How To Make Cucumber Chips in Air Fryer: Snack Recipe

Originally posted on 10 October 2023 @ 17:27

How To Make Cucumber Chips in Air Fryer

Hey all, I am an avid chip lover but also need to be healthier so the moment I discovered crispy cucumber chips in my air fryer I was one happy bunny indeed!

I spent some time in my kitchen — so you don’t have to! And here it is, the secret recipe for very VERY delicious cucumber chips with just a few ingredients and practically no effort.

 So today I’m going to give you the exact step-by-step process that I use and can show y’all how simple it is to get your cucumber chips crispy in an air fryer.

 I also shared the best reasons I have learned to love air frying over other methods of cooking, and some fun seasonings that spice up these low-carb chips. If you like snacking on something salty and crunchy too, these low-carb air-fried cucumber chips are for YOU!

Why I Love Using My Air Fryer for Cucumber Chips

I use an air fryer all the time for several dishes, but it’s my favorite way to make veggie chips super crispy. That’s why I like the air fryer for cucumber chips instead of baking or frying them.

• Less oil needed: Only need 1-2 Tbsp of oil to lightly coat the cucumber slices before air frying. Much less greasy than deep frying.
• Gets super crispy: The hot air circulation dehydrates and crisps up the cucumbers beautifully. Way crunchier than just baking them.
• Intensifies flavors: The high heat concentrates the flavors of any seasonings I add to the cucumber chips.
• Quick and easy: It takes just 20-25 minutes from start to finish. So much faster than baking.
• Consistent results: The enclosed air frying method ensures my cucumber chips get perfectly browned and crisped every time.

It is by far the fastest, easiest, and healthiest way for me to make homemade snack chips.

How I Select Cucumbers for the Best Air Fried Chips

I’ve found that the type of cucumber you use affects the texture of the finished chips. After testing out a few kinds, here are my recommendations:

English/hothouse and Persian cucumbers are my top picks. Their thinner skin, smaller seeds, and crisp flesh stay nice and crunchy when air-fried. I avoid regular large-field cucumbers. Their thicker skin can get unpleasantly chewy when air-fried into chips.

No matter what type I use, I make sure to wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them completely dry before slicing. Any excess moisture will prevent them from getting crispy.

My Simple Ingredient List

One of the things I love about this recipe is that cucumber chips need just a few basic ingredients:

• Cucumbers – I use 1 large English cuke or 2 smaller Persians.
• Oil – Usually 1-2 Tbsp olive or avocado oil is plenty.
• Seasonings – My go-to’s are salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder, but the possibilities are endless!

That’s it! The simplicity of ingredients is what makes whipping up a batch so easy.

Step-by-Step Method for Crispy Air Fried Cucumber Chips

Here are the steps I go by to have my crispy, tasty cucumber chips from the air fryer –

Wash the cucumbers and pat dry with a towel; cut both ends. Step Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise, then slice each into 1/4” thick slices. A mandoline is perfect for paper thinness.

Drizzle the cucumber slices with 1-2 Tbsp of oil in a bowl. I use olive or avocado oil. Add your favorite seasonings and toss lightly to mix with the cukes.

Grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray and lightly. Step 3 Spread cucumber slices in an even layer and make sure they are not overlapping.

Cook at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes milliseconds After 5 minutes, turn the slices over. Cook further in 5-minute intervals until the chips start looking brown, shriveled, and dried (flip halfway) around a total of 15-20 minutes.

Remove and immediately place on a cooling rack. Allow cookies to cool and set for a few minutes (about 5) before serving. That is all it takes to make the perfect crispy air-fried cucumber chips every time!

My Top Tips for Success

Here are some of the best insights I’ve gleaned from my recipe trials to guarantee a fabulous crunch for cucumber chips:

• Be careful to slice the cucumbers incredibly thin—no thicker than 1/8 inch. Any thicker, and they won’t dry out enough to become crispy.
• Dry the slices very well after washing and before seasoning. They ought to be as dry as if they’d just been toweled off. Any moisture will make them soggy.
• Air fry in batches and allow the next batch to sit on a cooling rack while dots 1st one cools. If you do not cook the chips in batches, the inside will never be as crispy as it possibly could.
• The last few steps are important: After the first batch is fried and removed, let it cool for 5 minutes before consuming.

Creative Seasoning Combinations I Love

One of my favorite things about making my cucumber chips is experimenting with fun herb and spice combinations. Here are some of my top flavor ideas to inspire you:

• Lemon Pepper – Bright lemon zest and black pepper is so addicting!
• Ranch – Dill, garlic, onion, pepper, and salt give that classic flavor.
• Spicy Cajun – I like using paprika, cayenne, oregano, garlic powder for a kick.
• Italian – Can’t go wrong with oregano, basil, garlic, and Parmesan.
• Honey Mustard – Sweet honey and tangy mustard is amazing.
• Sea Salt and Vinegar – I sprinkle on salt and malt vinegar powder.

Let your creativity run wild! The flavor options for air-fried cucumber chips are endless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cucumbers Are Best?

I prefer English and Persian cucumbers. Since they have thin skin and small seeds, they also manage to stay perfectly crispy when air-fried. Do not use fat-skinned field cucumbers.

Should I peel the cucumbers?

If using English or Persian cucumbers, there is NO NEED TO PEEL THEM. Just wash and slice them!

How Thin Do I Need to Slice the Cucumbers?

You want them sliced about 1/4 inch thick. If you make them any thicker they will not be crispy. Perfect and uniform thin slices = Mandoline!

How Long Do They Need To Cook?

It requires a bit of air frying, but not much (about 15-20 minutes) with frequent flipping to get those cucumber chips extra crispy.

Can I season it with just salt?

Absolutely! Just a sprinkle of salt and pepper is good to go. Play around with different herbs & spices as well!

How long before the chips expire?

Cool cucumber chips and store them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. The crisp they do have soon fades.

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My Final Takeaway

My new go-to method for preparing a healthy and satisfying at-home snack is making cucumber chips in the air fryer. I adore their crisp, salty nature, and they are far less greasy and carby than standard potato chips.

It doesn’t take me long to whip up a batch, and they come together so quickly that they’re the perfect cooking project for impatient people.

But not only are they easy and fast; but this recipe is also versatile, so you can change up the seasonings and find a combination that you particularly enjoy.