How To Cook Potatoes In An Air Fryer

Baby Potatoes

Also referred to as new potatoes, these types are perfect for roasting. These potato varieties are harvested earlier than they're fully mature. They have thin skin, which is ideal for crisping.

Fingerlings, baby russets, Yukon golds, and baby red potatoes will all work, so use whatever you find in the store.

If you can’t find them, simply buy large Yukon gold or other yellow potatoes. For this recipe, you will need around 1 pound baby potatoes.

Olive Oil

Love how it infuses its fruity notes to the dish. It helps the potatoes brown nicely and prevent them from sticking. Plus, it helps them soften as they cook.

Use 1-2 tablespoons of high-quality olive oil. If not, sub with vegetable oil or any cooking oil of your choice.

Salt and Pepper

A must! Many home cooks prefer kosher salt as they find it easier to season with. But you can use whatever you have on hand.

Freshly ground black pepper when paired with salt, makes all the flavors pop! It brings a robust and aromatic flavor without overpowering them. Adjust both to taste.

Garlic Powder

Just one teaspoon of garlic powder is enough to achieve that savory umami flavor. It gives your dish a smooth, consistent taste.

If you don’t have garlic powder or want a bolder flavor, simply use fresh garlic (easy!). Minced and finely grated, both will work. Mix it well with a bit of oil before coating the potatoes.

Italian Seasoning

For a Mediterranean flair! You can make your very own Italian seasoning or buy from the nearby store. Use one teaspoon- this should be sufficient.

It is essentially a blend of dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, and also thyme and marjoram.

Want more? You can also use other seasonings to your preference. For instance, Cajun seasoning for a slight kick. Try whatever seasonings you like.

Parsley

Looking for a herby note? Chop some parsley and add it to the potatoes. Trust me, a little green will go far. It brings a burst of fresh flavor.

Other fresh herbs would be lovely too. If you like, replace it with chives, rosemary, thyme, or dill.

Tools Required

• Air Fryer
• Vegetable Peeler
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Mixing Bowl
• Paper Towel
• Measuring Spoon

Now that you’re all equipped with your elements, it’s cooking time. Follow these easy steps and your perfectly roasted potatoes will be ready very quickly.

1. Prepare Your Potatoes

First of all, you need to wash your potatoes in cold running water. There can sometimes be stubborn dust or debris at the surface. In that case, use a vegetable brush.

If using baby potatoes, reduce them to 1/2 or into quarters. What you like. For larger ones, cut potatoes into chunks approximately ¾ inch in size.

Try to make the portions even in size. Whatever you do, do not peel the potatoes. Or you'll miss those crispy and tasty skins.

For extra flavor, put the reduced potatoes in a bowl of cold water and allow them to soak for around 30 minutes. It helps remove excess starch. Optional but highly recommended!

2. Season the Potatoes

Seasoning time! Dry the potato pieces with a paper towel. This is to make them crispier. Now, put them in a bowl and toss them with some oil.

As said earlier, about 1-2 tablespoons ought to be sufficient to coat them lightly. This will cause them to be crispy within the air fryer.

Now accumulate your favored seasonings and sprinkle over the potatoes. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and any herbs you want. Want smoky flavor? Add paprika.

Gently toss the potatoes so that the seasoning is spread properly.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 3-5 mins (that's enough!). This temperature is good to cook the potatoes evenly and lead them to be crispier.

4. Cook the Potatoes

Place the seasoned potato pieces in the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding; prepare in batches if vital.

Cook the potatoes at 400°F. For small cubes or skinny slices, cook for about 15-20 minutes. For thicker cuts or wedges, cook for 20-25 minutes.

Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

5. Check for Doneness

Check if the potatoes are crispy on the outdoor and tender on the interior (don’t skip!). Poke them with a fork or knife to see if they're cooked thru.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are golden and crispy, take them out of the air fryer. Let them cool for a minute earlier than you serve them.

If you want, you could upload a bit of salt or herbs. For extra flavor, squeeze a touch lemon over the potatoes and sprinkle some parsley on top. Then, they're ready to enjoy!

Air fryer potato roasting time varies by size:

• Baby Potatoes: These should be cooked for about 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). They’re small and cook quickly.
• Cubed Potatoes: For 3/4-inch chunks, cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Be sure to make even pieces.
• Wedges: For larger potato wedges you will need to cook them for around 18-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C). As they are thicker, they need more time.
• Slices: They and thin and crisp up faster. Thinly sliced potatoes prepare in about 10-15 mins at 375°F (one hundred ninety°C). 

