The turkey is never ready when the guests arrive. A bowl of homemade chips buys you an hour, and the air fryer makes them while the oven stays busy with the main event.
These six Thanksgiving snacks cover every guest at the table. There’s BBQ and tortilla chips for the crowd, sweet potato chips that fit the season, salami and jalapeño popper crisps for low-carb guests, and coconut chips for something a little sweet. Most can be made a day or two ahead, so the only thing you’re air frying on Thanksgiving Day is dinner.
6 Air Fryer Chips for Your Thanksgiving Snack Table
1. Easy Air Fryer BBQ Potato Chips
Thin, smoky and sturdy enough for French onion dip. Slice the potatoes on a mandoline, soak and dry them, then air fry at 390°F for about 10 minutes, flipping often. Stored airtight, they keep for over a week, so this is the batch to make first.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer BBQ Potato Chips
2. Air Fryer BBQ Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet potatoes belong on the Thanksgiving table, and these put them in the snack bowl too. Cut ⅛-inch rounds, toss with BBQ seasoning, and air fry at 380°F for 10 to 15 minutes. They’re crispest the day they’re made, but you can make them the day before and re-crisp them for a minute or two.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Sweet Potato Chips (Homemade BBQ Seasoning)
3. Air Fryer Tortilla Chips (Corn or Flour)
The easiest chip on the list. Cut tortillas into wedges and air fry at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes. Corn gives a classic crunch and flour a lighter one. Set them out with salsa, queso or a warm dip while the turkey rests.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Chips (Corn or Flour)
4. Air Fryer Salami Chips
One ingredient and 5 minutes. Lay the salami in a single layer, air fry at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, and blot on paper towels. They turn a cheese board into a crunchy one and give low-carb guests something to snack on.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Salami Chips
5. Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Crisps
All the flavor of a jalapeño popper in a keto cracker: Parmesan, cheddar, bacon and diced jalapeño, air fried at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes. One batch makes 16 crisps. You can assemble them in the morning and air fry them right before guests arrive.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Crisps
6. Air Fryer Coconut Chips
The sweet one in the bunch. Coconut tossed with a little brown sugar and cinnamon turns golden and crunchy, and tastes like fall next to the pumpkin pie. Leftovers are great sprinkled over yogurt the morning after.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Coconut Chips
How To Plan Your Thanksgiving Chip Spread
- Two days before: Make the BBQ potato chips and coconut chips. Cool them completely and store them airtight.
- The day before: Make the BBQ sweet potato chips and salami chips.
- Thanksgiving morning: Assemble the jalapeño popper crisps and keep them in the fridge.
- An hour before guests arrive: Air fry the tortilla chips and popper crisps, then re-crisp the sweet potato chips for 1 to 2 minutes.
Set the chips out in separate bowls so guests can find the low-carb options. Put the coconut chips at the end of the board next to dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead can I make air fryer chips for Thanksgiving? BBQ potato and coconut chips keep for several days in an airtight container. Salami and sweet potato chips are best within a day. Tortilla chips and popper crisps are best made fresh.
How do I re-crisp chips that went soft? Air fry them in a single layer at 350°F for 1 to 2 minutes, then let them cool. They crisp as they cool.
Which chips are low-carb or keto? The salami chips and the jalapeño popper crisps.
Which one are you making first? Tag @forktospoon so I can see your Thanksgiving snack board.
