Perfect Air Fryer Roast Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, Golden

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for a time-constrained side. They are also a healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes, as they use a fraction of the oil to achieve a similar crispiness. The process is simple: cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces, coat them in olive oil and seasoning, and cook in the air fryer for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. The result is a delicious dish with a fluffy interior and a golden, crispy exterior.

Choosing the right potatoes

Types of Potatoes

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These are recommended by many sources and are known for their ability to crisp up nicely while having a creamy and flavourful interior. They are a good choice for air frying due to their lower starch and higher sugar content.
• Red Potatoes: Red potatoes will also crisp up in the air fryer, but they tend to turn a darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when they come out of the air fryer but will soften quickly.
• Russet Potatoes: This variety of potato will air fry beautifully, giving you a pale golden colour and a fluffy interior with a mild flavour. They are an excellent choice for air fryer roast potatoes.
• Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early and have a high sugar content. They roast perfectly in the air fryer and hold their shape well. However, they can be challenging to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Tips for Choosing Potatoes

When selecting potatoes for your air fryer roast, look for the following characteristics:

• Uniform Size: Choose potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. This will help you avoid having some potatoes overcooked while others are still undercooked.
• Free from Blemishes: Look for potatoes that are free from eyes, green/black spots, and other blemishes. These imperfections can affect the taste and texture of your roast potatoes.
• Floury Potatoes: For air fryer roast potatoes, it is generally recommended to use floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or Rooster potatoes. These types of potatoes tend to give a fluffier texture.
• Organic and Rustic: If you prefer to leave the skin on your potatoes (which can add a nice crispness), try to find organic potatoes to reduce the amount of peeling and scrubbing needed.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer roast potatoes is to choose potatoes that are similar in size and free from blemishes. The type of potato you select will depend on your personal preference and the specific characteristics you want in your roast potatoes.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select the right type of potatoes. Yukon Golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and baby or new potatoes are all great options for air frying. These varieties will crisp up nicely and have a creamy texture when cooked.

Next, wash the potatoes thoroughly, especially if you plan to leave the skin on. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but the skin adds a delicious crispness to your roast potatoes.

Now, cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Aim for bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch thick. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly in the air fryer.

Place the chopped potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also add your desired seasonings at this stage. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are fully coated in oil and seasoning. You can experiment with different seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or even cajun or taco seasoning for a kick.

If you're using starchy potatoes like russets, consider soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting. This step helps to remove excess starch and prevents the potatoes from becoming too steamed during cooking. Just remember to pat the potatoes dry before adding them to the air fryer.

Once your potatoes are prepared, they're ready for the air fryer!

Seasoning the potatoes

• Oil: Use a light coating of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, to help the potatoes crisp up and brown. This also adds flavour. Avoid using aerosol cooking sprays as they can damage the coating of your air fryer basket.
• Salt: Season generously with salt to taste. Salt enhances the flavour and helps to create a crispy texture, especially when left on the skin.
• Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle kick to the potatoes.
• Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs can be added for extra flavour. Thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, and dill are excellent choices.
• Garlic: Freshly minced or crushed garlic cloves add a punch of flavour. Alternatively, use garlic powder or granules.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, chilli powder, or Cajun spice blends for a kick.
• Cheese: Finely shredded Parmesan cheese can be added for a savoury touch.
• Other seasonings: Ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, lemon juice, and bacon bits are also great additions.

When seasoning the potatoes, toss them in a large bowl with the oil and chosen seasonings until they are well coated. Ensure the potatoes are similar in size for even cooking. You can also add fresh herbs and garlic cloves to the air fryer basket while cooking for extra flavour.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite!

Cooking the potatoes

There are several methods for cooking potatoes in an air fryer, with most recipes taking around 20 minutes. One method is to parboil the potatoes first, then transfer them to a foil parcel in the air fryer. However, this method is not recommended as the potatoes tend to dry out.

A better option is to cook the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket, drizzled in oil. This will give a nice browned skin, although they won't be hugely crispy. For crispier potatoes, it's recommended to use a shallow tray insert so that the potatoes are in contact with the oil, creating a thicker skin of crunch.

If you're short on time, you can skip the parboiling stage. Simply peel and chop your potatoes into chunks, rinse, and pat dry. Place a shallow tray insert into your air fryer basket, add the potatoes, and drizzle with oil. Give the potatoes a good stir so they're fully coated, then cook for 5 minutes at 200C/400F. Turn the potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Next, turn the potatoes again and ruffle the edges slightly by bashing them with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with a little more oil and cook for another 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

For even crispier potatoes, you can parboil them first. After peeling and chopping the potatoes, parboil them for 8-9 minutes until softened at the edges. Drain and shake to fluff up the edges, then add to the air fryer tray insert with oil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

If you're using starchy potatoes, it's a good idea to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove the excess starch. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before adding to the air fryer, otherwise, they will steam rather than roast.

Serving the potatoes

These air fryer roast potatoes can be served as a side dish or an appetizer. They can be served with a variety of main dishes, such as:

• Meat: Pan-seared steak, creamy Tuscan chicken, or juicy pork tenderloin.
• Roasts: Juicy roast turkey or Mississippi pot roast.
• Veggies: Green salad, roasted cauliflower, or roasted asparagus.

They can also be served with a tasty homemade dip such as ranch dressing, Yum yum sauce, lime crema, or guacamole.

For breakfast, they can be served with bacon and fried eggs.

If you want to add a little extra crispness, you can toss the potatoes in a little flour before putting them in the fryer with the oil.

Frequently asked questions