Air Fryer Frozen Potatoes: How Long Does It Take?

Frozen roast potatoes in an air fryer are a quick and easy alternative to making them from scratch. They're also healthier than roasting or deep-frying, as the air fryer uses less oil. You can cook frozen potatoes in any brand of air fryer, but the cooking time may vary depending on the brand and wattage. To cook frozen roast potatoes in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F for five minutes, then cook the potatoes at the same temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes, until they are crispy and golden.

How long to cook frozen potatoes in an air fryer

Frozen potatoes are a convenient option for a quick and tasty side dish, and cooking them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying or roasting in the oven. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to achieve crispy and fluffy frozen potatoes using your air fryer.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to get a good head start on cooking your potatoes. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C or 204℃) and preheat for about 5 minutes. This step is optional but recommended for crispier potatoes.

Prepare the Frozen Potatoes

You can use any brand of frozen potatoes, such as McCain or Aunt Bessie's, and they can be in the form of roast potatoes, cubed potatoes, or French fries. Simply transfer the desired amount of frozen potatoes into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping too much.

Cook the Potatoes

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook your potatoes. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C or 204℃) and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and type of potatoes you're using. For smaller diced or cubed potatoes, adjust the cooking time accordingly, shaking the air fryer basket at the 5-minute mark and checking for doneness from 12 to 15 minutes. During the cooking process, remember to shake the basket or flip the potatoes every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even browning and cooking.

Season and Serve

After cooking, carefully remove the air fryer basket to avoid any accidents with the hot fat that has dripped into the base tin. Use tongs or a fork to take out the potatoes, and season them as desired while they are still hot. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. Serve your crispy and fluffy potatoes as a side dish, snack, or appetizer with your favourite dips!

Tips for Best Results

• Always cook frozen potatoes straight from frozen for the best texture.
• Preheating the air fryer helps to crisp up the outsides of the potatoes.
• Arrange the potatoes in a single layer to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Keep an eye on your potatoes as different air fryers may vary in cooking times and temperatures.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent sogginess and ensure even cooking.

How to get the perfect crisp

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crisp on your frozen potatoes. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for about 5 minutes. This step gives the potatoes a head start, similar to oven-baking, and helps to crisp up the outsides.

Prepare the Frozen Potatoes

Choose your favourite type of frozen potatoes, such as roast potatoes, French fries, or diced potatoes. For roast potatoes, simply transfer them into the air fryer basket. For French fries or diced potatoes, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

Cook the Potatoes

Place the frozen potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and avoid overlapping them. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5-10 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy. Different air fryers may vary, so keep an eye on your potatoes to ensure they don't burn.

Season and Serve

Once your potatoes are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a fork to avoid accidents. Season with salt and pepper, or get creative with your favourite herbs and spices. Serve them as a side dish, snack, or appetizer with your favourite dips. Enjoy!

What type of potatoes to use

When it comes to choosing the right type of potatoes for your air fryer, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the variety of potato. Different types of potatoes will yield different results in terms of texture and colour. Here's a breakdown of some popular options:

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes are a good choice for air frying as they will crisp up wonderfully. Their insides will be soft and fluffy with a mild flavour. They are a reliable option for air fryer potatoes.

Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes

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

Red Potatoes

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will emerge crispy from the air fryer but will quickly soften on the outside. The insides will be creamy and soft.

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. This variety includes fingerlings, baby russets, and baby red potatoes. You can also use larger Yukon gold or yellow potatoes cut into 3/4-inch chunks as a substitute.

White Potatoes

White potatoes are another option, though they are not as commonly mentioned as the previous varieties. They can be cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes for air frying.

In general, it is recommended to leave the skin on your potatoes when air frying, as this helps to achieve the desired crispiness. The skin also contains nutrients, so it's a nutritious choice to keep it intact. Additionally, try to cut your potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.

When it comes to seasoning, the possibilities are endless. A simple combination of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper is a popular choice. You can also experiment with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, chilli powder, taco seasoning, or Parmesan cheese to add some extra flavour to your air fryer potatoes.

How to prepare the potatoes

Preparing potatoes for the air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

First, select your potatoes. Any potatoes will work, but Yukon Golds, red potatoes, baby potatoes, and russet potatoes are recommended. If you are using baby potatoes, cut them in half. For larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces.

Next, toss the potatoes in a large bowl with your desired seasonings. You can use extra virgin olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, rosemary, lemon juice, or parmesan cheese. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated.

Then, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Preheat the air fryer to between 380-400°F (195-204°C) for about 5 minutes. If your potatoes are starchy, soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch, and then pat them dry.

Finally, cook the potatoes for about 20 minutes at 380-400°F (195-204°C), shaking the basket or flipping the potatoes every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are done when they are golden, crispy, and fork-tender.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy air-fried potatoes as a side or a snack.

Seasoning ideas

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen potatoes, as they can be cooked straight from frozen, saving time and effort. They also produce a crispier finish than an oven and are healthier than deep-frying.

Cajun Spice

A blend of cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground thyme. This combination of spices adds a kick to your potatoes and is perfect if you like your food spicy.

Garlic

Freshly minced garlic or garlic powder/granules are a great way to add flavour to your potatoes. If you are using fresh garlic, mince or crush it finely and add it to the oil and seasoning mix before tossing with the potatoes.

Lemon and Herb

A squeeze of lemon and some dried or fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or dill can add a zesty, fresh flavour to your potatoes. Just be sure to add the lemon juice right before serving to avoid sogginess.

Parmesan Cheese

Finely shredded Parmesan cheese can be added to the potatoes before air frying. This adds a savoury, salty flavour and helps the potatoes to crisp up.

Ranch Seasoning

A packet of dry ranch seasoning can be added to taste. This will give your potatoes a creamy, tangy flavour.

Taco Seasoning

For a southwestern twist, try using taco seasoning. This blend of spices includes chilli powder, cumin, and paprika, adding a kick of heat and flavour to your potatoes.

Other Ideas

• Grated cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream: For a loaded potato skin-inspired dish.
• Truffle oil: For a luxurious, earthy flavour.
• Garlic butter: For a rich, buttery flavour.

Frequently asked questions