Soggy chips usually mean too much moisture, low oil temperature, or overcrowding the pan.
Common causes
- Potatoes too wet
- Oil not hot enough
- Overcrowding
- Wrong potato type
1. Potatoes too wet
Moisture stops crisping.
Quick fixes:
- Pat dry thoroughly
- Soak then dry for extra crispiness
2. Oil not hot enough
Chips absorb oil instead of crisping.
Quick fixes:
- Heat oil to 180°C
- Test with a small piece first
3. Overcrowding
Drops the oil temperature.
Quick fixes:
- Fry in smaller batches
What to try first
Dry the potatoes — it makes a huge difference.
When to start again
If chips turn pale and floppy.