Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes

Air Fryer Potatoes are perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside but fluffy and tender on the inside! A super easy and delicious side dish that goes with any meal. Snack on them without the guilt! It only takes about 30 minutes to make some and you really cannot go wrong with this foolproof recipe.

When they say “You can’t eat just one” they are talking about potato chips. But these crispy air fryer potatoes are just as addictive and you don’t have to feel guilty for eating them. To date, I thought that there was not a better side dish than my garlic roasted potatoes. But it turns out that these air fried potatoes might take the first spot. 

The air fryer does an excellent job getting 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.

That nice crispy surface, on air-fried potatoes, is the result of the Maillard reaction that happens somewhere between 140 to 165 degrees Celsius. To create that, hot air is made to circulate around and through the pieces of food placed inside.

What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make. I only use potatoes, some oil, and some seasonings! After trying different amounts of each spice, I found the perfect balance of garlic and onion powder mixed with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. 

Although, I like these as a snack with my favorite dipping sauce, which happens to be spicy Szechuan sauce. My family enjoys them with meat dishes. They are perfect for backyard barbecues with ribs, steaks, hamburgers, and hotdogs.

What you’ll need to make crispy air fryer potatoes

Special items:

• An air fryer – I have two air fryers. A large Emeril Lagasse 26 QT one for making big meals and a Ninja for making regular-sized dishes. 
• A pair of tongs – You will need these to turn the potatoes over and remove them from the air fryer.

Ingredients:

You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make this delicious recipe.

• Potatoes – I use baby reds because they are smaller and work better for the air fryer. Also, they turn crispy on the outside while staying soft on the inside.
• Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil is what I recommend because it is lighter and has less flavor so the other flavor shines through. You just need it to help the seasonings stick to your spuds. 

Seasonings:

• Garlic powder – Gives your potatoes a bite of heat without too much sweetness.
• Onion powder – The aroma alone adds to this recipe but the flavor of sweet onions is genuine.
• Smoked paprika – To add some sweet smokiness to your potatoes.
• Italian seasoning – You can make your own with my Italian seasoning recipe or add oregano, marjoram, thyme, basil, parsley, rosemary, and sage.
• Parmesan cheese – This is an Italian cheese you should always shred yourself to get a rich and salty flavor that also melts well.
• Salt – Just enough to bring out the other flavors.
• Pepper – Grind your pepper for an extra fresh taste with a kick.

How to make crispy air fryer roasted potatoes?

1. Cut potatoes: First thing, I like cutting the spuds in half. Simply use a sharp knife, and cut them evenly into smaller pieces.
2. Season: Next, simply toss the potatoes in a large bowl along with oil, seasonings, and shredded cheese.
3. Cook: Place the pieces in the air fryer basket and set them to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Shake: After 10 minutes, shake the basket. Check in 8 to 10 minutes after if already golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve:  Then, serve with a drizzle of lemon juice and parsley.

Expert tip

Why should I soak my potatoes?

The main reason to soak the potatoes before cooking is to remove the starch. This is what helps the potatoes turn brown and crispy on the outside while still being soft and fluffy on the inside. You can use regular cold water. Another tip is to add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water to keep them from browning before cooking. 

Although some say you should soak them for hours, I think 30 to 45 minutes is long enough, especially if they are peeled or chopped. Large potatoes with skin can be soaked longer. If you soak them for too long, they can absorb excess water and become soggy. They will never get crispy that way and will also lose nutrients.

Recipe Variations:

• Potatoes: Feel free to use your favorite type of spuds. Gold potatoes, Yukon golds, white potatoes, or yellow potatoes are great alternatives. Just remember, 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 oil, sesame oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil are great alternatives. 
• Other cheese: Try mozzarella or cheddar cheese, make sure to use freshly shredded though.
• Other herbs and spices: Try using other herbs and spices like cumin, cilantro, ginger, nutmeg, or turmeric. 
• Spicy potatoes: Make the crispy air fryer potatoes spicy with a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

Serving suggestions:

• Try these instead of French fries with burgers and hot dogs for the kids.
• This dish goes well with meaty dishes like these crispy shake-and-bake pork chops.
• Serve as an appetizer with homemade meatballs and honey garlic chicken wings for a party or BBQ get-together. 
• Add to a vegetable platter and serve with your favorite dips and sauces. Some great ideas I like are buffalo, creamy chipotle sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or Catalina dressing.
• These are also great to serve as a side dish with homemade meatloaf, fried chicken, or crispy pork chops.

Frequently asked questions

Should I boil my potatoes before air frying?

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 of crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. 

Can I cook them all at one time?

You should always leave a little room in between each potato when you cook them so the air can circulate. This is true with anything you cook in the air fryer. If the air fryer basket is too small, cook them in batches.

What are the best potatoes for air frying?

I prefer to use baby reds, since the I cut them in half for this recipe, and a russet or Idaho potato may not be the best choice because they tend to get too soft. Whereas, waxy potatoes like reds have a 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. 

How to avoid uneven cooking in the Air Fryer?

Do not overload the basket and arrange the potatoes into a single layer. This way, there is enough space for the air to go around. If you have lots to prepare, better cook in batches. Also, give the basket a shake in between cooking to rearrange the pieces.

Storing leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Your crispy potatoes will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for several days. 
• Freezing: If you have a lot of leftovers, pack them into freezer bags and you can save them for up to 3 months. 
• Defrost: Let frozen potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave but they may not get crispy again unless you use the air fryer or broiler. 

More delicious air fryer recipes:

Recipe tips:

• If cooking the potatoes in the air fryer with the skin on, you have to 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.
• Make sure to 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, put them in the broiler for a couple of 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.

And for my potato-lover readers, you will surely love my other recipes like the Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Potatoes, and Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes!