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You can make pumpkin chips in an air fryer by slicing pumpkin thinly, tossing the slices with a little oil and salt, and air frying them at 375°F until they turn golden and crispy.
Sounds simple, right?
It really is, and once you learn how to make pumpkin chips in an air fryer, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with store-bought bags.
These homemade pumpkin chips are crunchy, lightly seasoned, and way healthier than the fried stuff you grab from the shelf.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make pumpkin chips in air fryer style, the best slicing and seasoning tips, and how to fix the most common mistakes so every batch comes out perfect.
Let’s get to it.
How to Make Pumpkin Chips in Air Fryer
Making pumpkin chips in an air fryer comes down to three simple things: thin slices, a light coat of oil, and the right temperature.
Get those right and you’ll have crispy chips in under 20 minutes.
Here’s the step-by-step process for making pumpkin chips in the air fryer.
1. Choose the Right Pumpkin
Small, firm pumpkins work best for pumpkin chips.
Sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins have denser flesh and less water, which means they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Avoid the giant carving pumpkins since their flesh is stringy and watery, and the chips tend to come out soggy instead of crunchy.
2. Slice the Pumpkin Thin and Even
Thin, even slices are the secret to crispy pumpkin chips in an air fryer.
Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick, roughly the thickness of a coin.
A mandoline slicer makes this quick and consistent, but a sharp knife works fine if you take your time.
Uneven slices mean some chips burn while others stay soft, so consistency really matters here.
3. Season Lightly Before Air Frying
Toss your pumpkin slices in a bowl with a teaspoon of oil and your favorite seasonings.
Sea salt and black pepper are classic, but smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cinnamon all work great for pumpkin chips.
Don’t overdo the oil, though, because too much oil makes the chips soggy instead of crisp.
4. Air Fry at the Right Temperature
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, then arrange the pumpkin slices in a single layer in the basket.
Cook for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are golden and the chips feel crispy.
Work in batches so the slices aren’t overlapping, since crowding steams the pumpkin chips instead of crisping them.
Tips for Crispy Pumpkin Chips in Air Fryer
Even with the right steps, a few small tweaks make a big difference when making pumpkin chips in the air fryer.
1. Pat the Slices Dry First
Pumpkin holds a lot of moisture, and moisture is the enemy of crispy chips.
Pat each slice dry with a paper towel before seasoning to help the pumpkin chips crisp up faster in the air fryer.
2. Don’t Skip the Preheat
A preheated air fryer gives pumpkin chips an instant burst of heat, which kickstarts the crisping process.
Skip the preheat and your chips may cook unevenly or turn out chewy.
3. Flip Halfway Through
Flipping the slices halfway through cooking ensures both sides of your pumpkin chips brown evenly.
It also helps you check on the thinner pieces, which may finish sooner than the rest.
4. Cool Before Storing
Let your pumpkin chips cool completely on a wire rack before storing them.
Trapping warm chips in a container creates steam, and that steam turns crispy pumpkin chips soft within minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Pumpkin Chips
Knowing how to make pumpkin chips in air fryer also means knowing what not to do.
1. Overcrowding the Basket
Piling too many slices into the air fryer basket is the number one reason pumpkin chips come out soggy.
Give each slice breathing room and cook in batches if needed.
2. Slicing Too Thick
Thick slices stay soft in the middle no matter how long you cook them, so keep your pumpkin chips thin and uniform.
3. Using Too Much Oil
A light coating is all you need for pumpkin chips in the air fryer.
Excess oil makes the slices greasy and prevents them from getting that satisfying crunch.
So, How Do You Make Pumpkin Chips in an Air Fryer?
You make pumpkin chips in an air fryer by slicing pumpkin thin, tossing the slices with a little oil and seasoning, and air frying them at 375°F until golden and crispy.
Pat the slices dry, avoid overcrowding the basket, and flip halfway through for the best results.
Once you’ve mastered how to make pumpkin chips in an air fryer, you’ll have a crunchy, healthy snack ready whenever the craving hits.
Happy air frying.