Air-Fryer Baby Potatoes: Safe?

Air fryer baby potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time. They are a versatile side dish, pairing well with a variety of meals, from steak and chicken dinners to breakfast bowls and salads. The cooking process is simple: toss the baby potatoes in oil and your choice of seasonings, place them in the air fryer, and cook for around 15-20 minutes. The result is a delicious dish with a crispy exterior and a soft, creamy interior.

What type of potatoes to use

Baby potatoes are the best type of potatoes to use for air frying. They are small enough to cook quickly and have thinner skin, which is great for achieving a crispy texture. You can use a mix of red, gold, purple, fingerling, baby russet, or baby red potatoes. If you can't find baby potatoes, larger Yukon Gold or other yellow potatoes cut into 3/4-inch chunks can be used.

It is important to note that russet potatoes are not recommended for this recipe. Their starchy texture makes them better suited for making air fryer French fries. Sweet potatoes are also not ideal for this cooking method. If you want to cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer, it is recommended to cut them into rounds or wedges first.

When preparing the baby potatoes for air frying, make sure to wash and thoroughly dry them before seasoning. You can leave the skin on as it will crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Customizing the Potatoes

While the potatoes can be delicious with just salt and pepper, you can also add various herbs and spices to season them. Some popular options include onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or curry powder. You can also top them with grated Parmesan cheese or serve them with a dipping sauce such as chipotle mayo, honey mustard BBQ sauce, or bang bang sauce.

How to prepare the potatoes

Ingredients

You will need:

• Baby potatoes (any variety, including red, gold, purple, fingerlings, or baby russets)
• Olive oil (or avocado oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: Fresh or dried rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, thyme, parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, or other herbs and spices of your choice.

Method

• Wash and dry the baby potatoes.
• Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters, or into 3/4-inch chunks if using larger potatoes. Leaving the skin on will make the potatoes crispier.
• In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil and your desired seasonings. Stir or mix until the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each potato. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.
• Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. You can test this by piercing the potatoes with a fork or knife.
• Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve immediately. They can be enjoyed as a side dish with various proteins or added to salads, breakfast bowls, or tacos.

Tips:

• Don't crowd the air fryer basket. Cooking the potatoes in a single layer with space around each potato will promote even cooking and browning.
• Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook at a similar rate.
• You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-7 days and reheat in the air fryer to restore crispness.

How long to cook them for

The cooking time for baby potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the desired texture and the size of the potatoes. For crispy potatoes, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to place the potatoes in a single layer. This allows hot air to circulate, promoting browning. If your air fryer basket is not big enough, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

As a general rule of thumb, baby potatoes will take between 12 and 25 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For example, one source recommends cooking baby potatoes in an air fryer set to 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, while another suggests 18 to 22 minutes at the same temperature. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of the air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the potatoes while they are cooking.

To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process. This helps to redistribute the potatoes and ensure even browning. Additionally, some recipes suggest piercing the largest potato with a fork to check if it is done. If the fork easily goes through the potato, they are ready to be taken out of the air fryer.

For potatoes that are left whole, the cooking time may be slightly longer. One source recommends cooking whole baby potatoes in an air fryer for 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes.

What temperature to cook them at

Air fryer baby potatoes are best cooked at a temperature of around 400°F (204°C). Depending on the air fryer model, you may need to adjust the temperature slightly. For example, if you have a basket-style fryer, you might want to increase the temperature by 5-10 degrees.

The key to getting crispy baby potatoes is to ensure the potatoes are in a single layer, with a little space around each one. This allows the hot air to circulate and promotes even browning. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.

If you are using an air fryer oven, it may take a little longer to get the desired level of crispiness. In this case, you can increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for 3-4 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they don't burn.

It is also worth noting that preheating your air fryer can help to ensure the potatoes get nice and crispy.

What to serve them with

Air fryer baby potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve them with:

For a Weeknight Dinner

Pair air fryer baby potatoes with any simply cooked protein, such as steak, chicken, or fish, and a green salad.

With Burgers

Serve them with black bean burgers or veggie burgers.

With Soup

Pair the potatoes with a bowl of butternut squash soup or broccoli cheddar soup.

With Eggs

Add them to a breakfast bowl with some eggs and sausage.

With a Holiday Meal

Include them in a holiday menu with classic dishes like stuffing and green bean casserole.

With Seafood

Enjoy air fryer baby potatoes with a lighter seafood meal, such as baked sockeye salmon, air fryer chicken leg quarters, or grilled rack of lamb.

In a Taco or Burrito

Put them in your breakfast tacos or in a breakfast burrito.

Frequently asked questions