Transform your homemade fries with this delicious and spicy masala chips recipe!
Craving more International Cuisine Recipes? Then how about trying our Zobo drink, Samaki wa Kupaka, and Bavarian Potato Salad, next!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no extra cost to you.
This dish, which is reminiscent of my childhood in Kenya, also reminds me of my wonderful time as a University student in London. These masala chips with ketchup taste even better than any regular restaurant-style fries or chips I tell you!
Pair them up with Kachumbari (a tomato and onion-based salad) or some air fryer sausage links and you are good to go! Oh, and before you do anything else, definitely check out this chips spice recipe.
Jump to:
why you will love this recipe
- taste - these chips taste great and are the perfect comfort food! They are spicy, without being overbearing. You can also adjust the level of heat, depending on how spicy you like your food.
- budget-friendly - you get to create restaurant-style masala chips at home, with regular kitchen ingredients, and get to save the money you would have spent on takeout.
- healthy option - you can easily make your masala chips healthy by ditching deep-fried fries and using oven chips or air fryer chips instead.
ingredients needed
Here are the ingredients you will require to make these spicy chips. This is a summary, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page for the measurements.
- potato chips (fries) - feel free to use deep-fried, oven chips, or air-fried fries.
- cooking oil
- onion - one red or yellow medium-sized onion, peeled and finely diced.
- crushed or diced fresh garlic and ginger (do not substitute with garlic or ginger powder).
- spices and seasoning - curry powder, smoked or sweet paprika powder, cumin powder, garam masala, black pepper, and salt to taste.
- some tomato paste and ketchup (tomato sauce).
- garnish - you will also need 1-2 small finely sliced chilis (optional). Deseed the chilis if you prefer less heat or use more if your heat tolerance is high. Omit the chilis altogether for less spice. You will also require some chopped coriander (cilantro) to garnish.
Related recipes: Hungry for more? Then certainly try out our Air fryer Mandazi, Kenyan Tangawizi Tea, and Ugali recipes!
how to make masala chips
- Prepare the chips (French fries) according to your preferred method (bake, fry, or air fry). Gather the rest of the ingredients.
- Heat oil in a medium-sized pan or skillet, and fry the diced onion until translucent and fragrant. Next, mix in the spices and salt.
- Next, add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste, and tomato sauce (ketchup), then combine. Reduce the heat to a low, and allow this to simmer, stirring from time to time. You can add 1-2 extra tablespoons of cooking oil, ketchup, or water if the pan or skillet feels too dry.
- Stir in the cooked chips or french fries and cook for a further few minutes. Garnish with sliced chilis (optional) and chopped coriander then serve. You can also garnish with chopped spring onion (scallions)
serving suggestions
Serve masala chips with some ketchup, your favorite salad, such as this Jamaican cabbage salad with pineapple, Kachumbari, or some Salad Shirazi. You can also pair it up with some Nyama Choma or sausages, for a non-vegetarian option.
refrigeration and freezing of leftovers
I recommend serving masala fries immediately, as they taste best this way. You can, however, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave, using your air fryer, or in the oven, by placing them in a parchment paper-lined tray and baking at medium to low heat.
useful tips
- make air fryer chips and follow the rest of the steps in this recipe to make air fryer masala chips. You also get to significantly reduce the calories this way, as air fryer chips are much healthier than the traditional fried ones.
- feel free to adjust the number and amount of spices, depending on your preference.
- add 1-2 extra tablespoons of oil, water, or ketchup, if your pan feels too dry.
- masala chips taste best when served immediately.
frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! Although the conventional way of making masala chips is using regular chips (similar to what you would get from the local fish and chip shop), feel free to use potato wedges, boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, or any type of fries, even crinkle-cut ones, in place of regular fries
must-try Kenyan recipes!
Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this masala chips recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.
Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast (formerly paleolowcarbkate) on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook page for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!
📖 Recipe
Masala Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 grams potato chips (fries) - feel free to use deep fried, oven chips, or French fries cooked using the air fryer. (approximately 1.1 pounds)
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 medium-sized onion (peeled and finely diced)
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder (sweet or smoked is ok to use)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (crushed or finely diced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (crushed or finely diced)
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- ½ teaspoon salt (use more or less, to taste)
- 2 small chilis (optional)- deseed the chilis if you prefer less heat or use them as they are, for more heat. (finely chopped - to garnish)
- a few stalks of coriander (cilantro) (finely chopped - to garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chips according to your preferred method (bake, fry, or air fry them).
- While the chips (French fries) are cooking, heat oil in a medium-sized pan or skillet, add the diced onion, and fry for about one minute, or until translucent and fragrant. Take care not to burn them.2 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 medium-sized onion
- Next, add the curry powder, paprika powder, cumin powder, garam masala, black pepper, and salt, then combine. Stir in the garlic and ginger and fry for about a minute or until fragrant. Next, add the tomato paste and ketchup (tomato sauce) then combine. Reduce the heat to a low, and allow this to simmer for 5 minutes, turning from time to time. You can add 1-2 extra tablespoons of cooking oil, ketchup, or water if the pan or skillet feels too dry.½ teaspoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon paprika powder, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon salt, 4 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- Reduce the heat to a low, and allow this to simmer for 5 minutes, turning from time to time. Stir in the cooked chips or french fries, allow to cook for a further 2-5 minutes, then serve. Garnish with sliced chilis (optional) and chopped coriander.500 grams potato chips (fries) - feel free to use deep fried, oven chips, or French fries cooked using the air fryer., 2 small chilis (optional)- deseed the chilis if you prefer less heat or use them as they are, for more heat., a few stalks of coriander (cilantro)
Notes
- make air fryer chips and follow the rest of the steps in this recipe to make air fryer masala chips. You also get to significantly reduce the calories as air fryer chips are much healthier than the traditional fried ones.
- feel free to adjust the number and amount of spices, depending on your spice preference.
- add 1-2 extra tablespoons of oil or ketchup, if your pan feels too dry.
- masala chips taste best when served immediately.
Donna
Ooh I grew up in Northern Ireland having curried chips every Friday night, so this recipe is right up my alley! It was a bit different mixing the chips into the curry, but I loved it! So much flavor 🙂
Kate Hahnel
These masala chips remind me so much of my time in the UK, and Kenya where they are often on the menu in most restaurants. They are so flavourful, a great way to transform regular chips.
Jennifer
Wow, the flavors in these fries were unbelievable! They were so good - but I think I'm spoiled now cause I don't want just plain fries again!
Mandy Applegate
I can never eat enough masala spiced foods so these were perfect for me - yum!!
Kate Hahnel
That is great, feel free to browse through my other masala recipes. I love masala everything too!
Glenda
Absolutely scrumptious! We loved your choice of masala spices. I have never had fries (chips) that were so flavorful. Absolutely delicious! My family is already asking me to make them again.
Kate Hahnel
They are perfect to serve to guests too.
Shelby
I love masala chicken so gave these a try and the flavor was so perfect!
Kate Hahnel
Thanks! Lol, I think you meant to write masala chips, I know what auto correct does!