Chinese Chilli Chips are a delicious, spicy, and flavorful snack that will surely satisfy your cravings. This crispy and tasty dish is inspired by Chinese flavors and is packed with the right amount of heat and tang. Whether you’re making them for a party or just a snack to enjoy, here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare Chinese Chilli Chips at home.
Ingredients for Chinese Chilli Chips
To make these flavorful Chinese Chilli Chips, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Chips:
- 2 cups of potato (peeled and thinly sliced)
- Water (to soak the potato slices)
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or sunflower oil works well)
For the Chilli Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2-3 dried red chillies (soaked in warm water for a few minutes)
- 1 tablespoon of garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon of ginger (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar (rice vinegar preferred)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon of water (for consistency)
Optional Garnish:
- Spring onions (finely chopped)
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh coriander leaves
Preparing the Potato Chips
Making the crispy base is the first step in preparing your Chinese Chilli Chips.
Slice the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. The thinner the slices, the crispier the chips will be. You can use a mandolin slicer for even slices.
Soak the Potatoes: Place the potato slices in a bowl of water for at least 15-20 minutes. This helps to remove excess starch, which will result in crispier chips.
Dry the Potatoes: After soaking, drain the water and pat the potato slices dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Removing the moisture is key to achieving crispy chips.
Coat the Potatoes: Place the dried potato slices in a large bowl. Add the cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Toss the slices well until they are evenly coated with the cornstarch mixture.
Frying the Chips
Now that your potatoes are ready, it’s time to fry them to perfection.
Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan or wok, heat enough oil to deep fry the potato slices. The oil should be hot enough (around 350°F or 175°C) to ensure the chips turn out crispy.
Fry the Chips:
- Carefully add the potato slices to the hot oil in small batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure the chips fry evenly.
- Fry the chips for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the chips from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Cool the Chips: Let the chips cool completely. The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool down.
Making the Chilli Sauce
While the chips are cooling, let’s move on to the spicy and tangy sauce that will coat the chips.
Prepare the Dried Red Chillies: If using dried red chillies, soak them in warm water for a few minutes to soften them. Once softened, remove the seeds and chop them into small pieces.
Saute the Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped ginger. Saute for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
Add the Chilli and Sauce Ingredients: Add the soaked red chillies (or chili flakes if using), soy sauce, rice vinegar, tomato ketchup, sugar, red chili powder, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Adjust Consistency: Add a tablespoon of water to the sauce if it seems too thick. You want the sauce to have a slightly runny consistency, which will help coat the chips evenly.
Finish with Sesame Oil: Once the sauce starts to bubble and thicken slightly, add a teaspoon of sesame oil for that nutty flavor. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
Combining the Chips and Sauce
Now that you have crispy chips and a flavorful sauce, it’s time to bring them together.
Coat the Chips: Place the cooled, crispy potato chips in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot chilli sauce over the chips. Toss the chips gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce. You can also use a spoon or spatula to spread the sauce on top.
Garnish the Chips: Once the chips are coated with the sauce, you can garnish them with chopped spring onions, sesame seeds, or fresh coriander leaves for an extra burst of flavor.
Serving the Chinese Chilli Chips
Your homemade Chinese Chilli Chips are now ready to be served. These chips are perfect as a snack or appetizer for a gathering.
Serve Immediately:
The chips are best served right after they are coated with the chilli sauce. They are crispy, spicy, and tangy, making them irresistible.
Pair with Drinks:
These chips pair wonderfully with cold beverages like iced tea, lemon soda, or even a chilled beer.
Tips for the Best Chinese Chilli Chips
Use the Right Potatoes: For crispy chips, use starchy potatoes like Russet potatoes. These potatoes give the chips a great texture.
Frying in Small Batches: Fry the chips in small batches to ensure that they cook evenly and crisp up nicely.
Adjust Spice Levels: You can adjust the heat of the sauce by adding more or fewer dried red chillies, or by using a milder chili paste.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will add depth of flavor to the sauce. Always use freshly chopped ingredients for the best taste.
Storage: If you have leftovers, store the chips in an airtight container to maintain their crunch. However, the sauce can make the chips soggy if stored for long, so it’s best to serve them immediately after tossing with the sauce.
Conclusion
Making Chinese Chilli Chips at home is simple and rewarding. With crispy potato chips coated in a flavorful and spicy chilli sauce, this dish is sure to become a favorite snack in your home. The combination of crispy, spicy, tangy, and savory flavors will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you’re making them for a party or just for a quick snack, this recipe is versatile and easy to follow.
By following the steps outlined above, you can enjoy restaurant-style Chinese Chilli Chips in the comfort of your own home. The key to making these chips perfect lies in the crispiness of the chips and the balance of flavors in the chilli sauce. Try this recipe the next time you’re craving something spicy and crunchy—it’s guaranteed to satisfy!
Related topics
