Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer breakfast potatoes are a quick, easy, and delicious way to start your day. They are crispy, fluffy, and creamy, with a golden brown exterior and a tender interior. The best part? You only need a few simple ingredients and an air fryer to make them. This recipe is perfect for those who want a tasty and healthy breakfast without the grease of traditional fried potatoes. So, if you're looking for a new breakfast idea that will leave you feeling satisfied, air fryer breakfast potatoes are definitely worth a try!

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

The most commonly recommended types of potatoes for air fryer breakfast potatoes are Yukon Gold, Russet, and red potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are known for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, making them an excellent choice for this dish. Russet potatoes also work well because they hold their shape during cooking. However, don't be afraid to experiment with other varieties like sweet potatoes or yellow potatoes to add a unique twist to your breakfast.

Size

When it comes to size, aim for medium to small potatoes. This is because larger potatoes may take longer to cook and might not crisp up as nicely. If you're using larger potatoes, consider cutting them into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

Texture

The ideal texture for air fryer breakfast potatoes is fluffy and creamy on the inside with a crispy exterior. To achieve this, look for potatoes that are firm and not too waxy. Avoid potatoes that feel too soft or have sprouted, as they may not hold their shape during cooking.

Freshness

Always choose fresh, firm potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid potatoes that have started to sprout or show signs of shrivelling, as they may not cook evenly. Also, check the packaging for the "best before" date to ensure you're using potatoes that are in their prime.

Preparation

Before cooking, make sure to peel your potatoes, unless you prefer to keep the skin on for extra crispiness. Then, cut the potatoes into uniform cubes, typically around 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size. This ensures even cooking and browning. You can also soak the potatoes in water for a few hours or overnight to remove excess starch, although it's not necessary for air fryer breakfast potatoes.

Remember, the key to choosing the right potatoes is to select a variety that will hold its shape, cook evenly, and give you that desirable crispy and fluffy texture. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of potatoes to find your perfect breakfast spud!

Preparing the potatoes

First, choose the right type of potatoes. Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes are all great options. You can also leave the skin on for extra crispiness and added nutrients. Next, peel your potatoes if desired and rinse them thoroughly. Then, cut the potatoes into uniform cubes. Most recipes recommend cutting them into 1/2-inch or 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.

Once your potatoes are cubed, place them in a large bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add some garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or chili powder for extra flavour. Give the potatoes a good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.

At this point, you can choose to let the potatoes sit for a bit to absorb the flavours, or you can go ahead and preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Preheating is not necessary for all models, so check your air fryer's instructions.

After preheating, it's time to coat the potatoes in oil. You can use olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or any neutral oil of your choice. Give the potatoes another good toss to ensure they are well-coated.

Now, you're ready to cook the potatoes in your air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes. Then, shake the basket to toss the potatoes and ensure even cooking. Return them to the air fryer for another 5-10 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy air fryer breakfast potatoes that are perfect for serving with eggs, bacon, or any other breakfast dish. Enjoy!

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes

The type of potatoes you choose can impact the final texture and taste of your dish. Yukon Gold potatoes are a popular choice due to their creamy texture and buttery flavour. Russet potatoes are also a great option, as they hold their shape well during cooking. You can also use red potatoes or sweet potatoes for a tasty twist.

Preparing the Potatoes

Start by peeling your potatoes, unless you prefer to keep the skin on for extra crispiness. Then, cut the potatoes into uniform cubes, typically ranging from 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size. This ensures even cooking and browning. You can also soak the potatoes in water for a few hours or overnight to remove excess starch, although it's not necessary for air fryer potatoes.

Selecting the Right Oil

When it comes to oil, a neutral oil like grapeseed, avocado, or vegetable oil is best to let the flavours of your simple ingredients shine through. However, you can also use olive oil, canola oil, or any other oil of your choice.

Seasoning Options

For a classic breakfast potato flavour, a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper is a perfect choice. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley for a hint of freshness and colour. If you want to kick up the heat, add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to your seasoning mix. Alternatively, you can try different combinations of spices and herbs, such as Cajun seasoning, Mediterranean Greek seasoning, or fresh rosemary and thyme.

Coating the Potatoes

Place your cubed potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with your chosen oil. Add the seasonings of your choice and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated. Make sure to taste as you go and adjust the seasoning to your preference.

Timing is Everything

It's important to season the potatoes just before cooking. Adding salt too early will draw out moisture, inhibiting the crisping process. So, make sure to pat your potatoes dry before adding the seasonings and placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking the potatoes

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make air fryer breakfast potatoes:

• Potatoes (russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes)
• Olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Parsley (optional)

Preparing the potatoes

First, peel your potatoes. Then, cut them into 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated in the oil and seasoning.

Air frying the potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Air fry the potatoes for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and air fry for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.

Serving the potatoes

Air fryer breakfast potatoes go well with eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, or toast. You can also add some fresh herbs, hot sauce, or sour cream for extra flavor.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer breakfast potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Classic Breakfast Plate

Add some protein to your plate of air fryer breakfast potatoes by frying or air-frying eggs, bacon, ham, or sausage. You could also add some diced peppers and onions for a more colourful and flavourful dish. This classic combination is sure to satisfy your breakfast cravings.

Breakfast Burritos or Quesadillas

Use the air fryer breakfast potatoes as an ingredient in breakfast burritos or quesadillas. Add some scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat for a hearty and flavourful breakfast wrap.

Hearty Breakfast Hash

Combine the air fryer breakfast potatoes with onions, bell peppers, and your choice of meat to create a delicious and hearty breakfast hash. Top it off with a fried egg for a complete meal.

Brunch Spread

If you're hosting a brunch, air fryer breakfast potatoes can be a great addition to your spread. Serve them with fancier mains such as breakfast cauliflower pizza, asparagus quiche, coffee cake, or healthy pumpkin muffins with cinnamon "sugar".

Healthy Twist

For a healthier option, swap the russet potatoes with sweet potatoes to increase the fibre and beta-carotene content of your meal. You can also serve the air fryer breakfast potatoes with a vegetarian omelette or avocado toast for a nutritious start to your day.

Frequently asked questions