Air-Fried Roast Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. They are easy to use, reduce cooking time, and require less oil than traditional frying methods. One of the most popular recipes for air fryers is roast potatoes, which can be made in less than 30 minutes. The circulating air in the fryer gives the potatoes a golden, crispy exterior, while keeping the inside fluffy and tender.

How long to cook roast potatoes in an air fryer?

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy alternative to oven-roasted potatoes. They are crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The cooking time depends on the type of potato and the size of the chunks, but generally, they take around 20 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

First, peel and chop the potatoes into bite-sized chunks. The chunks should be around 3-4cm big. Soaking or rinsing the potatoes in cold water before cooking helps to remove excess starch, which can cause the potatoes to brown too quickly. Pat the potatoes dry.

Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add oil and any desired seasonings. Toss the potatoes until they are well coated. You can use any type of oil, but olive oil, sunflower oil, duck fat, goose fat, beef dripping, and olive oil are all recommended. For seasonings, salt, pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic granules, and Italian seasoning are all popular choices.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. If you are using a tray insert, place the potatoes on the tray and put the tray inside the basket. Cook at 190-200°C for 10 minutes, then shake the basket vigorously to ensure the potatoes cook evenly. Cook for another 5 minutes, shake the basket again, and cook for a further 10-15 minutes. If the potatoes are not crispy enough, turn the heat up to 200°C and cook for another 5 minutes. The potatoes are done when they are crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside.

What type of potatoes should be used for air fryer roast potatoes?

When making roast potatoes in an air fryer, it is recommended to use starchy potatoes such as russets (also known as Idaho potatoes), Yukon golds, red potatoes, or baby/new potatoes. These types of potatoes have a floury, low-moisture interior, which means they will crisp up nicely and develop a fluffy texture when cooked.

Maris Piper, King Edward, and Rooster potatoes are also good options for air fryer roast potatoes, as they will result in soft and fluffy interiors with a crispy exterior.

It is important to note that waxy varieties like new potatoes or fingerlings are not ideal for roasting in an air fryer. Their lower starch content means they won't get as crispy as starchy varieties and will lose their crispiness quickly.

When preparing the potatoes, it is recommended to peel and cut them into evenly sized bite-sized pieces, around 1/2" to 3/4" thick or larger, but not too big, as they may not cook evenly. Soaking starchy potatoes in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting can help remove excess starch and ensure a crispier result. After cutting, the potatoes should be rinsed under cold water and patted dry to remove any excess starch and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.

What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

The temperature you should set your air fryer to depends on the type of potatoes you are cooking and your desired level of crispiness. For example, russet potatoes should be cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then tossed and cooked for another 8-10 minutes. On the other hand, Yukon Golds or red potatoes should be cooked at 380°F (190-195°C) for 20 minutes in total, flipping them halfway through.

If you are cooking your potatoes at 190°C, you should cook them for 10 minutes, then shake the pan vigorously. Cook for another 5 minutes, then shake the pan again. Finally, cook for another 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden all over. If you prefer your potatoes extra crispy, you can cook them for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C.

If you are cooking your potatoes frozen, reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes.

Do you need to parboil the potatoes before air frying?

Parboiling is a common step in many roast potato recipes, but it is not necessary when using an air fryer. Parboiling can speed up the cooking process, but air fryers already cook potatoes quickly, so this is not a significant advantage.

If you are short on time, you can skip parboiling and simply cut your potatoes into bite-sized pieces, coat them in oil and seasonings, and cook them in the air fryer for 20 minutes. This will yield crispy potatoes with fluffy interiors.

However, if you are seeking the absolute crispiest roast potatoes with the fluffiest interiors, parboiling can help achieve that. To parboil potatoes, first, peel them and cut them into chunks. Then, place them in a pan of cold water as you work to prevent discolouration. Next, bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes for about 5 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and, if desired, place them in an ice bath before tossing them in oil and seasonings and transferring them to the air fryer.

Whether or not you choose to parboil your potatoes, there are a few key steps to ensure crispy results. First, be sure to peel the potatoes before cooking. Second, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, as this will help them cook through evenly. Third, use a generous amount of oil when coating the potatoes, as this will promote crisping. Finally, shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.

What oil should be used for air fryer roast potatoes?

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make. They are soft and fluffy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside. The best part is that they use a fraction of the oil that you would normally use for roasting potatoes.

When it comes to the type of oil to use, there are a few options to choose from. A popular choice is extra virgin olive oil, which is a good option for a neutral flavor. If you want something with more flavor, you can try duck or goose fat, beef dripping, or even ghee. These options have higher smoke points, which will give you crispier potatoes.

Some recipes also call for adding herbs and aromatics to the oil before coating the potatoes. For example, you can cook garlic and rosemary in olive oil until they are fragrant, and then strain them out before tossing the potatoes in the infused oil. This adds flavor to the potatoes without burning the herbs and aromatics.

Other ingredients that can be added to the oil include onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. It is important to note that the temperature required for ultra-crispy potatoes is often too high for fresh herbs and garlic, so cooking them in the oil first is a great way to infuse the flavor without burning.

Overall, the type of oil you use for air fryer roast potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Olive oil is a good neutral option, while duck or goose fat, beef dripping, or ghee will add more flavor and crispiness to your potatoes.

Frequently asked questions