These Air Fryer Potato Chips are crispy, crunchy, and completely addictive. They use less oil too, meaning you can feel good about enjoying more of them, more often!
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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Potato Chips Recipe
- It’s Better for You. At any given moment, you’ll find a minimum of four bags of different chips in our pantry. Sometimes, a meal just doesn’t feel complete without a handful of chips, so I set out to create a healthier option (just like I did with Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Potato Wedges, and Air Fryer Onion Rings). This recipe uses very little oil, meaning the air fryer potato chips calories and fat are generally lower than what you’d get from a store-bought variety.
- No Deep Fryer Required. Air fryers are fantastic for making crispy chips and are so much easier (and better for you) than a deep fryer. No messy pot of oil, no splattering, easy clean up.
- No Soaking. Thanks to my easy rinsing steps, you don’t need to soak the potatoes to make crispy chips. This means you’ll be eating them even faster! Air fryer potato chips cook in about 15 minutes.
- You’ll Be the Hit of Every Gathering. No matter what type of event you’re attending (or hosting), homemade potato chips are a slam-dunk snack to share (as are Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks). You can serve them as a side, dip them with The Best Guacamole Recipe or Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip, or enjoy them straight from the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fried Potato Chips
The Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes. Because they contain less moisture than other types of potatoes and are starchy, Idaho (russet) potatoes are best for making air fried chips. They’re also rich in fiber and antioxidants (healthy chips? I’ll tell myself yes).
- Olive Oil. Olive oil helps the air-fryer chips become crispy and keeps them from burning. You need very little for this air fryer recipe.
- Salt. Because potato chips aren’t complete without that salty goodness.
- Black Pepper. An optional addition to kick it up a bit.
The Directions
- Slice the Potatoes. Repeatedly rinse and drain the potatoes, until the water runs clear. Dry them.
- Add the Oil and Seasonings. Toss to coat.
- Air Fry. Air fry potato chips at 325°F for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Repeat with remaining potatoes. DIG IN!
Recipe Variations
- Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Potato Chips. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper (one of our favorite flavor variations). Air fryer potato chips salt and vinegar would be tasty too!
- Ranch Air Fry Potato Chips. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix to the potatoes (I love the Trader Joe’s blend). If you prefer a stronger ranch flavor, you can sprinkle additional ranch seasoning over the top of your cooked potato chips right after they come out of the air fryer.
- Spicy Air Fryer Potato Chips. Turn up the heat! Season your potato chips with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Sour Cream and Onion Air Fryer Potato Chips. Toss your chips with 1 tablespoon buttermilk powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Barbecue Air Fryer Potato Chips. For that delicious BBQ seasoning flavor, use 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder. (A perfect air fryer potato chip seasoning for a crowd!)
- Dill Air Fryer Potato Chips. Craving Air Fryer Pickles? Give your potato chips a pickle spin by adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store chips in an airtight storage container or ziptop bag for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze. Freeze chips in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag (remove all the air) for up to 3 months. Let thaw for a few minutes on the counter before serving.
Leftover Ideas
Crumble leftover chips over a bowl of Potato Cheese Soup for a crunchy topping, or use them in your favorite sandwich for a crunchy element (like in an Avocado Grilled Cheese).
Process the chips in a food processor, then use them as breading for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or as a casserole topping (they’d be delicious on this Hamburger Casserole).
What to Serve With Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Burger. A Blue Cheese Burger, Vegan Burger, or Turkey Burgers would taste delicious with chips.
- Chicken. Serve chips with crowd-pleasing chicken recipes like Chicken Tenders Recipe, Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, or Baked BBQ Chicken.
- Seafood. Try Salmon Croquettes or Air Fryer Shrimp with homemade potato chips. Fish and Chips would also be tasty with these potato chips (swap the fries in the recipe for the chips).
- Sandwich. Pair these chips with a Meatloaf Sandwich, Steak Sandwich, or BLT.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. Perfect for making air fryer potato chips! While I made Ninja air fryer potato chips, any air fryer should work well.
- Mixing Bowls. I love the variety of sizes in this set of glass mixing bowls.
- Mandoline. Easily slice your potatoes into thin chips.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use a Russet Potato. Dry, starchy potatoes like russets (also called Idaho potatoes), instead of waxy potatoes like red potatoes, work best for fries. Yukon gold potatoes are an acceptable substitute, as they are somewhere in between waxy and starchy. Save your waxy potatoes for Roasted Red Potatoes.
