Perfect Air-Fried Roast Potatoes: Cooking Time And Tips

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make. They take around 20 minutes to cook, with only 5 minutes of prep time. You can make them with or without the skin on, and they don't need to be parboiled.

How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Preparing potatoes for air frying is a quick and easy process. First, wash your potatoes, either peeled or unpeeled, and chop them into bite-sized chunks, about 1+1/4 to 3/4 inches thick. If you're using starchy potatoes, it's a good idea to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes to remove excess starch. Rinse and pat the potatoes dry, then place them in a bowl and toss with olive oil and your choice of seasoning. You can also add a shallow tray insert to your air fryer basket and place the potatoes on that.

Next, spread the potatoes in an even layer inside the air fryer basket. If you're using a tray insert, simply place it in the basket. Set your air fryer to 380-400˚F and cook for 20 minutes, shaking or flipping the potatoes halfway through. If you have time, preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes will result in crispier potatoes.

Once the potatoes are golden and fork-tender, they're ready to serve. Sprinkle with salt, thyme, or fresh parsley for added flavour. And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy roast potatoes made in your air fryer.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The cooking time for roast potatoes in an air fryer depends on the temperature you set it to. For example, if you set your air fryer to 200C/400F, you should cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, turn or shake them, and then cook for another 10 minutes. This means a total cooking time of 20 minutes.

If you want crispier potatoes, you can preheat your air fryer for five minutes before adding the potatoes. You can also soak starchy potatoes in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to get rid of the extra starch.

If you are using an air fryer with a basket, spread the potatoes in an even layer and air fry at 400˚F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

You can also cook roast potatoes in an air fryer without parboiling them first. Simply peel and chop the potatoes into bite-sized chunks, rinse them under cold water, and pat them dry. Place them in a shallow tray insert in your air fryer basket, drizzle with oil, and cook for five minutes at 200C/400F. Turn or shake the potatoes, and then cook for another five minutes.

How to get crispy potatoes

To get crispy roast potatoes using an air fryer, you don't need to par-boil the potatoes first. Simply wash the potatoes, then chop them into bite-sized chunks (about ½” to ¾” thick). Place the potatoes in a bowl and toss them in olive oil and seasoning.

Place a shallow tray insert into your air fryer basket and add the potatoes. Drizzle on some oil and give the potatoes a good shake or stir so they are fully covered.

Air fry at 400˚F for 18-20 minutes or until golden, flipping halfway through. If you want to get rid of some of the starch, you can soak the potatoes in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting.

When the potatoes are crisped and fork-tender, serve them warm garnished with fresh parsley, salt, and thyme.

Whether to preheat the air fryer

Preheating the air fryer is not necessary when cooking roast potatoes, but if you have time, preheating it for five minutes will result in crispier potatoes.

If you are short on time, you can skip preheating the air fryer and still achieve delicious roast potatoes. Simply place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and roast at 380°F (195°C) for 10 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and roast for another 10 minutes. This will give you perfectly cooked roast potatoes with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

However, if you have a few extra minutes to spare, preheating the air fryer can enhance the crispiness of your roast potatoes. Set the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and allow it to preheat for five minutes. Then, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and follow the same cooking instructions as above.

The decision to preheat the air fryer ultimately depends on your time constraints and preference for crispiness. If you are in a hurry, skipping the preheating step is a convenient option. On the other hand, if you prioritise crispiness and have a little extra time, preheating the air fryer will deliver even crispier results.

How to serve air fryer roast potatoes

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy way to cook roast potatoes without the need for par-boiling. To serve air fryer roast potatoes, first, peel and chop your potatoes into bite-sized chunks, around 3-3.5cm thick. Rinse them under cold water and pat dry. Place the potatoes in a shallow tray insert in your air fryer basket and drizzle with oil, shaking or stirring so they are fully covered.

Cook the potatoes in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 200C/400F, then turn or shake them and cook for another 5 minutes. You can then turn or shake the potatoes again, bashing them slightly with the back of a spoon to ruffle the edges. Drizzle on another tablespoon of oil and cook for a final 10 minutes, until the potatoes are crisp and golden.

Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and thyme before serving. You can also garnish with fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions