Who doesn’t love chips? They are tasty and crispy, and they also make for a perfect convenient meal. There are several ways to prepare chips, and some of the easiest to make are oven chips.
As per their name, oven chips are prepared using ovens. So, can you cook oven chips using an air fryer?
Despite what their name may imply, you can use an air fryer for cooking oven chips. If anything, an air fryer is one of the best ways to cook oven chips. They are fast and very simple to use, and the chips taste so much better than when you use an oven.
Oven chips are a perfect quick-fix meal, especially during the nights when no one is in the spirits to make dinner. They also come in handy when the kids need to eat something, but there is not enough time for proper cooking.
One advantage oven chips have over deep-fried chips is that they have fewer calories and, therefore, are healthier. Read on to learn more about cooking oven chips in an air fryer.
Can You Cook Frozen Oven Chips In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen oven chips in an air fryer. Oven chips are completely compatible with an air fryer.
If you recently got yourself an air fryer and are wondering if you can use it for cooking your favorite frozen oven chips, then fret not.
There are several types of frozen chips – French fries (or thin chips), steak-cut chips, crinkle-cut chips, and chunky chips. Regardless of the type you want to cook, the method of preparation is the same for all of them.
Frozen chips cooked in an air fryer are just as crispy as those cooked in an oven, just that they have fewer calories. There are 130 calories in every 100 grams of oven chips, which is way less than regular chips.
Cooking Frozen Oven Chips In An Air Fryer
The first step is to remove the chips from their packaging and load them into the air fryer basket. No prior preparation is required for the chips or the fryer. If there are damaged little chips, you want to get rid of those before getting any further.
Normally, frozen chips are pre-oiled, meaning you don’t necessarily need to add oil when cooking them.
They are primarily made up of 95% potatoes and 5% oil, making them self-sufficient when it comes to oil. Set the air fryer at a temperature of 200C or 400 F, and let it cook.
The standard cooking time is about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of frozen oven chips. Halfway through the cooking time, it is advisable to shake up the basket a little bit and toss the chips, so the heat spreads evenly.
If the chips are too dry by the time they are ready, then you could sprinkle a little oil and cook it for a few more minutes, not more than five.
The extra time makes it a little crispier. At this point, you can serve the chips with the sauce of your preference. As evident, the process is straightforward and quite fast.
Here’s a video exhibiting the perfect way to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer:
Should You Put Oil In An Air Fryer For Frozen Oven Chips?
Most types of oven chips are already oiled when you buy them. So, you don’t necessarily have to put oil in the air fryer when cooking them. You will still get crunchy, tasty chips and, what’s more, with fewer calories, which is healthy.
If at all you need to, then a very small amount is more than enough, preferably virgin olive oil. This is if and when the chips look dry, as the oil makes them crispier.
If you add oil, it is advisable to cook for an additional 5 minutes.
How Long Do Oven Chips Take In An Air Fryer?
The amount of time that oven chips take in an air fryer depends on several factors. One of the factors is the brand of the chips – some brands take longer to cook than others, based on their sizes and type of coating.
Different types of frozen oven chips get ready at different times. French fries and curly chips take up to 10 minutes, straight-cut fries take 15 minutes, and chunky chips take 20 minutes. Frozen oven chips take about 15 to 16 minutes.
Also, the degree of crispiness you want determines how long your oven chips will have to stay in the fryer. The crispier you want them, the longer they need to stay in the air fryer.
Fortunately, you can adjust the cooking time at any point during the cooking process. If you want your chips thin and soft, you will cook them for a shorter period compared to thick and crispy ones.
Generally, it takes way less to cook oven chips in a dryer than in an oven- almost by a third. This is a good thing because the less time it takes, the less energy is expended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best oven chips to use in an air dryer?
One of the best oven chips in the market is McCain chips. There are different brands of oven chips on the market, so the best one depends on your individual needs.
Some of the things to look out for include the ingredient list, just in case there is something you are allergic to.
You may also want to consider the size and texture of the chips.
What is the best seasoning for oven chips cooked in an air fryer?
There is a variety of seasonings that you can use to spice up your oven chips. You can use regular salt or spicier seasonings such as cayenne, chili, paprika, and ground garlic.
In addition, you can incorporate dipping sauces like BBQ sauce or ketchup. Sprinkling grated cheese on the chips as they cook is also a good way to improve their taste. Essentially, the possibilities are limitless.
Does an air fryer make oven chips soggy?
Not necessarily – it depends on how you handle the chips. For instance, they are likely to become soggy if you add too much oil. If you leave the chips for too long after cooking, they will likely become soggy.
Frozen oven chips come oiled already, so if you find that they are too dry at any point, just spray a little oil.
It is best to serve them while they are still hot. They will become soggy when you leave them to cool and reheat them after some time.
Undercooking oven chips can also make them soggy. Therefore, if you find that they are not as crispy as you would like, you should air fry them a little longer.
Should you defrost frozen oven chips before cooking them in an air fryer?
You do not have to defrost frozen oven chips before cooking them. It is okay to load them into the air fryer right away without prior preparations.
Only, do not stack them too high – you want them to have enough room in the basket to cook evenly.
In Conclusion
Cooking oven chips in an air fryer is easy, fast, and convenient. Making them takes only a few minutes, and the process is super straightforward. The oven chips come pre-oiled, so you don’t have to add oil when cooking them.
For this reason, they have fewer calories than regular chips. You can cook them to the crispiness of your liking, and there is a wide variety of seasonings and dipping sauces you can incorporate to make the deal sweeter.
