Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes: Can You Do It?

Sliced potatoes in an air fryer are a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook potatoes. They can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack and are much healthier than traditional fries. The air fryer gives the potatoes a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the potato slices, the type of potatoes used, and the air fryer used.

How to season sliced potatoes for the air fryer

Preparing sliced potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season sliced potatoes for the air fryer:

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Potatoes

Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, are ideal for air frying as they produce fluffier and crispier slices. You can also use sweet potatoes, but keep in mind that they cook slightly faster than regular potatoes.

Peel the potatoes if desired, or leave the skin on for a more rustic texture. Then, use a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer to cut the potatoes into uniform slices, ideally about 1/4-inch thick. This thickness will give you a nice balance of crispiness on the outside and creaminess on the inside.

Step 2: Soaking the Potato Slices (Optional)

While this step is optional, soaking the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes can help remove excess starch and result in crispier potatoes. After soaking, make sure to pat the potato slices dry with a tea towel or paper towels before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Seasoning the Potatoes

In a large bowl, combine the potato slices with your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Here are some popular options:

• Olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil (avocado oil, canola oil, sunflower seed oil)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika or regular paprika
• Dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning)
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
• Parsley

Toss the potato slices in the seasoning mixture until they are evenly coated. You can use a spoon or even your clean hands to ensure the potatoes are well coated.

Step 4: Air Frying the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (depending on your desired level of browning). Place the seasoned potato slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. It's okay if they overlap slightly, but generally, you want a single layer or two layers at most.

Air fry the potatoes for a total of 15-25 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure even cooking. If you prefer your potatoes more browned, you may need to cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Serving the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter or baking sheet. You can serve them as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as dill aioli, ketchup, sour cream, or spicy ketchup.

How to store and reheat sliced potatoes

Sliced potatoes can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to three months. To store sliced potatoes, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container and into the fridge or freezer.

When you're ready to reheat your sliced potatoes, you can do so in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, on the grill, or in an air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:

Oven: Preheat the oven to 350-400°F. Take the potatoes out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are thoroughly heated. If you want crispy skin, remove the cover for the last few minutes of baking.

Stovetop: Add a small amount of olive oil to a skillet over medium-low heat. Cut the potatoes in half and put the cut sides down in the pan. Cover the pan and cook for three to four minutes. Once heated, remove the lid and flip the potatoes, heating all sides until the skin is crispy.

Microwave: Cut the potato in half and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Cover each half with a damp paper towel and heat for two to three minutes, or until the potato is heated through.

Grill: Wrap the potatoes in foil and place them on a preheated grill for 10-15 minutes, rotating them halfway through.

Air Fryer: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and heat for three to four minutes at 200°C/400°F.

The best potatoes to use for air fryer slices

Air fryer potato slices are a great, healthier alternative to traditional fries. They are wonderfully crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are considered the best types of potatoes for this recipe. Russets are higher in starch and crisp up easily, which makes them perfect for crispy fries or home fries. Yukon Golds are medium starch, creamier, and great for roasting or soups.

If you're looking for the fluffiest and crispiest air-fried potato slices, it is recommended to use starchy potatoes instead of waxy ones. Here are some varieties of starchy potatoes that are great for roasting:

• Russet potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Yukon Gold potatoes

How to avoid soggy potato slices

There are several steps you can take to ensure your potato slices are crispy and not soggy when using an air fryer.

Firstly, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer. This will prevent the hot air from circulating properly and will lead to uneven cooking. Keep the basket to about ⅓ or ½ full, and if necessary, cook the potatoes in batches.

Secondly, always preheat your air fryer. This will help you achieve the desired crispy texture on the outside and soft and fluffy interior. Preheat at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 5-7 minutes.

Thirdly, ensure your potato slices are of even thickness. This will ensure they cook at the same rate. Aim for slices that are about ¼-inch thick.

Next, before cooking, soak your potato slices in cold water for around 15-30 minutes. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents the potatoes from becoming mushy. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Finally, a light coating of oil will help to achieve a crispy texture. Oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, peanut, or olive oil, are good choices. You can also add a light spray of oil towards the end of the cooking process for extra crispness.

By following these steps, you can enjoy perfectly crispy air-fried potato slices without the sogginess.

How to cook sliced potatoes in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Starchy potatoes (e.g. Russet or Yukon Gold)
• Olive oil (or another neutral-tasting oil, or cooking spray)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. Italian herb, cajun seasoning, chili powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 minutes.
• If using uncooked potatoes, peel them. If using cooked potatoes, you can leave the peel on or take it off, depending on your preference.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Place the potato slices in a bowl of cold water to remove excess starch.
• Drain the water and pat the potato slices dry with a clean kitchen towel.
• Place the dried potato slices in a bowl and toss with olive oil and your chosen seasonings.
• Spritz the slices with oil and put them into the air fryer basket. You can use air fryer parchment paper to make cleaning easier.
• Cook the potato slices for 15-18 minutes at 400°F/200°C. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• For extra crispy potatoes, add a little extra virgin olive oil in a spray towards the end of cooking.
• If you want to use sweet potatoes, keep in mind that they cook a little faster, so keep an eye on them.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Keep the slices to 2 layers if possible, and cook in batches if necessary.
• If you want to reheat any leftover potato slices, you can do so in the air fryer at 350°F/180°C for 3-4 minutes.

Frequently asked questions