Air-Fryer Small Red Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Cooking small red potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a versatile, tasty, and healthy side dish. The air fryer's hot air circulation makes the potatoes crispy on the outside and tender on the inside in a fraction of the time it would take to roast them in an oven. This method is also adaptable to your favourite seasonings, making it an excellent option for a variety of meals, from breakfast to dinner.

Pre-heat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not all air fryer recipes require pre-heating, but this step is recommended when cooking small red potatoes. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F before adding the potatoes, you create the ideal environment for roasting. This higher temperature allows the potatoes to caramelize and achieve that desirable crispy texture in a shorter amount of time.

It is worth noting that different air fryers have different preheating functions and temperatures, so be sure to consult your air fryer's instructions. Generally, it is a good idea to give your air fryer a few minutes to heat up before adding your ingredients. This ensures that your cooking time is accurate and that your potatoes will cook evenly.

When preparing your small red potatoes, cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. This is especially important if you are cooking larger potatoes, as you want to ensure they cook through. If your potatoes are already small, around the size of a golf ball, you may not need to cut them at all.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can carefully place your potatoes into the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate properly and helps to avoid uneven cooking or browning.

Wash and dry the potatoes

Preparing your potatoes properly is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your potatoes are clean and ready to absorb the seasonings and oils that will make them tasty.

First, wash your potatoes. You can use water and your hands to scrub the potatoes and remove any dirt or debris. This step is important for food safety, as it will help to remove bacteria from the surface of the potatoes.

After washing, it is essential to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to absorb any moisture from the potato skins. This step is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness when cooking. If the potatoes are not dried properly, the seasoning will not stick to the skin, and they will not become crispy.

Once your potatoes are washed and dried, you can move on to the next steps of the recipe, such as cutting, seasoning, and cooking.

By taking the time to properly wash and dry your potatoes, you are ensuring that your final dish will not only be safe to eat but also have the best possible texture and flavor.

Cut potatoes into even sizes

Cutting the potatoes into even sizes is an important step in the cooking process. This is because it ensures that the potatoes cook evenly, which is essential for achieving the desired level of crispiness and tenderness.

When cutting the potatoes, aim for uniform sizes. This means that each potato piece should be roughly the same size as the others. This can be achieved by cutting the potatoes into bite-sized pieces or smaller sizes, especially if you have larger potatoes. For example, one source suggests cutting the potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces, while another recommends cutting them into 1/2 to 1-inch pieces if you are using sweet potatoes.

It is also important to note that the size of the potato pieces will affect the cooking time. Smaller pieces will cook faster, so if you cut your potatoes into smaller sizes, you may need to reduce the cooking time accordingly.

Additionally, it is recommended to cook the potatoes in batches if your air fryer is not large enough to accommodate all the potatoes in a single layer. This ensures that the hot air can circulate evenly around each potato piece, resulting in even cooking and browning.

By following these instructions and cutting your potatoes into even sizes, you can ensure that your air-fried small red potatoes turn out crispy and perfectly cooked.

Add oil and seasoning

When it comes to adding oil and seasoning to your small red potatoes, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, make sure to dry your potatoes thoroughly after washing them. This is important because it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the potato skins, resulting in a crispier final product. You can use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel for this step.

Next, choose your oil. Olive oil is a popular choice for air-fried potatoes as it gives them a well-seasoned exterior and irresistible crispiness. However, you can also use other mild-flavoured oils such as avocado oil, ghee, vegetable oil, canola oil, or even bacon grease if you're feeling adventurous.

Now, it's time to select your seasonings. The beauty of air-fried potatoes is that you can customise the seasonings to your preference. A basic, savoury mix of dried thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper is always a good option. You can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, Cajun or Creole seasoning, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cumin, chili powder, oregano, basil, dill, or even a store-bought spice blend.

Once you've chosen your oil and seasonings, it's time to toss the potatoes. Place your small red potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with the oil of your choice. Add your selected seasonings and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated. You can also add some fresh or dried rosemary at this stage for a distinctive yet subtle taste.

Finally, don't forget to preheat your air fryer. A preheated air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will help your potatoes roast quickly and achieve maximum crispiness. So, before you add your seasoned potatoes, make sure your air fryer is nice and hot!

Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer

If you are reheating a larger quantity of potatoes, you may need to cook them in two batches to ensure they are arranged in a single layer and not piled on top of each other. This will help them reheat evenly and get crispy.

You can also adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your potatoes. For example, if you have larger potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces before reheating to ensure they get crispy and are heated through.

The best way to tell if your potatoes are done is by using the "knife test." Pierce the center of a potato with a knife or fork. If the blade enters and exits the flesh easily, your potatoes are ready to be enjoyed!

Frequently asked questions