- Slice the Potatoes Paper Thin. A mandoline slicer really is the only sure way to achieve this. I recommend 1/16 of an inch (or 2 mm).
- Rinse the Potato Slices with Water. This removes starch, which enables the potato chips to crisp. I found that you don’t need to soak the potatoes for an extended period as some recipes recommend. Just rinse the slices until the water runs clear.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket. I found I could air fry two staggered layers of potato chips with great results. After more than 2 layers, the chips were not as crisp.
- Make them Crispy. To ensure your chips are crispy, be sure to completely dry your potatoes before you start cooking. Also, make sure you rinse them long enough for crispy air fryer potato chips. Using too much oil could also make your potato chips less crispy.
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Air fryer potato chips are so golden, crispy, and crunchy with very little oil. This no soak recipe is quick and easy!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients
- 2 small Idaho, russet potatoes (about 8 ounces each), scrubbed with peels on
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper optional
Instructions
- With a mandoline, slice the potatoes crosswise into VERY THIN rounds—1/16-inch thick. Place in a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Rinse, moving the potatoes around, then drain. Rinse once more, repeating as needed until the water runs clear, not white (this removes the starches so the chips can crisp). Spread the potatoes onto a layer of paper towels or clean kitchen towels and pat dry. Dry the bowl.
- Return the now-dry potatoes to the dry bowl and top with the oil, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper if desired. Toss to coat, ensuring all of the slices are seasoned.
- Preheat your air fryer to 325°F. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the basket in an even layer so that you have no more than two layers of potatoes overlapping. Air fry for 20 minutes, until the potatoes are dark golden at the edges and crisp, tossing them with tongs every 5 to 7 minutes so they cook evenly. If some chips finish earlier than others, remove them to a plate as they are ready. Repeat with remaining potatoes. For two potatoes, I end up doing four batches total.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Store chips in an airtight storage container or ziptop bag for up to 1 week.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze chips in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag (remove all the air) for up to 3 months. Let thaw for a few minutes on the counter before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gPotassium: 355mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
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Sign Me UpFrequently Asked Questions
Can I Make this Recipe with Sweet Potatoes?
While I have only tested this recipe as russet air fryer potato chips, I think it would work well for air fryer sweet potato chips. If you decide to try, I’d love to hear how it goes. Note that sweet potato chips will not be as crispy as russets.
What Can I Use Instead of Olive Oil?
If you prefer, you can swap the olive oil for a similar cooking oil like avocado oil or canola oil.
I do not recommend making no oil air fryer potato chips, as the oil is part of what helps the chips become crispy and flavorful.
Why Are My Air Fryer Potato Chips Not Crispy?
If your potato chips aren’t crispy, it’s likely because your potatoes were not completely dry before you started cooking, or you did not soak and rinse them long enough. Using too much oil could also make your potato chips less crispy.
If you’re consistently having trouble with your chips being soggy, try air frying them in a single layer.
Crispy, crunchy heaven!! We inhaled the entire batch as soon as it was made.
Love that! Thank you Monica!
Made these for the first time. We had potatoes from our garden. Used the mandolin slicer at the thinnest setting. Then added a bit of cayenne pepper for some kick and the chips came out so yum. Thanks for the recipe.
YUM Annie, thanks for sharing!
These aren’t chips. They’re crisps. (bleedin’ yanks). But they’re OK.
Glad you enjoyed them by any name, Woody!
quick and easy. healtyy.
Thank you Vanessa!
Thanks for your advices. Great chips that didn’t last long, lol.
Glad to hear you enjoyed them, Carl!
What if one does not have a mandolin? What is the alternative way to slice a potato thinly?
Hi Maricar, A mandoline slicer really is the only sure way to achieve this. I recommend 1/16 of an inch (or 2 mm) but you could try using a knife and do your best to make the slices similar in thickness. Hope this helps, let me know how it goes if you give it a try!
Hi Erin :) I’m an avid follower. I LOVE your recipes.
I tried this recipe in my oven which has an air fryer setting . . . Could the temps be different? I tried on the suggested temp and even at 300, but to get the chips golden . . . well, at 300 they were still too dark. Dumb question, I’m sure.
I guess I’m looking for suggestions.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Angela, I really couldn’t make suggestions on temperature only because I’ve only used an air fryer. I would think an oven air fryer would take longer due to the space being bigger, but again I really don’t have any experience so it would be hard for me to say. Another thing I was thinking was, what kind of pan are you using to cook them on? A dark or light sheet pan. That could make a difference. Hope this helps!