Olivia Carter
Oven chips are a delicious and convenient option for a quick meal or snack. Making your own oven chips at home is not only easy, but also allows you to control the ingredients and seasonings. Plus, you can make a large batch and freeze them for later use, making them a perfect option for busy households.
To make oven chips for the freezer, you will need a few simple ingredients. Potatoes, preferably Maris Piper or King Edward, are the best choice for making crispy oven chips. You will also need olive oil, sea salt, and any other seasonings or spices you prefer, such as paprika or garlic powder.
Start by preheating your oven to a high temperature, around 200°C. Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly, leaving the skin on for added texture and nutrients. Cut the potatoes into even-sized chips, about 1 cm thick. If you prefer thinner or thicker chips, adjust the size accordingly. Pat the potato chips dry with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
Next, place the potato chips in a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss the chips in the oil until they are evenly coated. This will help them to become crispy during baking. Sprinkle the chips with sea salt and any other seasonings you are using, and toss them again to ensure even distribution.
Arrange the seasoned potato chips in a single layer on baking trays lined with parchment paper. Be sure not to overcrowd the chips, as this will prevent them from crisping up. Bake the chips in the preheated oven for around 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remember to flip them halfway through cooking for even browning.
Once the chips are cooked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking trays. Once cooled, transfer the chips to freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to label them with the date for reference. Place the containers in the freezer and they will keep for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your homemade oven chips, simply heat your oven to 220°C and place the frozen chips on a baking tray in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until they are piping hot and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside your favorite main dishes for a tasty and convenient meal.
Preparation Steps
When it comes to making oven chips for the freezer, preparation is key. Follow these steps for the best results:
1. Peel and Slice Potatoes
Start by peeling the potatoes and then slice them into evenly-sized chips. Aim for about 1cm thickness for the perfect crunch.
2. Soak in Water
Once sliced, transfer the chips into a large bowl of cold water. This will help remove excess starch and make them crispier. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
3. Dry Thoroughly
After soaking, drain the water and pat the chips dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing the excess moisture will ensure they become crispy in the oven.
4. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) while you prepare the chips. This will ensure the oven is hot enough to cook them evenly and quickly.
5. Season and Toss
Place the dried chips in a large bowl and season them with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Toss them well to evenly coat the chips.
6. Arrange on Baking Trays
Next, arrange the seasoned chips in a single layer on baking trays lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave space between the chips so they can cook and crisp up properly.
7. Bake in the Oven
Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the chips are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
8. Cool and Freeze
Once the chips are cooked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer them into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to label them with the date. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
With these easy preparation steps, you can enjoy delicious homemade oven chips straight from the freezer any time you crave a crispy snack!
Gather the Ingredients
To make oven chips for the freezer, you will need the following ingredients:
| Potatoes | – Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, which will give you the best results. |
| Olive oil | – This will help the chips to crisp up in the oven. |
| Salt | – To season the chips and enhance their flavor. |
| Optional seasonings | – You can add garlic powder, paprika, or any other spices you like to customize the flavor of your chips. |
Make sure you have all of these ingredients ready before you begin making the oven chips for the freezer.
Preheat the Oven
Before you start making oven chips for the freezer, you need to preheat your oven. Preheating the oven ensures that it reaches the desired temperature and helps cook your chips evenly.
Set your oven to 220°C (fan 200°C, gas mark 7) and allow it to heat up for at least 10 minutes. This will give you enough time to prepare the potatoes and toss them in your chosen seasonings.
It’s important to preheat your oven properly, as it can affect the texture and taste of your oven chips. If the oven is not hot enough, your chips may turn out soggy and lack the crispy texture you desire.
Using a Baking Tray
To preheat your oven using a baking tray, simply place the tray in the oven while it’s heating up. This will allow the tray to get hot and help cook the chips evenly. Make sure to use a baking tray that is suitable for high temperatures.
Using a Baking Stone
If you prefer using a baking stone, you can also preheat it along with the oven. Place the baking stone on the middle rack of the oven while it’s preheating. The baking stone will absorb and distribute heat evenly, resulting in crispy oven chips.
| Temperature | Setting |
|---|---|
| 220°C | Fan 200°C |
| Gas Mark 7 |
Cutting and Soaking
Before you begin making oven chips for the freezer, it’s important to properly prepare the potatoes by cutting and soaking them. Follow these steps to ensure crispy and delicious chips:
1. Selecting the Potatoes
Choose firm and starchy potatoes for the best results. Varieties such as Maris Piper or Russet work well for making oven chips. Avoid using waxy potatoes as they tend to become soggy in the oven.
2. Cleaning the Potatoes
Thoroughly wash the potatoes to remove any dirt or debris. You can use a vegetable brush to scrub the skin gently. Make sure to remove any eyes or blemishes from the potatoes as well.
3. Cutting the Potatoes
Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into uniform slices of about 1/4 inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and consistent texture. You can also cut the potatoes into thin sticks or wedges, depending on your preference.
