Air Fryer Diced Potatoes: How Long To Cook?

Air fryer diced potatoes are a quick, easy, and delicious side dish. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The cooking time for diced potatoes in an air fryer is usually around 20 minutes, but it can vary depending on the model of the air fryer and the size of the potato cubes. The key to getting crispy potatoes is to cut them into uniform-sized cubes, soak them in cold water to remove excess starch, and pat them dry before seasoning and air frying.

How to make diced potatoes in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Potatoes (russet, red, Yukon gold, sweet, or white potatoes)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, salt, black pepper, rosemary, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, Italian herbs)
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
• Wash and dry your potatoes.
• Dice the potatoes into evenly-sized cubes.
• (Optional) Soak the potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat them dry.
• In a bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. You can also add other spices or herbs of your choice.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Air fry for 15-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the basket halfway through.
• (Optional) Add parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley, scallions, or chives, and serve!

Tips

• For extra crispiness, preheat your air fryer, cook the potatoes in a single layer, and shake the basket halfway through cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Use a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil to help the potatoes crisp up and prevent sticking.
• Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized cubes to ensure even cooking.

How long to cook diced potatoes in an air fryer

Cooking diced potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get deliciously crispy spuds. The cooking time will depend on the type of potato and your air fryer model, but generally, you're looking at around 20-25 minutes.

Preparation

First, wash and dice your potatoes into evenly-sized cubes. You don't need to peel them, but giving them a good wash is important. The size of the cubes will impact the cooking time, so try to keep them uniform—around 1-2 cm/ 0.5-0.8 inches is ideal.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to around 200°C/400°F. Toss the diced potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and any other spices or herbs you like. You can also add parmesan cheese, but do this in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a lot of potatoes, you may need to cook them in batches. Air fry for about 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Doneness

Your potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, but fluffy and tender on the inside. A fork should pierce the potato easily and remove smoothly.

Tips for Extra Crispiness

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Soak the potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch.
• Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel after soaking.
• Use a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil to promote browning and crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the potatoes in a single layer, and shake the basket halfway through cooking.

The best type of potato to use

The type of potato you use for air frying can vary depending on your personal preference, but there are some varieties that are better suited to air frying than others.

Russet potatoes are a good choice as they will crisp up wonderfully with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy with a mild flavour.

Yukon Gold or yellow potatoes are a popular choice for air frying as they will crisp up nicely and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The insides will be creamy and full of flavour.

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a specific variety but rather regular potatoes that have been thinned early in the crop. They have a high sugar content and hold their shape well in the air fryer. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

White potatoes are also a good option, as are sweet potatoes. However, it is best to avoid red or purple-skinned potatoes as they are slightly starchier and waxier.

Should you soak potatoes before air frying?

Air-frying potatoes is a quick and easy way to get crispy, fluffy potatoes in under 30 minutes. But should you soak your potatoes before air frying? The answer depends on the type of potatoes you're using and the desired level of crispiness.

The Benefits of Soaking Potatoes

Soaking potatoes in cold water before cooking can help remove excess starch, which can inhibit potatoes from achieving the desired golden brown, crispy texture. Soaking also helps to prevent potatoes from sticking together, ensuring they cook evenly and allowing for maximum crispiness. For these reasons, soaking is often recommended when making traditional deep-fried French fries.

The Drawbacks of Soaking Potatoes

However, soaking potatoes can also add extra time and effort to the cooking process. If you're short on time or simply prefer a quicker method, you may choose to skip the soaking step. Additionally, some people find that air frying potatoes without soaking still yields crispy results, especially when using an air fryer.

Tips for Soaking Potatoes

If you decide to soak your potatoes before air frying, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes before soaking. This will ensure they cook evenly.
• Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for best results.
• Rinse and pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel before seasoning and air frying.

Air Frying Potatoes Without Soaking

If you choose not to soak your potatoes, there are still a few things you can do to ensure crispy results:

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 380-400°F (195-200°C).
• Toss the potatoes with a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil before seasoning and air frying.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on all sides.

The Bottom Line

Whether or not to soak potatoes before air frying is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Soaking can help remove excess starch and promote crispiness, but it is not necessary, especially when using an air fryer. Experiment with both methods to see which works best for your particular potatoes and air fryer.

How to make air fryer diced potatoes extra crispy

Air fryer diced potatoes are a quick, easy, and delicious side dish. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Here are some tips to make them extra crispy:

Choose the Right Potato

Select waxy potatoes such as red potatoes, Yukon Gold, or fingerlings as they have less starch and will give you a better crisp. However, you can also use starchy potatoes like Russet, King Edwards, or Maris Piper if you prefer.

Soak the Potatoes

Soaking the potatoes in cold water for about 10 minutes to 30 minutes helps remove excess starch, which can inhibit crispness. Make sure to pat them dry with a clean towel before adding any seasonings or oil.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step to ensure your potatoes get nice and crispy. It jump-starts the cooking process and helps achieve that desired golden brown exterior.

Season and Oil the Potatoes

Coat the potatoes with a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil. This will help them crisp up beautifully. You can also add your favourite seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavour.

Cook at the Right Temperature

Cook your potatoes at around 200°C/400°F for about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them and give the air fryer basket a shake several times during cooking to ensure even browning. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and fork-tender on the inside.

Avoid Overcrowding

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to sogginess and uneven cooking.

Reheat Properly

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, use the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until heated through and crispy again.

Frequently asked questions