I am stressed people! Sometimes when I am stressed I need to munch on crunchy things and I also have to run (must have those exercise endorphins flowing) so it helps balance everything out. I still feel like I haven’t completely moved in, there are boxes still waiting for me in the garage, the hubs has been traveling a lot, I have about 2 1/2 weeks until family visits for Thanksgiving and then off to California. When we get back it will be close to Christmas and well I just don’t want to talk about it anymore. SLOW DOWN TIME.
Ok onto the inspiration behind this recipe.
We used to have a lot of Pampered Chef parties when I lived in Missouri. A big group of us Army wives would all gather at someone’s house in the neighborhood and compare “wish lists”. On my wish list, among several other things, was this microwave potato chip maker. Basically it was a plastic tray with little holes in it made for turning potato slices into chips.
I never got around to purchasing it, but have since then read that you can just microwave the potato slices on a regular ol’ microwave safe plate lined with parchment paper. I have come to report that it works great! How cool is that? You can make these beautiful chips in the MICROWAVE! When you first flip them they are still soggy but don’t worry, they really crisp up in that last few minutes. Since all microwaves are different, make sure to check the chips before the end of cooking time. You can always microwave them longer if needed.
When I cut the potato I tried to get as thin of slice as possible just using a knife but some of them were really thin and others a bit thicker. If you have a mandolin that would be very helpful in making uniform thickness. Feel free to peel off the potato skin but why create more work? Plus the skin is good for you! Since I had to cook them in two batches, I put all the thin slices in one batch and the thicker ones in another, however they both cooked in about the same time ~7 minutes which I found kind of odd.
Too Thick, Too Thin, Just Right (the one on the right). It doesn’t really matter how you slice them, but the one on the right is what you are striving for. The one on the left that is a bit too thick doesn’t have the same light crunch in your mouth, but don’t worry too much about it.
The result are these addictive crunchy healthier chips. They do not taste like processed chips whether that be good news or bad news to you. Season them how ever you like, but I enjoyed my combo of seasoned salt, black pepper and garlic powder. I thought a dipping sauce would be a nice accompaniment to these homemade chips and couldn’t decide which flavor should dominate so I tried combining all three basic condiments- ketchup, mustard (dijon) and mayo! It worked and gives the chips a nice zing.
I only did one potato because it was just for me (and I did not eat them all so the rest got stored in an airtight container). My kids don’t like these for some reason and I think it’s because they taste more “potatoey” than processed potato chips that they have had! Imagine that! I will have to work on changing that. If you are making these for a large crowd it might take a while but it’s definitely fun for a snack or side dish for a few people. Maybe your microwave will cook them faster than mine and you can get more down in a shorter time.
Enjoy munching on your “real” potato chips!
- 1 baking potato, washed, cut into thin slices (~2 cups of slices)
- 2½ teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Lawry's Season Salt (25% reduced sodium)
- 2 pinches of black pepper
- Couple shakes of garlic powder
- Ketchup
- Dijon Mustard
- Mayonaise
- Line a microwave safe plate with parchment paper, set aside. Place potato slices into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with season salt, black pepper and garlic powder and use hands to toss. Place potato slices on the parchment-lined plate, as many that can fit without touching.
- Microwave for 4 minutes, flip potato slices and microwave another 3 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned.
- Repeat with remaining potato slices.
- Combine equal amounts of ketchup, dijon mustard and mayonaise. Quantity will depend on how many chips you make and how much sauce you need. Just eyeball the amount.
Question: Have you ever made potato chips? Did you stay up too late last night watching the elections?
Don’t want to miss a post? Make sure to sign up to receive emails from Nutritious Eats. I love hearing from you! Please leave a comment, ask a question or just say hi. And if you’ve enjoyed this post, please pin, share, tweet or stumble away so that others can enjoy eating healthy with us! Thanks for reading!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Mmmm! Those look great. Sometimes you just need a little salty potato chip!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Hills
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
For sure!! Thanks for the comment Angela!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
this is amazing! can’t wait to try!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Weekly Eats 1
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
Thanks Lindsay- they are fun and addictive. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
WOW! SO easy! Thanks for sharing Melanie … Can’t wait to make these 😉
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family recently posted..WIAW … Election Day
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
The are fun to munch on for sure. Hope they work out for you as well as they did for me! 🙂
Lisa (Mom to Marathon) says
I admit, I am a little skeptical about the microwave making crispy fries. But I am excited to give it a try. This seems easy enough that it wouldn’t be a big thing to try it. Thanks for posting! I need some healthier snacks!