4. Soaking the Potatoes
After cutting the potatoes, place them in a large bowl of cold water. Allow them to soak for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour. Soaking helps to remove excess starch, resulting in crispier chips.
5. Draining and Drying
After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing excess moisture is essential for achieving crispy oven chips.
By following these cutting and soaking steps, you’ll be on your way to making delicious oven chips that can be stored in the freezer for future use.
| Steps | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose firm and starchy potatoes such as Maris Piper or Russet. |
| 2 | Thoroughly wash the potatoes, removing any dirt or blemishes. |
| 3 | Cut the potatoes into uniform slices or sticks. |
| 4 | Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 20 minutes to 1 hour. |
| 5 | Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. |
Peel and Cut the Potatoes
To make oven chips for the freezer, the first step is to peel and cut the potatoes. Choose large potatoes that are suitable for frying. You can use varieties such as russet, Yukon Gold, or Maris Piper.
Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Then, using a vegetable peeler, carefully peel off the skin. Make sure to remove all the skin, as it can affect the taste and texture of the chips.
Once the potatoes are peeled, rinse them again to get rid of any remaining dirt. Next, it’s time to cut the potatoes into chip shapes. You can choose to cut them into thin or thick chips, depending on your personal preference.
Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes lengthwise into slices of about 1/4 inch thick. Then, stack the slices on top of each other and cut them into 1/4 inch wide strips to create the chip shape.
Alternatively, you can use a crinkle-cut knife or a potato chipper to create ridged or uniform chips. This can add a nice visual appeal to the chips.
Remember to keep the size of the chips consistent, as this will ensure that they cook evenly in the oven. You can also soak the cut potatoes in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and make them crispier when cooked.
Once the potatoes are peeled and cut into chips, they are ready to be cooked. You can either cook them immediately or freeze them for later use. Freezing the chips allows you to have homemade oven chips whenever you want, without the hassle of peeling and cutting the potatoes each time.
Soak the Potato Slices
Before you start making your oven chips, it is important to soak the potato slices to remove excess starch. This helps to achieve a crispy texture when they are cooked.
To start, wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, peel the potatoes and slice them into even-sized chips. You can use a knife or a mandoline slicer for this step.
Next, place the potato slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours if you have the time. Soaking the potato slices helps to remove any excess starch, which can make the chips turn out soggy instead of crispy.
After the soaking time is up, drain the potato slices and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Make sure they are thoroughly dry before proceeding with the next steps.
Soaking the potato slices is an essential step in preparing oven chips for the freezer. It ensures a better texture and crispiness after they are cooked. Now that your potato slices are ready, you can move on to the next step in the process.
Seasoning and Baking
Once your oven chips are cut and soaked, it’s time to season them and get ready for baking. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the drained chips in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Use your hands or a spoon to toss the chips, ensuring that they are evenly coated with the oil. This will help them crisp up during baking.
Next, it’s time to add some seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative and add your favorite spices. Some popular options include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs like rosemary and thyme. Sprinkle the seasonings over the chips and toss again to distribute them evenly.
Spread the seasoned chips out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this can prevent them from becoming crispy. If needed, use two baking sheets or bake in batches.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chips are golden brown and crispy. Halfway through baking, take them out and give them a quick flip or shake to ensure even browning.
Once the chips are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
These homemade oven chips are perfect for freezing. Let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container with the date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat in the oven or air fryer until heated through and crispy.
Drain and Dry the Potato Slices
After washing the potatoes, it is important to drain them well to remove any excess water. First, place the sliced potatoes in a colander or on a clean kitchen towel. Allow the water to drip out for at least 10 minutes.
Once the potatoes have drained, transfer them to a clean cloth or paper towels and pat them dry gently. Removing as much moisture as possible will help ensure that the chips turn out crispy when baked.
To further dry the slices, you can also let them air dry for an additional 10 minutes. This will help remove any remaining moisture and result in even crispier chips.
FAQ
What is the recipe for making oven chips for the freezer?
To make oven chips for the freezer, start by cutting some potatoes into chip shapes and parboiling them for 5 minutes. Then, drain the potatoes and let them cool. Once cooled, spread the chips out on a baking tray and freeze them for about an hour. After freezing, transfer the chips into freezer bags and freeze them until you’re ready to cook. When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 200°C, place the frozen chips on a baking tray, drizzle them with oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Can I freeze the oven chips without parboiling them?
While it is possible to freeze the oven chips without parboiling them, parboiling helps to partially cook the potatoes, which makes them crisp up better when they are cooked later on. Parboiling also helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, resulting in a better texture. So, it is generally recommended to parboil the chips before freezing them.
How long can I store the oven chips in the freezer?
You can store the oven chips in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to transfer them into airtight freezer bags or containers to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to cook them, simply take them out of the freezer, preheat the oven, and cook them according to the recipe instructions. It’s a convenient way to have homemade oven chips on hand whenever you need them!
