Perfectly Crispy Potato Chips are one of those snacks that evoke universal feelings of happiness, especially when munching on them by the handful! These chips are crunchier and fresher than anything found in a bag and they give french fries a run for their money! Best of all, Perfectly Crispy Potato Chips are endlessly customizable: whether you want lemon-pepper seasoning, paprika, or steak seasoning on them, all you have to do is shake some on! This is a great side dish or an appetizer to get people excited about dinner… if they don’t fill up on chips, that is!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds russet or purple potatoes
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 8 cups vegetable oil, plus more as needed, for frying
- kosher salt, to taste
- other seasonings, optional, of your choice, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Slice the potatoes into about 1/8-inch thick slices.
Step 2 –Place the potato slices in a large bowl.
Step 3 –Cover the potatoes with cold water until covered.
Step 4 –Stir the potatoes to release their starches.
Step 5 –Drain the potatoes.
Step 6 –Repeat the covering, stirring, and draining process until the water, upon stirring the potatoes, runs clear. This indicates the starches have been removed.
Step 7 –Return the potatoes to the bowl.
Step 8 –Cover the potatoes with vinegar and 6 cups water.
Step 9 –Let the potatoes sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Step 10 –Drain the potatoes and pat them dry.
Step 11 –In a medium heavy pot, pour in the oil until it reaches about 4 inches high.
Step 12 –Attach a thermometer to the pot to monitor the oil’s heat.
Step 13 –Heat the oil on the stove-top over medium-high heat until the thermometer registers 300 degrees F.
Step 14 –Working in batches, fry the potatoes, turning them to cook evenly, until they are golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes per batch. Make sure the oil is at 300 degrees F before adding the next batch. It may take about 6 batches to cook all of the potatoes.
Step 15 –Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked potatoes to a paper-towel-lined wire rack to drain.
Step 16 –Season the potatoes immediately with salt and your favorite seasonings. If you wait too long, the chips will cool and the seasonings will not adhere.
Step 17 –Serve!