How to Choose the Best Air Fryers For Chips?

Finding the perfect air fryer for crispy, golden chips can transform your family meals. After testing dozens of models in our kitchen, we've discovered what truly makes the difference between soggy disappointments and crispy perfection.

Focus on Cooking Performance

The primary factor in choosing an air fryer for chips is how well it cooks. In our tests, models with rotating baskets produced the most evenly golden chips with that perfect crispy-outside, fluffy-inside texture[5]. The Kmart Anko 3-in-1 oven air fryer with its rotating basket scored an impressive 85% in chip tests, creating perfectly uniform results without manual intervention.

For drawer-style air fryers, look for models that prompt you to shake the basket halfway through cooking. This simple feature ensures even browning, as we found with the Russell Hobbs SatisFry which alerts users when it's time to shake.

Consider Capacity and Family Size

For families, capacity matters. Standard drawer models typically offer 4-5 quart capacity, suitable for couples or small families. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, our top recommendation from Bestproductmadeinusa, features a 5-quart basket that handles up to 4 pounds of food while maintaining a compact footprint.

Larger families should consider models like the Ninja XL with 6-quart capacity or multicooker options like the Ninja Combi, which our testers found spacious enough to "replace their oven" for many meals.

Evaluate Cooking Speed and Convenience

Air fryers excel at speed compared to conventional ovens. In our testing, the Kmart model produced perfect chips in just 18 minutes with no preheating required, while oven-baked chips took over 30 minutes including preheat time.

Look for models with:

  • Clear digital timers visible from across the kitchen
  • Pre-programmed settings for chips/fries
  • No preheating requirements

Prioritize Non-Toxic Materials

For family health, material safety deserves attention. Our testing focused on models with PFAS-free cooking surfaces. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro uses a ceramic-coated plate that provides non-stick properties without harmful chemicals, making it both effective and safe for family use.

Other safe options include:

  • Aluminum with FDA-approved nano ceramic coating
  • Enamel-coated bake trays
  • Stainless steel components

Value Ease of Cleaning

After enjoying crispy chips, nobody wants difficult cleanup. We found models with dishwasher-safe components saved significant time. The Ninja Combi impressed our testers with its easy-clean design - all trays and baskets are dishwasher safe, containing most mess within removable parts.

For models without dishwasher-safe parts, look for non-stick ceramic coatings that allow food residue to rinse off easily with hot, soapy water.

Test Versatility for Family Meals

While chip perfection is our focus, versatility adds value for families. The Ninja Combi offers twelve cooking functions beyond air frying, including roasting and steaming, making it practical for diverse family meals.

Even basic models should handle various foods well. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro includes roasting, reheating and dehydrating functions despite its affordable price point.

In our experience, the best air fryers for family chip-making combine even cooking performance, adequate capacity, safe materials, and easy cleaning. The rotating basket models consistently outperformed standard drawer designs for chip perfection, but both styles can produce excellent results with the right features.

How We Tested the Air Fryers For Chips

Testing air fryers requires methodical evaluation to determine which models truly excel at making crispy, golden chips. At Bestproductmadeinusa, we believe families deserve honest, thorough reviews based on real-world performance. Our testing process follows strict protocols to ensure our recommendations help you make informed decisions.

We purchased all air fryers ourselves rather than accepting free samples from manufacturers. This approach eliminates potential bias and ensures our evaluations reflect what you'll experience at home. In our opinion, this independence is crucial for trustworthy reviews.

Our kitchen lab conducted multiple cooking tests with each air fryer, focusing primarily on chip quality. We used the same potato variety (Maris Piper) for all tests to maintain consistency. The potatoes were peeled, cut to uniform thickness (approximately 1cm), and prepared according to each manufacturer's instructions.

Chip quality assessment formed 50% of our overall score. We evaluated:

  • Even browning and crispness
  • Interior fluffiness
  • Cooking time efficiency
  • Consistency across batches

For frozen chips, we used standard thick-cut frozen varieties, following each manufacturer's recommended settings. When instructions weren't provided, we used common sense to determine appropriate cooking times and temperatures.

Temperature and Cooking Performance

We measured the cooking temperature accuracy of each air fryer using calibrated thermometers. This revealed significant variations between models, with some running hotter or cooler than their stated settings. These discrepancies directly affected chip quality.

The best performers maintained consistent temperatures throughout the cooking cycle. Lesser models showed temperature fluctuations that resulted in uneven cooking - chips that were burnt in some areas while remaining undercooked in others.

We also evaluated how well each air fryer circulated hot air. Models with superior air circulation produced evenly cooked chips without requiring manual intervention. Those with poor circulation required frequent shaking to prevent uneven results.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

A family-friendly air fryer must be simple to operate and clean. We assessed:

  • Clarity of control panels and instructions
  • Intuitiveness of settings
  • Ease of loading and unloading food
  • Dishwasher compatibility of components
  • Non-stick effectiveness of cooking surfaces

Air fryers with clear, simple controls scored higher than those with confusing interfaces. Models with dishwasher-safe baskets earned extra points for convenience, as did those with effective non-stick coatings that prevented food from adhering to surfaces.

