Air Fryer Mini Potatoes: Perfect Timing For Tasty Spuds

Cooking baby potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish. The air fryer's magic means you get crispy results on the outside, while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. You can use a range of seasonings, from rosemary to Cajun, and even add some grated parmesan cheese. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes and the power of your air fryer, but generally, they will be done in 15-20 minutes.

How to prepare the potatoes for the air fryer

Preparing potatoes for the air fryer is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Potatoes

Start by giving the potatoes a good wash under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Then, use a paper towel or clean kitchen cloth to dry them thoroughly. This step is important as it ensures that the potatoes are clean and ready for the next steps.

Step 2: Cut the Potatoes

Depending on the size of your potatoes, you may want to cut them into halves or bite-sized pieces. For baby potatoes, cutting them in half is usually sufficient. If you are using larger potatoes, cut them into uniform, 1-inch pieces. This helps ensure even cooking and makes them easier to eat.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle them with extra-virgin olive oil and toss to coat. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative and experiment with different blends like Cajun, Mexican, or Greek. Make sure to toss the potatoes well so that they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Preheating your air fryer is not necessary, but if you have the time, it can help achieve crispier results. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Arrange the Potatoes in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly around each potato. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You're now ready to air fry your delicious mini potatoes. Follow the timing and temperature guidelines from your specific recipe, and enjoy perfectly cooked mini potatoes with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

How long to cook them for

The cooking time for mini potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of doneness. On average, it takes around 15 to 25 minutes to cook mini potatoes in an air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Wash and dry the mini potatoes. If the potatoes are larger, cut them into halves or bite-sized pieces for easier cooking and eating.

Step 2: Season the Potatoes

Add the potatoes to a large bowl and toss them with olive oil or vegetable oil. You can also add your desired seasonings at this step. Some popular seasoning options include garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative and experiment with different herbs and spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, or even ground harissa seasoning.

Step 3: Air Fry the Potatoes

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Set the air fryer temperature to between 375-400°F (190-204°C). Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, then shake the basket or toss the potatoes to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Check for Doneness and Adjust Cooking Time

After the initial 10 minutes, check the potatoes for doneness by poking them with a fork or a sharp knife. If the potatoes are easily pierced and tender, they are done. If not, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. You can garnish with chopped herbs, butter, or your favorite dipping sauce.

It's important to note that all air fryers are different, and the cooking time may vary slightly. Always keep an eye on your potatoes during the cooking process to ensure they don't overcook or burn. With these steps, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked mini potatoes from your air fryer every time!

What temperature to cook them at

The optimal temperature for cooking mini potatoes in an air fryer is 400°F. This temperature is consistent across various sources and ensures that the potatoes are cooked through and achieve a desirable level of crispiness.

For example, one source recommends cooking mini potatoes in an air fryer at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the potatoes halfway through. Another source provides a similar instruction, suggesting 10 minutes at 400°F, followed by an additional 8 to 10 minutes at the same temperature after shaking the basket.

A third source also concurs with the temperature of 400°F but recommends cooking the potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing them halfway through. This longer cooking time may be due to the larger size of the potatoes used in this particular recipe.

Therefore, it is essential to adjust the cooking time based on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of crispiness. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mini potatoes turn out perfectly crispy and cooked to your desired doneness.

How to season the potatoes

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Potatoes

Start by washing the potatoes with water and drying them with a paper towel. This step ensures that you remove any dirt or residue from the potatoes' surface. If you have medium-sized potatoes, cut them into halves or bite-sized pieces to make them easier to eat and cook evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Seasoning Mixture

In a large bowl, add the potatoes and drizzle them with olive oil or another vegetable oil of your choice. You can also use a neutral vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower oil.

Next, it's time to add your choice of seasonings. You can use a variety of spices and herbs to flavour your potatoes. Here are some popular options:

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning (or Cajun seasoning for a spicier kick)
• Red pepper flakes or crushed chilli flakes
• Salt and black pepper
• Paprika
• Fresh or dried rosemary
• Parsley

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile. You can also try other spice blends like taco seasoning, Mrs. Dash, or your own custom blends.

Step 3: Toss the Potatoes with the Seasoning

After adding the seasonings to the bowl, toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the oil and spices. Make sure all the potatoes are well-coated to ensure consistent flavour and crispness. You can use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together thoroughly.

Step 4: Optional - Add Extras

At this point, you can choose to add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of your potatoes. Here are a few ideas:

• Grated Parmesan cheese: Adding Parmesan cheese will make your potatoes crispy and add a savoury note.
• Fresh garlic: Minced or crushed fresh garlic cloves can be used instead of garlic powder for a more robust garlic flavour.
• Fresh herbs: You can add additional fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for an extra burst of flavour and aroma.

Simply toss the potatoes with your desired extra ingredients, ensuring they are well-combined.

Step 5: Place the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Once your potatoes are seasoned to perfection, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Spread the potatoes into an even layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.

Now, you can follow the standard instructions for cooking mini potatoes in your air fryer, adjusting the temperature and timing as needed. Remember to shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process for even browning and crispness.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. These seasoned potatoes make a delicious side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy them with your favourite protein, dip, or sauce!

What to serve them with

Air fryer mini potatoes are a great side dish to serve with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on what to serve them with:

Breakfast

Mini potatoes can be served as a breakfast side dish with omelettes, bacon and eggs, or breakfast tacos/burritos. They can also be added to breakfast bowls or scrambled eggs.

Lunch/Dinner

Mini potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with various lunch and dinner options. They go well with:

• Meats such as steak, meatloaf, salmon, pork chops, and chicken.
• Fish such as salmon, halibut, or baked Alaska pollock.
• Burgers such as turkey burgers or chicken burgers.
• Salads, especially dinner salads for a heartier meal.

Appetizers/Snacks

Mini potatoes can be served as an appetizer or snack with a dip, such as whipped feta.

Special Occasions

Mini potatoes are also a great addition to special occasion meals, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.

Dietary Restrictions

For those on the Whole30 diet, mini potatoes are a good option to satisfy carb cravings. They can be served with other Whole30-compliant dishes such as Air Fryer Pistachio Crusted Salmon, Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, and Bacon Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops.

Frequently asked questions