Air Frying Baby Potatoes: Is It Possible?

Air fryer baby potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make. They are a delicious side to any meal and can be served as an appetizer. The recipe is simple: toss the baby potatoes with oil and spices, then air fry until crisp. The cooking time is usually between 12 and 25 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes and the model of the air fryer. The result is a potato that is crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.

How to season baby potatoes for the air fryer

Air fryer baby potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, and there are plenty of ways to season them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season baby potatoes for the air fryer, along with some seasoning suggestions.

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Baby Potatoes

Before seasoning the baby potatoes, it is important to wash and fully dry them. This will ensure that the seasonings adhere well to the potatoes.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

You can choose from a variety of seasonings to create the desired flavour profile for your baby potatoes. Here are some popular options:

• Fresh rosemary
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Ground harissa seasoning
• Chili powder
• Curry powder
• Parsley
• Thyme

Step 3: Toss the Potatoes with Oil and Seasonings

Place the baby potatoes in a large bowl and add your chosen oil and seasonings. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. You can use a mixing bowl or simply toss them by hand.

Step 4: Add Optional Ingredients (Optional)

You can further customise your baby potatoes by adding some optional ingredients:

• Grated Parmesan cheese for crispy Parmesan and rosemary roasted potatoes.
• Minced fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
• Additional fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme.

Step 5: Place the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Once the potatoes are seasoned to your liking, it's time to cook them. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Then, place the seasoned potatoes inside the basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and browning.

Step 6: Cook the Potatoes

Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time, typically around 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. If the potatoes are not done to your liking, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer basket and serve them with your favourite meat or fish, or as a side dish.

Storage and Reheating

Cooked baby potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. To reheat, use an air fryer to crisp them up again. Place them in a 380°F air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through.

How to store and reheat baby potatoes after air frying

Storing

Once you've cooked your baby potatoes in the air fryer, allow them to cool, then place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They should last for up to 3 days, or even up to 7 days according to one source.

Reheating

When you're ready to enjoy your baby potatoes again, you can reheat them in the air fryer to restore their crispy texture. Here's how:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F–400°F.
• Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to ensure proper air circulation.
• Reheat for 3–4 minutes, or until warmed through. You may need to add an additional 1–2 minutes depending on your air fryer and the number of potatoes.
• Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and enjoy!

You can also reheat baby potatoes in the oven or on the stovetop, but the air fryer method is the best option for maintaining their crispy texture.

How to prepare baby potatoes before air frying

Air fryer baby potatoes are a quick, easy, and delicious side dish to prepare. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare baby potatoes for air frying:

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. You will need baby potatoes, olive oil or another flavourless oil, and your choice of seasonings. Popular seasonings include salt, black pepper, garlic powder or granules, paprika, onion powder, dried or fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Wash and Dry the Baby Potatoes:

Start by washing the baby potatoes under cold running water to remove any dirt. You can use a brush to gently scrub them clean. Once they are clean, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel. Removing any moisture will help the oil and seasonings adhere better to the potatoes.

Cut the Baby Potatoes:

You can choose to cut the baby potatoes in half or leave them whole. Cutting them in half will reduce the cooking time and create more surface area for a crispy texture. If you are cutting the potatoes, use a sharp knife and slice them at an angle.

Season the Baby Potatoes:

Place the baby potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or your chosen oil. Add your desired seasonings to the bowl. You can use a single type of seasoning or a combination of spices and herbs. Mix everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Some air fryer models have a preheat setting, so refer to your air fryer's instructions to determine if preheating is necessary. If your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to the desired temperature for a few minutes before cooking.

Arrange the Baby Potatoes in the Air Fryer Basket:

Place the seasoned baby potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a bit of space around each potato. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for even cooking and proper air circulation.

Now that your baby potatoes are prepared, you can proceed to air fry them according to your air fryer's instructions and the desired level of crispiness. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried baby potatoes!

The best type of potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, giving them an ultra-crispy, golden outside and a soft, tender inside. The circulating air crisps the outsides with an impeccable golden crust, and they also reduce the amount of oil required compared to typical roasting.

There are several types of potatoes that are well-suited to air frying, and the best option may depend on personal preference and what is available in your local store. Here are some of the best types of potatoes for air frying:

• Baby potatoes or new potatoes: These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early and have a high sugar content. They are small in size, which means they cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer. They also hold their shape well and have a crispy skin with a soft, creamy inside.
• Russet potatoes: These potatoes air fry beautifully, crisping up wonderfully with a pale golden colour. Their insides remain soft and fluffy with a mild flavour.
• Yukon Golds or yellow potatoes: These potatoes are a favourite for air frying as they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Their insides are creamy and full of flavour.
• Reds: Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their high sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy initially but will soften quickly. Their insides are creamy and soft.
• Fingerlings, baby russets, and baby red potatoes: These varieties of "new" potatoes have thinner skin, which is great for achieving a crispy texture.

When preparing potatoes for air frying, it is generally recommended to leave the skin on for optimal crispiness and to cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking. Additionally, preheating the air fryer and cooking in batches can help ensure maximum crispiness.

How long to air fry baby potatoes

Yes, you can put baby potatoes in an air fryer. In fact, air-fried baby potatoes are a great, simple and quick dish to make. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes and the type of air fryer you have.

Step 1:

Slice the baby potatoes in half. You can also leave them whole, but this will increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes. If you are slicing them, make sure to wash and fully dry the potatoes before cutting.

Step 2:

Add the potatoes to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also use avocado oil or any other oil with a high smoke point. The amount of oil will vary depending on your preference, but generally, you will need enough to coat the potatoes lightly.

Step 3:

Now it's time to season the potatoes! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative and experiment with other spices like Italian seasoning, ranch seasoning, or even parmesan cheese. Simply add your chosen seasonings to the bowl and toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.

Step 4:

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they have a bit of space around them to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Step 5:

Set your air fryer to 400°F/204°C and cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes. For some air fryers, the cooking time may be as short as 10 minutes. It is a good idea to shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

Step 6:

Check the potatoes for doneness by piercing them with a fork. If they are easily poked through, they are done. If not, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until they are tender.

Step 7:

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve! They go well with a variety of main dishes, including steak, chicken, and fish. You can also get creative with dips and sauces to enjoy with your air-fried baby potatoes.

Tips:

• If you want to speed up the cooking time even more, preheat your air fryer to 400°F before placing the potatoes inside.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will allow for better air circulation and more even cooking.
• You can store leftover air-fried baby potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-7 days. Reheat them in the air fryer to get that crispy texture again!

Enjoy your air-fried baby potatoes!

Frequently asked questions