Air Fryer Roast Potatoes: Can You Make Them?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their convenience, speed, and ability to produce crispy food. One of the most popular dishes to make in an air fryer is roast potatoes, which can be achieved in less than 30 minutes. The circulating air in the fryer crisps the outsides of the potatoes to a golden finish while keeping the insides soft and fluffy. The type of potato used can vary, but those with a floury, low-moisture interior, such as Russets, Yukon Golds, and Red potatoes, tend to crisp up more easily and develop fluffier insides. Preparing the potatoes by parboiling or steaming before placing them in the air fryer can also enhance their crispness, but it is not necessary. The use of oil and seasonings, such as olive oil, garlic, rosemary, paprika, and salt, can further enhance the flavour and texture of the potatoes. While some people prefer the traditional oven-roasted potatoes, air fryers offer a faster, less messy, and healthier alternative with less oil and shorter cooking times.

How to get the perfect roast potatoes in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook roast potatoes – they're quick and easy to use, and can make irresistibly crispy potatoes that are fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. Here's how to get the perfect roast potatoes in an air fryer:

Choose the right potatoes

The best potatoes for roasting in an air fryer are those that will become soft and fluffy on the inside, with a crispy exterior when cooked. Good options include Russets (also known as Idaho potatoes), Yukon Golds, and red potatoes. These varieties have a floury, low-moisture interior that makes them ideal for roasting. If you're using starchy potatoes, it's a good idea to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch.

Prepare the potatoes

Peel and cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks, around 3-6 cm in size. Be sure to cut them into similar sizes to ensure even cooking. Rinse the potatoes under cold water and pat them dry. If you have time, you can parboil the potatoes for 8-9 minutes to soften them before placing them in the air fryer. This will make them even fluffier and help achieve a crispier exterior.

Season and coat the potatoes

Place the potatoes in a large bowl and coat them with oil and your desired seasonings. You can use olive oil, duck fat, beef dripping, or any oil of your choice. For seasonings, you can use plain flour, onion powder, sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or any other spices you like. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are fully coated.

Cook the potatoes

Place the potatoes directly into the air fryer basket or use a shallow tray insert. Set the air fryer to 190-200°C (somewhere between 380-400°F) and cook for 10 minutes. Then, use a spatula or spoon to flip and toss the potatoes. Avoid shaking the basket as it may cause the potatoes to break apart. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, flipping and tossing the potatoes occasionally, until they are crispy and golden all over. Depending on your preference, you can increase the temperature to 200°C for the last 5 minutes to make them even crispier.

Serve

Your air fryer roast potatoes are now ready to be served! Sprinkle them with some salt, thyme, or chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!

The benefits of using an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook roast potatoes, with many benefits over using a conventional oven.

One of the main advantages of using an air fryer is the reduced cooking time. Air fryers take significantly less time to heat up and cook food than a conventional oven. This is because they are much smaller, and their ability to circulate air quickly and evenly makes them ideal for crisping up foods. Roast potatoes can be cooked in an air fryer in around 20 minutes, which is a fraction of the time it would take in an oven.

Another benefit of using an air fryer is that it uses less oil than traditional frying methods, making it a healthier option. The circulating air in the air fryer crisps the outsides of the potatoes with a golden crust, while the insides remain soft, tender, and flavourful. This is achieved with only a fraction of the oil that would normally be used for roasting, and without the need for par-boiling the potatoes first.

Air fryers are also very easy to use and clean, making them a convenient appliance for cooks of all levels. They are versatile and can be used to cook a variety of foods, including meat, vegetables, and frozen foods.

Additionally, air fryers can be used to reheat leftovers, which is a great way to ensure that food stays crispy and tasty. For example, roast potatoes can be reheated in the air fryer at 400˚F for a few minutes until they are warm and re-crisped.

The best types of potatoes to use

When it comes to the best types of potatoes to use for air frying, there are a few varieties that stand out. The first is Russets, also known as Idaho potatoes. These potatoes have a floury and low-moisture interior, which allows them to crisp up beautifully with a pale golden colour. The second variety is Yukon Golds, which are a favourite for air frying because they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Reds, or red potatoes, will also air fry nicely, achieving an even darker golden brown colour because of their higher sugar and lower starch content. Their crisp will be slightly softer, but their insides will be creamy and flavourful.

Maris Piper, King Edward, and Rooster potatoes are also recommended for air frying, as they tend to become soft and fluffy on the inside while achieving a desirable crisp on the outside. It is important to note that while these varieties are suggested, any potatoes can technically be used for air frying.

To prepare the potatoes for air frying, they should be peeled and chopped into evenly sized bite-sized chunks, typically ranging from 3 to 3.5 cm in length, or 4 to 6 cm according to another source. This ensures even cooking and the desired level of crispness. After cutting, it is recommended to rinse the potatoes under cold water and pat them dry before proceeding with the air frying process.

The best oils to use for roast potatoes

Yes, you can cook roast potatoes in an air fryer! They will be crispy and golden on the outside, and fluffy on the inside.

Now, for the best oils to use for roast potatoes. The circulating air in an air fryer will crisp up the outsides of your potatoes, giving them a golden crust, while keeping the insides soft and tender. You can use a variety of oils to help achieve this, and to help your chosen seasonings stick to the potatoes.

Extra virgin olive oil is recommended by several sources, as it helps the potatoes to crisp up and brown nicely. It also keeps the potatoes from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can also use regular olive oil, which will give similar results.

Other oils are not mentioned by name, but it is clear that you can use alternatives to olive oil. One source mentions duck or goose fat, which can be used in the oven to get superior results compared to an air fryer. However, this may not be the best option for an air fryer, as it could damage the coating of the basket.

How to cut potatoes for an air fryer

When preparing potatoes for an air fryer, it is important to cut them into evenly-sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly. The size of the potato pieces will depend on the type of potato you are using and the desired level of crispiness. For example, Russets, Yukon Golds, and Red potatoes are all recommended for air frying, but they will yield slightly different results. Russets will crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour and a soft, fluffy interior. Yukon Golds will also crisp up nicely, but will have a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their higher sugar and lower starch content.

If you are using a starchy potato, such as Russets or Yukon Golds, it is recommended to cut them into larger chunks, around 4-6 cm in size. Any larger and it might be tricky to get them cooked in the middle. For bite-sized potatoes, a good range is 3-3.5 cm (around 1 1/4 to 1 1/3 inches). It is important to note that the size of the potato pieces will also depend on the size of your air fryer; you may need to cut them smaller if you have a smaller air fryer.

When cutting the potatoes, it is recommended to peel them first. This is a matter of personal preference, but peeling the potatoes will result in a crispier final product. After cutting, it is a good idea to rinse the potatoes under cold water and pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.

In addition to the type and size of the potato, the cooking time and temperature will also impact the final result. Air fryers typically cook potatoes at temperatures between 190-200 degrees Celsius, for a total cooking time of around 20-30 minutes. However, it is important to refer to your air fryer's manual to determine the optimal temperature and timing for your specific model.

Frequently asked questions