Air Fryer Raw Potatoes: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, using hot air to create a crispy texture without the excess oil and calories. You can cook raw potatoes in an air fryer, and they will come out tasting crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The air fryer will also reduce cooking time by half compared to an oven, and you only need a small amount of oil for seasoning to stick.

What type of potatoes to use

When it comes to choosing potatoes for your air fryer, the good news is that you have plenty of options!

Yukon Gold potatoes are a popular choice for air-frying. With their tender, flavorful skin, there's no need to peel them, and the skin crisps up beautifully. Inside, Yukon Golds are buttery and creamy, providing a nice contrast to the crispy exterior.

Baby potatoes, or new potatoes, are another great option. These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early and have a high sugar content. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal, but they are worth seeking out as they roast up perfectly and hold their shape.

Red potatoes are also a good choice, especially if you want a darker golden brown color. Their higher sugar and lower starch content mean they will be crispy when they come out of the air fryer but will quickly soften.

Russet potatoes are a versatile option that can be used for a variety of dishes in the air fryer. They will crisp up nicely and have a pale golden color. Their insides will be soft, fluffy, and mild in flavor.

Other types of potatoes that can be used in an air fryer include sweet potatoes, fingerlings, and peeled russet potatoes.

No matter which type of potato you choose, make sure to cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

How to prepare the potatoes

Preparing potatoes for the air fryer is simple and only requires a few ingredients. The most important thing to remember is to cut them into evenly sized pieces so that they cook at a similar rate.

First, wash your potatoes thoroughly and leave the skins on—they'll crisp up nicely in the air fryer. You can use any type of potato, but baby potatoes, Yukon Golds, and red potatoes are popular choices. Cut the potatoes into the shape you want—wedges, cubes, slices, or matchsticks for French fries. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for 1 to 2 hours before cooking will help remove starch and give them a crispier texture, but it's not necessary.

Next, toss the potatoes with oil and your choice of seasonings. You can use olive oil or a neutral vegetable oil like grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower oil. For seasonings, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try something more elaborate like Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or a custom blend of spices. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overcrowded, and cook at 390-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through.

That's it! Your potatoes are now ready to be enjoyed as a crispy, tasty, and healthy side dish.

The best oil to use

When choosing an oil to cook potatoes in an air fryer, it is important to select one with a high smoke point that can withstand high temperatures. Oils with a low smoke point will smoke and burn at high temperatures, which can negatively impact the flavour of your food.

Some of the best oils for air frying potatoes include:

• Olive oil: A versatile choice that adds flavour, helps spices adhere, and produces a crispy texture. However, it has a lower smoke point than other options, so keep the temperature below 410°F.
• Avocado oil: A great substitute for olive oil, with a similar flavour profile and health benefits.
• Vegetable oil: A neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, making it ideal for air frying.
• Grapeseed oil: Recommended for its high smoke point and neutral flavour, allowing the taste of the potatoes and seasonings to shine through.
• Sunflower oil: Another neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, perfect for achieving that crispy texture.
• Safflower oil: Similar to sunflower oil, safflower oil has a high smoke point and mild flavour, making it a good choice for air frying.

When using oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower oil, you can set your air fryer to a higher temperature, typically around 390°F to 400°F, for crispy results.

Remember, the amount of oil used in an air fryer is significantly less than in a traditional oven or deep fryer. A light coating or a tablespoon of oil is usually enough to achieve the desired texture and flavour.

Seasoning options

There are endless ways to season your air fryer potatoes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Herbs and Spices

Fresh or dried herbs and spices are a great way to add flavour to your potatoes. Here are some options:

• Paprika (smoked or regular)
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Chives
• Dill
• Basil
• Oregano
• Sage
• Cayenne
• Cumin
• Onion powder
• Taco seasoning
• Chili powder

Cheesy Potatoes

For a savoury, umami twist, try adding some grated Parmesan cheese to your potatoes. You can also try other types of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.

Lemon

A squeeze of lemon juice can help cut through the richness of the potatoes. Just be sure to add it right before serving so they don't get soggy.

Other Seasoning Blends

You can also try different seasoning blends to mix things up. Here are some ideas:

• Cajun seasoning
• Mexican seasoning (a blend of cumin, chili powder, onion, and garlic powder)
• Greek seasoning (a blend of garlic, onion, oregano, basil, dill, salt, and pepper)
• Ranch seasoning
• Taco seasoning

Oil

The type of oil you use can also impact the flavour of your potatoes. Here are some options:

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Vegetable oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Sunflower oil
• Safflower oil

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer potatoes will vary depending on the type of potato and the desired level of crispiness. On average, air fryer potatoes will take between 15 to 25 minutes to cook at temperatures between 380°F and 400°F.

For air fryer baked potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Then, cook the potatoes for 30 to 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Be sure to turn them over once during baking to ensure even cooking.

If you're making air fryer French fries, cut your potatoes into matchsticks and soak them in a bowl of cold water for 1 to 2 hours to remove excess starch and achieve the perfect crispiness. Then, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cook the fries for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even results.

For air fryer potato chips, slice your potatoes into thin rounds and soak them in cold water for 1 to 2 hours to remove starch. Then, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and cook the chips for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally for even cooking.

When cooking any type of potato in the air fryer, it's important to arrange them in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket. This ensures that the hot air can circulate properly and creates that desirable crispy texture. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.

Additionally, preheating your air fryer is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness. Different air fryer models may have specific recommendations, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's manual for the best results.

Frequently asked questions