These homemade BBQ chips are crispy, smoky, and packed with bold barbecue flavor. Whether you make them in the air fryer or oven, this easy BBQ potato chips recipe includes a homemade BBQ chip seasoning blend that tastes even better than store-bought chips.
Whether you prefer baking in the oven, deep frying, or using your air fryer, you’ll find detailed instructions to suit your taste.
Why Make Homemade Barbecue Potato Chips?
Homemade BBQ potato chips offer a fresh, customizable alternative to store-bought versions. You control the ingredients, ensuring no unwanted additives. Plus, the satisfaction of creating your own delicious snack is unbeatable!
- Why Make Homemade Barbecue Potato Chips?
- Homemade BBQ Chip Seasoning
- Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade BBQ Potato Chips
- Tips for Crispy Homemade BBQ Chips
- Why I Prefer Homemade BBQ Chips Over Store-Bought
- How to Make BBQ Potato Chips in an Air Fryer
- Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade BBQ Chips
- Air Fryer BBQ Chips vs Oven Baked Chips
- Tips for Perfect Homemade BBQ Chips
- Creative Serving Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade BBQ Chip Seasoning
This homemade BBQ chip seasoning gives these crispy potato chips that smoky, slightly sweet barbecue flavor that tastes even better than store-bought BBQ chips. The combination of smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and spices creates a bold seasoning blend that sticks perfectly to homemade potato chips.
BBQ Chip Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Smoked paprika gives the chips that classic smoky barbecue flavor while brown sugar adds the slightly sweet taste commonly found in BBQ potato chips. Cayenne adds a little heat without making the chips overly spicy.
How to Store Homemade BBQ Seasoning
Store leftover BBQ chip seasoning in an airtight container or spice jar for up to 3 months. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from moisture to help preserve the flavor and prevent clumping.
Other Ways to Use BBQ Chip Seasoning
This homemade BBQ seasoning for chips also tastes great on:
- French fries
- Air Fryer Popcorn
- Chicken wings
- Roasted potatoes
- Grilled chicken
- Air fryer vegetable
- Corn on the cob
Tools (Depending on Method)
- Handheld mandoline or sharp knife
- Deep fryer or large saucepan
- Cooling rack
- Paper towels
- Air Fryer
- Airtight container for storage
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade BBQ Potato Chips
1. Prepare the Potatoes
Thinly slice the potatoes: Use a mandoline for uniform slices. Consistent thickness ensures even cooking and crispiness.
Soak the slices: Place the potato slices in cold water for 30 minutes. This removes excess starch and prevents sticking during frying.
Pat dry: Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
2. Make the BBQ Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix together:
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
3. Deep Frying Method
Preheat the oil: Heat your deep fryer or a deep saucepan filled with vegetable oil to 400°F (or the highest temperature setting).
Fry the potato slices: Fry the slices in batches for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the fryer to ensure even cooking.
Drain and season: Remove the chips and place them on a paper towel-lined cooling rack. Sprinkle the BBQ seasoning mix over the hot chips immediately.
4. Baking Method
Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 400°F.
Prepare baking sheets: Line with greased foil for easy cleanup.
Bake the potato slices: Arrange the slices in a single layer and brush with oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy.
Season: Remove from the oven and immediately toss with the BBQ seasoning.
Tips for Crispy Homemade BBQ Chips
Slice the Potatoes Evenly
Thin, evenly sliced potatoes cook more consistently and create crispier homemade potato chips. A mandoline slicer works best if you have one.
Soak the Potato Slices
Soaking sliced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes helps remove excess starch, which helps the chips crisp up better during cooking.
Dry the Potatoes Well
Pat the potatoes completely dry before seasoning or cooking. Too much moisture can cause soggy chips.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer or Baking Sheet
Arrange the chips in a single layer so hot air can circulate evenly. Overcrowding traps steam and prevents crispy edges.
Season Immediately
Sprinkle the BBQ chip seasoning on the chips while they are still hot so the seasoning sticks better.
Why I Prefer Homemade BBQ Chips Over Store-Bought
I started making homemade BBQ chips because I wanted a fresher, crispier chip without all the extra additives and overly processed ingredients found in many store-bought potato chips. Homemade BBQ potato chips also let you control the amount of seasoning, salt, and oil used.
