When it comes to making crispy, delicious air fryer chips, the type of oil you use is very important. The right oil can help the chips come out perfectly golden and crunchy every time. So what exactly is the best oil for air frying chips? Here, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of different oils for air fryer chips and provide recommendations on the top oils to use.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is one of the most popular oils for air frying. It has a high smoke point of 400°F, which means it can withstand the high heat of an air fryer without burning or smoking. Canola oil is also neutral in flavor, so it won’t overwhelm the flavor of the chips. It has a light texture that allows it to coat the chips evenly. This allows for even browning and crisping. Overall, canola oil is an excellent all-purpose oil for air frying that consistently delivers delicious results.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is another healthy option for air frying chips. It contains heart-healthy fats and has a delicious fruity, peppery flavor. The smoke point of extra virgin olive oil ranges from 325°F to 400°F, making it suitable for most air fryers. The bold flavor of olive oil comes through on the chips, lending them a gourmet taste. One downside is that extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point than other oils, so it’s best for air fryers that don’t exceed 375°F. Overall, olive oil is a tasty choice for elevating the flavor of air fried chips.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil has recently gained popularity for its extremely high smoke point of 520°F. This makes it an excellent choice for high-heat cooking methods like air frying. In addition to its stellar smoke point, avocado oil has a mild, buttery flavor that enhances dishes beautifully. It’s a bit more expensive than other oils, but many feel its flavor and performance justify the higher cost. Avocado oil allows you to crank the air fryer up to the highest temperature without any risk of burning the oil. This leads to chips with an extra crispy exterior. The only downside is that refined avocado oil has less flavor than virgin or extra virgin oils.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a popular choice for air frying due to its high smoke point of 350°F. It has a sweet, tropical flavor that pairs deliciously with potato chips. Unrefined coconut oil has the strongest flavor, while refined coconut oil is more neutral. When buying coconut oil for air frying, be sure to check that it’s unrefined or virgin coconut oil, as refined coconut oil may not have a high enough smoke point. The tropical essence of coconut oil gives chips a sweet twist. Just be aware that overheating coconut oil can lead to a slightly greasy texture.
Peanut Oil
With its impressive smoke point of 450°F, peanut oil is perfectly suited for air frying. It has a pleasantly nutty aroma and flavor that complements potato chips beautifully. Peanut oil will impart a light peanut essence without being overpowering. This oil is ideal for achieving a satisfying crispiness. One thing to note is that peanut oil can sometimes be overpowering in flavor, so you may want to combine it with a more neutral oil. Overall, peanut oil ticks all the boxes in terms of smoke point and flavor for air frying chips.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is affordably priced and has a neutral taste perfect for air fryers. With its smoke point range of 440-460°F, this oil can handle air fryer temperatures with ease. Sunflower oil allows the natural potato flavor to shine through. The light texture evenly coats the chips for consistent cooking. While it doesn’t add a ton of flavor, sunflower oil gets the job done when you want a crispy chip without strong oil flavors. It’s a great crowd-pleasing option. Look for high oleic sunflower oil, which has more stability at high heats.
Vegetable Oil
Standard vegetable oil is a combo of oils like canola, soybean, and corn. It has a high smoke point of 450°F, making it suitable for air frying. Vegetable oil has a neutral taste that doesn’t interfere with other flavors. It crisps up chips nicely without leaving an oily residue. The downside is that vegetable oil doesn’t add any flavor. For simple chips, it performs well, but it won’t lend any gourmet essence like olive or coconut oil can. Still, it’s an affordable, widely available option.
Grapeseed Oil
With a smoke point up to 485°F, grapeseed oil is an excellent choice for air frying chips at any temperature. It has a neutral, clean flavor that allows the potato’s natural flavor to shine. While it doesn’t add much in terms of flavor, it does an impressive job of getting chips perfectly browned and crisped with a light crunch. Grapeseed oil may produce less surface browning compared to more flavorful oils. But if light taste is what you want, grapeseed oil is a great high-heat option.
