Air-Fryer Fingerling Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Air fryer fingerling potatoes are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be made in about 20 minutes. They are crispy, light, and fluffy, with a golden-brown exterior and a creamy texture. The potatoes can be seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, and cooked in an air fryer for 14 to 18 minutes. The key to getting them crispy is shaking the basket at the 10-minute mark and ensuring they are not overcrowded so that hot air can circulate evenly.

Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes Characteristics and Values

Preparation tips

Cleaning and Cutting

Scrub your fingerling potatoes to remove any dirt, and remove any sprouts, green or brown sections, or large eyes. Cut the potatoes into even sizes to ensure they cook at the same time. You can slice them in half or quarters if some seem bigger.

Seasoning

Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Damp potatoes won't coat well with the seasoning mixture. Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Toss the potatoes until they have an even coating. You can use salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Line the bottom of the fryer with parchment paper if you're using cheese, to prevent it from falling off. Place the seasoned potatoes in the fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, shake the basket and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness.

Serving

Sprinkle the potatoes with fresh or dried herbs like parsley, chives, sage, or thyme. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy your potatoes as a side dish with chicken and vegetables or any other meal.

Choosing the right oil

When it comes to choosing the right oil for cooking fingerling potatoes in an air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to use an oil with a high smoke point, as air frying typically involves high temperatures. Oils with a lower smoke point may start to smoke and burn at the temperatures required for air frying, which can affect the taste of your food and produce harmful compounds.

So, which oils have a high enough smoke point for air frying? The ideal choices are oils like avocado oil, peanut oil, and extra virgin olive oil. These oils have smoke points above 400°F, which is the typical temperature used for air frying fingerling potatoes. For example, avocado oil has a smoke point of 520°F, making it an excellent choice for air frying.

You'll also want to consider the flavour of the oil and how it will complement your potatoes. Extra virgin olive oil has a distinct flavour that can enhance the taste of your potatoes, especially if you're using herbs and spices like rosemary or garlic. However, if you want a more neutral-tasting oil that won't overpower your other ingredients, avocado oil or peanut oil might be a better choice.

Finally, you'll want to use an oil that is healthy and safe for cooking. All three of the oils mentioned above are good choices in this regard. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, is known for its heart-healthy benefits due to its high content of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Avocado oil is also rich in healthy fats and has been linked to improved heart health. Peanut oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, offering potential health benefits as well.

In conclusion, when choosing the right oil for cooking fingerling potatoes in an air fryer, opt for an oil with a high smoke point, a complementary flavour, and potential health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and peanut oil are all excellent choices that tick these boxes and will help you achieve delicious, crispy, and healthy air-fried potatoes.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer fingerling potatoes can vary slightly depending on the desired level of crispness and the specific air fryer being used. However, most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Once the air fryer has been preheated, the potatoes should be placed inside and cooked for 10 minutes initially. After this, the potatoes should be stirred or shaken to ensure even cooking, and then cooked for an additional 5-12 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness. It is recommended to check the potatoes at the 14-minute mark and then decide if they need to be cooked longer.

Some recipes suggest cooking the potatoes at a lower temperature of 375°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown, checking every minute or so after the initial 15 minutes.

It is important to note that the size of the potatoes can also impact the cooking time, with larger potatoes potentially requiring a longer cooking time.

Adding seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, you can get creative and experiment with different spices and herbs to suit your taste. A basic seasoning mix for fingerling potatoes typically includes olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can then add other spices and herbs such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, rosemary, thyme, or chives. For a spicy kick, add some chili powder. You can also sprinkle on some parmesan cheese before cooking, adding flavour and a crispy texture.

It is important to note that the size of the potatoes will impact the cooking time, so try to cut them into even sizes to ensure they cook evenly. After cutting the potatoes, place them in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Then, add your desired spices and herbs, tossing the potatoes until they are evenly coated. You can start with a small amount of each spice and adjust to your taste.

Once the potatoes are seasoned, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This is important because the hot air needs to be able to circulate evenly around the potatoes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes before shaking the basket to ensure even cooking. Depending on your desired level of crispness, cook for an additional 5-12 minutes.

Finally, serve your air fryer fingerling potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a final dusting of salt to taste. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer fingerling potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions:

Salads

Air fryer fingerling potatoes can be a great addition to salads, providing a crunchy texture and a tasty flavour. They can be chopped and sprinkled over a variety of salads, such as a Nicoise salad or a potato salad. For a warm potato salad, you can combine the potatoes with bacon, corn, and mayonnaise.

Main Dishes

These potatoes can be served as a side dish to a variety of main courses, including chicken breast, chicken drumsticks, chicken wings, Italian chicken cutlets, salmon, pork tenderloin, or steak. They also go well with Brussels sprouts and other side dishes, making them a versatile option for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.

Dipping Sauces

Air fryer fingerling potatoes can be served with various dipping sauces, such as pesto, chipotle, garlic aioli, ranch dressing, or marinara. They can also be served with a parsley aioli, made with mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.

Herbs and Spices

When serving the potatoes, you can add some fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary, to enhance the flavour. You can also add some spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. Additionally, a sprinkle of kosher salt can improve the overall taste of the dish.

Reheating

If you have any leftover potatoes, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, ensuring they retain their crispy texture. However, it is recommended not to reheat them more than once, as the potatoes may not stay crispy.

Frequently asked questions