Prepared by conventional methods, potato chips deserve their reputation as an unhealthy indulgence. Conventional potato recipes oven call for deep frying in vegetable oils, including soybean, corn and canola oils. However, you can make comparatively healthy potato chips by choosing a relatively healthy cooking oil, such as olive oil, and a low-fat cooking method, such as baking. If you learn about potato chip preparation techniques and olive oil choices, you can select ingredients and methods that suit both your budget and your taste buds.
Olive Oil Basics
Olive oil is available in several grades, ranging from "extra virgin" to "extra light." Extra virgin olive oil results from the first pressing of the fruits of an olive tree. This minimally processed oil generally is the highest quality and most expensive olive oil. Olive oil is suitable for both frying and baking potato chips. Frying requires large quantities of oil. If you choose to fry with olive oil, regular or light olive oils are more economical than extra virgin or virgin olive oils. Alternatively, baking chips with olive oil requires relatively little oil. Therefore, baking chips with high quality olive oil generally is more affordable.
Olive Oil Vs. Vegetable Oils
Authorities describe olive oil as a good fat because it contains a high proportion of monounsaturated oils, which lower harmful cholesterol, and essential fatty acids. With the exception of canola oil and flaxseed oil, vegetable oils contain substantially less monounsaturated oils and essential fatty acids than olive oil. In general, flaxseed oil's flavor and cost make it unsuitable for cooking potato chips. Canola oil is moderately healthy and usually costs less than olive oil. If you choose to deep fry potato chips, canola oil is more cost effective than olive oil.
Frying in Olive Oil
Olive oil is a suitable fat for frying potato chips. Note, though, that frying generally is less healthy than baking. Frying in olive oil resembles frying with vegetable oil and lard. Deep frying or shallow frying with olive oil requires a heavy pot or skillet, usually cast iron. Deep frying requires roughly 2 quarts of oil per pound of potatoes. Cooking times vary according to the thickness of the potato slices. For slices approximately 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch thick, you should heat the oil to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and fry for approximately 5 minutes.
Baking with Olive Oil
Baking potato chips requires substantially less oil than frying. The reduced oil requirements not only reduce the finished product's fat content, but also allow you to use high-quality, flavorful olive oil. To make baked potato chips, you should toss roughly one to two sliced potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper. Then layer the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes.
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