I will admit that I was completely astounded that this worked.
I made potato chips – crispy, salty, tasty potato chips – without using oil. And I did it with my microwave.
For a few years, I didn’t have a microwave because, let’s face it, the one thing you really need a microwave for is to thaw some varieties of frozen food. And 90% of them can be done in some other way. But a microwave is a convenience that I like. I use it, now that I have one, to heat water for tea, melt chocolate, warm up leftovers and, now, to make potato chips.
I spotted the recipe for Uncle Bill’s Microwave Potato Chips completely by accident and was compelled to try it. After washing and drying them, I sliced my potatoes as thinly as I could, leaving the skins on. I lightly sprayed a Pyrex baking dish (microwave safe) with cooking spray in case anything should decide to stick, popped the potatoes in and salted them. I kept an eye on them as they cooked, since each batch needed either more or less time, depending on thickness. The potato chips were crispy and delicious. I didn’t even have to re-oil the dish between batches, since nothing stuck!
My mind is still reeling, but at least I have a snack to help me get through it.
Thanks, Uncle Bill!
Microwave Potato Chips
Russet (or baking) potatoes
salt or salt blend
Scrub potatoes, leaving skins on and slice potatoes as thinly as possible into even slices. No slice should be more than 1/16 inch thick (less than 1.5 mm). Lighly oil a pyrex baking dish with cooking spray and place potato slices in a single layer. You will probably have to cook the potato in batches. Evenly salt or season potatos as desired.
Microwave, on high, for 3-6 minutes.
Most batches took me about 4 minutes, but it is best to watch (just like popcorn) to prevent burning.
Remove from dish and repeat with remaining slices until all the potato has been cooked.
Samantha
November 15, 2005Now that is magic… can’t wait to try that at home. Hey, if we had a sharp knife at work I could try those as an office snack!
Mika
November 15, 2005The chips look delicious. I tried the exact same recipe a month back but the potatoes stuck too much. I could not get the specified thickness. Did you use a mandoline for those even slices?
Alice
November 15, 2005Huh…I’ll have to try it!
Dawn
November 15, 2005It surprised me that they got crisp. I’m always amazed at the stuff they come up with! I recently have been seeing commercials for frozed french fries that you make in your microwave that get crispy. I don’t have a mandoline, tho…those slices look pretty thin (and even, too)!
Nic
November 15, 2005Samantha – Oh, that would really impress people at work!
Mika – I think the trick is getting them pretty thin. I just used a knife; I don’t have a mandoline, unfortunately.
Alice – You’ll be suprised. Cut thikly!
Socalfoodie – I’m suprised at the products they’re coming out with, too. These are missing the trificial ingredients that I’m sure the commercial products are packed with though. Just me, a potato and my (sharp) knife!
Nupur
November 15, 2005I could never make such thin slices with just a knife…you are impressive, Nic. I do own a mandoline though so I am going to try these!
Heather
November 15, 2005Thanks for sharing these, I am definitely going to try these out.
Tokyoastrogirl
November 15, 2005Wow!!! I can’t wait to try these- they look delicious. I think I will try and make different flavors- I have such a weakness for sour cream/onion chips. Thanks!
Anna
November 15, 2005I wasn’t able to really master these until I bought a mandoline. Once I started cutting them evenly, they cooked up better.
Niki
November 15, 2005Hooly dooly! What a fantastic idea. Definitely trying this one. A few girlfriends are going down to a beach house this weekend. I think it’ll be the perfect occasion to try them.
Pille
November 16, 2005This is most interesting!!! I made potato chips few weeks ago (using blue potatoes!!!), but I fried them in oil. I’ll try your microwave method next time.
rae
November 16, 2005in my pre-mandoline days i tried this method with super spotty results. but those look so darn good (and the almighty potato chip is my all time favorite snack) that i’m gonna have to get up…right…now….and try again!
Rekha Menon
November 16, 2005Nice potato chips.I run a blog on Quick Easy Receipes. You may check it out.
rae
November 16, 2005nic-
i had to race up from the computer and try them. absolutely perfect.
tina
November 16, 2005Those look amazing. Do they keep at all or do they get soggy? I’m gonna try em either way, but it would be great if I could bring them to parties…..
Sara
November 16, 2005I have to agree with everyone else, those look great. Healthy potato chips would be a dream come true for me!
