Stacking Potatoes In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryer potato stacks are a fun, easy, and delicious dish to make. They are crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Russet, Yukon Gold, or sweet potatoes, and season them with herbs and spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and rosemary. The key to getting them crispy is to soak the potato slices in water before cooking and to cook them in foil or a ramekin in the air fryer. You can also add cheese to make them even more indulgent!

Which potatoes are best for air fryer stacks?

Yukon gold, maris piper, or russet potatoes are the best types of potatoes for air fryer stacks. These types of potatoes have a starchy texture, which is ideal for this cooking method.

However, you can use any type of potato you can get your hands on. For example, red potatoes would also work well. Just avoid waxy red potatoes if you want the stacks to hold together.

When preparing the potatoes, slice them as evenly as possible, preferably using a mandoline to get nice thin slices of around 2-3mm. This will ensure that they cook evenly. You can also soak the slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes to achieve even crispier stacks.

How do you prepare potatoes for air frying?

Preparing potatoes for air frying is a simple process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose the Right Potatoes

Select the right type of potatoes for air frying. Good options include Yukon Gold, red potatoes, baby potatoes, or yellow potatoes. These varieties tend to crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Avoid russet potatoes for this recipe, as they are better suited for making air fryer French fries.

Step 2: Wash and Cut the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. You can leave the skin on for a crispy texture, but make sure to give them a good scrub. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. This ensures that they cook at a similar rate. If using baby potatoes, you can halve or quarter them.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle them with extra-virgin olive oil and toss to coat evenly. The olive oil helps the potatoes brown and crisp up during cooking. Add your desired seasonings to the bowl and toss again to coat the potatoes. You can use a variety of seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Transfer the seasoned potatoes to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each potato. Avoid overcrowding the basket as proper air circulation is crucial for even cooking and crisping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.

Step 5: Air Fry

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 380°F to 400°F. Cook the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown. Remember to flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to promote even browning.

Step 6: Serve

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. Serve the air fryer potatoes as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite proteins and vegetables.

Preparing potatoes for air frying is a quick and easy process that delivers crispy and flavorful results. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and serving options to find your favorite combinations!

What containers can you use to cook potato stacks in an air fryer?

When making potato stacks in an air fryer, you can use several containers to cook them in. One option is to use aluminium foil. Simply tear off a square of foil, brush it with oil, and stack your seasoned potato slices on top. Then, wrap the foil around the stack loosely, leaving enough room for the stack to cook properly inside. This method provides support so that the stack doesn't fall over and makes it easy to peel away the foil after cooking.

Another option is to use small ramekins or disposable aluminium foil muffin tins. First, brush the ramekins or muffin tins with oil, then layer your seasoned potato slices inside. This method also provides support for the stacks and helps them cook evenly. However, you may need to cut the muffin tins to fit them into your air fryer basket.

When using either the foil, ramekin, or muffin tin method, it is recommended to cook the stacks at 330° F for about 35-40 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Additionally, you can use a mandoline vegetable slicer to create even, thin slices of potato, which will help ensure your stacks cook evenly.

How do you make potato stacks crispy?

How to Make Crispy Potato Stacks in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• Russet potatoes (or Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, or any other potatoes)
• Oil (extra-virgin olive oil or garlic-infused oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh rosemary or thyme leaves (or dried oregano and rosemary)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 330° F (or 180° C).
• Thinly slice the potatoes (about 2-3 mm thick). You can use a mandoline or a chef's knife to do this.
• If you have time, soak the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes to make them even crispier, then dry them thoroughly with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.
• Brush some foil with oil, or use oiled ramekins or a muffin tin.
• Layer the potato slices, brushing each slice with a thin layer of oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper as you go. Build the stacks about 1 to 1 1/2 inches high.
• If using, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the stacks about 5 minutes before they are done cooking.
• Place the stacks in the air fryer and cook for about 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove the stacks from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

• For extra crispy potatoes, make sure to cut the slices evenly so that they cook through evenly.
• If your stacks are unstable, try using cocktail sticks to keep them standing while cooking.
• Don't crowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to allow hot air to contact the potatoes on all sides.

How long do you cook potato stacks in an air fryer?

To cook potato stacks in an air fryer, you should first prepare the potatoes by peeling and slicing them thinly. You can use a mandoline vegetable slicer to get even slices, or carefully use a chef's knife. Place the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes, and then drain and dry them thoroughly. Next, toss the potato slices in a large mixing bowl with oil and seasoning.

To build the stacks, layer the potato slices and secure them together with a cocktail stick. You can also wrap the stacks in foil to help them hold their shape and cook evenly. Place the stacks in the air fryer and cook for about 15 minutes at 180°C. After 15 minutes, open the foil and cook for a further 15-20 minutes to colour and crisp the stacks.

The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, but you will know the stacks are done when they are crisp on the outside and a fork can easily be poked through them.

Frequently asked questions