Crispy Homemade Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips you can make from scratch! Recipes for baked potato chips and fried potato chips provided. Recipe now updated to give these potato chips that lip-smacking flavor thanks to vinegar powder, just like store-bought chips!
For the longest time, I’ve had “make my own potato chips” on my bucket list. Something I did a long, long time ago when taking foods class in middle school. So long ago that I’m pretending I never did.
The problem is you have to cut the potatoes super thin to crisp up; otherwise they become French fries (French chips?). Unless you have superior knife skills, you need a mandoline to slice them paper thin.
I finally bought a handheld mandoline and can finally cross homemade salt and vinegar chips off of my list.
The key to making chips is having super thin slices. So thin that you can practically see through them. Too thick and the middle becomes cooked, not crisped.
My mandoline has three settings. I emailed the company and found out the measurements for each setting. Setting 1 is 1.5 mm; setting 2 is 2.5 mm; and setting 3 is 4.5 mm. If you’re using a different brand, your settings will vary.
I started out on setting 3 but realized my slices were a tad thick for chips, so then I switched to setting 2 then to setting 1. Much better.
If you’re making a dish such as easy cheesy stovetop scalloped potatoes or garlic parmesan au gratin potatoes, then you’ll want to use setting 2 or 3 for uniformed yet slightly thicker slices.
To use the mandoline, place it over any bowl and use the gripper to hold the item you are slicing. This is very important because the blade is sharp.
However, some long and skinny vegetables such as carrots or parsnips don’t grip very well. When I sliced some carrots for a soup, I couldn’t use the gripper until I got closer to the blade. Fatter produce such as potatoes and apples gripped just fine.
Because the blade is so sharp, my mandoline has two safety devices. The first is locking the blade in place. Make sure you do this before washing.
Second is the gripper slides onto the mandoline and covers the blade for storage. This is very critical if you have a junk drawer of tools (me!) and that you don’t accidentally cut yourself when reaching for something else.
Now for the best part – the chips!
I chose salt and vinegar chips because that’s one of my favorite flavors. Not only do I love the taste, it helps calm my stomach when I feel nauseous from motion sickness.
Typically when you make chips, you soak the slices in water. For these chips, you soak them in vinegar instead.
I’ve experimented with 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours. I highly recommend 2 hours for maximum flavor; however, if you are in a hurry, soak at least 1 hour. 30 minutes only gives some hint of vinegar.
Update 1/11/15: I updated the recipe to reduce soaking time since the flavor now comes from vinegar powder.
I also made these chips two ways – fried and baked.
I’m going to include directions for both methods, but I think I’m going to stick with baking. The result of both methods produces crispy chips, so why add extra calories?
However, frying cooks them much faster. If you have the time, bake them. If not, fry them.
In addition to potato chips, I also made apple chips the same way. The possibilities are endless – carrot chips, sweet potato chips, even beet chips.
This photo shows the chips are on a rack after they are fried, not baked. Sorry for the confusion.
Update 1/11/15: Thanks to several readers, I was introduced to vinegar powder, which is the key to giving these potato chips that lip-smacking store-bought flavor. Although soaking them in vinegar did help, the vinegar flavor was subtle.
After multiple test batches, the best way to achieve maximum flavor is to toss the chips into the vinegar powder and salt after frying or baking.
Because the flavor now comes from the powder and not soaking, I reduced soaking time to a half hour, which is still needed to ensure the chips crisp up. You can buy vinegar powder online.
Items You May Need:
Homemade Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
Crispy homemade salt and vinegar potato chips will make you question why you buy chips in the first place.
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potato, peeling optional (roughly 6-8 ounces)
- 3/4 cup white distilled vinegar (or water in a pinch)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar powder* (see Note)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Frying oil (such as vegetable or peanut), enough to fill a fryer or to brush slices before baking
Instructions
- With a mandoline, thinly slice the potato to about 1/10 inch (2.5 mm) thick. You do not want to see through the slices.**
- Put the potato slices in a bowl and pour vinegar over top. The potatoes should be submerged - if not, add more liquid. Soak for 30 minutes. Drain and pat completely dry.
- In a large bowl (preferably with a lid so you can shake it for easier coating), combine the vinegar powder and salt.
If you're frying the chips:
- Fill a fryer (or a really deep saucepan) with frying oil of choice and heat to 350F. Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet.
- When the oil is ready, ensure the potato slices are completely dry. Fry a few at a time until golden brown, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the slices, but the average is 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the chips and place on the cooling rack. Let cool for a few minutes to allow them to crisp up then toss in the salt and vinegar mixture.
