Sides & Snacks Vegetarian

Homemade Crisps with Salt, Black Pepper & Paprika

Name: Homemade Crisps with Salt, Black Pepper & Paprika
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 4 Potatoes; for frying Vegetable Oil; 1 tbsp Salt; 1 tbsp Sea Salt; 1 tbsp Ground Black Pepper; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder

Crispy homemade potato crisps seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Simple to make and far tastier than shop-bought.

By Ricky Robinson • Updated June 25, 2024

Making your own crisps at home is straightforward and worth the effort for that fresh, crispy texture you simply can't get from a packet. What you end up with is something properly satisfying, with the kind of crunch that makes you reach for another handful straight away.

The process is simple enough. You slice potatoes thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife, soak them briefly to remove excess starch, then fry them in batches until they turn golden and crisp. The soaking step is important because it helps the crisps crisp up properly in the oil, rather than turning out limp or soggy. Once fried, you drain them well on kitchen paper to remove any excess oil.

The real flavour comes from the seasoning mix. A combination of sea salt gives a clean, briny taste, whilst ground black pepper adds a gentle heat. Smoked paprika brings a subtle smokiness that works beautifully with the potato, and garlic powder adds a savoury depth that rounds everything out. You don't need much of the seasoning, just a light sprinkling after frying whilst the crisps are still warm.

Homemade Crisps with Salt, Black Pepper & Paprika recipe image

Homemade Crisps with Salt, Black Pepper & Paprika

These crisps are good on their own as a snack, or you can serve them alongside dips at gatherings. They're far better than anything you'd buy from the shop because they're freshly made and you control exactly what goes into them.

The beauty of making your own crisps is that you can experiment with the flavours however you like.

Try adding a pinch of chilli powder if you want a bit of heat, or rosemary and parmesan for something more herby and savoury. You could even add a touch of lemon zest for a citrus note. Once you've got the basic technique down, the possibilities are endless.