Cody Casey
Air fryer fingerling potatoes are a quick, easy, and versatile side dish that can be made in under 20 minutes. The potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside. They can be seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, and served with a sprinkle of fresh or dried herbs. The key to getting crispy potatoes is to ensure they are evenly coated in oil and not overcrowded in the air fryer basket so that hot air can circulate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 375°F to 400°F |
| Time | 10-25 minutes |
| Oil | Olive oil |
| Seasoning | Garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, cilantro, lemon |
| Potato preparation | Halved or quartered |
| Potato type | Fingerling, baby, or creamer potatoes |
| Potato weight | 1.5 lbs or ⅓ lbs per person |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F
Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is the first step to achieving the perfect fingerling potatoes. This temperature ensures the potatoes cook through to the centre while crisping up on the outside.
Preheating is an important step in the cooking process as it ensures your potatoes start cooking at the right temperature as soon as they go into the air fryer. This helps to create a consistent cooking environment, which is key to achieving the desired crispy texture and creamy centre.
By preheating your air fryer, you also reduce the risk of your potatoes sticking to the basket, as the oil has a chance to heat up and create a non-stick surface. This step is especially important if you are using a spray oil, as the preheat gives the oil a chance to coat the basket evenly.
Additionally, preheating your air fryer to 400°F helps to reduce the overall cooking time. This is because your potatoes begin cooking immediately, rather than having to wait for the air fryer to reach the desired temperature. This is particularly beneficial for air fryers, as they often require less cooking time than traditional ovens.
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Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters
To start, you'll need to clean and dry your fingerling potatoes. Give them a good scrub to remove any dirt, and be sure to remove any sprouts, green or brown sections, or large eyes. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. This is an important step, as damp potatoes won't coat well with the seasoning mixture, and a dry exterior is necessary for the potatoes to crisp up in the air fryer.
Next, cut the potatoes into halves or quarters, aiming for similarly sized pieces. This step will ensure even cooking. If you are preparing your potatoes in advance, you can store the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. Just be sure to drain and pat them dry before proceeding with the recipe.
Once your potatoes are clean, dry, and cut, it's time to season them. Place them in a large mixing bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, or get creative with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even parmesan cheese. Give the potatoes a good toss until they are evenly coated in the seasoning mixture.
Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer! Place them in the basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. If you have a lot of potatoes, you may need to cook them in multiple batches. Set your air fryer to 400°F (some sources suggest 375°F or 390°F) and cook for 10-12 minutes to start. Then, shake the basket to ensure even cooking and set for another 5-12 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Check your potatoes at the 14-minute mark, and decide if they need a few more minutes.
Your potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and creamy on the inside. You can test this by piercing them with a knife or fork. Serve them immediately and enjoy!
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Season the potatoes with oil, salt, and spices
To season fingerling potatoes for the air fryer, start by slicing the potatoes into halves or quarters, aiming for similar-sized pieces. Give the potatoes a good scrub and thoroughly pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. This step is important because damp potatoes won't coat well with the seasoning mixture, and a dry exterior is necessary for the potatoes to crisp up in the air fryer.
Next, place the sliced potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add your oil of choice; olive oil is a popular option, but any high-smoke-point oil will work. Pour about two tablespoons of oil over the potatoes, or just enough to lightly coat them. You can also spray the potatoes with oil using a spray bottle.
Now it's time to add the spices. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with your favourite spice blends. Here are some popular spice and seasoning options for fingerling potatoes:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parmesan cheese
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Chives
- Sage
- Cilantro
Sprinkle your chosen spices over the potatoes, starting with a small amount (about half a teaspoon) and adding more to taste. Stir the potatoes in the bowl until they are evenly coated in oil and spices. You can also add some grated garlic to the mix for extra flavour.
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Air fry for 10 minutes, then toss and reset for 10-12 minutes
After the initial 10 minutes of air frying, you'll want to toss the potatoes. This is also a good opportunity to ensure they are not burning and are cooking evenly. Depending on your air fryer brand and potato size, you may need to adjust the timing and temperature. Give the potatoes a quick shake in the fryer basket and then reset the timer for another 10-12 minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, you can prepare a dressing or sauce to add extra flavour to the potatoes. For example, a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, fresh herbs, and salt. You could also add parmesan cheese to the potatoes at this stage for extra flavour and a crispy texture.
If you are cooking a larger batch of potatoes, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they cook evenly. It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket as this will prevent the hot air from circulating properly, and the potatoes will steam instead of roast.
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Serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs
To serve your air fryer fingerling potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, you can use a variety of herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, sage, or cilantro. Fresh herbs give the potatoes a sophisticated, herbal finish. You can also add dried herbs if you don't have access to fresh ones.
To prepare the potatoes, first, scrub and dry them to remove any dirt. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, such as halves or quarters, to ensure even cooking. Then, toss the potatoes in a mixing bowl with olive oil, your choice of spices, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. You can also add grated garlic and lemon juice to the mixing bowl for extra flavor.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray or a light coating of olive oil. Place the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding, as this will affect the cooking process.
Cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. If you prefer crispier potatoes, you can cook them for an additional 5-10 minutes. Once they are golden brown and fork-tender, transfer them to a serving platter. Sprinkle the potatoes with your chosen fresh or dried herbs and serve immediately while hot.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 12 to 20 minutes to cook fingerling potatoes in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 390 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
First, scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt and cut off any sprouts, green or brown sections, or large eyes. Then, slice the potatoes into halves or quarters, ensuring they are similar in size. Next, pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel and place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir until evenly coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the desired crispness is reached.