- Repeat with the remaining slices, ensuring the oil is 350F when frying. You may need to pause in between batches to let the oil heat up again.
If you're baking the chips:
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line two baking sheets with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray.
- Ensure the potato slices are completely dry then place the slices in a single layer on the two sheets. Brush each slice with oil.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp (but not burnt). If you find that some of the smaller pieces are baking faster after 10 minutes, you can remove those then finish baking the rest. Let cool for a few minutes to finish crisping up then toss in the salt and vinegar mixture.
Notes
Vinegar powder is the key to giving these chips that lip-smacking store-bought flavor. You can buy vinegar powder online.
More Snack Recipes
Homemade Barbecue Potato Chips
Homemade Pita Chips
Irish Cheese and Bacon Popcorn
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a tiny bit of commission if you buy through these links. Each penny made goes back into the blog.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
It doesn’t cut parsnips well?? Hahahahahahaha Ouch.
Carla says
You poor thing. And Brian too. I can definitely see how the parsnips of doom happened.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Carla, I want these potato chips so bad it hurts. I can’t wait to make these. Now, to buy a mandoline.
Carla says
Or you could win one ;) good luck! And even if you don’t win, I highly recommend buying one!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
These sound CRAZY good… I love S&V chips above all others, well except maybe dill pickle
Carla says
I have to be in the mood for dill pickle chips. I bet for homemade, you soak them in pickle juice rather than vinegar. Hmm
Kim Porter says
I’d either make a parsnip gratin or these chips. I have a daughter that LOVES salt & vinegar potato chips from the store. I’m thinking she’d enjoy them even more if I made them for her from scratch!
Carla says
You can always make both! Then you’ll be mother of the year ;)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
These potato chips look awesome! So thin and crisp and om nom nom
Carla says
They sure are! I was pretty excited and they barely lasted a minute after sitting to watch tv.
Susan says
I love that you showed us two ways to make this, since you know I don’t like to fry at home. Baking chips for the win!
Carla says
I rarely drag out the deep fryer, so it’s great to have an option to bake!
Shawn @ IWYD says
Very nice looking chips! Salt and vinegar are my weakness! I have an OXO mandolin already, so I wont enter, good luck everyone! :)
Carla says
Technically my weakness is Ruffle chips, but until I can figure that one out, S&V will do just fine ;)
Susan Christy says
I will be slicing apples for pie, apple crisp and other fall desserts.
Carla says
There you go! That should make prep much easier.
Tracy says
I have the big old bulky granddaddy DeBuyer mandoline, which I love. But I always buy handheld mandolines as gifts, and would find a handheld sufficient (I don’t have one!) for most slicing tasks.
Kim Beaulieu says
These are amazing Carla. My gramma used to make homemade chips for us all the time. She was from Quebec and man they know chips and fries there. I need to try these, my daughter is a huge salt and vinegar fan. They look absolutely perfect.
maggie says
My neighbor is blind but cooks everyday. She makes her own granola etc. in the oven, but uses the microwave to make potato chips. She salts and spices them immediately after cooking.They are very good !!
Alicia says
Oh my, I am so going to make these. I would have never have thought to soak in vinegar – that’s such a good idea. I’ll let you know how I go.
Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life says
Come to mama!! These look amazing! I need to make my own potato chips stat!
marvic says
Trying these out today. Along with s&v green beans tired of greatn bean casserole…yuck .Oh yeah be careful with mandolin never used one . fingertip almost sliced off….such
Diana says
Alrighty, I have two of my homegrown red potatoes sliced and soaking. Along, with a carrot that I sliced to make sure my mandolin would get things thin enough (separate containers)… I plan to be eating tasty, organic, and CHEAP chips in about 2 1/2 hours…
Diana says
Hmmmm, okay… some of mine crisped and some didn’t… and they seemed to lack a strong vinegar flavor. I used the bake method and instead of foil used a silicone sheet. Could this be the issue?
I see the photos show the chips on baking sheets and a baking rack, but the directions say foil lined sheets… should I have baked them on a rack instead? Or is that how you drained your fried chips?
I used white distilled vinegar… is there a better/stronger vinegar to use? Soak time was about 2.5 hours, got busy with other stuff. ;-)
Carla says
Hmm I’m not sure why yours didn’t crisp up without being in the kitchen with you. Maybe you didn’t brush with enough oil or baked them long enough? I never tried this recipe with red potatoes or with silicone mats, so I’m not sure if that matters. I’ll have to experiment. The tray in the photo is from frying, so that’s why they are on a rack.