Michele
November 16, 2005What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it!
rokh
November 16, 2005wanted to get a microwave for a long time. now you had just push me over the edge!
Piggy
November 16, 2005I can’t help but repeating what others had said, this looks fantastic! What a great idea!
Jessica
November 16, 2005I tried making potato chips in the oven. It was more complicated-I soaked them in water to get rid of the starch, then patted them dry, doused them in oil, and flipped them to prevent burning. And they were still soggy after getting brown! I’ll try your recipe.
Culinarily Obsessed
November 16, 2005oh my goodness! I have just found my experiment for tomorrow..Nic thanx so much for sharing this. I cross my fingers I have success with this as u have…these will be a wonderful treat if I can get them to crisp up.
stef
November 17, 2005ooh, a microwave! now why didn’t i think of that when i did my roast sweet potato slices??? that would’ve made it so much easier.
elizabeth
November 17, 2005i have made these before and they are wonderful! i can’t wait to try em with some rosemary and a drizzle of olive oil 🙂
Astrid
November 17, 2005They are indeed very good, thank you for sharing the recipe. It’s magic to have such light and tasty chips.
But… there is a catch. Unless I am mistaken, you can only make a very small quantity at one time (since you can’t layer the chips). Making several batches is OK, but I’m concerned it uses tons of electricity to keep my microwave running so long…
Cathy
November 18, 2005What a great idea!
jebcat
November 18, 2005I tried the recipe as soon as I left my computer, but alas, they stuck to the dish. My mom suggested to cook the chips on a silicone baking sheet–they turned out perfect without using any oil at all!
Nic
November 18, 2005Astrid – That doesn’t worry me much, personally, since it takes a fair amount of electricity or gas to bring oil for deep frying up to temperature (the alternative). But it’s you’re uncomfortable, by all mans, use other methods!
Jebcat – What a great idea! I knew that silicone must have some bonus uses.
myCoffee
November 20, 2005Hi,
I tried your recipe and my family and I loved the chips. Thanks for a quick and yummy recipe!
Niki
November 20, 2005I tried it this weekend – but it wasn’t such a success. Each batch took about 15 minutes to cook, and they ended up flabby and chewy rather than crispy (and they stuck to the container). In fact, I overheated the microwave and it shut down! Very worried there for a while, as it was my friend’s parent’s house!
I think I might try again at home in my stronger microwave, with better potatoes (there were cheap potatos of unspecified lineage at the small beachside town supermarket)
Nic
November 21, 2005I definately think that a reliable microwave would help. 15 minutes? Wow! Could you heat anything in it? =)
Culinarily Obsessed
November 23, 2005I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed when I tried these chips out the other day. Maybe if I seasoned them differently..they just had too much of a raw potato taste to me, but they were fully cooked & crisp. I guess it was the lack of frying that left them with that raw-ish flavor.
Great concept though, but it was apparently lost on me..lol
Lady J
November 29, 2005I wonder if anyone has made these with yams or sweet potatoes? Successful?
Pitfalls?
Recommendations?
Anonymous
March 26, 2006I turned them half way through and they cam e out perfect!! I can’t even beleive it!!
Vineela
March 27, 2006hi,
i like the way u did potato chips.
iam going to try it. thanku
vineela
Carrie
April 4, 2006Has anyone used sweet potatoes or yams for this recipe, and if so – did they turn out?
Sarah
July 31, 2006I just made these with yams and I put garlic salt on them, yummmmy!
tanya
March 18, 2008oh this was ymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………………
bubly
March 18, 2008oh cool
i love it
Lori
August 17, 2008This looks so good! It’s funny… a doctor just warned me about deep-fried and oven-baked carbohydrates when I asked medical questions
regarding junk foods. This recipe might be exactly what the doctor order (excuse my pun).
Anja
September 16, 2008I’m a big fan of these. Yes, I’ve tried the recipe, and it just worked so good and tasted great.
Who needs oil – when you have a microwave?!
mary
February 25, 2010i was a bit skeptical, but OMG!!, they were very good. think i’ll try some garlic and onion powder on the next batch. thanks for the recipe.
carolyn
March 1, 2011i tried them this afternoon and was completely astonished the chips where crispy and i used practically no oil also i sliced them manualy with a sharp knife
Mark
March 30, 2013Interesting — but technically not fat free since you’re using oil in a spray form to keep it from sticking. The name is a bit misleading.