Ultimate Homemade Potato Chips Guide: Fried, Baked, and Air Fried
A guide providing three methods—deep frying, oven baking, and air frying—to make perfectly crispy homemade potato chips from scratch.
- Prep Time: 45 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 70 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying, Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large Russet potatoes
- Vegetable oil, for frying (if deep frying)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice the potatoes using a mandoline or sharp knife. Aim for 1/16-inch thickness for best results.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water. Soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, changing the water once. This removes excess starch.
- Drain the potatoes completely and dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth. Moisture prevents crisping.
- For Deep Frying: Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 325°F (160°C). Fry chips in small batches until golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- For Oven Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the dried slices with 1 tablespoon of oil. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
- For Air Frying: Lightly toss the dried slices with 1 teaspoon of oil. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches). Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until crisp.
- Immediately transfer the hot chips to a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and your chosen seasonings. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Let the chips cool completely before serving; they will crisp up further as they cool.
Notes
- For extra crunch in baked or air-fried chips, you can briefly soak the slices in ice water for 10 minutes after slicing, then dry them very well.
- To make BBQ seasoned chips, mix 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the salt.
- For a simple salt and vinegar flavor, toss the hot chips with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar powder or sprinkle with salt immediately after frying/baking, then let them cool.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0