Nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit faster than the smell of homemade sour cream and onion potato chips wafting through the kitchen. I still remember my first attempt at making these in the air fryer – I was skeptical they’d taste like the store-bought kind, but wow! That first crispy bite proved me wrong. These Christmas air fryer sour cream & onion potato chips have become our family’s go-to holiday snack because they’re lighter than traditional fried chips (no guilt when you eat half the batch!), and the festive green dill makes them look so cheerful on a holiday platter. Last year, my niece and I made these while listening to Christmas carols, and now it’s our new tradition – along with fighting over who gets to lick the sour cream bowl clean!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
Once you try these homemade chips, you’ll never go back to the store-bought version! Here’s why they’re absolutely magical:
- Crispy perfection: The air fryer gives them that satisfying crunch without all the oil
- Ready in minutes: From potato to plate in under 30 minutes – perfect for surprise holiday guests
- Festive flavors: That dill and onion combo tastes like Christmas in every bite
- Healthier snack: You control the ingredients – no weird preservatives here!
- Fun to make: Kids love helping slice (with supervision!) and season the chips
Seriously, these disappear faster than Santa’s cookies at our house. Last year I had to hide a batch just to have some for Christmas Eve!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these addictive holiday chips – I promise you probably have most of this in your pantry already!
- 2 large russet potatoes (thinly sliced – I’ll show you my favorite trick for this in a minute)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (the good stuff helps them crisp up beautifully)
- 1 teaspoon salt (trust me, you’ll want every bit of this seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (the secret to that classic sour cream & onion flavor)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (those little green flecks make them so festive!)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (just enough to give it depth without overpowering)
- ¼ cup sour cream (for dipping – go full-fat for maximum creaminess)
See? Simple ingredients, big flavor. Now let’s turn these into the crispiest Christmas snack ever!
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning those simple ingredients into crispy, addictive holiday chips! Don’t worry if you’re new to air frying – I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there in the kitchen with you. The first time I made these, I learned a few tricks the hard way (hello, burnt batch!), so you get to benefit from my mistakes.
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Grab your russet potatoes and let’s get slicing! Here’s my foolproof method:
- Wash and dry the potatoes – no need to peel unless you really want to
- Use a mandoline if you have one (careful with those fingers!) or a very sharp knife
- Aim for slices about 1/8-inch thick – too thick and they won’t crisp up, too thin and they’ll burn
- Immediately soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes – this removes excess starch so they get super crispy
- Dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel – any moisture left = soggy chips
Pro tip: If you’re making these with kids, let them pat the slices dry – it’s the perfect safe job for little helpers!
Step 2: Season and Cook
Now for the magic transformation:
- Toss those dry potato slices with olive oil – just enough to lightly coat them all
- Sprinkle on your salt, onion powder, dill, and garlic powder (I like to mix the spices first in a small bowl)
- Massage the seasoning in gently – you want every chip to be flavorful
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (yes, this matters for even cooking!)
- Arrange slices in a single layer – no overlapping or they’ll steam instead of crisp
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through (set a timer so you don’t forget!)
- Work in batches – patience pays off with perfectly crispy chips
Watch closely during the last few minutes – they can go from golden to burnt fast! When they’re lightly browned and crisp, they’re done.
Step 3: Serve
The moment we’ve been waiting for:
- Let chips cool for just a minute (if you can wait!) – they crisp up more as they sit
- Arrange on your favorite holiday platter or in a festive bowl
- Serve immediately with that tangy sour cream for dipping
- Watch them disappear faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!”
Fair warning – you might want to double the recipe. Between snacking while cooking and the inevitable “taste testers,” that first batch goes quick!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
After making these holiday chips dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – don’t judge!), I’ve learned all the tricks for chip perfection. First, russet potatoes are your best friend – their high starch content gives that ideal crispiness. Keep your eyes glued to the air fryer basket during the last few minutes; those golden edges can turn dark in seconds if you blink! And speaking from painful experience, resist the urge to overcrowd the basket – patience with batches means better crunch. If by some miracle you have leftovers (ha!), store them in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. They’ll lose some crispness, but 2 minutes back in the air fryer at 350°F brings them right back to life!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Don’t stress if you’re missing an ingredient – I’ve tested all sorts of variations on these Christmas chips! For the sour cream dip, plain Greek yogurt works beautifully (just add a pinch more salt). Out of russet potatoes? Try sweet potatoes for a festive orange twist – they pair surprisingly well with the onion-dill seasoning. If you’re fresh out of dill, a teaspoon of dried parsley gives that same holiday green pop. And for my dairy-free friends, coconut yogurt makes a great dip alternative – just whisk in a little lemon juice to mimic that tang. The best part? Every variation becomes its own delicious holiday experiment!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
Oh, the possibilities with these crispy little wonders! While they’re absolutely perfect on their own with that cool sour cream dip (I may or may not have eaten an entire batch standing over the counter last Christmas Eve), they also shine as part of a bigger holiday spread. For our family gatherings, I love arranging them on a platter with other festive finger foods – think mini sausage rolls, cheese straws, and spiced nuts. That green dill makes them look so pretty next to red pepper jelly and crackers!
Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- Holiday grazing board: Pile them next to cured meats, cheeses, and pickles for the ultimate snack spread
- Soup companion: Crush them over creamy potato soup for the best crunchy topping
- Cocktail hour: Serve with mulled wine or spiked eggnog – the salty crunch cuts through the sweetness perfectly
- Gift idea: Pack cooled chips in cute holiday tins with the sour cream dip in small jars
A little portion advice from someone who’s learned the hard way: plan on about 1 large potato per 2 people if serving alongside other snacks. But if these are the star of the show (which they often are at my house!), go for a full potato per person. Trust me, nobody stops at “just a few” of these addictive chips once they start crunching!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
If by some miracle you have leftovers (I never do!), here’s how to keep them crispy: toss cooled chips in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. When the craving hits again, just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes – good as new! They’ll keep for about 2 days, but let’s be real… they won’t last that long.
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – because I know some of you (like me!) like to keep an eye on these things between holiday indulgences. Here’s the breakdown for one serving (about 1/4 of the recipe):
- 120 calories – way better than store-bought chips!
- 5g fat (mostly from that good olive oil)
- 18g carbs – it’s potato after all, but no added sugars
- 2g fiber – gotta love that potato skin
- 2g protein – not bad for a snack
- 300mg sodium – adjust the salt if you’re watching this
Now, here’s my little disclaimer – these numbers can vary based on your potato size, how much oil you actually use (I tend to be generous with the olive oil because… flavor!), and whether you go wild with the sour cream dip (no judgment!). The main thing? These homemade chips are definitely a healthier choice than anything you’ll find in a shiny holiday tin at the store.
FAQs About Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
I get so many questions about these holiday chips – seems like everyone wants to make them perfectly! Here are answers to the ones that pop up most often in my kitchen (usually while I’m elbow-deep in potato slices).
How thin should the potato slices be?
Think “potato chip thin” – about 1/8 inch thick is the sweet spot. Too thick and they stay chewy, too thin and they burn before crisping up. My trick? Use the #2 setting on a mandoline or compare to a dime’s thickness. And don’t skip the soaking step – it makes all the difference!
Can I use a different dip besides sour cream?
Absolutely! While sour cream is classic, I’ve had great results with Greek yogurt mixed with a squeeze of lemon. For something different, try whipped feta dip or even a zesty ranch. Last Christmas, my cousin swore by hummus (though I’ll always be team sour cream).
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Honestly? They’re best fresh out of the air fryer when they’re at peak crispiness. But if you must prep ahead (I get it – holiday hosting is crazy!), store unseasoned, dried slices in water in the fridge for up to 8 hours before cooking. Already made chips keep okay for a day – just revive them with a quick air fryer reheat.
What If I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?
Don’t panic! You can bake these at 400°F on parchment-lined sheets for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t get quite as uniformly crisp, but they’ll still taste delicious. Or try the microwave method – arrange slices on a plate and nuke in 1-minute bursts until crisp (works in a pinch!).
Why do my chips sometimes burn?
Oh honey, I’ve been there! Usually it’s one of three things: slices too thin, air fryer too hot, or forgetting to flip. Stick to 350°F, check at 8 minutes, and don’t walk away during the last few minutes (learned that the hard way!). Different air fryer models vary, so treat the first batch as a test run.
Print
Crispy Christmas Air Fryer Sour Cream & Onion Chips in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make crispy sour cream and onion potato chips in your air fryer for a festive Christmas snack.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup sour cream (for dipping)
Instructions
- Slice potatoes thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife.
- Soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Toss slices with olive oil, salt, onion powder, dill, and garlic powder.
- Arrange slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Repeat in batches until all slices are crispy.
- Serve with sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for best results.
- Watch chips closely to prevent burning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American