Better than takeout salt and pepper chips
Chinese salt pepper chips is a classic UK takeaway dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. All you need is some potatoes in this case frozen chips, chili, oil, and a few simple spices. I love making this fakeaway dish at home because it is cheaper and healthier than what you would get from your takeaways. I can enjoy eating the chips without all the guilt of unnecessary calories and save that for dessert. Hello, baked apple slices!!! Baking or air frying the chips makes this recipe healthier than the deep-fried version. However, if this is not a bother for you, then by all means deep fry the chips, it is a lot quicker too. You can also make these salt pepper chips without MSG and sugar which are often used in Chinese foods. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that MSG is bad for you, but you can enjoy this classic dish without it. More importantly, you don’t have to start worrying about the ingredients used since you made it yourself. Without further ado, here is a quick and easy step-by-step on how to make Chinese salt and pepper chips at home from scratch.
Ingredients
Frozen chips: I used frozen straight-cut chips, but you can use any cut of fries you want apart from french fries because it would be too thin for this recipe. Brown onions Fresh chili: I used a combination of fresh green and red chili Vegetable oil Salt and black pepper: substitute the black pepper for white pepper Chinese five spice: this is a Chinese spice blend that you can find in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets Garlic cloves: substitute with garlic powder or garlic granules Spring onions: this is also known as green onions
How to make salt and pepper chips
Prep the vegetables: chop the onions into big chunks and roughly mince the garlic. Cut the chili, and green onions into thin slices then set them aside. Cook the chips: Fry, air fry or bake the chips until golden brown and fluffy on the inside. I air-fried the chips at 190C/385F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown shaking the basket halfway through. You can also bake the chips according to the package instructions. Stir fry: Place a wok on medium-high heat, add vegetable oil, and heat until hot. Add onions to the hot oil and saute for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously until the onions are almost soft. Reduce the heat and add sliced green onions, chilis, and garlic, and stir for about 30 seconds to combine Season with Chinese 5 spice, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine Add hot chips to the stir fry and toss to combine. Remove the wok from the heat, and transfer the salt and pepper chips to a plate. Serve immediately and enjoy!
How to store
Just like any other takeaway, these Chinese chips are best eaten immediately while it is hot or warm. However, if you do have any leftovers then you can keep them in the fridge for up 2 days in an airtight container.
What is chinese 5 spice
It is a spice blend that typically contains star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. Some other brands include garlic granules and onion granules in their spice blend. Read the label when buying this spice as some brands may contain sugar. You can find 5-spice in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets, especially if you live in the UK.
Can I make this recipe without Chinese 5 spice
Yes, you can omit it if you can’t find Chinese 5 spice but you would miss out on the classic flavor.
What can I use as a replacement for fresh chili
If you can’t handle spicy food then you can leave the chili out altogether or use a hint of red pepper flakes. You can substitute fresh chilis for green or red bell peppers if you prefer.
More homemade fakeaway recipes you will love
Chinese curry sauce Salt and pepper chicken wings Instant pot lentil curry Instant pot butter chicken Vegetable chow mein Cashew chicken Teriyaki chicken I hope you enjoy this homemade fakeaway recipe. Please let me know how it turns out for you if you try it! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