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is a lesser known oil with a smoke point of up to 510°F, the highest of any cooking oil. This very high smoke point provides flexibility for even the hottest air frying. Safflower oil has a neutral flavor profile. The extremely high smoke point does mean that flavor development from the oil will be minimal. But for crisp, golden chips that let the potato flavor shine, safflower oil is an excellent choice. Just be aware that cold-pressed safflower oils will have a lower smoke point, so check the label.
Corn Oil
Corn oil is budget-friendly and has a high smoke point of 450°F. This makes it a convenient option for air frying. It has a mild corn-like flavor that won’t overwhelm the potato chips. However, the flavor might come through a bit too much for some people’s liking. Corn oil will efficiently produce crispy chips, though the texture may be slightly oily. While not the most premium oil, corn oil is an effective choice for everyday use when you want to keep costs low.
Comparison Table of Oils for Air Fryer Chips
| Oil | Smoke Point | Flavor | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canola Oil | 400°F | Neutral | Light |
| Olive Oil | 325-400°F | Bold, fruity | Rich |
| Avocado Oil | 520°F | Mild, buttery | Light |
| Coconut Oil | 350°F | Sweet, tropical | Rich |
| Peanut Oil | 450°F | Nutty | Light |
| Sunflower Oil | 440-460°F | Neutral | Thin |
| Vegetable Oil | 450°F | Neutral | Light |
| Grapeseed Oil | 485°F | Neutral | Thin |
| Safflower Oil | 510°F | Neutral | Thin |
| Corn Oil | 450°F | Mild, corn-like | Oily |
Choosing the Best Oil for Air Fryer Chips
When selecting an oil for air fryer chips, it’s important to consider the flavor, smoke point, and texture:
- Flavor – Do you want a flavored or neutral oil? Oils like olive, coconut, and peanut impart their own essence, while oils like canola and grapeseed have very mild flavors.
- Smoke point – Make sure to choose an oil with a smoke point above 400°F to handle air fryer temperatures.
- Texture – Lighter oils like canola or peanut coat chips evenly without heaviness. Richer oils like olive or coconut may give a greasy result.
For the best results, look for an oil with a high smoke point above 400°F and a lighter, neutral flavor. This allows the potato flavor to shine while still getting the chips perfectly crisped. Recommended oils include canola, avocado, peanut, sunflower, safflower, and grapeseed. Olive or coconut oil are great for a flavored crisp chip. Avoid oils with low smoke points like extra virgin olive oil.
Tips for Using Oil in an Air Fryer
Here are some tips for incorporating oil into your air fryer chips:
- Use just 1-2 tsp of oil per 1 lb of sliced potatoes. Too much oil will result in oily chips.
- Toss raw potato slices to coat evenly before air frying. This prevents dry spots.
- For flavored oils, use in combination with a high smoke point neutral oil for best results.
- Line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Preheat air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding chips for crispiest results.
- Don’t overcrowd chips in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches for even cooking.
- Give the basket a shake halfway through cooking to redistribute chips.
Homemade Air Fryer Chip Recipe
Follow this simple recipe for crunchy, flavorful air fryer chips using your preferred oil:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb russet or Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1/4-inch thick French fry cuts
- 1-2 Tbsp oil (canola, olive, avocado, etc.)
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp pepper
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Wash and peel potatoes if desired. Slice into 1/4-inch thick fries.
- Pat potato slices dry with paper towels.
- Toss potatoes with oil to coat evenly. Add seasonings and toss again.
- Place potato slices in a single layer in air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Transfer chips to a bowl and toss with extra salt if desired.
- Let chips cool for 5 minutes before serving.
For extra flavor, toss the hot fried chips with minced garlic, rosemary, Parmesan cheese, or other herbs and spices.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect oil for air frying crispy potato chips can elevate them from greasy fast food to gourmet snack. The oil should have a high smoke point for air frying, and a light, neutral flavor allows the potato to shine. Recommended oils include canola, peanut, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, or a blend like vegetable oil. Coconut and olive oil add delicious flavors for a twist. With the right oil and a few simple tips, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality crunchy chips from the comfort of your air fryer.