Air-Fried Roast Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make roast potatoes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They're a convenient alternative to oven-roasted potatoes, as they take half the time to cook and still deliver the same crispy texture. You can use any type of potato, but Yukon gold, red potatoes and russet potatoes are recommended for optimal results. The process is simple: cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, coat them with olive oil and your choice of seasonings, and air fry for 18-20 minutes at 400°F, flipping them halfway through. So, if you're short on time and want a tasty side dish, air fryer roast potatoes are a perfect choice!

Best types of potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, giving them a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, tender interior. The circulating air in an air fryer crisps the outsides of potatoes while using less oil than traditional roasting methods.

When choosing potatoes for air frying, there are several types that work particularly well:

Russets

Russet potatoes are a good choice for air frying as they crisp up wonderfully, resulting in a pale golden colour. Their insides become soft and fluffy, with a mild flavour.

Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes

Yukon gold or yellow potatoes 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. Their insides remain creamy and full of flavour.

Reds

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when they first come out of the air fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a specific variety but rather regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content, hold their shape, and roast perfectly in the air fryer. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Other Varieties

While the above types of potatoes are commonly recommended for air frying, you can use any potatoes for roasting in an air fryer. Simply adjust your cooking times as needed, depending on the size and variety of potato.

How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying and a quicker alternative to oven roasting. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing potatoes for air frying:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Potato

The type of potato you choose will impact the result. Yukon Gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and baby or new potatoes are all recommended for air frying. These varieties will crisp up beautifully, with a golden colour.

Step 2: Cut the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, around 1/2" to 3/4" thick. If you are using baby potatoes, simply cut them in half. If they are very small, you can poke them with a fork to allow steam to escape.

Step 3: Seasoning

Place the cut potatoes into a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with your chosen seasonings. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are fully coated. You can use a variety of seasonings, but a simple combination of salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper is recommended. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the mix for extra flavour.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 400˚F for 5 minutes. Preheating will result in crispier potatoes.

Step 5: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they have space around them to allow air to circulate and crisp up the potatoes properly. Do not overcrowd the basket.

Step 6: Air Frying Time

Air fry the potatoes at 400˚F for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Serve

Once the potatoes are cooked, serve them warm. You can garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme for a special touch.

Tips:

• Leave the skins on for a delicious crispy, salted bite and extra nutrition.
• Avoid cooking spray as it can damage the coating of your air fryer basket.
• If using starchy potatoes, soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to reduce the excess starch.
• Use a shallow tray insert in your air fryer basket to allow the potatoes to sit in the hot fat, resulting in a crunchier texture.

Best oils for air frying potatoes

Air-fried potatoes are a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and they take half the time to cook compared to oven-roasted potatoes.

• Extra virgin olive oil: This oil is recommended by many sources for air-frying potatoes as it helps them crisp up and brown nicely. It also adds great flavour.
• Olive oil: This is a good option for coating the potatoes so that the seasoning sticks.
• Oil spray: You can use an oil spray to coat the potatoes, which will help the seasonings stick and ensure they don't stick to the air fryer basket.

Tips for Air Frying Potatoes

• Leave the skins on for a delicious, crispy, salted potato skin, and be sure to wash them thoroughly.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Potatoes need room for the air to circulate and crisp up properly.
• Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
• If using starchy potatoes, soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to get rid of the extra starch. Then, pat the potatoes dry; otherwise, they will steam rather than roast.
• Preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness.
• If you are doubling the recipe, cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Potato Varieties for Air Frying

• Baby potatoes or new potatoes: These are a variety of potato that has been harvested early. They have a thinner skin, which is great for crisping, and a high sugar content. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.
• Russets: These will air fry beautifully and have a soft and fluffy inside with a mild flavour.
• Yukon golds or yellow potatoes: These are a favourite for air frying as they will crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content.
• Reds: Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the air fryer but will soften quickly.

Seasoning Ideas

The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning air fryer potatoes. Here are some ideas:

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Ranch seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Cajun spice
• Chili lime
• Lemon and herb

Seasoning options for air fryer roast potatoes

The options for seasoning air fryer roast potatoes are endless, and you can get as creative as you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Italian Seasoning

A blend of Italian herbs can add a full flavour to your potatoes. You can use a pre-made Italian seasoning or create your own blend with herbs such as basil, oregano, and dill. This seasoning pairs well with salmon or prime rib.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a great addition to almost any savoury dish, and roast potatoes are no exception. It adds a savoury kick that complements the other seasonings.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the flavour of your potatoes and other seasonings. You can use regular table salt or kosher salt, depending on your preference.

Smoked Paprika

If you're looking for a smoky flavour, smoked paprika is a great option. It adds a deep, rich flavour to your potatoes.

Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick to your potatoes. It's a perfect option if you're looking for something with a bit of heat.

Lemon

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

Parmesan Cheese

For an extra savoury touch, try adding some finely shredded Parmesan cheese to your potatoes. It will melt slightly and add a delicious salty flavour.

Fresh Herbs

Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary can add a bright, fresh flavour to your potatoes. They also look beautiful as a garnish.

Other Options

You can also experiment with other seasonings like ranch, Mexican, Greek, taco, or chilli lime. Or, keep it simple with just salt and pepper. The possibilities are endless!

How long to air fry potatoes for

The cooking time for roast potatoes in an air fryer depends on the type of potato and the size of the batch. For example, baby potatoes, or new potatoes, are smaller and thinner-skinned, so they will cook faster. On the other hand, starchy potatoes like Russets may require a longer cooking time.

Most recipes recommend cooking roast potatoes in an air fryer for around 20 minutes at 400°F. However, some recipes suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 380°F for 20 minutes, or even lower at 190°C for 30-35 minutes.

It's important to note that air fryer models vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing to suit your specific air fryer. For example, if your air fryer only has settings and no temperature options, you may need to increase or decrease the cooking time to achieve the desired level of crispiness.

Additionally, for maximum crispiness, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.

Frequently asked questions