Air Fryer Potato Cubes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer potato cubes are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be served with almost anything. They are a great alternative to deep-fried potatoes and are much healthier than oven-roasted potatoes as they require less oil. The air fryer also cuts down the cooking time by almost half. You can use any type of potato, but russet, red, Yukon gold, and baby potatoes are said to work best. The potatoes are seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs and are then air-fried to perfection, resulting in a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The best potatoes for air fryer cubes are those with a higher starch content, also known as "floury" potatoes. These potatoes tend to have a fluffier texture when cooked, making them ideal for absorbing seasonings and creating a crispy exterior. Varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Russet, Red potatoes, Yukon Gold, and Desiree are excellent choices. These potatoes are widely available and work well for air frying.

Size and Shape

When choosing potatoes, look for those that are similar in size and shape. This ensures that they cook evenly in the air fryer. Aim for potatoes that are all roughly the same size, or cut them into uniform pieces if needed. This will help prevent overcooking or undercooking, ensuring that all your potato cubes turn out perfectly.

Skin-On or Peeled

Leaving the skin on your potatoes adds a rustic, woody flavour to your dish and is perfectly fine for air frying. The skin also helps the potatoes crisp up nicely. However, if you prefer a smoother texture or want to create a more refined dish, you can opt for peeled potatoes. Peeled potatoes will still cook well in the air fryer and absorb the flavours of your seasonings.

Fresh or Frozen

Fresh potatoes are ideal for air frying, but if you're short on time or don't have any on hand, you can use frozen potatoes. Frozen diced potatoes are readily available in most grocery stores and can go straight from the freezer into your air fryer. Just be aware that frozen potatoes may require a slightly longer cooking time, and it's important to flip them midway through the cooking process.

Pre-Cooking

There is no need to parboil or pre-cook your potatoes before air frying. Air frying works best with raw potatoes, as it helps achieve the desired crispy exterior and fluffy interior. However, if you already have boiled or cooked potatoes, you can still air fry them. Just reduce the cooking time by half to avoid overcooking.

In summary, when choosing potatoes for air fryer cubes, opt for starchy varieties like Maris Piper, King Edward, Russet, or Yukon Gold. Look for potatoes that are similar in size and shape, and don't be afraid to leave the skin on for added flavour and texture. Fresh potatoes are best, but frozen is a convenient alternative. With the right potatoes and proper preparation, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy air fryer potato cubes.

Preparing the potatoes

Next, it's time to dice the potatoes. For even cooking, cut the potatoes into cubes of the same size. A helpful tip for dicing is to first slice the potatoes in half lengthwise, then place the flat side down on the cutting board and dice. If you want smaller pieces, make another longwise cut parallel to the initial half cut before cross-cutting into cubes.

Once the potatoes are diced, it's time to season them. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You only need a small amount of oil, as too much will make the potatoes soggy. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil.

Now, it's time to add your desired spices and herbs. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, parsley, rosemary, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix the potatoes well to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Your potatoes are now ready to be placed into the air fryer!

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Yukon Gold, Russets, or Red potatoes, are ideal for air fryer cubes. These varieties have a higher starch content, resulting in a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.

Preparation:

After selecting your potatoes, give them a good wash under running water. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds a rustic, woody flavour and provides a great crispy texture. Once cleaned, pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.

Cutting and Seasoning:

Cutting the potatoes into uniform cubes is essential for even cooking. Aim for a size of around 2.5 cm (1 inch) to ensure they cook through properly. Place the cubed potatoes in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or avocado oil. You don't need much oil, as air frying requires less oil than traditional frying methods. Just enough to give the potatoes a light coating will do.

Now, it's time to add your seasonings. For classic air fryer potato cubes, you can go with a simple combination of dried parsley, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Give the potatoes a good toss to ensure each cube is evenly coated with oil and seasonings. You can also experiment with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning to create your signature blend.

Customisation:

The beauty of seasoning potato cubes is that you can customise the flavours to your liking or to complement the main dish. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some paprika, rosemary, or red pepper flakes to the mix. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of the potatoes after they come out of the air fryer for an extra indulgent touch.

Final Thoughts:

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to taste as you go. If you're using a new spice blend, start with a smaller amount and adjust to your preference. You can always add more, but it's challenging to tone down an overly seasoned dish. Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your air fryer potato cubes!

Cooking the potatoes

First, wash the potatoes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on will make them crispier.

Next, cut the potatoes into cubes. For even cooking, make sure the cubes are all roughly the same size. Place the cubed potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You only need a small amount of oil—around half a teaspoon to one tablespoon is enough. Toss the potatoes in the oil to ensure they are evenly coated.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. You can use any combination of herbs and spices you like. Popular options include Italian seasoning, paprika, parsley, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add your chosen seasonings to the bowl of potatoes and toss again to ensure they are evenly coated.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Then, spread the seasoned potatoes in the basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket—if necessary, cook the potatoes in batches.

Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to between 180°C/360°F and 400°F. Cook for 10 minutes, then remove the basket and shake to ensure the potatoes cook evenly. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown on the outside, and fluffy and tender on the inside.

Once cooked, serve the potatoes immediately with your choice of sides. Enjoy!

Serving the potatoes

These air fryer potato cubes are a versatile side dish that can be served with almost anything. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• As a side dish with steak, chicken, or fish: Air fryer potato cubes go well with meat and seafood. Serve them alongside steak, air fryer cod, chicken, or salmon.
• With roasted vegetables: Potato cubes can be paired with roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, eggplant, or Mediterranean vegetables.
• In a breakfast taco or burrito: These crispy potato cubes are a great addition to breakfast dishes like tacos or burritos.
• With dips: Serve the potato cubes with dips like ketchup, ranch dressing, Cajun mayo (a mix of Sriracha and mayonnaise), or whipped feta.
• As a base for other dishes: Use the potato cubes as a base and top them with skillet meals such as sausage and zucchini, or turkey and zucchini.
• With eggs: Potato cubes are a tasty side dish for fried eggs, a frittata, or scrambled eggs.
• In a casserole: These potato cubes can be added to casseroles for a hearty and flavourful dish.
• As a snack: Enjoy the potato cubes as a crunchy snack on their own or with a dip.
• With other air fryer dishes: Potato cubes go well with other air fryer foods like chicken wings, bacon, or chicken tenders.

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftover potato cubes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 400°F for 4-5 minutes, or until they are hot and crispy again.

Frequently asked questions