Another reason I love making BBQ chips at home is that you can customize the flavor. If you like sweeter BBQ chips, add a little extra brown sugar. If you prefer spicy barbecue chips, increase the cayenne pepper or chili powder.
Fresh homemade chips also have a crunch and texture that’s hard to beat.
How to Make BBQ Potato Chips in an Air Fryer
Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, using significantly less oil while still achieving that perfect crunch. Here’s how to make delicious BBQ potato chips in an air fryer.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
- Healthier: Uses less oil compared to deep frying.
- Convenient: Faster cooking time with less mess.
- Consistent Results: Ensures even cooking and crispiness.
How to Make Air Fryer Potato Chips
Homemade BBQ chips air fryer instructions: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the slices: Start with the potato slices that have previously been soaked, dry thoroughly, and then add them in a single layer to the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Lightly coat with oil: Spray or lightly brush the potato slices with oil and then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Air fryer BBQ Chips: Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
Season: Immediately toss the hot chips with the BBQ chip seasoning mix and serve.
Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade BBQ Chips
Cutting the Potatoes Too Thick
Thicker potato slices may stay soft in the center instead of becoming crispy.
Skipping the Drying Step
Wet potatoes can steam instead of crisping, especially in the air fryer.
Adding Too Much Oil
Too much oil can make homemade BBQ chips greasy instead of crunchy.
Burning the Seasoning
Seasonings containing brown sugar can burn if cooked at very high temperatures for too long. Keep an eye on the chips near the end of cooking.
Not Watching the Final Minutes
Homemade potato chips can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly, especially thinner slices. Check frequently during the last few minutes of cooking.
Air Fryer BBQ Chips vs Oven Baked Chips
While both methods offer a healthier alternative to deep-frying, they rely on different cooking physics that drastically alter the final crunch and cooking process.
Air Fryer: High-Velocity Convection
An air fryer functions like a compact convection oven, forcing super-heated air rapidly around the potato slices. This intense airflow causes instant moisture evaporation on the surface, triggering rapid starch gelation and a blistered, light texture. The natural sugars in BBQ seasoning caramelize quickly without burning.
Oven Baked: Ambient Radiant Heat
Conventional baking relies on slower, radiant heat in a much larger cavity. Moisture evaporates gradually, slowly dehydrating the potato from the outside in. While this yields a uniform bake, the extended cooking time increases the risk of scorching delicate spices like brown sugar or garlic powder before the chip center is fully dry.
Tips for Perfect Homemade BBQ Chips
Achieving the Perfect Crisp
- Uniform slices: Ensure all slices are the same thickness.
- Proper soaking: Soak potatoes to remove excess starch.
- Oil temperature: Maintain a consistent frying temperature.
Storage Tips
- Keep them crispy: Pat off excess oil before storing.
- Use an airtight container: Be sure to store any leftover seasoning or chips in an airtight container. This prevents moisture from making the chips soggy.
Creative Serving Ideas
- Juicy Air Fryer Burgers: Serve these homemade chips alongside juicy burgers made in the air fryer.
- Venison Burgers on the Grill: Learn How to Make Grilled Venison Burgers Recipe (Deer Meat) for a delicious meal idea that pairs perfectly with homemade potato chips.
- For BBQ Lovers: Cook up these BBQ Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs to serve alongside your air fryer barbecue chips or whip up this Easy 4 Ingredient Onion Dip to take these homemade BBQ chips to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade BBQ potato chips are easier to make than you think. With these tips and recipes, you’ll create crispy, flavorful crispy potato chips that are perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process and savor the delicious results!
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Homemade BBQ Chip Seasoning Air Fryer & Oven Recipe
Learn how to make the best homemade barbecue potato chips. Get recipes for baking, deep frying, or using an air fryer for making BBQ chips.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Frying Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon of Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
How to Deep Fry Barbecue Potato Chips
Preheat the deep fryer to the highest temperature (400 degrees is the usual max temp) Mix the BBQ chip seasoning mix together.