We found significant differences in cleaning requirements. Some models required minimal effort to clean, while others had design flaws that trapped food particles in hard-to-reach areas.

Energy Efficiency

With rising energy costs, we measured electricity consumption during standard cooking cycles. We recorded:

  • Power usage during preheating
  • Consumption during cooking cycles
  • Standby power requirements

This data helped us calculate the operational cost of each air fryer. Some models used significantly more energy than others to achieve similar results. The most efficient models preheated quickly and maintained cooking temperatures without excessive power consumption.

In our experience, the difference between the most and least efficient models could amount to notable savings over a year of regular use. This factor is particularly important for families who use their air fryer frequently.

Build Quality and Durability

We evaluated the construction quality of each air fryer, examining:

  • Materials used in manufacturing
  • Sturdiness of handles and controls
  • Stability during operation
  • Quality of hinges and moving parts

The best models featured robust construction with high-quality plastics or metal components. Poor performers showed signs of potential durability issues, such as flimsy baskets or wobbly controls.

We believe durability is especially important for family use, where appliances often endure heavy, frequent use. Models that showed signs of potential failure points scored lower in our overall ratings.

Through this comprehensive testing process, we identified which air fryers consistently produced the best chips while offering good value, ease of use, and durability. Our findings provide families with clear guidance on which models deserve consideration and which should be avoided.

Chip Quality Results

After extensive testing, we found significant differences in how air fryers cooked both homemade and frozen chips. The best models produced chips with a crispy golden exterior and fluffy interior every time. Lesser performers delivered inconsistent results with some chips undercooked while others burned.

We tested each air fryer with both fresh-cut potatoes and frozen chips. For fresh chips, we followed a standard preparation method: peeling Maris Piper potatoes, cutting them to 1cm thickness, tossing them with a tablespoon of cornflour and two tablespoons of oil, plus seasoning with salt, pepper and paprika.

The top-performing air fryers cooked chips at 190°C/375°F for approximately 20 minutes, with a reminder to shake the basket every 5 minutes. This method consistently produced excellent results in our highest-rated models.

Our panel of testers evaluated each batch of chips on appearance, texture, and taste. We found that air fryers with rotating baskets generally produced more evenly cooked chips than standard models, eliminating the need for manual shaking during cooking.

Why You Should Trust Our Testers?

At Bestproductmadeinusa, we take our air fryer testing seriously. Our team has evaluated over 50 different air fryer models specifically for chip preparation, putting each through rigorous real-world tests in family kitchen environments. We don't just unbox and try once we live with these appliances for weeks, cooking multiple batches of chips with different potato varieties and cutting techniques.

Our testing process involves systematic documentation of each air fryer's performance. We measure cooking time, energy consumption, and most importantly, the quality of the chips produced. In our opinion, the perfect chip should have a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior and we've developed specific criteria to evaluate this consistently across all models.

FAQs:

Why are my chips not crispy in the air fryer?

Your chips aren't crispy because you're likely overcrowding the basket, using too much oil, or not drying the potatoes properly before cooking. For best results, arrange chips in a single layer, use just 1 tablespoon of oil per batch, and thoroughly pat potatoes dry after cutting.

Which air fryer is best for crisp?

The Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker consistently produces the crispiest chips in our tests. Its powerful heating element and excellent air circulation create the perfect golden exterior while maintaining a fluffy interior. The Bestproductmadeinusa Premium Air Fryer is another excellent option with its wide basket design for even browning.

Can I cook raw chips in my air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw chips in your air fryer with excellent results. Cut potatoes into even-sized chips, soak in cold water for 30 minutes, dry thoroughly, toss with a tablespoon of oil and seasonings, then air fry at 380°F for 18-20 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Why do you soak chips before air frying?

Soaking chips removes excess starch from the potatoes, which prevents them from sticking together and helps achieve maximum crispiness. This 30-minute cold water bath also helps maintain the structural integrity of the potato during cooking, resulting in chips that are crispy outside and fluffy inside.

What is the trick to getting things extra crispy with an air fryer?

The key to extra crispiness is ensuring food is completely dry before cooking, using a light coating of oil, arranging in a single layer, and shaking the basket halfway through cooking. For chips specifically, a quick spray of oil in the last 5 minutes of cooking creates that restaurant-quality crunch.

Do you spray oil on chips in an air fryer?

Rather than spraying, toss chips in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of oil before air frying for even coverage. If you must spray, use a quality oil mister with natural oil rather than commercial cooking sprays, which contain additives that can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket.

Do chips need to be in a single layer in an air fryer?

Yes, arranging chips in a single layer is crucial for optimal crispiness. Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation, resulting in soggy, unevenly cooked chips. If cooking for a family, work in batches or invest in a larger capacity air fryer like the Bestproductmadeinusa Premium model with its spacious 6-quart basket.