The experts at consumer group CHOICE have lifted the lid on the best air fryer options for cooking hot chips.
Air fryers can cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, but fries are the most commonly cooked item, according to Samsung.
CHOICE tested several models to determine which was the optimal choice for shoppers, and three received a perfect score.
For the test, store-bought frozen thick-cut chips were used, and the appliances were judged on how perfectly crispy, fluffy and evenly cooked the chips were.
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CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair said they didn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach for cooking the chips and instead followed the instructions specified on each machine or the pre-programmed settings.
“Once cooked, we assess the chips on how evenly they are cooked and browned, with points deducted for sogginess, burnt areas or undercooked insides,” she said.
“The perfect hot chip should have an even golden colour and crispness.”
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The Philips 7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL (left) and Braun MultiFry 3 Digital Airfryer HF3030 (right) both received a perfect score.
(CHOICE)
The Philips 7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL Connected ($699), Ninja Foodi 11-IN-1 6L Multi Cooker, which was used in air fryer mode ($350), and Braun MultiFry 3 Digital Airfryer ($99) all received a perfect score of 100 per cent.
The Ninja Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker, used in air fryer mode ($450), Ninja 4.7L Air Fryer Pro ($450), and Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6.2L ($200) also received “excellent” praises from experts and an overall score of 95 per cent.
How to cook the perfect chips with your air fryer
CHOICE said the potatoes should be cut into chips, soaked in water for about 10 minutes, then patted dry with a paper towel.
Toss them into a bowl with salt, coat them with olive oil, and cook at 200 degrees Celsius for 18 minutes, or until crispy.
“The key to hot chip perfection is how well the air fryer circulates the heat around the food, and the shaking or rotating of the food during cooking,” Fiona said.
The Ninja Foodi 11-IN-1 6L Multi Cooker (left) was also in the top three.
(CHOICE/Getty)
She said air fryers that have a programmed chip setting, and have either a rotating basket that turns the chips for you, or sound an alarm to shake the food, are the best devices to pick.
“If you’re using an air fryer with a pull-out basket, shaking the basket is essential, otherwise your chips will be unevenly cooked,” Fiona said.
And don’t forget to never crowd chips in the basket, as this makes them soggy instead of crispy.
Instead, give the chips enough space.
“If your model requires it, make sure your air fryer is preheated correctly,” she added.
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Dining and Cooking