Jim says
Thank you. Is there any special type of vinegar I should use?
BTW-I purchased the Mandoline and Fryer you recommended from your link. They work great.
Carla says
I used regular white distilled vinegar. Glad you’re enjoying the mandoline and fryer! As you probably saw, the fryer doubles up as an extra cooker when your stove is occupied. I’ve used it when I need a few hours for meat to cook.
Nicci says
I made these yesterday and my son and I gobbled them up and ate them before we could make it in front of the TV! I am thinking about slicing several potatoes at once, next time. Any suggestions on a maximum time these could safely soak in vinegar in the fridge? Thanks for a great recipe!
Carla says
Haha yes I’ve been there too, kinda like eating the movie popcorn before the movie starts ;) I don’t know of a max time, but no more than 24 hours I’d imagine.
Brandilynn says
I am trying this today with daikons instead of potatoes. Low carb:-) Wish me luck!
Elijah says
I made the chips and they came out great. My finger slipped off the potato and a piece of my finger got sliced off. Be careful that oxo madoline is so sharp…
Carla Cardello says
Oh no! I hope you are ok. Yes, the mandoline is very sharp and is highly recommended to use the grip guard as you get closer to the blade.
Antonio says
How is your instructions gonna mention to use foil and I’m your picture you used a rack? I made these and they didn’t come out too well. The vinegar was too strong and the chips didn’t get crispy prior to burning. :-(
Carla Cardello says
The picture is showing the chips after I fried them, not baking. They are on a rack so the excess oil can drain off.
Felicia says
I am about to make some of the chips. When I soak them in vinegar, do I place them in the fridge or leave them at room temperature?
Carla Cardello says
Room temperature
Loïc says
Thanks for the recipe!
Have you tried adding the vinegar after baking them? I’m not a very patient person :)
Carla Cardello says
No, I have not. I know French fries can be served with salt and malt vinegar, so maybe you can with potato chips? Although I think soaking beforehand would be better flavor-wise.
Diese Kerle Versuchen says
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but
after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again.
Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!
Carla Cardello says
Oh no, sorry it didn’t show up!
Eric says
Got the potatoes soaking now! Can’t wait to try them in about 2.5 to 3 hours. Is 2 hours the minimum amount to soak in viniger?
Carla Cardello says
I highly recommend at least 2 hours. I’ve tried it with a shorter time and wasn’t as happy with the shorter soak time.
Maribel says
I too sliced my finger… I joked about it “finger flavored chips” but it still hurts. I soaked my chips way over 2 hours but my baked chips barely had vinegar taste. I also had some good crispy ones and others weren’t. I think that I missed drying the ones that didn’t crisp up.
Karen says
OMG!> I am licking the salt off of my fingers as try to type, but i need another few right now, my stomach is actually growling for them! Wait a tic!
ok, I’m back, brought the plate with me, and my keyboard is now quite greasy! You say, “Karen, stop typing finish your treat, and come back, silly goose.” No. No. No. Now. OMGeezers, these are delicious! And I just made them PLAIN!! I could NOT WAIT even one second let alone an hour for salt and vinegar ones! Cut Them THIN!! Paper Thin! See-Thru Thin! The thinner the better. My see-thru ones, browned up like nobody’s biz, but they tasted of childhood! Lay’s regular, original-style potato chip, had a few tiny pieces of really browned chips, in the bottom of the bag, that I just loved to eat! So, thank you for this so much. My husband and his friend ate so many of them! They loved all the chips I made!. Yeah. I started slicing up everything in sight, when I grabbed the Chihuahua and started off to the kitchen, he stopped me! Enough!, he says. I say, “but I wanted to try a hispanic flavor….” Just Kidding!! I’m goofy that way! Apples,(yes) radishes (don’t bother, really) carrots (meh), and kept munching on my potato chips. I put the apple chips in with the potato chips, and waited.. 3, 2, 1, Whoa! what was THAT? that was goood!, the guys exclaimed as they dove into the mixed plate of chips! I wanted to surprise them! heh heh. sweet and salty, and salty potato chips all together is good!. My next batch of see-thru potato chips are soaking in organic cider vinegar right this second…Can’t wait! Oooo 15 minutes left! Thank you so much! I love this! I love you! Subscriiiii-Bing!
Heidi says
Found a recipe for vinegar salt to increase the lip-smacking burn that I love so much. Once the salt mixture is finished, I will surely be making these with a thick dusting of even more S&V goodness on top!
