Air Fryer Hack: Boiled Potatoes, Crispy And Golden

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens for cooking potatoes. They are faster, smaller, and use less energy. You can cook potatoes in an air fryer without boiling them first, but if you want to boil your potatoes before putting them in the air fryer, you can.

How to boil potatoes in an air fryer

What You'll Need:

• An air fryer
• A cake barrel
• Boiling water
• Aluminium foil
• Potatoes
• Salt (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into quarters.
• Wash the potatoes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 minutes with the cake barrel inside.
• While the air fryer is preheating, boil some water using a kettle or a stovetop.
• Place the potatoes in the cake barrel and cover them with boiling water. You can add some salt to taste.
• Wrap the cake barrel with aluminium foil and put it inside the air fryer.
• Set the timer for 30 minutes. Check if the potatoes are done. If not, extend the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Tips:

• You can cook the potatoes with the skin on if you prefer.
• If you want to add extra flavour, you can season the potatoes with olive oil and your choice of herbs and spices.
• For faster cooking, cut the potatoes into smaller pieces.
• To store boiled potatoes, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Air fryer roasted potatoes

Ingredients

• 600g potatoes (floury varieties like King Edwards, Maris Piper, Rooster, Vivaldi, Apache, Elfe, and Russett are best)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp sea salt flakes (or 1 tsp fine table salt)
• Your choice of seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, paprika, black pepper, parsley, thyme, rosemary)

Optional Ingredients

• Lemon wedge
• Olive oil
• Baby potatoes (red potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, or other small potatoes)

Utensils

• Vegetable (speed) peeler
• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Medium saucepan
• Colander
• Kettle
• Air fryer
• Tongs

Method

First, half-fill a medium saucepan with cold water. Peel the potatoes and place them in the water as you go to prevent discolouration. Cut off any brown or nasty spots. Cut each potato into chunks around the size of a golf ball—the more faces and edges, the crispier they'll be!

Drain the cold water from the pan using a colander. Return the potatoes to the pan and cover with boiling water from the kettle. Add 2 tsp of fine salt and give it a stir. Boil the potatoes on medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. They're ready when you can easily slide a small knife into them.

Drain the potatoes well and let them steam for a minute. Sprinkle over the sea salt flakes and vegetable oil, and give the potatoes a rough toss to chuff up the edges. Be careful not to break them up.

Move the potatoes to the air fryer, which you can preheat to 200°C/390°F if desired. Air fry for 15 minutes, then use tongs to turn the potatoes over. Air fry for another 5 minutes, or longer if you want them extra crispy.

Tips

• You can prepare these ahead of time and store them until you're ready to finish cooking and serve.
• If you're using baby potatoes, you can serve them whole without cutting them into chunks.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Shake it occasionally to ensure the potatoes cook evenly.
• Check that your potatoes are ready by piercing them with a fork. There should be little resistance.
• You can change the seasoning to suit your taste.
• Serve with a tasty dip like ketchup, BBQ sauce, cottage cheese dip, healthy homemade ranch, or jalapeno artichoke dip.

Air fryer boiled potatoes vs. stovetop

Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, speed, and ability to cook food with less oil. But can you use an air fryer to boil potatoes, and how does it compare to the traditional stovetop method? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of each method and provide step-by-step guides for both approaches.

Air Fryer Boiled Potatoes

Surprisingly, you can indeed boil potatoes in an air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into quarters.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 minutes with a cake barrel inside.
• Boil water separately using a kettle or a stovetop.
• Place the potatoes in the cake barrel, cover them with boiling water, and add salt if desired.
• Wrap the cake barrel with aluminum foil and put it back into the air fryer.
• Set the timer for 30 minutes, and check if the potatoes are done. If not, extend the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Stovetop Boiled Potatoes

The traditional method of boiling potatoes on a stovetop is straightforward:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into your desired size.
• Place the potatoes in a pot and cover them with water.
• Put the pot on the stove and turn on the heat to bring the water to a boil.
• Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer.
• Cook the potatoes until they are tender, occasionally checking for doneness with a fork.

Comparison

Both methods will give you boiled potatoes, but there are some key differences to consider:

• Cooking Time: Air fryers generally take longer to cook potatoes, especially if you are cooking a larger quantity. Cutting the potatoes into smaller pieces can reduce the cooking time in both the air fryer and on the stovetop.
• Convenience: Air fryers offer the advantage of setting a timer and walking away, while stovetop boiling requires monitoring to ensure the water doesn't evaporate or boil over.
• Energy Efficiency: Air fryers are smaller than stovetops and use less energy to heat up, making them a more energy-efficient option.
• Clean-up: Air fryers can be easier to clean, especially if you use an air fryer liner. With stovetop boiling, you'll need to clean the pot and possibly deal with boiled-over messes.

