Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
It only takes about 30 minutes to make my perfect air-fired potatoes, which are perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside but fluffy and tender on the inside! This has become my go-to side dish since it’s incredibly delicious and very easy to make!
To date, I thought there was no better side dish than my garlic-roasted potatoes. But it turns out that these air-fried potatoes might take the first spot. There is no need to turn on the oven or the stove, and with my perfectly tailored seasoning blend, they turn out incredibly good all the time. This fantastic recipe will be added to your favorites once you try it!
Table of contents
When I say, “You can’t eat just one,” I mean these crispy air-fried potatoes. The air fryer does an excellent job of making the skin extra crispy while the inside remains tender and soft. You end up with the same great texture minus all the unhealthy fats from traditional deep frying.
What you will need
I use a unique blend of seasoning to make the potatoes crispy and flavorful. I mix garlic powder with onion powder, smoked paprika, homemade Italian seasoning blend, salt, pepper, and freshly shredded parmesan cheese.
- Potatoes—I use baby reds because they are smaller and work better in the air fryer. They also turn crispy on the outside while staying soft on the inside.
- Olive oil—I recommend Extra virgin olive oil because it is lighter and has less flavor, allowing the other flavors to shine through; it helps the seasonings stick to the spuds.
How to make
Cut: First, I wash the potatoes and cut them in half.
Season: Next, I toss the potatoes in a large bowl with oil, seasonings, and shredded cheese.
Cook: I place the pieces in one layer in the air fryer basket and set them to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shake: After 10 minutes, I shake the basket and continue to air fry for 8-10 more minutes until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Then, I serve them with a drizzle of lemon juice and parsley.
Expert tip
Extra crispy air-fried potatoes
The easiest way to make the potatoes even crispier is to soak them before cooking to remove the starch. This helps the potatoes turn brown and crispy on the outside while still being soft and fluffy on the inside.
Use regular cold water and soak chopped potatoes for 45-60 minutes. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water to prevent them from browning before cooking.
More tips to consider:
- If you cook the potatoes in the air fryer with the skin on, you must always wash them before cooking to remove the dirt.
- Always store uncooked potatoes in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh. They are best at around 45 to 55 degrees F.
- Use tongs to turn them over and remove them from the basket so you don’t get burned.
- If the potatoes are not as crispy as you like, broil them for a few minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer for five minutes before using it for the shortest cooking time.
- Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing them in the fridge or the freezer.
Recipe Variations:
- Potatoes: Feel free to use your favorite type of spuds. Gold potatoes, Yukon golds, white potatoes, or yellow potatoes are great alternatives. If using larger potatoes, simply cut them into smaller pieces using a sharp knife.
- Seasoning: I like to use homemade ranch seasoning, cajun seasoning, taco or chili powder, etc.
- Oil: I mostly use extra virgin olive oil. However, avocado, sesame, canola, or vegetable oils are great alternatives.
- Other herbs and spices: Try using other herbs and spices, such as cumin, cilantro, ginger, nutmeg, or turmeric.
- Spicy potatoes: I add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to make the crispy air-fried potatoes spicy.
Serving suggestions:
Kids enjoy these instead of French fries with burgers and hot dogs. My favorite way to enjoy them is to serve them with an easy dinner, like crispy shake-and-bake pork chops. They are also great as a side dish with homemade meatloaf, fried chicken, or crispy pork chops.
For a party or BBQ get-together, serve them as an appetizer with homemade meatballs and honey garlic chicken wings. On movie nights, I add them to a vegetable platter and serve them with our favorite dips and sauces, such as buffalo sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or spicy Szechuan sauce.
Storing leftovers:
- Refrigerate: The potatoes will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for several days.
- Freezing: If you have many leftovers, pack them into freezer bags, and you can save them for up to three months.
- Defrost: Let frozen potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheating: You can reheat them in the microwave, but they may not get crispy again unless you use an air fryer or broiler.
Frequently asked questions
I prefer to use baby reds, so I cut them in half for this recipe. A russet or Idaho potato may not be the best choice because they tend to get too soft. Waxy potatoes, like reds, have tough enough skin to get super crispy when fried. For this recipe, I use baby potatoes or tri-color ones. I like how easy it is to prepare them since they are very small; you only need to halve each one.
This happens when too many potatoes are added to the air fryer basket. Do not overload the basket; arrange the potatoes into a single layer. This way, there is enough space for the air to circulate. If you have a lot to prepare, cook in batches. Also, give the basket a shake between cooking to rearrange the pieces.
When you cook potatoes in the air fryer, you should always leave a little room between them so the air can circulate. This is true for anything. If the basket is too small, cook the potatoes in batches.
No, there is no need to boil the potatoes before air-frying them. If you do, they may cook too much and turn into mashed potatoes. It takes less than 20 minutes to cook these in the air fryer to the perfect texture: crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
More delicious air fryer recipes:
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Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. baby red potatoes washed and halved
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley to granish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the halved potatoes with the rest of the ingredients.
- Place potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Try not to overload the basket, if needed cook in batches.
- After 10 minutes, shake the basket and stir the potatoes. Cook for 8-10 more minutes, or until the potatoes are golden, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and chopped parsley.