Air-Fryer Baby Potatoes: The Perfect Timing

Air fryer baby potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of crispiness, but on average, they take around 15-20 minutes to cook. The potatoes are typically seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, such as rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cooked in the air fryer until they are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. This versatile dish can be served as a side for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast and pairs well with a variety of meats and fish.

How to get the perfect crispy texture

To get the perfect crispy texture for your baby potatoes, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, make sure to dry your potatoes thoroughly after rinsing them. Removing the moisture will ensure that the oil adheres well to the potatoes, resulting in a crispier texture. Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). This step is important as it helps to crisp up the edges of the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.

For seasoning, you can use a variety of herbs and spices such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with different types of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. After tossing the potatoes with the oil and seasonings, place them in the air fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Shake the basket or toss the potatoes halfway through to ensure even cooking.

If you prefer your potatoes to be crispy all the way through, you can check out air fryer home fries recipes, which are crispy on both the inside and outside. Additionally, if you're looking for extra crispy potatoes, consider preheating your air fryer before adding the potatoes. This will help to crisp up the edges.

Finally, when checking if your potatoes are done, use a fork to pierce them. If the potatoes can be easily poked through, they are ready. If not, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until they reach the desired texture and doneness.

The best types of potatoes for air frying

There are several types of potatoes that work well in an air fryer, including Russets, Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes, Reds, and Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes. Here's a more detailed breakdown of each type:

Russets

Russet potatoes are a good choice for air frying as they crisp up wonderfully and turn a pale golden color. Their insides become soft and fluffy with a mild flavor, making them a versatile option for various dishes.

Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes

Yukon Golds are a favorite for air frying due to their ability to crisp up perfectly while also achieving a deeper golden color. This is due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp may be slightly softer than Russets, but the insides will be creamy and full of flavor.

Reds

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown when air-fried because of their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when first out of the fryer but will soften quickly. The insides will be creamy and soft, making them a tasty option.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes are not a specific variety but rather regular potatoes harvested early. They have a high sugar content and are perfect for air frying as they hold their shape. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal, but they are usually a favorite when available.

How to season baby potatoes

Ingredients

Baby potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be seasoned in a variety of ways to complement your main course. The following is a list of ingredients that can be used to season baby potatoes:

• Fresh rosemary
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Italian seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Lemon
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Sage

Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, follow these steps to season your baby potatoes:

• Wash and fully dry the baby potatoes before seasoning.
• Cut the baby potatoes into halves or quarters.
• Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Add your desired seasonings and herbs to the bowl. You can use the suggested seasonings listed above or create your own blend. Mix until the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning.
• If you are using fresh herbs like rosemary, mince or chop them before adding to the potatoes.
• For an extra crispy texture, make sure the potatoes are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• If your air fryer needs preheating, set it to 400°F/204°C.
• Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket.
• Cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, depending on their size.
• Shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• To check if the potatoes are done, pierce them with a fork. If they are not tender, continue cooking in 2-minute increments.
• Once the potatoes are fork-tender and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and serve!

Tips and Variations

• You can use a variety of baby potatoes such as yellow, red, tri-color, or fingerlings.
• If you don't have fresh rosemary, you can use dried rosemary or other fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or sage.
• For a more crispy texture, leave the skin on the potatoes.
• If you want to add a tangy flavour to your potatoes, squeeze a little lemon juice over them before serving.
• You can serve these seasoned baby potatoes as a side dish with steak, chicken, fish, or any other main course.

How to reheat baby potatoes in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Baby Potatoes

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your leftover baby potatoes. You can reheat them whole or cut them in half—either way, ensure they are dry before placing them in the air fryer.

Step 2: Reheat the Baby Potatoes

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the baby potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook them for approximately 3-4 minutes. You can check if they are warm enough by piercing them with a fork.

Step 3: Season to Taste

Remove the baby potatoes from the air fryer and season with a little extra salt, if desired. Enjoy!

How to prevent baby potatoes from becoming soggy

Soak the potatoes in cold water

Soaking the potatoes in cold water before cooking helps to release some of the starch contained within. This prevents them from becoming mushy while cooking. Simply chop your potatoes into your desired size and submerge them in cold or iced water for two hours up to a full day. Then, give them a quick rinse before cooking.

Pat the potatoes dry

After soaking the potatoes, it is important to pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel. This will absorb any extra starch and water, preparing them for the next steps. It will also ensure that oil and seasoning can properly coat the potatoes.

Use a light coating of oil

Although air fryers can cook crispy foods with minimal oil, a light coating of oil will help prevent your potatoes from becoming soggy. Vegetable oil and peanut oil are popular choices due to their high smoke points. You can also try avocado oil or olive oil.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

Overcrowding the air fryer will prevent hot air from circulating properly, which can lead to uneven cooking. It is recommended to have anywhere from a thin layer to about 1/3 or 1/2 full basket of potatoes. If you need to cook a larger batch, it is best to cook in two batches.

Shake the potatoes during cooking

Giving the air fryer basket a vigorous shake halfway through the cooking process will help to flip the potatoes and expose different areas to the heat. This will result in more evenly cooked potatoes. Most air fryers will beep at the halfway point to remind you to do this.

Don't thaw frozen potatoes before air frying

If you are using frozen potatoes, don't thaw them before putting them in the air fryer. Frozen potatoes will become soggy if they are defrosted before cooking. Instead, put them straight into the air fryer from the freezer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer will help your potatoes get crispier and cook more evenly. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for about five minutes before adding the potatoes.

Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces

Chopping your potatoes into evenly sized pieces will ensure that they cook consistently. Smaller pieces cook faster than larger pieces, so inconsistent sizes can lead to some potatoes being undercooked or overcooked. A mandoline can be a helpful tool for achieving even cuts.

Don't skip the skin

Leaving the skin on your potatoes will add a delicious layer of crunch to your air-fried potatoes. Just be sure to scrub the potatoes vigorously to remove any dirt before chopping.

Experiment with parboiling

Parboiling (or blanching) the potatoes before air frying can help to create extra crispy potatoes. Simply boil the potatoes for a few minutes, then place them in an ice bath before air frying.

Don't oversaturate with oil

Using too much oil can contribute to sogginess. Try spraying the potatoes with oil instead of tossing them in oil, or use a light drizzle of oil and toss to coat.

Don't skip the seasoning

Generously season your potatoes with salt and other spices before air frying. This will allow the seasoning to seep into the potatoes and add flavour.

Try frying twice

A classic French technique for making crispy fries involves frying the potatoes twice at two different temperatures. You can try frying your potatoes a second time to achieve the desired level of crispness.

Use the right type of potato

Different types of potatoes have different characteristics. For air frying, waxy potatoes with more resilient skins, such as baby reds, tend to hold up better during cooking.

Frequently asked questions