Air Fryer Potatoes: Can You Use Raw Potatoes?

Cooking raw potatoes in an air fryer is a convenient, healthy, and tasty way to prepare potatoes. Using only a fraction of the oil required for deep frying, air fryers deliver the same flavour and texture, with a crunchy golden crust on the outside and a fluffy, tender interior. The air fryer's hot, circulating air ensures even cooking, and potatoes can be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs to enhance their flavour. With a short prep time and quick cooking duration, air fryers are an efficient way to cook potatoes to crispy perfection.

How long to cook raw potatoes in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook raw potatoes in an air fryer! The cooking time will depend on the type of potatoes you are using and the style in which you want to cook them. For example, baby potatoes or halved yellow potatoes will take less time to cook than larger potatoes. Similarly, if you are cooking potato wedges or slices, the cooking time will differ from that of whole potatoes.

• For crispy, golden potatoes, it is recommended to cook them for 15-20 minutes at 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For baked potatoes, cooking times can range from 40-60 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For potato slices or wedges, cooking times can range from 10-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of potatoes you are cooking at once. It is recommended to arrange the potatoes in a single layer, leaving some space between them, and to flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

What type of potatoes to use

When it comes to choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer, there are several types that work well. Here are some options to consider:

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are a good choice for air frying. They have a starchy texture, making them ideal for dishes like French fries. When cut into thin strips, russets can achieve a crispy exterior and fluffy interior texture. However, some sources suggest avoiding russet potatoes for air fryer recipes, as they may not yield the desired results.

Red Potatoes

Red potatoes, including baby red potatoes, are another option for air frying. They have a creamy texture and a thin, flavourful skin that crisps up nicely. Red potatoes can be halved or cut into 1-2 inch cubes or wedges before air frying.

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes are recommended by some sources as the ideal variety for air frying. Their tender, flavourful skin crisps up beautifully, and the flesh has a buttery and creamy texture. Yukon Golds can be used as a substitute for baby red potatoes and cut into 3/4-inch chunks if you can't find the smaller variety.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are also suitable for air frying. They have a distinct flavour and can be cut into cubes, wedges, or slices before cooking.

Fingerling Potatoes

Fingerling potatoes are smaller, elongated potatoes with a thin skin. They can be cut into cubes or wedges and air-fried to a crispy golden brown.

Other Varieties

Other types of potatoes can also be used in an air fryer, such as yellow potatoes or peeled white potatoes like Russets or red potatoes. The key is to choose potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.

Oil and seasoning to use

When it comes to oil and seasoning, you can use a variety of options to flavour your air-fried potatoes. A good tip to remember is that the amount of oil used in an air fryer is significantly less than that used in a normal oven or deep fryer. You can even cook in the air fryer without using oil, but the resulting food may be dry.

For the oil, extra-virgin olive oil is a popular choice, as it helps the potatoes brown and soften as they cook. However, you can also use avocado oil or any other vegetable oil of your preference.

For seasoning, you can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt. You can also add black pepper and fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, chives, or dill. If you want to add a cheesy twist, you can include grated Parmesan. Alternatively, keep it simple with just olive oil and salt.

How to cut the potatoes

When it comes to cutting potatoes for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the shape you want to cut them into. This could be fries, wedges, cubes, or slices. Each shape has its own benefits and will cook slightly differently in the air fryer.

For fries, cut the potatoes into thin, matchstick-like shapes. This is a classic cut for air-fried potatoes as it maximizes the crispy surface area. You can peel the potatoes before cutting, or leave the skin on for a rustic, skin-on fry. If you're leaving the skin on, give the potatoes a good scrub before cutting to remove any dirt.

Wedges are another popular option. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into eighths, or sixths if you prefer larger wedges. This cut is great if you want to load your potatoes with toppings, or serve them as a side with a juicy dip. As with the fries, you can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, depending on your preference.

Cubes are perfect for roasted potatoes in the air fryer. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes, around 1-inch in size. This shape works well if you're cooking the potatoes with other vegetables, or if you want to coat them in spices or herbs before cooking. The even size ensures they cook through at the same rate.

Finally, slices are a simple and quick option. This cut works well for a variety of potato dishes, from a base for a breakfast hash to thin, crispy potato chips. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch, depending on your desired outcome.

Regardless of the shape you choose, it's important to cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. This ensures they cook through evenly and at the same rate. A sharp knife and a steady hand are key to achieving this. If you're cutting a lot of potatoes, it might be worth considering a mandoline or a food processor with a slicing attachment to speed up the process and ensure uniformity.

Air fryer temperature and settings

The ideal temperature for cooking raw potatoes in an air fryer is around 360-400ºF. At this temperature, the potatoes will cook in about 20 minutes, although some sources suggest checking the potatoes after 10 minutes and cooking for up to 10 minutes more, depending on the desired crispiness.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the potatoes. This helps to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness. When cooking, it is important to ensure the potatoes are in a single layer and not overcrowding the basket. This will help to avoid creating a steaming effect instead of the desired crispy texture.

During cooking, it is a good idea to shake or stir the potatoes to ensure even browning and cooking. This can be done by shaking the basket or using tongs to turn the potatoes. Some recipes suggest doing this halfway through the cooking time, while others recommend checking the potatoes every 5 minutes.

The potatoes are done when they are golden and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. A sharp knife inserted into a potato should go in and come out easily, and the potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork.

It is worth noting that different air fryer models may vary in terms of temperature and settings. For example, the Cuisinart Air Fryer tends to run hotter than basket-style air fryers, so the temperature may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Frequently asked questions