keep half your potato slices soaking in the cold water while you are air frying your first 1-2 batches. You can rinse and dry them as you prepare to air fry them.
- If you have two large baking sheets, you can use one of them for drying the potato slices and the other for spraying oil onto the potato slices. This will help if you are working in batches.
- I love the addition of seasoned salt (you can use any type of seasoned salt you enjoy), but a standard fine sea salt would be just as delicious.