Carla says
What?! Vinegar salt?! Now this I need to try.
aaron says
Can you use cooking spray, like pam, instead of brushing them? Seeing as Pam is basically just canola oil anyway
Carla says
I never tried it, but I would imagine as long as the chips are completely sprayed (aka don’t miss any spots), it would work as well.
Liv says
I just sliced up my potato to soak and I am a little concerned that the vinegar doesnt cover all of the slices. Should I be soking them in a bowl, tin, tray or something else? Or maybe I should put more vinegar in? Thanks, Liv x
Carla says
I soaked mine in a bowl that wasn’t too wide at the bottom. Since bowls can vary in shapes and sizes, if there isn’t enough vinegar, I would add a bit more to cover them.
Carl W. says
I’ve made these on two separate occasions and they turned out fairly well. I’d like the vinegar taste to be more powerful & soaking for 3+ hours doesn’t seem to do it. Have you ever used vinegar powder for this recipe?
Carla says
Funny you ask that – I ordered some online and waiting for it to arrive. When I first published this recipe, I didn’t know vinegar powder existed. Once I get to play with it, I’ll update the recipe :)
Anna says
my sister and I really love this recipe. this recipe is awesome! :)
charlotte says
Please please please buy and use mandolin gloves. They will protect you from slicing off a finger tip and a emergency trip to the doctors. Kids running in and distracting you or awkward shape veggies slipping do happen. Be safe and thanks for the great recipe :0)
meg says
do the potatoes need cooked or just raw …?????
Carla says
You slice them raw because you cook the potatoes later (either by frying or by baking).
Michaela says
I soaked them overnight when I got home it worked perfectly they soaked for roughly 8 hours
Was defiantly able to taste the vinegar
Carla says
Oh good! Glad that worked for you.
Mark Stifler says
yesterday i made BBQ potato chips with your recipe..they tasted lovely..,..great recipe.
Carla says
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed them.
Stan Lilly says
Hi Carla! I want to try these but there are so many choices for vinegar powder and many of the reviews say that the powder tastes rancid or like chemicals. Do you have a recommendation for which brand to use?
Carla says
I used vinegar powder from Spice Jungle and didn’t notice any rancid or chemical taste https://www.spicejungle.com/white-distilled-vinegar-powder
Stan Lilly says
Awesome, thank you!
Evelyn says
Do you have a recipe for baked Sour Cream & Onion potato chips? Sour Cream & Onion are my favorite.
Carla says
I don’t have one published, but I do have it on my list to recreate. I know the Seriously Delish cookbook has a recipe for popcorn, so you can take that seasoning and use it on these chips. Someone posted the recipe from the book: http://www.shutterbean.com/2014/sour-cream-onion-popcorn/
Aimee Shugarman says
These are my husband’s favorite chips! Thank you for a great recipe!
Carla says
I bet he’d love them!
Liz says
Yumm!!! I LOVE Salt and vinegar chips so being able to make them at home is awesome!
Carla says
Thanks! Can’t beat homemade.
Ellen says
Time to break out the mandoline and try making homemade chips. You make it look easy.
Carla says
They sure are easy to make! Hope you give them a try.
Julia says
Wow! These homemade chips look delicious! I gotta invest into a good mandoline so I can try them :) Mine doesn’t cut so thin.
Carla says
Oh yes you’ll want a sharp mandonline so they come out perfectly thin!
Lisa Huff says
Whoah looks way better than anything you’d buy in a bag at the grocery store! Would be perfect for game day!
Carla says
No better way to impress your guests!
Claudia Lamascolo says
these are my sons favorite flavored potato chips he really will love if I make these for him. I guess I better get this printed out!
Carla says
I bet he can help you make them too!
Jillian says
Vinegar Powder is a game changer! I wonder if you could use popcorn flavored powder and achieve the same flavor results – I love me some dill pickle chips!
Carla says
Ohhh I bet that would be brilliant! Let me know if you try it.
Traci says
Who doesn’t love a good homemade potato chip with salt and vinegar sprinkled on it?! Two thumbs up for this recipe. Great for parties or an every day snack. :)
Carla says
Glad you liked the recipe!
Sofie Amalie says
I have a question:
I have tried searching for vinegar powder online to see if they are in local stores in my country. But cream of tartar keeps popping up as well. Are those two the same but with different names?
Carla says
They are two different things. Cream of tartar is a powdered acid which is probably why it shows up, but it’s not powdered vinegar. If you’re having trouble locating it at a reasonable price, I believe you can make it yourself because it’s pretty much dehydrated vinegar. There are instructions in this post, but I haven’t personally tried it myself https://www.tastecooking.com/vinegar-now-powder-form/