Air Fryer Potatoes: How Long To Fry?

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, and they're ready in half the time it takes in the oven. You can cook a variety of potatoes in an air fryer, including baby potatoes, Yukon golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and sweet potatoes. The cooking time depends on the type of potato and your desired level of crispiness, but on average, it takes around 10 to 20 minutes to air fry potatoes.

How long to cook air-fried potatoes

Air-fried potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, and they turn out crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The length of time it takes to cook air-fried potatoes depends on the type of potato and the size of the pieces. On average, it takes between 15 and 20 minutes to cook potatoes in an air fryer.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes, or new potatoes, are potatoes that have been harvested before they are fully grown. They have thinner skins, which makes them ideal for crisping. Examples of new potatoes include fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes. When cooking these types of potatoes in an air fryer, it's best to cut them in half or quarter them if they are larger. Place them in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, toss or stir the potatoes and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Larger Potatoes

For larger potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or other yellow potatoes, cut them into 3/4-inch or 1-inch chunks. Follow the same cooking instructions as for the baby potatoes, ensuring that you cook them in a single layer and toss or stir them halfway through the cooking time. Larger potatoes will take slightly longer to cook, around 15 to 20 minutes total.

Baked Potatoes

For baked potatoes in the air fryer, scrub the potatoes and rub them with olive oil. You can also season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. The potatoes are done when they are soft.

Best types of potatoes for air fryer

Best Types of Potatoes for an Air Fryer

Air fryers are perfect for cooking potatoes. They can cook them quicker than ovens and achieve crispier results. When choosing potatoes for an air fryer, it's important to consider the type of potato, its sugar and starch content, and the desired level of crispness and colour. Here are some of the best types of potatoes for air frying:

Russets

Russet potatoes are a great choice for air frying. They crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour, and their insides become soft and fluffy with a mild flavour. They are a versatile option and always a good choice for air fryer recipes.

Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes

Yukon gold or yellow potatoes are a favourite for air frying because they strike the perfect balance between crispness and colour. Their lower starch and higher sugar content give them a deeper golden colour than russets, and their insides become creamy and full of flavour. However, their crisp may be slightly softer.

Reds

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when they first come out of the air fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft, making them a tasty option for air fryer recipes.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes or "new" potatoes are harvested before they are fully grown, resulting in thinner skin that is ideal for crisping. Varieties include fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes. These potatoes have a high sugar content, hold their shape well, and roast perfectly in the air fryer. However, they can be harder to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are another option for air frying. While they have their own unique flavour and nutritional profile, they can be prepared similarly to regular potatoes in the air fryer. Just be sure to scrub and dry them thoroughly before cooking.

When choosing potatoes for an air fryer, it's important to select those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. Additionally, leaving the skin on is recommended for optimal crispness. With these tips and the right type of potato, you can create perfectly crispy and tender air fryer potatoes every time!

Air fryer temperature for potatoes

The optimal temperature for cooking potatoes in an air fryer is around 400°F (200°C). This temperature will give you potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

For baked potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Rub the potatoes with a little vegetable oil or olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes, turning them over once during cooking, until they are fork-tender.

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

For roasted potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces and combine them with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the mix for extra flavour. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, toss or flip the potatoes and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are tender and crispy.

Air Fryer French Fries

For French fries, cut the potatoes into matchsticks and soak them in cold water for 1 to 2 hours to remove the starch and give them a crispy texture. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Drain and pat the potatoes dry, then drizzle with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt. Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until they are crispy.

Air Fryer Potato Chips

For potato chips, cut the potatoes into thin rounds and soak them in cold water for 1 to 2 hours to remove the starch and ensure crispiness. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Drain and pat the potatoes dry, then drizzle with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt. Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until they are crispy.

Tips for Crispy Potatoes

• Leave the skin on for extra crispiness.
• Preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness.
• Cook in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Wash the potatoes thoroughly, especially if you're leaving the skin on.
• Use a spatula or spoon to turn the potatoes instead of shaking the basket, as this can cause them to break apart.
• Read your air fryer's manual to understand the best temperatures and timings for your specific model.
• Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Use a neutral vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower oil.

Potato preparation for air fryer

Scrub and Soak the Potatoes

First, select your potatoes. Baby potatoes, Yukon golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and new potatoes are all great options for air frying. Give them a good scrub to remove any dirt, and consider soaking them in cold water for 30 minutes or overnight to remove excess starch and achieve a crispier result. Be sure to dry your potatoes after soaking by patting them with a paper towel and setting them on a kitchen towel.

Cut and Season the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized pieces, about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Place them in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle with olive oil. For seasoning, you can use a combination of salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and parsley. You can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or dried herbs.

Air Fry the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each potato to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches. Air fry for 10 minutes, then use a spatula or spoon to flip or toss the potatoes. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Serve and Enjoy!

Your air fryer potatoes are now ready to be served! You can garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy these crispy, tender potatoes as a side dish or even for breakfast. They go well with steak, chicken, dips, breakfast tacos, and more.

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftover potatoes, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 400°F for a few minutes until warm and crispy again.

Potato seasonings for air fryer

Potato Seasonings for the Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, with their circulating air crisping the outsides and leaving a tender, flavoursome inside. The high temperatures involved mean that oils with high smoke points, such as olive, canola, or avocado oil, are best.

Italian Seasoning

A blend of herbs and spices, Italian seasoning is a great way to add depth of flavour to your potatoes. It can be combined with other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, or used as part of a Greek-style blend with garlic, onion, oregano, basil, dill, salt, and pepper.

Cajun Seasoning

Spicy Cajun seasoning is a great way to add a kick to your potatoes. It can be used on its own or combined with other spices for a more complex flavour profile.

Garlic

Garlic is a great way to add flavour to your potatoes. Freshly minced garlic can be used, but if using garlic salt, be aware that it can burn and take on a bitter taste. Garlic powder is another option and can be used in combination with other seasonings.

Parmesan Cheese

Finely shredded Parmesan cheese can add a rich, salty flavour to your potatoes and help them achieve a crispy texture.

Spices

There are a variety of spices that can be used to season potatoes, including paprika, smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro, ginger, nutmeg, and turmeric.

Herbs

Fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary can be used to garnish your potatoes and add a fresh note. Dried parsley can also be used as a seasoning.

Lemon

A squeeze of lemon juice over your potatoes can help to cut through their richness and add a fresh flavour.

Other Seasonings

Other seasonings that can be used include ranch, Mexican (a blend of cumin, chili powder, onion, and garlic powder), and chili lime seasoning.

Frequently asked questions