Crispy Homemade Potato Chips: Air Fryer and Oven Methods
Make perfectly crispy and crunchy potato chips at home using either an air fryer or your oven. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a guilt-free snack.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for oven method) or 1 teaspoon oil (for air fryer method)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice the potatoes. Aim for a uniform thickness of about 1/16 inch. A mandoline slicer works best for consistency.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to remove excess starch.
- Drain the potatoes completely and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Dry the potato slices thoroughly using clean kitchen towels or paper towels. Moisture prevents crisping.
- In a bowl, toss the dry slices with the oil and salt (and paprika, if using).
- **For Air Fryer Method:** Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chips in a single layer in the basket, working in batches. Cook for 12-18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- **For Oven Method:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the chips in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until edges are browned and chips are crisp. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove the chips from the heat source immediately and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up more as they cool.
- Taste and add more salt if needed once cooled.
Notes
- For the crunchiest results, ensure the potatoes are completely dry before adding oil and seasoning.
- If using the oven, use two baking sheets if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which causes steaming instead of crisping.
- Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your slices and your appliance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0