Air-Fried Boiled Potatoes: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient way to make crispy, tasty potatoes. But can you boil potatoes in an air fryer? The answer is yes, it is possible to boil potatoes in an air fryer. This may come as a surprise, but just as you can boil rice in an air fryer, you can also boil potatoes. To do this, you will need to preheat your air fryer to a temperature of 400°F/200°C and use a cake barrel, boiling water, and aluminium foil.

Should you parboil potatoes before air frying?

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, and you can certainly put them in raw, but parboiling them first will give you the best texture for roast potatoes. Parboiling breaks down the outer layer of the potatoes, creating a starchy slurry that gives the cooked potatoes an extra-crispy crust and a fluffy interior.

How to parboil potatoes for air frying

First, peel your potatoes and cut them into chunks. The more edges and faces a potato chunk has, the crispier it will be. Put the chunks into a pan of cold water as you go to prevent them from discolouring.

Next, drain the cold water and cover the potatoes with boiling water. Add salt to taste and boil the potatoes on a medium-high heat for around 20 minutes, until they are almost cooked through.

Once the potatoes are parboiled, drain them and leave them to steam dry. You want as much water to evaporate as possible. Then sprinkle with salt and oil and toss the potatoes so that the oil and salt coat them evenly.

Air frying parboiled potatoes

Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/390°F and put the potatoes in for 15 minutes. Then use tongs to turn them over and air fry for a further 5 minutes, or until they are as crispy as you like them.

Air frying raw potatoes

If you don't have time to parboil your potatoes, you can simply toss them in oil and seasoning and put them straight into the air fryer. However, you may find that they are not quite as crispy as parboiled potatoes.

Cut the potatoes into chunks and toss them in oil, salt, and any other seasonings you like. Put them in the air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and stir the potatoes. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

What is the best oil for air frying?

When choosing an oil for air frying, it's important to consider the smoke point of the oil, which is the temperature at which an oil begins to break down and emit smoke. If the smoke point of the oil is lower than the temperature you are cooking at, it will start smoking and give off a burnt smell that can affect the taste of your food.

• Avocado oil (smoke point: 520°F)
• Ghee (clarified butter) (smoke point: 482°F)
• Light olive oil or extra light olive oil (smoke point: 465-470°F)
• Peanut oil (smoke point: 450°F)
• Sunflower oil (smoke point: 450°F)
• Grapeseed oil (smoke point: 420°F)
• Refined coconut oil (smoke point: 400°F)
• Vegetable oil (smoke point: 400°F)

Some oils, like peanut and coconut, will add a subtle flavour to your dish, so if you want to keep things more neutral, opt for avocado oil, ghee, or light olive oil.

It's worth noting that you don't always need to add oil to your air fryer, especially when cooking frozen foods like chicken nuggets or French fries, as they already contain oil. However, adding a bit of oil can help achieve a nice golden colour and keep your food moist during cooking.

Can you cook potatoes in their skin?

Yes, you can cook potatoes in their skin. In fact, leaving the skin on is recommended as it helps to make the potatoes extra crispy.

There are several methods for cooking potatoes in their skin in an air fryer. One is to simply wash and dry the potatoes, prick them with a fork, rub them with olive oil, and coat them with salt and pepper or other seasonings. You can then place them in the air fryer for around 40 to 60 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the insides are tender.

Another method is to parboil the potatoes first, which gives them a fluffier texture. After parboiling, coat the potatoes with oil and air fry them until crispy.

You can also make potato skins in the air fryer by cutting cooked potatoes in half, scooping out some of the flesh, and filling them with cheese, bacon, and other toppings. Air fry for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and the skins are crispy.

How long do you boil potatoes in an air fryer?

Boiling potatoes in an air fryer is a surprisingly simple process. It is worth noting that boiling potatoes in an air fryer will generally take longer than on a stovetop. However, there are ways to reduce the cooking time.

Preparation

First, peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Wash the potatoes and preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 minutes with the cake barrel inside. While the air fryer is preheating, boil some water.

Boiling

Now, put the potatoes in the cake barrel and cover them with boiling water. Add some salt if you wish. Wrap the cake barrel with aluminium foil and put it inside the air fryer.

Cooking

Set the timer to 30 minutes and check if the potatoes are done. If not, extend the cooking time by 10 minutes. The smaller you cut the potatoes, the faster they will cook.

Serving

These boiled potatoes can be served with a variety of dishes, including grilled chicken sausages, steamed broccoli, salmon, asparagus, and more.

How do you store boiled air fryer potatoes?

If you have any leftover boiled air fryer potatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in the air fryer until they're hot and crispy.

You can also freeze boiled air fryer potatoes to keep them longer. Put them in a freezer-friendly container and store them for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the frozen potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight, then use the air fryer or broiler to reheat and crisp them up.

Frequently asked questions