🥒 Crispy Cucumber Chips Recipe
Looking for a light, crunchy, and guilt-free snack? These Crispy Cucumber Chips are the perfect healthy alternative to traditional potato chips. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they’re low in calories, packed with flavor, and totally addictive. Whether you bake, air fry, or dehydrate them, they make an awesome snack for any time of day!
⏱️ Time Breakdown:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours (oven)
or 10–15 minutes (air fryer)
Total Time: ~3 hours (oven) / ~25 minutes (air fryer)
Ingredients:
1–2 large cucumbers (English or regular)
1–2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
Salt, to taste
Optional seasonings: black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, ranch seasoning, or nutritional yeast
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C), or use a dehydrator or air fryer if preferred.
Slice cucumbers thinly (about 1/8 inch thick or thinner) using a mandoline for even thickness.
Pat dry the slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this helps them crisp up.
Toss cucumber slices in a bowl with oil and seasonings of your choice. Coat evenly.
Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Bake for 2–3 hours, flipping once halfway through, until golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them during the last 30 minutes to avoid burning.
Air fryer option:
Cook at 325°F (163°C) for 10–15 minutes, checking often.
Cool completely to crisp up even more before serving or storing.
Storage Tip:
Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a silica packet (like from seaweed snacks) to keep them extra crisp!
✅ Pro Tips for Perfect Cucumber Chips
- Go thin & even: Use a mandoline slicer for uniform thickness. Uneven slices can result in soggy or burnt chips.
- Dry thoroughly: After slicing, press between paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible—this is key to crispiness.
- Low & slow: Bake at a low temperature to dehydrate rather than fry. Patience = crunch.
- Single layer: Avoid overlap on your tray or air fryer basket. Crowding leads to steaming, not crisping.
- Use parchment or silicone mat: Prevents sticking and promotes even cooking.
- Cool before eating: They crisp up even more as they cool. Resist snacking straight out of the oven!
🔀 Tasty Variations to Try
- Salt & Vinegar: Toss slices with a little white vinegar before seasoning and baking. Add a pinch of citric acid for extra tang.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle with chili powder, cayenne, or Tajín for a zesty heat.
- Ranch Style: Use a ranch seasoning blend or a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dill, and parsley.
- Cheesy Delight: Dust with nutritional yeast or finely grated Parmesan before baking for a cheesy flavor.
- Smoky BBQ: Try a barbecue seasoning blend or smoked paprika + brown sugar + garlic powder.
- Herb Lovers: Add dried oregano, basil, thyme, or rosemary for a Mediterranean touch.
- Everything Bagel Chips: Toss with everything bagel seasoning before baking—so good!