Perfect Air-Fried Roast Potatoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make roast potatoes. They can be cooked in half the time it would take to roast them in an oven, and they are healthier than deep-fried potatoes as they require less oil. The circulating air in the air fryer makes the potatoes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Choosing the right potatoes

Types of Potatoes

The type of potato you choose will impact the final texture and flavour of your roast potatoes. Here are some recommended varieties:

• Yukon Gold: These potatoes are ideal for air frying as they crisp up perfectly and turn a beautiful golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp may be slightly softer than other varieties, but their creamy and flavourful interior will make up for it.
• Russet: Russet potatoes are a great choice as they will air fry beautifully, achieving a pale golden colour with a wonderfully crispy texture. Their insides will be soft, fluffy, and mildly flavoured.
• Red Potatoes: Red potatoes will roast to an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will emerge from the air fryer crispy, but their exteriors will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.
• Baby or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early and are high in sugar content. They roast perfectly in the air fryer, holding their shape well. However, they may be harder to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Size and Uniformity

When selecting potatoes for air frying, try to choose ones that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. This will help ensure even cooking and browning. If you're using baby potatoes, cut them in half. For larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch (or 2.5 cm) pieces.

Starch Content

The starch content of potatoes can impact the final texture of your roast potatoes. If you're using starchy potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry after soaking, as they will steam instead of roasting if they're too wet.

Skin On or Skin Off?

Leaving the skin on your potatoes will add a delicious crispy texture to your roast potatoes. It's also more nutritious, as the skin contains many essential nutrients. However, some people prefer to peel their potatoes, especially if they are using a softer variety like Russets, to prevent over-crisping or burning. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Preparing the potatoes

Next, cut your potatoes into bite-sized chunks or cubes. Aim for pieces that are around half an inch to three-quarters of an inch thick. You can use any type of potato, but Yukon gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and baby or new potatoes are great options for air frying.

After cutting your potatoes, place them in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil. Make sure to coat the potatoes evenly with the oil. Now it's time to add your desired seasonings! You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or a blend of your favourite spices. Give the potatoes a good toss to ensure they're evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

If you're using a starchy type of potato, like russets, you might want to consider soaking them in cold water for about 10-15 minutes before roasting. This step will help remove excess starch and ensure crispier potatoes. Just be sure to pat the potatoes dry before placing them in the air fryer.

And that's it! Your potatoes are now ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to crispy perfection.

Adding oil and seasoning

The oil and seasoning you add to your potatoes will have a big impact on the final flavour and texture of your roast potatoes.

Oil

When it comes to oil, extra virgin olive oil is recommended by many sources. This is because it helps the potatoes to crisp up and brown nicely, and it also adds great flavour. However, other sources suggest that any oil will work, and one source even recommends using an oil spray to coat the potatoes. The key thing is that there is enough oil for the seasonings to stick to the potatoes.

Seasoning

The seasonings you use are very much down to personal preference, but there are some combinations that are recommended by multiple sources. These include:

• Salt and pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Parsley

You can also try adding Parmesan cheese, or a squeeze of lemon juice, to garnish.

Method

To add the oil and seasoning, simply toss the potatoes in a large bowl with the oil and your chosen seasonings. Make sure that the potatoes are well coated.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer roast potatoes vary depending on the type of air fryer and the desired level of crispiness. However, the general cooking time ranges from 18 to 20 minutes, and the temperature is typically set at around 400°F (200°C).

For example, one recipe suggests cooking the potatoes at 400˚F for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside. Another recipe recommends cooking at 380°F (195°C) for 10 minutes, flipping the potatoes, and then cooking for an additional 10 minutes.

It is worth noting that some air fryers may require preheating, which can help achieve maximum crispiness. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the potatoes are cut into evenly sized pieces and well-coated with oil and seasonings before placing them in the air fryer.

When using starchy potatoes, it is beneficial to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes prior to roasting to remove excess starch. This step will ensure that the potatoes roast properly and do not become too soft.

For extra crispiness, it is recommended to use a shallow tray insert in the air fryer basket so that the potatoes are in contact with the oil, creating a thicker skin of crunch. Alternatively, the potatoes can be placed directly into the air fryer basket, resulting in a less crunchy but still browned skin.

Serving suggestions

As a Side Dish

Air-fried roast potatoes are a great side dish for a variety of meals. They can be served alongside a main course such as steak, chicken, or roast lamb or duck. They also go well with other side dishes like a fresh green salad, roasted cauliflower, or roasted asparagus.

For Breakfast

You can add these potatoes to your breakfast tacos or burrito. A squeeze of lemon over the potatoes can help cut through their richness.

As an Appetizer

These potatoes can be served as an appetizer or starter with a dip. Try pairing them with whipped feta, ranch dressing, yum yum sauce, lime crema, or guacamole.

With a Main Course

Air-fried roast potatoes can be a delicious addition to your lunch or dinner. They go well with dishes like salmon, Swedish meatballs, or prime rib.

Frequently asked questions