By now, you’ve probably heard all about air fryers. Chances are, you probably have one sitting on your kitchen countertop. They’re all the rage right now – but why?
Well, air fryers are quick, convenient, easy to clean and seemingly magic – imagine frying chicken with air? However they started trending, air fryers are here to stay – and we’re constantly discovering tasty new recipes for this nifty kitchen gadget (even vegan ones!). But for now, let’s take it back to the basics – good ol’ chips.
How to use an air fryer for chips
Okay, so air fryers aren’t quite magic – there’s some science behind them. Basically, a combination of high-speed air circulation and a grill element allows incredibly hot air to flow around the ingredients in the air fryer, zapping them from all directions for a perfect finish. It’s super speedy too – cooking time can be reduced by around 20 minutes compared to standard oven cooking.
To cook perfect air fryer chips, peel about 4-5 large potatoes and cut them into chip-shaped rectangles. Don’t make them too thick or thin – too thick and they won’t cook all the way through, too thin and they might break.
Put your chips into your air fryer and add a tablespoon of sunflower or olive oil. Toss the chips to make sure they’re all oiled up – you want them all to get crispy and golden! Cooking time depends on your air fryer, but about 30 minutes should do – your chips should be cooked through and tender. If they don’t quite seem done, pop them in for another 5 minutes. And obviously, don’t forget your seasoning before serving.
Are air fryers any good for chips?
Um, yeah! Who doesn’t want perfectly golden chips that are light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside? I mean, each to their own – but we know what our answer is…
Truth is, we’re probably all impartial to a portion of chips every now and then – but we also might avoid them because of how unhealthy they can be. Especially if you’re on a New Year health kick, the chip guilt can be reaaaaal.
That’s where air fryers swoop in. Whilst food cooked in an air fryer is still technically classed as fried food, the minimal (or complete lack of) oil makes it a healthier alternative to your run-of-the-mill deep fat frying.
What temperature do the chips have to be in the air fryer?
It all depends on your air fryer. Unlike traditional ovens, most air fryers make life easier by having different programs for different dishes. For example, the Tefal Actifry Genius XL has nine automatic programs for chips, rolls, breaded snacks, meat & vegetable balls, battered snacks, chicken, desserts and 1-meal-in-1-go. Phew!
What can you cook in an air fryer?
The question might be ‘what can’t you cook in an air fryer?’ Air fryer enthusiasts are forever coming up with new ways to use an air fryer, but here are some of the most popular air-fryable foods:
Chips (obvs)
Fried chicken
Waffles
Vegetables
Doughnuts
Fish
CAKE
Uh, did we mention cake?
If you can’t decide which recipe to try out first, you’re in luck – the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone lets you cook two meals at the same time. Dinner and dessert, anyone?
Air fryer vs oven
But what’s the difference between an air fryer and an oven? They both cook things, after all.
Well, the most obvious difference is size – you can move an air fryer around your kitchen, and it’s much easier to take apart and clean than an oven. In fact, this Ninja Air Fryer Max and Dehydrator has dishwasher-safe parts and a handy ceramic coating to help stop food from sticking to the basket.
However, whilst the air fryer’s smaller size is convenient, there are situations that call for a full-sized oven. You might have a hard time fitting a whole turkey in your air fryer’s drawer!
In terms of speed, air fryers cook food much faster than your traditional oven – it’s one of their biggest wins. If you live a busy lifestyle or run around after kids, an air fryer might be the ideal addition to your kitchen.
Then there’s the tech. Most air fryers are more high-tech than ovens: they produce a much more intense heat, and digital air fryers have touchscreens and nifty programs to make cooking more intuitive. Plus, reheating food in an air fryer is the stuff of dreams – you can say goodbye to soggy reheated chips and pizza.
Are air fryer chips healthy?
Like we mentioned above, air fryer chips are still classed as fried foods. But because they use sooo much less oil than traditional frying, air fried chips can be considered ‘healthier’ than their deep-fried counterparts. Chip guilt, be gone!
Can you cook frozen chips in the air fryer?
Yup, you can cook frozen chips in an air fryer. It’s the same method as above – but you might want to give your chips a quick shake halfway through cooking. It’s only fair that they all get a chance to be blasted by high-speed hot air (and it’ll make sure they cook evenly). Again, cooking time depends on your air fryer, so make sure you’re well-acquainted with yours.
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