Both air fryer boiled potatoes and stovetop boiled potatoes have their pros and cons. If you're short on time and want a more hands-off approach, the air fryer method might be preferable. However, if you're boiling a large quantity of potatoes or prefer a more traditional approach, the stovetop method may be the way to go. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference and what works best for your cooking needs.

Air fryer parboiled potatoes

Parboiling is the process of partially cooking potatoes in boiling water before cooking them in an air fryer. Parboiling potatoes before air frying is an optional step, but it can help improve the texture and taste of the final dish. Here is a guide on how to make air fryer parboiled potatoes.

Ingredients and tools:

• Potatoes (Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree red, or similar)
• Water
• Salt
• Oil (vegetable, olive, sunflower, or similar)
• Air fryer
• Pan
• Colander
• Bowl
• Tongs

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into smaller pieces. The size of the pieces will depend on your preference, but cutting the potatoes will help them cook quicker and make them crispier.
• Place the potatoes in a pan of cold water and bring it to a boil. You can also add some salt to the water for flavour.
• Once the water is boiling, continue boiling the potatoes for around 4-20 minutes, depending on their size. You can test if they are ready by inserting a knife or a fork into a potato; it should meet little resistance.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them steam dry for a minute.
• Place the potatoes in a bowl and sprinkle with oil and salt. You can also add other seasonings like black pepper, onion granules, garlic powder, or dried herbs.
• Use tongs to move the potatoes to the air fryer.
• Air fry the potatoes for around 15-25 minutes at 200°C/390°F, turning them over halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes and your air fryer model.
• Season the potatoes with additional salt and pepper to taste after cooking.

Tips:

• If you want to save time, you can make the potatoes ahead of time and freeze them to be air-fried later.
• For extra crispy potatoes, do not salt them until after cooking.
• You can also cook frozen roast potatoes in the air fryer without needing to add oil or seasonings.
• If you want to add herbs like garlic or rosemary, it is best to infuse the oil with these aromatics first, rather than adding them directly to the potatoes, to prevent burning.
• Parboiling the potatoes in a solution of water and baking soda can help create an extra-crispy crust.

Air fryer boiled potatoes cooking time

Can You Boil Potatoes in an Air Fryer?Yes, you can boil potatoes in an air fryer. This may be surprising, as air fryers are typically associated with frying rather than boiling. However, an air fryer that can heat up to 400°F (200°C) is capable of boiling potatoes.

Steps to Boil Potatoes in an Air Fryer:

• Peel and Cut the Potatoes: Start by peeling the potatoes and then cutting them into quarters.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Wash the potatoes, then preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for about 3 minutes with the cake barrel inside.
• Boil Water: While the air fryer is preheating, boil some water using a water cooker or kettle.
• Prepare the Cake Barrel: Put the potatoes in the cake barrel and cover them with boiling water. You can add some salt to the water if desired.
• Wrap the Cake Barrel: Wrap the cake barrel with aluminum foil and place it inside the preheated air fryer.
• Set the Timer: Set the timer to 30 minutes. Check if the potatoes are done, and if not, extend the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Tips for Boiling Potatoes in an Air Fryer:

Cooking Time: The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato pieces. Whole potatoes will take about 45 minutes, while quartered potatoes will take 25-30 minutes.

Storing and Reheating Boiled Potatoes:

• Refrigerator: Store boiled potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you plan to serve them within a couple of days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, keep them in a freezer-friendly container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat boiled potatoes, return them to the air fryer basket for 3-4 minutes until they are heated through.

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes:

While boiling potatoes in an air fryer is possible, air fryers are more commonly used for roasting or frying potatoes. Roasted potatoes made in an air fryer are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and they can be prepared without preheating the appliance, resulting in quicker cooking times compared to a conventional oven.

Steps to Make Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes:

• Prepare the Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into halves or bite-sized chunks, depending on their size. Leave the skin on for extra crispiness.
• Season the Potatoes: In a bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, your choice of seasonings (such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning), and a squeeze of lemon juice (optional).
• Place in the Air Fryer: Put the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
• Cook: Air fry the potatoes at 400°F for about 10 minutes. Shake the basket and stir the potatoes, then cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
• Garnish: Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or other herbs like thyme or rosemary over the cooked potatoes for garnish (optional).

Tips for Making Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes:

• Preheat: Preheating the air fryer to 400°F will help the potatoes achieve maximum crispiness in a shorter time.
• Cook in Batches: If doubling the recipe, cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket for maximum crispiness.
• No Need to Boil: There is no need to boil the potatoes before air frying. The air fryer will cook them through while keeping them soft and tender.
• Storage: Store leftover roasted potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer until hot and crispy.

In summary, while you can boil potatoes in an air fryer, it is important to follow the steps and adjust cooking times based on the size of the potato pieces. Additionally, air fryers are commonly used for roasting potatoes, which results in a crispy and tender texture without the need for pre-boiling.

Frequently asked questions