Air Frying Canned Potatoes: Is It Possible?

Canned potatoes are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. They can be cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy texture that is golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The preparation is simple and quick, requiring only a few minutes to drain, rinse, and season the potatoes before air frying. This method is perfect for those who want a quick and tasty potato dish without the hassle of peeling and chopping fresh potatoes.

How to prepare canned potatoes for air frying

Canned potatoes are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. Air-frying potatoes from a can gives them a crispy, delicious upgrade, that is perfect for any meal. This simple cooking method results in potatoes that are golden brown and crispy on the outside, while soft and fluffy on the inside.

Step 1: Drain and Rinse the Potatoes

Drain the liquid from the can and rinse the potatoes under cold running water. This step helps to reduce the sodium content of the potatoes.

Step 2: Dry the Potatoes

Use paper towels to pat the potatoes dry. Removing as much moisture as possible will ensure that you get crispy potatoes.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, or any other spices you like. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are fully coated in the seasonings.

Step 4: Add Oil

Add a small amount of oil to the bowl with the potatoes. Olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil are good options. Toss the potatoes again to coat them evenly in the oil.

Step 5: Cook in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 204°C). Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray, if desired. Cook for 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes and the level of crispness you prefer. For best results, shake the air fryer basket or turn the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.

Step 6: Serve

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can top them with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped herbs, or sour cream for dipping. Enjoy!

Best oils for air frying canned potatoes

Yes, you can put canned potatoes in an air fryer. They are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. Air-frying potatoes from a can gives them a crispy, golden brown, and delicious upgrade, that is perfect for any meal.

Now, when it comes to the best oils for air-frying canned potatoes, you'll want to choose oils with a high smoke point that can withstand the air fryer's high temperature. Here are some options:

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point ranging from 450°F to 520°F (230°C to 270°C). It can withstand high temperatures in the fryer without burning or smoking. Avocado oil is flavourful yet neutral, making it a great choice for air-frying potatoes.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a smoke point ranging from 350°F to 410°F (177°C to 210°C). It can work well in an air fryer if your recipe's temperature doesn't exceed 375°F. However, it may impart a stronger flavour than some of the lighter oils.

Canola Oil

Canola oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for air frying. It is a neutral-tasting oil that can withstand the high temperatures of an air fryer without smoking.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another option with a high smoke point, so you don't smoke up your kitchen when air frying. It's neutral in flavour and widely available.

Soybean Oil

Soybean oil is another neutral oil with a high smoke point, making it suitable for air frying potatoes.

Other Options

While ghee is not an oil, it can also be used as a fat for air frying potatoes. Additionally, any cooking spray can be used to evenly coat the potatoes before air frying.

How to get the best texture when air frying canned potatoes

Air-frying canned potatoes is a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. Here are some tips to help you get the best texture when preparing this tasty treat:

Preparation

First, drain the liquid from the can and rinse the potatoes. This step is important as it helps to reduce the sodium content of the dish. You can then choose to pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or put them in the air fryer for a minute or two to get them super dry. Removing as much moisture as possible will help you achieve the crispiest texture.

Seasoning

Next, it's time to season your potatoes! Place them in a bowl and toss them with your favourite seasoning and oil. You can use any type of oil, but olive oil or bacon grease is recommended for the best flavour. For seasoning, salt and pepper are the most basic options, but you can also add onion/garlic powder, smoked paprika, chilli powder, Italian seasoning, or dried herbs like rosemary and parsley. If you want to get fancy, you can even add some grated Parmesan cheese.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (190-195°C). Then, place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and spray them lightly with cooking spray. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the potatoes halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them, and once the edges start to get crispy, they're done!

Serving

Air-fried canned potatoes are now ready to be served! You can enjoy them as a side dish with your favourite meals, such as chicken, steak, or salmon. For an extra indulgent treat, toss them in some melted garlic butter or serve with sour cream for dipping.

How to season canned potatoes for air frying

Canned potatoes are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive way to make a delicious side dish. Air-frying potatoes from a can gives them a crispy texture and golden-brown colour on the outside, while keeping them soft and fluffy on the inside.

Step 1: Drain and Rinse the Potatoes

Place a sieve over a bowl and drain the canned potatoes, discarding the liquid. Alternatively, open the can slightly and drain off the liquid. Rinsing the potatoes under cold water is important as it helps to reduce the sodium content.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Transfer the drained and rinsed potatoes to a medium-sized mixing bowl. If some of the potatoes are large, you can cut them into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking. The smaller you cut them, the quicker they will cook, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle your desired seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dried parsley, Cajun seasoning, fajita seasoning, Chinese five spice, onion powder, or smoked paprika. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are fully coated with the oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Air Fry the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit (190-200 degrees Celsius). Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out for even cooking.

Cook the potatoes for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. If you prefer your potatoes extra crispy, you can cook them for up to 20 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can top them with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried canned potatoes!

What to serve with air-fried canned potatoes

Air-fried canned potatoes are a convenient, easy, and inexpensive side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. Here are some ideas on what to serve with them:

Classic Pairings

A juicy chicken breast or steak is a classic pairing with potatoes. The savoury flavours of the potatoes will complement the rich taste of the meat.

Fish

You can also pair your air-fried canned potatoes with fish. For example, the light, flaky texture of air-fried salmon will contrast nicely with the hearty potatoes.

Roasted Vegetables

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, try serving the potatoes with roasted vegetables. The smoky flavours of the vegetables will add an interesting twist to the traditional dish.

Frittata, Soup, or Potato Salad

Don't forget that air-fried canned potatoes can also be used as an ingredient in other dishes. They can be sliced up and added to a frittata or soup, or used as a base for a potato salad.

Other Toppings and Seasonings

You can also get creative with your toppings and seasonings. For a Mexican-style dish, season the potatoes with taco seasoning, black beans, and diced tomatoes or your favourite salsa. Or, load them up with crumbled strips of crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and sour cream.

Frequently asked questions