Emilie Meyer
Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying, and they can cook food much faster than conventional ovens. One of the most popular dishes to cook in an air fryer is roasted potatoes. Not only are air fryer roasted potatoes healthier, quicker, and easier to make, but they are also incredibly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. In this article, we will explore the different ways to cook roasted potatoes in an air fryer, the types of potatoes and seasonings that work best, and how long it takes to cook them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 380°F (195°C) to 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 18-25 minutes |
| Preheating Time | 5 minutes |
| Potato Types | Russets, Yukon Golds, Red Potatoes |
| Potato Size | Uniform, bite-sized chunks |
| Oil | Olive oil |
| Seasoning | Smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, cajun seasoning |
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What You'll Learn
The best types of potatoes to use
The best potatoes to use for air frying are those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. Here are some specific types of potatoes that are ideal for air frying:
Russets
Russets are a good choice for air frying as they crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour. Their insides turn out soft and fluffy with a mild flavour. However, they are not recommended for roasting in the air fryer as they are starchy and better suited for making French fries.
Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes
Yukon Golds are a favourite for air frying because they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Their insides are creamy and full of flavour. If you can't find baby potatoes, larger Yukon Golds or other yellow potatoes can be cut into 3/4-inch chunks.
Red Potatoes
Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown when roasted due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the air fryer but will soften quickly on the outside. Their insides will be creamy and soft.
Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes
These are not a specific variety or type of potato, but they can be used for air frying if you can find them. If not, larger potatoes can be cut into smaller pieces.
Petite Gold Potatoes
These are a good option for air frying, and they can be cut in half or left whole depending on your preference.
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How to prepare the potatoes before cooking
Preparing your potatoes before cooking is a crucial step in the process of making roasted potatoes in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:
Choose the Right Potatoes:
Select potatoes that are uniform in size, free from blemishes, and have a consistent texture. Starchier potatoes, such as Russets (Idaho potatoes), Yukon Golds, or red potatoes, are excellent choices as they crisp up nicely and develop fluffy interiors.
Cut the Potatoes:
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. You can cut them into halves, or chop them into bite-sized chunks, approximately 1/2" to 3/4" thick. This ensures even cooking and allows for a crispy exterior.
Soaking (Optional):
If you are using starchy potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting. This helps to remove excess starch and can lead to crispier results.
Seasoning:
In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil or another type of cooking oil. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can use salt and pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder or granules, Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, or even cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
While you are preparing the potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes. You want the air fryer to be super hot when you add the potatoes to achieve maximum crispiness.
Once your potatoes are coated, seasoned, and the air fryer is preheated, you are ready to spread the potatoes in the air fryer basket and begin cooking!
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The ideal temperature and duration for cooking
Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes before adding the potatoes. This ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to make the potatoes crispy. After preheating, add the seasoned potatoes to the fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, flip or stir the potatoes and cook for an additional 8 to 12 minutes, or until they are crispy and fork-tender.
Some sources recommend boiling the potatoes in an alkaline solution of baking soda and water before air frying to create a starchy slurry that will make the potatoes even crispier. Others suggest soaking starchy potatoes in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch.
The duration of cooking may also depend on the model of your air fryer, so it is important to read the manual and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. Additionally, for even cooking, it is recommended to cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces.
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The best oils to use for roasting
To make roasted potatoes in an air fryer, start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, or into equally sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can use any type of potato, but Yukon Golds, red potatoes, and russet potatoes are especially good for roasting.
Next, toss the potatoes in a large bowl with your choice of oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. For seasonings, try smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, shawarma seasoning, or fresh herbs like thyme. Make sure the potatoes are well coated.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and roast at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and roast for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden on the outside, and fluffy and tender on the inside.
Now, let's shift our focus to the best oils for roasting. When roasting, it's essential to choose an oil with a high smoke point, which is the temperature at which an oil starts to smoke and burn. Oils with high smoke points include avocado oil (about 520° Fahrenheit), sunflower oil (450° Fahrenheit), refined sesame oil (410° Fahrenheit), and refined olive oil (over 400° Fahrenheit). Avocado oil has a mild, buttery flavor, while sunflower oil has a mild taste that won't overpower other ingredients. Refined olive oil will give your roasted potatoes a unique flavor that neutral oils lack. If you're roasting at temperatures over 400° Fahrenheit, olive oil and ghee are excellent choices that will impart a faint buttery flavor to your dish.
If you're looking for a more flavorful oil, coconut oil has a warm, nutty flavor, but it has a low smoke point of about 350° Fahrenheit, so it's best used at lower oven temperatures. Nut oils, like peanut oil, can also be fun to experiment with, as they often have a nutty taste and smell and cook well at high heat. However, peanut oil has a low smoke point, so it's better suited for drizzling over desserts or adding to coffee drinks.
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How to season the potatoes
To season your potatoes, start by washing them with cold water. Then, cut the potatoes in half, and then once again in half, so that you have four wedges or slices per potato. If you prefer smaller potatoes, you can use baby potatoes or cut them into even smaller pieces.
Next, you'll want to parboil the potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the potatoes, boiling them for around 4-5 minutes. Drain the excess water from the potatoes once they're done.
Now it's time to season! Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add your chosen oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, light olive oil, regular olive oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, or refined coconut oil. For seasonings, try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with Italian seasoning, shawarma seasoning, or cajun seasoning. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated.
If you want to add some extra flavour, you can toss the cooked potatoes in whole-grain mustard, or sprinkle them with chopped parsley, cilantro, or rosemary before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryer roasted potatoes are usually ready in 20 minutes, which is half the time it takes to cook them in an oven.
First, wash and cut your potatoes into evenly-sized pieces. Then, toss them in a bowl with olive oil and your desired seasonings. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes, then add the potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the potatoes and cook for another 8-12 minutes, until they are crispy and tender.
Starchier potatoes such as Russets, Yukon Golds, and Red potatoes are better for roasting because they crisp up more easily and develop fluffy insides.
You can parboil your potatoes in an alkaline solution of baking soda and water before putting them in the air fryer. This helps break down the outer layer of the potatoes, creating a starchy slurry that will make the exterior of the potatoes extra crispy.
