Air Fryer Canned Potatoes: Safe To Fry?

Canned potatoes can be cooked in an air fryer. This is a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. Air-frying potatoes from a can gives them a crispy, golden brown texture on the outside, while keeping them soft and fluffy on the inside.

To cook canned potatoes in an air fryer, first drain the liquid from the can. Rinse the potatoes in cold water and pat them dry. Then, add oil and your choice of seasoning. Suggested seasonings include Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, dried rosemary, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Finally, place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook at between 190°C and 204°C for 10-20 minutes, shaking the air fryer halfway through.

How to prepare canned potatoes for air frying

Canned potatoes are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. They are also a great time-saver, as they are already parboiled and sliced. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare canned potatoes for air frying:

Step 1: Drain and Rinse the Potatoes

Open the can of potatoes and drain the liquid. You can then rinse the potatoes under cold water. This step is important as it helps to reduce the sodium content of the potatoes.

Step 2: Dry the Potatoes

After rinsing, it is important to ensure that the potatoes are as dry as possible. You can use paper towels to pat them dry or place them in the air fryer for a minute or two to get rid of any remaining moisture.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dried rosemary, Cajun seasoning, or any other spices you like. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or butter to help the potatoes get crispy. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are fully coated with the oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Cook the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking canned potatoes at around 190-200°C (375-400°F). Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. Be sure to shake the basket or stir the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite toppings or sides. You can also sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs for an extra touch of flavor. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried canned potatoes!

The best oils for air frying canned potatoes

Yes, you can put canned potatoes in the air fryer! In fact, cooking them in the air fryer is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly way to make a delicious and nutritious side dish with a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.

When using an air fryer, it is best to use oils with a high smoke point to prevent excessive smoking or burning, which could potentially damage the air fryer. Here are some of the best oils to use for air frying canned potatoes:

• Avocado oil: With a high smoke point of 450°F to 520°F (230°C to 270°C), avocado oil can withstand high temperatures in the fryer without burning or smoking.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil also has a high smoke point of 350°F-410°F (177°C-210°C). However, it may have a stronger flavour than some lighter oils.
• Olive oil: Using a good-quality olive oil will help your canned potatoes get nice and crispy.

Tips for Air Frying Canned Potatoes

• Rinse and dry the potatoes: Rinsing the potatoes helps to reduce the sodium content, and drying them thoroughly will result in crispier potatoes.
• Cut potatoes into even sizes: If some potatoes are larger, cut them into halves or quarters so that they cook at the same rate.
• Add seasonings: Seasonings like Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and dried parsley can enhance the flavour of your potatoes.
• Stir halfway through: Stirring or shaking the potatoes halfway through the cooking process will help them to cook evenly.
• Avoid overcrowding: Cook the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Poke holes in the potatoes: To avoid exploding potatoes, poke a few holes in each potato to allow steam to escape.

The ideal temperature and time for air frying canned potatoes

Air-frying canned potatoes is a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. The ideal temperature and time for air frying canned potatoes depends on the desired level of crispiness and the size of the potatoes.

For crispy potatoes, air fry at 200C for 20 minutes. For a golden brown finish, air fry at 204C for 10-15 minutes. If you are using an air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.

It is important to note that every air fryer cooks differently, so the cooking time may vary. It is recommended to check on the potatoes after 10 minutes to avoid burning and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Additionally, the size of the potatoes can also affect the cooking time. If the potatoes are larger, they may need to be cut into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking. Smaller potatoes may also need less time to cook, so it is important to keep an eye on them and adjust the timing accordingly.

To achieve the best results, it is recommended to drain and rinse the potatoes before cooking and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. This will help to reduce the sodium content and ensure maximum crispiness.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy perfectly cooked air-fried canned potatoes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

How to prevent canned potatoes from exploding in the air fryer

Canned potatoes are a great, budget-friendly option for a quick and easy side dish. They can be cooked in an air fryer and will come out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. However, one issue that may arise is the potatoes exploding in the air fryer. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

Poke Holes in the Potatoes

Poke a few holes in the potatoes before cooking them. Potatoes explode when the steam from cooking builds up inside and has no way to escape. Usually, small chunks of potatoes do not need holes poked in them, but canned potatoes can retain more moisture than fresh potatoes. This steam can become trapped as the outer layer of the potato starts to crisp up and seal, especially if you flour them. Therefore, poking a few holes in each potato will allow the steam to escape and prevent explosions.

Avoid Overcrowding

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will help the potatoes cook evenly and prevent explosions. Leave some space between each potato and ensure they are in a single layer.

Adjust the Temperature

Every air fryer cooks differently, and cooking at too high a temperature can cause potatoes to explode. If your air fryer has a basket with thin grates, this can allow more oil to drop out, and the potatoes may sink into the grates. This can cause sticking and increase the chances of explosions. Try using a small pan, parchment paper, or a silicone mat in the air fryer to prevent sticking and reduce oil loss. Additionally, if your potatoes are cooking too quickly, lower the temperature or adjust the cooking time. Check on the potatoes frequently to avoid burning.

Dry the Potatoes

Before placing the potatoes in the air fryer, drain the liquid from the can and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help ensure that the potatoes get crispy and reduce the chances of explosions.

What to serve with air-fried canned potatoes

Air-fried canned potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

Proteins

• Chicken: Slow cooker chicken thighs, air fryer rotisserie chicken, or slow cooker chicken breast.
• Fish: Herb-crusted salmon, air fryer cod, or air fryer breaded shrimp.
• Pork: Crispy air fryer pork belly or air fryer pork chops.

Vegetables

• Air fryer broccoli
• Onions: Cut them into wedges to prevent burning.
• Peppers
• Air fryer tortilla chips
• Air fryer halloumi cheese
• Air fryer broccoli Parmesan
• Air fryer truffle cheese fries
• Air fryer paneer curry
• Air fryer veggie fajitas

Other

• Frittata: Slice up the air-fried canned potatoes and add them in.
• Soup: Potatoes will make the soup nice and chunky.
• Potato salad
• Air fryer pretzel dogs
• Air fryer stuffed peppers

Frequently asked questions