Air Fryer Red Potatoes: How Long To Cook?

Air fryer red potatoes are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be served at any meal. They are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a cooking time of 15-20 minutes. The air fryer's circulating air is responsible for these delicious results. The potatoes are seasoned with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and can be served with a variety of herbs and spices.

How to prepare red potatoes for the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• Red potatoes (regular or baby)
• Olive oil (or another mild-flavoured oil, like avocado oil or vegetable oil)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Dried thyme (optional)
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method

• Cut the red potatoes into quarters or large chops (about 1 inch wide). If you are using baby red potatoes, you may only need to halve or quarter them. For larger red potatoes, cut them into eighths.
• Place the chopped potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add your chosen seasonings to the bowl. You can use any combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, and fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, or chives.
• Toss the potatoes in the bowl until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
• Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not piled on top of each other to ensure they get nice and crispy.
• Air fry at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, or until fork-tender and golden. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve hot.

Tips:

• You can also use melted butter, goose or duck fat, or bacon grease instead of oil.
• If you want to add some extra crispiness, cook the potatoes for a few minutes longer.
• If you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.
• Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-7 minutes.

How long to cook red potatoes in the air fryer

Air-frying red potatoes is a quick and easy way to make a tasty, healthy side dish. The circulating air of the air fryer produces delicious, crispy results, and the cooking time is exponentially faster than roasting potatoes in an oven.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Red potatoes (regular or baby)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Fresh or dried rosemary

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While it's heating up, cut your red potatoes into evenly-sized chunks of around 1 inch wide. Halve or quarter baby red potatoes, and cut larger red potatoes into eighths.

Place the chopped potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add your chosen herbs and spices, and toss the mixture together to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated.

Next, arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, as this will ensure the potatoes cook evenly and get nice and crispy.

Cook the potatoes for 18-22 minutes at 400°F. Shake the basket or rotate the trays halfway through the cooking time. The potatoes are ready when they are golden brown and tender.

Tips

• If you want extra crispy potatoes, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
• For a simple side dish, season with rosemary, salt, and pepper. For something more complex, try a Cajun or Italian seasoning blend.
• Always wash and dry potatoes before cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if necessary.
• Check the potatoes are cooked by piercing them with a knife or fork. If the blade goes in and out easily, they are done.
• Different air fryers produce different results, so keep an eye on your potatoes during cooking and adjust the timing as needed.
• Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the air fryer for the best results.

How to season red potatoes for the air fryer

Air fryer red potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be seasoned in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences. Here's a detailed guide on how to season and cook red potatoes in your air fryer.

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Select small to medium-sized red potatoes that are firm and free from bruises or sprouting. These potatoes are ideal for air frying as they have a thin skin, low starch content, and high moisture, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Preparing the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into uniform pieces. For baby red potatoes, halving or quartering may be sufficient, while larger potatoes may need to be cut into eighths or similar-sized wedges. The key is to ensure that the potato pieces are evenly sized for consistent cooking.

Seasoning Options

The beauty of air fryer red potatoes is that they can be seasoned in countless ways. Here are some popular options:

• Herbs and Spices: Fresh or dried rosemary is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, or chives.
• Garlic and Onion: A little fresh garlic goes a long way in adding depth of flavor. You can also use garlic powder for convenience. Onion powder or finely chopped onions can enhance the savory notes.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning with salt and pepper is essential to bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients. Kosher salt is a popular choice for its ease of seasoning.
• Cajun or Creole Seasoning: For a kick of spice, add some Cajun or Creole seasoning to your potatoes. Smoked paprika can also be used for added depth.
• Italian or Tuscan Blend: If you prefer Italian flavors, opt for an Italian or Tuscan herb blend, or create your own mix with thyme, oregano, and basil.
• Peri Peri: For those who enjoy spicy food, peri peri seasoning will add a nice kick to your potatoes.
• Parmesan Cheese: For an indulgent touch, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes before serving.

Combining Potatoes and Seasonings

Once you've chosen your seasonings, it's time to combine them with the potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl, drizzle with your chosen oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or melted butter are great options), and add your selected seasonings. Toss everything together gently until the potatoes are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Cooking the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer with enough space between them for even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Cook the potatoes for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket or rotating the trays halfway through to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer red potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas:

• Breakfast: Add them to breakfast tacos or burritos, or serve them with breakfast chicken sausage patties.
• Appetizers: Serve them with a dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or ketchup, for a tasty game day snack.
• Main Course Sides: They pair well with steak, chicken, seafood, or your favorite roasted meat dish.
• Garnishes: Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, or chives for added flavor and presentation.

Storage and Reheating

Any leftover roasted red potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. When reheating, it's best to use the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to retain their crispness.

How to store leftover red potatoes from the air fryer

To store leftover red potatoes from the air fryer, let them cool down to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to four days.

When you're ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat the potatoes in the air fryer or the microwave. To retain some crispness, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes.

If you want to keep them for longer, you can also freeze the leftover potatoes for up to a few months.

What other potatoes can be cooked in the air fryer

Air fryers are perfect for cooking potatoes. The circulating air crisps the outsides, giving them an impeccable golden crust, while keeping the insides soft, tender, and incredibly flavorful. Using an air fryer also reduces the amount of oil you would need to cook roasted potatoes, making them a healthier choice.

There are several types of potatoes that can be cooked in an air fryer, including:

• Russet potatoes: These will air fry beautifully, with a pale golden color and soft, fluffy insides.
• Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes: These are a favorite for air frying because they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden color due to their lower starch and higher sugar content.
• Reds: Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their high sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out but will soften quickly.
• Baby potatoes or new potatoes: These are not a variety or type of potato but rather regular potatoes that have been thinned from the crop early. They have a high sugar content and roast in the air fryer perfectly, as well as hold their shape.
• Sweet potatoes: These can be made into sweet potato fries, sweet potato chips, or even sweet potato-crusted chicken nuggets.
• Pumpkin: Pumpkin can be made into fries in the air fryer.

Regardless of the type of potato you choose, the cooking method is generally the same. First, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1 inch wide. Then, toss them with olive oil or another type of fat, and your desired seasonings. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and tender.

So, whether you're in the mood for a classic roasted potato, some sweet potato fries, or even pumpkin fries, the air fryer has you covered!

Frequently asked questions