Ella Walter
Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying. They require less oil and reduce the excess starch on the potato surface, making them a guilt-free delight. Air fryer potatoes are also fast, easy to make, and can be served with almost anything. They are a perfect side dish and can be customised based on what you have on hand. You can use any type of potato, such as Russet, Yukon Gold, or sweet potatoes, and season them with spices like salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, or parmesan cheese. To ensure crispy potatoes, it is important to cut them into evenly sized cubes, preheat the air fryer, and shake the basket halfway through cooking.
How to cook cut-up potatoes in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 15-30 minutes |
| Potato type | Russet, Yukon Gold, Red, Yellow, Sweet, White |
| Potato shape | 1-2 inch cubes |
| Oil | Olive, Avocado, Cooking Spray |
| Seasoning | Salt, Black Pepper, Parsley, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Herbs |
| Basket type | Basket style |
| Basket action | Shake halfway through |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days |
| Reheating | Air fryer for 5-8 minutes at 350F |
| Freezing | Freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right potato
Potato Variety
The most popular varieties for air frying are Russet, Yukon Gold, and yellow potatoes. Russet potatoes are known for their starchy texture and ability to crisp up wonderfully, resulting in a pale golden colour with soft and fluffy insides. Yukon Gold and yellow potatoes, including Baby Golden potatoes, are also excellent choices as they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Their insides remain creamy and flavourful.
If you're looking for a darker golden brown colour, red potatoes are a great option. Their higher sugar and lower starch content give them a crispy exterior that softens quickly, resulting in creamy and soft insides.
Uniform Size and Shape
To ensure even cooking and crispiness, it's important to cut your potatoes into uniform-sized pieces. Aim for cubes of around 2 cm or 1-inch in size. This helps achieve the desired level of crispiness as they cook at a similar rate.
Starch Content
Potatoes with a blend of waxy and floury characteristics tend to yield the best results in an air fryer. Soaking the potatoes before cooking helps remove excess starch, which can interfere with even cooking and create a sticky texture. By soaking the cubed potatoes in cold water and then rinsing and drying them, you can reduce the starch content and promote a crispier texture.
Skin-On or Peeled
Leaving the skin on your potatoes before air frying adds to the crispy texture. The potato skins crisp up beautifully, providing a delicious bite. Simply give the potatoes a good scrub and pat them dry before cutting and seasoning.
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Preparing the potatoes
Next, peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized cubes of around 1-2 inches. The key here is to ensure that the pieces are similar in size to allow for even cooking. If you have time, soak the cubed potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which can prevent them from achieving the desired crispiness. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel.
Then, toss the potatoes with a small amount of oil and your desired seasonings. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can use any type of oil you prefer. For seasonings, you can use salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, or dried parsley. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs.
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Seasoning and oiling
When it comes to oil, you can use a variety of options, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil of your choice. Olive oil is a popular choice due to its versatility and health benefits, but feel free to experiment with different oils to find your favourite. You can also use an oil spray or cooking spray to reduce the amount of oil used and still achieve delicious results.
For seasoning, the possibilities are endless. The most commonly used seasonings include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and rosemary. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs, such as dried parsley, chili powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, or herbs de Provence. The key is to find a balance between enhancing the natural flavour of the potatoes and adding your own unique twist.
To ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness, it is important to toss the potato chunks in oil and seasoning before placing them in the air fryer. This step ensures that the potatoes are evenly coated and helps to achieve that perfect crispy texture on the outside while keeping them tender on the inside. You can also add parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast towards the end of the cooking process for an extra layer of flavour.
Don't be afraid to adjust the seasoning quantities to suit your taste preferences. Potatoes are quite bland on their own, so don't hold back on the spices! You can also customise your potatoes by using different types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, russet, red, or sweet potatoes, each bringing its unique flavour and texture to the dish.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for air fryer potatoes will depend on the type of potato you are using, the size of the potato pieces, and the desired level of crispiness. For example, russet potatoes may take slightly longer to cook than Yukon Gold potatoes.
As a general rule, it is recommended that you preheat your air fryer before adding the potatoes. This helps to jump-start the cooking process and ensures a crispy exterior. The potatoes should be cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces, around 1 to 2 inches thick. Smaller pieces will cook faster and more evenly.
The cooking time will vary depending on the desired level of crispiness. For crispy potatoes, it is recommended to cook them at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time. For example, cooking potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes will result in golden brown and crispy potatoes. On the other hand, cooking potatoes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes will also produce crispy potatoes, but with a slightly shorter cooking time.
If you are cooking frozen potatoes, it is recommended to cook them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. For a gluten-free option, simply leave out the parmesan cheese. If you are looking for a vegan alternative, you can replace the parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit it entirely.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your potatoes to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Additionally, shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking helps to promote even cooking and prevent sticking.
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Storing and reheating
When you're ready to reheat your potatoes, the air fryer is your best option for speed and convenience. It's also a great way to ensure your potatoes retain their crispy texture. Simply preheat your air fryer to 375°F–400°F and arrange the leftover potato cubes in a single layer on the tray or in the basket. Heat for around four minutes or until warmed through. There's no need to flip them.
You can also reheat potatoes in a frying pan. Heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat, add the potatoes, and toss to coat in oil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Let the potatoes cook for 2–3 minutes until warmed through. Then, remove the lid, increase the heat, and cook for another minute or two until they're crispy again.
If you want to repurpose your leftover potatoes, you can sauté some onion, garlic, and pepper, then add the potatoes and cook until warmed through. You can also add extra spices and serve with a fried egg and avocado.
It's best not to reheat potatoes more than twice, as they may dry out. It's also not advisable to use a microwave, as this can make your potatoes soggy.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 20 minutes to cook cut-up potatoes in an air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 350°F. If you are cooking frozen potatoes, cook them at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized cubes, about 1-2 inch thick. Soak the potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Then, rinse and pat them dry. Toss the potatoes in olive oil and your choice of seasonings.
