Homemade air fryer chips recipe

The best air fryer recipe for homemade chips

Chips. They're the food we turn to when we need a pick-me-up, when we're celebrating with friends, or when we just want to indulge in something delicious. You know the occasion is going to arise, so make sure that when it does, you’ve got the best air fryer recipe to meet it.

Cooking homemade chips in an air fryer is an absolute game-changer. All it takes is a single spoon of oil – finally, a healthy chip fryer! By blasting the potatoes with super-hot air from all directions, you get a perfectly even golden coat with delicious fluffy centres every time.

Whether this is your first go or you’re an air frying whizz on the hunt for the perfect chip, we’re excited to share this with you.

If you want to know more about how air fryers work and why they’re so worthwhile, check out our quick guide.

Going for gold? The best air fryer for chips is: Lakeland Air Fry Oven 12L

A larger tray is what you need. For maximum crispness, you want maximum space for each chip to brown up. This roomy air fryer also has a pre-set ‘French fries’ programme to make life even easier.

How to make homemade chips in an air fryer

Thick cut wedges. Skinny French fries. Sweet potato chips. The humble chip comes in all shapes and sizes, and an air fryer will cook them all to perfection. We’ve started with a classic, the French fry. But you can find plenty more air fryer recipes here.

Two quick hot tips:

1. First things first, we need to pick the right potatoes. You don't want some lacklustre spud. Go for a variety that's high in starch, like Russet or Maris Piper. They'll give you that perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior that we all crave.
2. Check what programs your air fryer has; it might just have ‘French fry’ setting that you can test out when cooking your chips. Otherwise, we’ve included temperatures and timings for you to follow in the recipe below.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, washed and dried
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sea salt

Method

1. When cutting your potatoes, aim for pieces that are about 1cm thick. But don't stress about it too much – uneven chips just add character!
2. Soak your potatoes. This will help get rid of excess starch and ensure that your chips come out crispy. Simply place your cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
3. Dry your chips-to-be off with a clean tea towel or some paper towels. This will help them cook evenly and prevent the dreaded soggy chip!
4. Now, let's preheat the air fryer to 180°C, or use the ‘French fry’ setting. While it’s heating up, add your potato slices to the basket and drizzle over the oil and some of the salt. Make sure that you don't overcrowd it; some overlap is fine but give your homemade chips plenty of space to crisp up.
5. Once your air fryer is hot enough, pop the basket in and let the magic happen.
   Your total cook time will vary depending on how full your draw is. Keep peeking in and shaking the basket to make sure they're cooking evenly.
6. Season your chips with a generous sprinkle of whatever you fancy. Go classic with salt or serve up something more powerful with cayenne pepper and garlic powder.

There you have it, fresh crispy chips with none of the faff and fat of deep-frying!

If you’re looking to expand your home menu, then check out our top five air frying recipes. You can also pick up air fryer cookbooks online. Get recipes and tips from award-winning chef Todd English, or check out our 100 recipe cookbook for inspiration throughout the year.