Always check for doneness, as air fryer models vary, and regulate time as needed on your specific fryer and potato size.

• Leave the skin on: If you peel the potatoes, they won’t be much crispy. The oiled skin results in a scrumptious, crispy bite that enhances the texture.
• Cut evenly: Cut the potatoes into equal-sized portions so that they roast at the same rate. Flipping the potatoes midway thru the cooking time promotes even browning.
• Preheat your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer earlier than including the potatoes (have to!). This allows them to obtain the most crispiness extra fast.
• Cook in batches: Making a large quantity? Roast the potatoes in batches (if necessary) to avoid overcrowding. Keep the potatoes in a single layer so that they don’t overlap.
• No need to boil: Do not boil the potatoes in advance (not vital). The air fryer will cook them thoroughly. Soft inside and crispy on the outside. What more to ask?
• Soaking: If you’re using starchy potatoes (yes, like russet), soak them in cold water for around half  hour before roasting. This is to get rid of that extra starch.
• Oil portion: Do not add too much oil or it will make the potatoes greasy and less crisp. Use only a small quantity (be mindful) of oil to gently coat the potatoes. Or use an oil spray for even distribution.
• Season well: Underseasoning can result in a flat or bland flavor. To avoid this, be generous with your seasoning. Toss the potatoes well for an even coating.

Here are some simple (and fun) ways to add more flavor to your air-fried potatoes:

Garlic and Herbs

To provide your potatoes with a savory and fragrant twist, toss them with minced garlic (either fresh or from a jar) and dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, or oregano).

If you want you can also use fresh herbs. The garlic provides a robust taste, while the herbs contribute a fresh and fragrant touch.

Spicy Kick

For folks who enjoy a chunk of heat, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce come to the rescue. Add them to the potatoes before cooking.

This adds a bold, spicy flavor that gives the potatoes a kick.

Cheese Flavor

This can’t go wrong! Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes soon after they are cooked. Remember, the potatoes should still be hot.

The cheese will melt into the potatoes, adding a wealthy, cheesy flavor. It’s hard to resist!

Smoky Touch

And there’s smoked paprika for infusing a barbecue-inspired flavor. Or add some drops of liquid smoke to the potatoes before baking.

This ought to give them a scrumptious, smoky taste that mimics the taste of grilled potatoes.

Sweet and Savory

To combine sweet and savory flavors, toss the potatoes with a bit of honey or maple syrup before cooking. For a balance, you can also add a splash of soy sauce.

Dill and Lemon

Many people enjoy roasted potatoes with a squeeze of lemon juice in it. Also, mix some fresh or dried dill and some lemon zest. Just before serving.

This combination adds a fresh, herby flavor with a hint of citrus. This makes the potatoes taste bright and refreshing.

Air fryer potatoes make a simple and flexible side dish that complements a wide variety of meals. Here are a few famous methods to serve air fryer potatoes:

• With dips: Serve your air fryer potatoes with everything from ketchup to ranch dressing and garlic aioli. If you need to get fancy, go for spicy sriracha mayo or a tangy barbecue sauce.
• Potato bowl: Top your air fryer potatoes with shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, sour cream, and chopped (green) onions to make it a loaded potato bowl-it's certain to be filling.
• With soups: Perfect for cold wintry nights! Air fried potatoes with a bowl of butter squash soup or broccoli cheddar soup (or any soup you like). It makes a comforting and hearty combination.
• As side dish: Air fryer potatoes are very nice, use a grill to cook meats of your preference such as chicken or pork, but if you feel like having something light you can always use fish. This is a very tasty side dish and fits into many of the main protein and vegetable dishes that we eat.
• As breakfast item: Together with the omelets and the scrambled eggs you are eating, alongside the sausages at breakfast you can have a good time. A little paprika or cheese can be sprinkled on it for extra flavor.
• With burgers: Picture black bean burgers or any other veggie burgers with some roasted potatoes. Delightful! Don’t worry, you can have a grilled chicken burger too.

For keeping the remaining potatoes of the air fryer, you need to allow them to cook down to room temperature only first.

After that, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. This way, they will last for 4-5 days and be healthy to eat.

In order to get the potatoes hot and crispy again (while reheating), you can first preheat your fryer to 350F. Then lay out the potatoes in a single layer.

Let them heat up for about 3-5 minutes or until they become as warm and crispy as they were before.

This way is convenient and makes the leftover meals taste just as fresh as when they were first cooked.