Air Fryer Potato Peels are a crispy and flavorful 3-ingredient potato snack that is made in an Air fryer in under 10 minutes or baked in the oven. Potato Peelings are perfect for any occasion, just like the potatoes. All you need is peeled potato skins, a tablespoon of olive oil, and seasoning of your choice. So next time you find yourself peeling potatoes, don’t throw away those peels – instead, turn them into a delicious and crispy snack that everyone will love.
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At my most recent Game day party, in addition to Loaded Potato Skins, I decided to serve potato peels as one of the snacks. My friends and family were skeptical when I first brought out the tray. I could see the hesitation in their eyes as I explained what I had made. But once they tried the crunchy potato skins themselves, they couldn’t get enough. Even though the game was on in the background, the main topic of conversation at the party ended up being the potato peels. The only downside to this dish was that I didn’t have enough to go around, despite having peeled a whopping 2 pounds of potatoes!
It just goes to show that sometimes the best snacks are the unexpected ones. Air fryer potato peels are a simple yet innovative way to make the most of your kitchen scraps. By transforming these often discarded peels into crispy, flavorful snacks, you not only reduce waste but also enjoy a nutritious treat.
The Magic of Potato Peels
Nutritional Benefits. While many people peel their potatoes and discard the skins, those peels are packed with nutrients. Potato skins are rich in fiber, vitamins like B6 and C, and essential minerals such as potassium and iron.
The Crunch Factor. One of the main reasons people love snacks like Air Fryer Potato Chips or Pasta Chips is the satisfying crunchiness. Air frying potato peels deliver that same crunch without the need for excessive oil, making them a healthier option. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the peels evenly, ensuring they come out perfectly crisp.
How to Make Potato Peels in Air Fryer
Gather your potatoes. I love using Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes. They are ideal due to their thicker skins. Organic potatoes are also a great choice since you won’t have to worry about pesticides on the peels. Ensure your potatoes are fresh and free from any green or rotten spots or sprouts.
Clean and peel. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. Use a vegetable brush if needed. Once cleaned, use a peeler to remove the skins. Try to get even peels for consistent cooking. Remember, thinner peels will become crispier. Rinse the peels under cool running water. This helps to eliminate the extra potato starch. Pat them dry with a cotton kitchen towel or paper towel. (Please see picture above).
Season. Toss the peels in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other seasonings of your choice. The beauty of making your own air fryer potato peels lies in the ability to customize the flavors. You can go simple with just salt and pepper or get creative with spices like paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary. A light drizzle of olive oil will help the seasonings stick and add a touch of richness.
Preheat and Arrange the peels. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect crunch. Spread the seasoned potato peels in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. If you have a large batch, cook them in multiple batches for the best results. Overlapping peels can lead to uneven cooking and soggy spots.
Air fry. Cook the potato peels at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent burning. The peels should be golden brown and crispy when done.
Oven Baked Potato Peels. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier. Spread the seasoned potato peels in a single layer on the baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding; give each piece space to crisp up properly.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the oven is hot, place the baking sheet with potato peels on the middle rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking halfway through to toss them around for even cooking. Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the peels. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown and are crispy to the touch.
Serve and Enjoy
Crispy potato peels are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of dips and sauces. They pair wonderfully with ketchup, ranch, or garlic aioli. For a gourmet twist, try serving them with Homemade Chick-fil-A sauce or a Spicy Chipotle Mayo. They also make a great side dish for burgers, sandwiches, or meats.
Storage Tips
If you somehow manage to have leftovers, store the air fryer potato peels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To re-crisp, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) or bake in the oven at 4000°F for a few minutes. However, they’re best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer or oven.
Ways to Use Peeled Potatoes
The humble potato is a versatile vegetable that can be used for many dishes in the kitchen. Once peeled, potatoes can take on a new form and be used in different ways. The most common way to use peeled potatoes is to boil them or make a Creamy Potato Soup. However, potatoes can also be sliced thin to make Air Fryer Potato Chips, grated to make Potato Fritters, or mashed to make Potato Jalapeno Bites.
More Potato Recipes You’ll Love
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Air Fryer Potato Peels
Ingredients
- 2 cups Potato Peels Peels from 2 pounds of Russet or Gold potatoes. About 4-5 medium sized potatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil Extra Virgin olive oil or Avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Seasoning I use a mix of 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 paprika. Feel free to use your favorite spices and herbs.
Optional
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary or dried Thyme
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. Use a vegetable brush if needed. Once cleaned, use a peeler to remove the skins. Try to get even peels for consistent cooking. Remember, thinner peels will become crispier. Rinse the peels under cool running water. This helps to eliminate the extra potato starch. Pat them dry with a cotton kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Season. Toss the peels in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other seasonings of your choice. The beauty of making your own air fryer potato peels lies in the ability to customize the flavors. You can go simple with just salt and pepper. Or you can add spices like paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary.
- Preheat and arrange the peels. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect crunch. Spread the seasoned potato peels in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. If you have a large batch, cook them in multiple batches for the best results. Overlapping peels can lead to uneven cooking and soggy spots.
- Air fry. Cook the potato peels at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent burning. The peels should be golden brown and crispy when done.
- Oven Baked Potato Peels. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier. Spread the seasoned potato peels in a single layer on the baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding; give each piece space to crisp up properly.Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the oven is hot, place the baking sheet with potato peels on the middle rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking halfway through to toss them around for even cooking. Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the peels. You'll know they're ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown and are crispy to the touch.
Typo Re: Storage Tips
If you somehow manage to have leftovers, store the air fryer potato peels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To re-crisp, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) or bake in the oven at 4000°F for a few minutes. However, they’re best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer or oven.
I see a typo re “bake in the oven at 4000F instead of 400F.”
Good catch! That was definitely a typo—meant to say 400°F, not 4000°F (unless we’re trying to launch them into space!). Thanks for pointing it out! I’ll get that fixed.