Lisa (Mom to Marathon) recently posted..Loveland Heart Half Marathon Race Report
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
Lisa- it’s crazy- when you flip the potato slices they are still limp and soggy and then a few minutes later totally dried out and crisp. Weird but fun!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Yum! I am the same way when I’m stressed- extra snacking (salty and sweet) and extra running. 🙂
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Halloween eats and Quinoa Veggie Stuffed Peppers
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
I usually need the running more than the snacking, but these hit the spot. 🙂
Farida says
wow i really like it , will try it soon :)))
Farida recently posted..“Be a Smart Shopper “ Why I hate this motto
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
Thanks Farida! Hope you enjoy them!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Sorry to hear you are so stressed…hope these potato chips took some of the edge off 🙂 They look fabulous-now I definitely need to add a mandolin to my Christmas wish list! P.S. Made your baked oatmeal apple pie last night for dinner and my kids and I devoured it, then had leftovers for breakfast this morning. Too bad hubby wasn’t home to enjoy some…Sending zen thoughts your way!
EA-The Spicy RD recently posted..#cranberry love: Hot Spiced Cranberry Punch
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
I am so glad you like the oatmeal! I have always wanted a mandolin too! I could really crank out these chips. 🙂
Amanda @ Run Principessa says
I LOVE crunchy and munchy things when I’m stressed. This looks like a great idea. They would go great in wraps or sandwiches. Am I the only one who puts potato chips in there? I love the crunch!
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..Bootcamp & Boots
Jennifer @ Healthy Kitchen Guide says
Amanda, I thought I was the only one who did that! I have always loved adding chips to my sandwiches. My parents always thought it was so gross 🙂
I definitely want to try this recipe to make my own potato chips. I never realized you could make them in the microwave.
Jennifer @ Healthy Kitchen Guide recently posted..Free Nutrition eBooks and Healthy Cookbooks – November 7, 2012
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
I honestly never knew you could either until I saw that Pampered Chef contraption! Crazy right?
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
I love chips in sandwiches! These might be a little too crunchy 😉 though- I will have to try it out next time. 😉
Kierston says
These look so perfect! Mine don’t look anywhere as good as yours! Wow!
Kierston recently posted..WIAW: Post-Competition Celebration Eats!
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
Thanks so much Kierston! Have you ever made them in the microwave?
Gretchen Hokenson says
Oh My Word! I will have to try these! I am so intrigued. I even have the pampered chef mandolins I can try them on. Yahoo!
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
The mandolin is on my list. How do I not own that yet? I think the thought of cleaning it intimidates me. 🙂
Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife says
wow i never knew you could make potato chips in the microwave! what a great idea! I dont know if i have anything that can cut a potato that thin but if i did i would so be making these!
Melanie Flinn, MS, RD says
Thanks Danielle! I just used a regular kitchen knife! Just be careful! 🙂
Bree says
I am the same-I crave salt when I am stressed too! This is pretty amazing that you can make these in the microwave. YUM!
Bree recently posted..A Tropical “Greenie”
Ashli B says
Microwave potatoe chips! This is great. I think they’d be great with garlic or cayanne pepper too, so many options.
Great receipe for a mandolin, pefect thickness and uniform slices. You don’t need a fancy one either. I have a cheap dishwasher safe one I got from Amazon for like $10 years ago. Good for slices like this (perfect for scalloped potatoes too) or strips for fries. Certainly not as good as an expensive one and less blade options but I don’t find myself using it enough to justify an expensive purchase.
Thanks for the idea!
Tiff (@LoveSweatBeers) says
Microwave? Really??? This is wonderful news! They look great, and I’m sure they paired well with the brew. 😉
Tiff (@LoveSweatBeers) recently posted..Runner’s Knee and Runner’s Pasta
Simply Life says
Oh I’m so impressed by these! Looks like you made them perfectly!
Simply Life recently posted..Soba Noodle Salad & Mediterranean Snacks GIVEAWAY!!!
Brittany Smith says
Don’t know how I missed this post, but I am now pinning it! I am excited I have potatoes on hand and WILL be making these soon!! I have my mandolin that I don’t use often enough, but love. Thanks!
Brittany Smith recently posted..Kale-Pomegranate Quinoa Stuffing