Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes aren’t just easy, they’re simply the best crispy potatoes you can get at home with no muss, no fuss, and a lot less grease than you think! These air fryer baby potatoes will be a fan favorite whether you’re doing the cooking or the eating.
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If you read my blog regularly, you must think I spend all summer just running through my bountiful garden, in a sundress, picking tomatoes and grilling everything in sight, on sight. Reader, I do not. Sometimes, I stand inside in the air conditioning, vowing to never light a grill again.
While I’m sure someone out there has a 30-day potato grilling challenge, I am sticking with my air fryer. It hasn’t failed me yet! From finger-lickin’ good air fryer potato wedges to the big, bold flavor of garlic parmesan potatoes, I’m madly in love with the way my air fryer transforms potatoes. In fact, I sometimes worry it’s just my specific, personal air fryer, and god forbid it ever breaks down because things will never be the same again.
(I mean, I’ve never had a better baked potato than the ones I’ve had out of my air fryer. They’re so good, I actively crave basic ass baked potatoes now. Who does that?? Anyway…)
So, no surprise, I needed to switch up my starches. It’s the beginning of summer and I’m in a constant state of “Oooh! Corn!” like I’ve never had it before, and now I’m serving it three meals a day. Thankfully, their air fryer is always on standby to help me whip up some old stand-bys.
Watch The Recipe Video!
Why the Air Fryer?
This is precisely the kind of recipe where the difference between oven and “convection oven” becomes glaring. You simply can’t make potatoes THIS fast and THIS crispy in the oven (at least, not without some serious heavy lifting first).
Roasting potatoes in the air fryer goes much faster than in the oven, and it requires far less oil to get them crispy, so they’re a bit healthier for you.
Best Potatoes to Use?
The beauty of this recipe is that any potatoes can be used in the air fryer, as long as you’re willing to cut them to the right size.
We used small, baby (i.e. “new”) potatoes and sliced them in half, but you can definitely use mature potatoes as long as you dice them down to about 1-1.5” pieces.
For instance, if you wanted to do red potatoes in the air fryer, you might be able to get away with just quartering them if they’re on the smaller side; for russets or larger yukon golds, you’ll want to dice them down into bite-sized pieces.
How to Cook Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Easy Air Fryer Potatoes are a side for all occasions! They come out golden, crispy, and perfectly seasoned every time. Use any spuds you have on hand in this versatile recipe, but if you opt for small potatoes in the air fryer, you only have to cut ’em once.
- Halve the potatoes; keep very small (less than 1.5” diameter) whole. Alternatively, dice large potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Keep the skins on – that’s where they get the most crisping action!
- Combine potatoes with oil and seasonings in a large bowl and toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer the prepped potatoes to your air fryer basket and distribute into an even layer.
- Program the air fryer to 400°F for 18 minutes. Shake or gently toss the potatoes once halfway through cooking. Give ’em a taste to make sure the insides are fully cooked through, and if they’re not, return to the air fryer another 2-3 minutes.
- Season the crispy potatoes with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Chef’s Tips!
- Do not use more oil than the recipe calls for – they’ll turn out greasy.
- Especially if you’re using new potatoes, there is no need to peel. Give the skins a quick dry clean if you need to.
- Air fryer potatoes are really flexible – season them with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite combo (or see seasoning options below!).
Seasoning Options
- Simple: olive (or avocado) oil and flaky salt
- Herby: fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.
- Seasoned Salt: Old Bay is our go-to.
- Sweet and Smoky: smoked paprika with onion powder and garlic powder; or opt for a bbq dry rub you have on hand (or try ours from this recipe.)
How Long Do Potatoes Take to Air Fry?
As long as your diced potatoes are around 1-1.5″ they shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes. Larger chunks (2″ or more) will need closer to 25 minutes.
Do the Potatoes Need to Be Soaked First?
Nope. Parboiling is actually a tip I suggest for extra crispy oven potatoes, but I’ve found it’s not necessary when cooking potatoes in the air fryer.
Why Aren’t My Air Fryer Potatoes Crispy?
It’s probably one of two things: either you didn’t “fry” your potatoes long enough, or you didn’t toss enough. Give ’em good toss and air fry 2-3 minutes more.
Storing and Reheating
Leftover potatoes will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
They’re really easy to reheat too! Just toss back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, tossing once, halfway through.
Did you roasting potatoes in the air fryer? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Potatoes
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin RecipeRecommended Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 24 oz baby potatoes, or diced potatoes
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp ground pepper, or to taste
- Finely chopped fresh parsley or basil, to garnish
- Finely grated parmesan cheese, to taste, optional
Instructions
- Halve the potatoes; keep very small (less than 1.5” diameter) whole. Or, dice large potatoes into one-inch cubes.
- Combine the potatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated with oil and spices.
- Transfer the potatoes to the basket of an air fryer, then shake to evenly distribute.
- Program to 400°F for 18 minutes. Remove the basket halfway through and gently shake the potatoes or stir with a rubber spatula; return to the air fryer to finish cooking. If the potatoes aren’t cooked through (test one using the tip of a paring knife), return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve immediately.
[…] the air fryer. Look, we already know that air fryer potatoes are magic. Air fryer potato wedges are beyond crispy and tender, and even sweet potatoes in the air […]