What is the best way to cook homemade chips in an air fryer? To find out, six popular methods were put to the test, ranging from the most basic to longer, more complicated multi-stage cooking processes, all to see which one produces the best results.
Before diving into the methods, two important things are needed. First, potatoes, and the variety you choose really matters. Most chefs and recipes agree that Maris Piper potatoes, which are the most widely grown potatoes in the UK, are also the best for chips. Second, for most of the methods, you are going to need some oil, and again, everyone agrees on one type in particular, which is sunflower oil.
Table of Contents
Method 1: Cold Water Soak
The first two methods tested are the simplest ones, the ones you have probably already tried at home. They were tested first so you can see the results and then compare them to the more advanced methods covered later. All potatoes were cut with skins on into chips approximately 1 cm across, as size does matter to some people.
For the first method, the freshly cut chips were soaked in cold tap water for half an hour. This removes excess starch and also helps make the outside of the chips crispier. Adding a little salt makes the method even more effective. Once the time has passed, drain the chips in the sink and rinse them, then lay them on a clean dry tea towel and pat them all over until they are really dry. Getting them as dry as possible is really important as it helps make the surface crispy when cooking.
Once dry, add them to a bowl with a little sunflower oil, just enough to lightly coat each chip. Toss them in the bowl and add them into the air fryer drawer. Cook on roast for 22 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius and give them a shake halfway through cooking.
This method produced chips that were very fluffy inside but a little leathery rather than crunchy on the outside. They were far from bad, but they only scored 7 out of 10.
Method 2: Par Boiling
The second method is very similar to the first, but instead of soaking the chips, they are boiled. This was done in the hope of answering the question that is argued over all the time: whether par boiling is actually required with air fryer chips.
The kettle was boiled, the water was added to a saucepan on the hob, and once it was really bubbling again, the cut chips were added and cooked for 3 minutes. They were then drained in a colander over the sink and patted dry on a clean tea towel before being mixed with a little sunflower oil and placed into the air fryer drawer.
The chips were cooked on roast at 180 degrees Celsius for 19 minutes, slightly less time than the soaked batch since they had been precooked. They were shaken halfway through cooking, and at the end, the result was virtually identical to the first method. They were also rated 7 out of 10.
Par boiling does save a little bit of time compared to soaking, but it could arguably use slightly more energy since you are boiling the kettle and running the hob.
Method 3: The Microwave Method
This next method is believed to have originated with Jamie Oliver, though searching online before testing it did not turn up any direct reference to it in his recipes or on his website. Regardless of its origin, it is worth trying.
Instead of soaking or boiling, the chips go into a Pyrex bowl full of water. The bowl is then covered in cling film, which is pierced several times, and placed into the microwave for 10 minutes. After the time is up, remove it from the microwave, peel back the cling film, and drain the chips in the sink. Pat them dry with a tea towel, add sunflower oil, and put them into the air fryer drawer. Cook on roast at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
This method was preferred over both cold soaking and par boiling. However, it is obviously dependent on whether or not you have a microwave. This method earned a score of 8 out of 10.
Also Read: Top 10 Tips for Air Fryer Owners
Method 4: Long and Slow Cooking
This next method flies in the face of logic. Air fryers are supposed to be about speed, and it is usually recommended to cook chips between 160 and 180 degrees Celsius. However, this method goes against all of that.
The chips are cut and soaked for 30 minutes, then drained and patted dry before being tossed in about a teaspoon of oil. They are then placed into the air fryer drawer and cooked at just 150 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes, with the obligatory shake halfway through.
The results were impressive, with a great appearance and the best results so far at that point in testing. These chips received a score of 8.5 out of 10. If 40 minutes feels too long, the next method might be worth considering first, but it is worth seeing the results before writing it off entirely.
Method 5: The Twice Baked Method
Once again, preparation begins with familiar steps. The chips are soaked in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes, then drained, rinsed, spread out on a clean dry tea towel, and patted dry before being tossed in a little oil.
They then go into the air fryer for 20 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius with a good shake halfway through, not just front to back but also side to side. After 20 minutes, they are poured into a bowl, covered with cling film, and placed in the fridge for 30 minutes. After chilling, they go back into the air fryer and cook at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes.
These chips were by far the crunchiest on the outside, and the entire bowl was eaten by the family. They received a well-deserved score of 9 out of 10.
Method 6: Butter and Flour, No Oil Required
The final method puts the vegetable oil away entirely. This recipe does not require oil at all. Start by par boiling the potato chips for 2 minutes, then drain them in a colander over the sink and pat them dry with a tea towel.
Next, melt a knob of butter in a bowl in the microwave and tip the dried chips into the bowl. Once coated in the butter, sprinkle them with flour and place them into the air fryer. Cook on the air fry setting at 220 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. These chips looked great but did not make it into the winning methods. They received a score of 7.5 out of 10.
Which Method is Best for Cooking French Fries in an Air Fryer?
Here is how all six methods ranked in the end. The pre-soaked only method and the par boiled method were virtually identical and both received 7 points each. The microwave method scored 8 points. The long and slow method came in at 8.5 points. The twice baked method topped the leaderboard with 9 points. The butter and flour method received 7.5 points.
If you are short on time, the microwave method is the best option. If you want the absolute best results with no time constraints, go for the twice baked or long and slow method. Either way, cooking French fries in an air fryer has never been more rewarding.
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