Slice the potatoes, rinse in cold water and once the fryer is at it's hottest temp, fry the potato slices for 3-5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and then sprinkle seasoning salt on top.
How to Air Fry Potato Chips
Preheat your air fryer: Set it to 400°F (200°C). Start with the potato slices that have previously been soaked, dry thoroughly, and then add them in a single layer to the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray or lightly brush the potato slices with oil and then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy. Immediately toss the hot chips with the BBQ seasoning mix and serve.
How to Bake Homemade Barbecue Chips in the Oven
Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 400°F. Prepare baking sheets: Line with greased foil for easy cleanup. Bake the potato slices: Arrange the slices in a single layer and brush with oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy. Season: Remove from the oven and immediately toss with the BBQ seasoning.
Notes
This recipe for BBQ chip seasoning can be used a few times to season potatoes. Sprinkle on your preferred amount and store the leftovers for next time.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 97Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 0mgSodium 272mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 2g
The nutrition in recipes is caluculate by AI, mistakes happen. It is highly recommended to check carb counts to make sure these recipes fit into your diet.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
OK so I am going to be making these this weekend! They sound amazing! My son’s favorite chips are BBQ! This is a good thing to take to a bbq too!
YES! We were talking about growing potatoes next year, and I think you just made our decision for us! In the meantime, it’s time to get to the store and get some taters!
My teeeth are dryyy
Ah, these are fun! My family really liked barbecue chips and I bet they’d be happy if I surprised them with some homemade ones. Making them from my own potatoes would be even better.
What the haves
Homerun Supermom !
My Dad always had a garden and I’ve dug and washed potatoes all my life. We didn’t make potato chips but this is a great idea and wonderful recipe.
Tsss my mudda likes em crispy tsss Goonnow!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I LOVE BBQ chips! I think if I had to pick one favorite for the rest of my life it would be a GREAT BBQ chip! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
I have never attempted to make my own chips but you’re definitely inspiring me. This would be great for snacks on days out!
My husband and friends love me when I make homemade chips, but they’re always gone by the time I’m finished cooking the last batch. That’s not much fun for the cook!
BBQ chips are my FAVE!! I have never thought to make them myself, I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Mm, I love chips! Barbecue chips, especially. I can’t wait to make batches of this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
That looks amazing!
I will definitely have to try them for the next family get together.
Hopefully we are all ok after the hurricane and can meet to chill out.
These look yummy! My daughter loves BBQ chips, and it would be fun to make our home homemade version. I’ll have to give this a try.
Yum, I bet these potato chips turned out super tasty. I like that you can bake them or use a griddle without all the fat/grease like regular store bought.
I’ve never made chips before but this sounds fun. I already own a good deep fryer. I need to get my seasonings together.
I have never made homemade chips. This will be a fun way to spend time in the kitchen with my son.
I remember my Mom making homemade chips. I Recall the plain ones with salt and it seems she made some flavored ones – honestly its been like over 40 years… she didnt have any fancy mandolin, she used a grater type thing that did the slices. They were a ad thick , but they tasted great. I guess we were on the griddle level as far as utensils, bt she used a cast iron pot and would usuall make several things when she deep fried. She also made excellent donuts.
Homemade potato chips are the best! I always feel just a little bit lest guilty for indulging in chips if I make them myself haha… and homemade food is always my favorite.
I make these all the time for my family. We LOVE them. and you are right — they taste so much better than store bought. Next time, try smoked paprika. It bumps up the flavor even more!
Our kids love BBQ Chips, but I’ve never considered making them before. I might have to give it a try!
I’ve never made my own chips but I do love me some BBQ flavor. I will have to try these one of these days because they look so much better than store bought!
Wow! Your homemade BBQ Chips look so Delicious! Thank you for sharing!
These perfect for football 🙂
Excellent, I used smoked paprika for a little smoky taste. Thank you
That’s awesome, thanks for stopping by and telling me.
These look so good abd they have to be healthier then store bought .
All I can say is WOW! This was my first time making POTATO CHIPS period. But to use the BBQ seasoning blew it out of the park. I’m now planning on doing this with my kids to show them how it’s really made and not from a bag. Thank you!
That is so awesome, thanks for the comment!