Air-Fryer Baby Reds: Crispy, Quick, And Delicious

Air fryers are a convenient way to make crispy, tasty potatoes. They can be used to make a variety of potato dishes, including baby red potatoes. This paragraph will introduce the topic of how to make baby red potatoes in an air fryer, including the ingredients, method, and serving suggestions.

Choosing the right potatoes

Type of Potatoes

When making air-fried baby red potatoes, it is best to use small, creamy, and mildly sweet red potatoes, also known as red skin or new potatoes. These potatoes have thinner skin, which is ideal for achieving a crispy texture. Other varieties of new potatoes that you can use include fingerlings, Yukon Gold, baby russets, or a combination of red, gold, and purple potatoes. Avoid using potatoes with high starch content, such as russet potatoes, as they won't crisp up or tenderize as well.

Potato Size

For air-frying, it is important to use small or baby potatoes. If the potatoes are larger, cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can halve or quarter baby red potatoes, while larger red potatoes may need to be cut into at least eighths. This will ensure that the potatoes cook evenly and achieve the desired crispy texture on the outside and a soft, creamy texture on the inside.

Potato Preparation

Before air-frying, make sure to wash and thoroughly dry the potatoes. This step is crucial as it removes any bacteria and debris. Drying the potatoes is essential to ensure that the seasoning sticks to the potato skin, resulting in a crispier final product. You can also leave the skin on, as it contributes to the crispy texture. If desired, you can peel the potatoes, but it is not necessary.

Oil and Seasoning

Coating the potatoes with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, is essential to help them crisp up and prevent sticking to the air fryer basket. You can also use other mild-flavored oils like avocado oil or ghee. For seasoning, a basic combination of dried thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper works well. However, feel free to experiment with other spices and herbs like rosemary, parsley, or chives to suit your taste preferences.

Remember, the key to choosing the right potatoes for air-frying is selecting the appropriate variety, ensuring they are small or cut into uniform pieces, properly preparing them by washing and drying, and using the right amount of oil and seasoning to enhance their flavor and texture.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, wash and dry the baby red potatoes thoroughly. It is important to remove any dirt or bacteria before cooking. You can use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to ensure the potatoes are completely dry. This step is crucial as it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the potatoes and they will crisp up during cooking.

Next, cut the potatoes into uniform sizes. For baby red potatoes, this usually involves halving or quartering them. Cutting them into even pieces ensures that they cook evenly in the air fryer. If you are using larger red potatoes, you may need to cut them into eighths or smaller pieces.

Once the potatoes are washed, dried, and cut, it's time to season them. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Add your desired seasonings and herbs. You can use a basic combination of dried thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or get creative with other spices and blends such as Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or fresh rosemary. Toss the potatoes gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

After the potatoes are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. This step is crucial for even cooking and maximum crispiness. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

With the potatoes in the air fryer, you can now set the temperature and cooking time. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, but on average, the potatoes will take around 10-20 minutes to cook. For best results, shake the basket or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Keep an eye on the potatoes and adjust the cooking time as needed. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and tender. You can check their doneness by piercing them with a knife or fork. If the knife goes through easily, they are ready to be removed from the air fryer.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked baby red potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them as a delicious side dish or enjoy them as a snack.

Seasoning the potatoes

The key to tasty air-fried baby red potatoes is to season them well. The beauty of this recipe is that you can use whatever herbs and spices you have available. You can also adjust the quantities to suit your taste preferences.

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

Before seasoning, wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This is important because it ensures the seasoning will stick to the potatoes.

Step 2: Add the seasoning

Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Then, add your chosen herbs and spices. You can use fresh or dried herbs, but remember that dried herbs have a more intense flavour than fresh.

For the herbs, you could use rosemary, parsley, thyme, dill, oregano, or basil. If you want to add a spicy kick to your potatoes, you could include cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or red pepper flakes.

For a simple option, just use salt and pepper. If you want to add a little extra flavour, you could use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.

Step 3: Toss the potatoes

Gently toss the potatoes in the bowl until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Add extras

If you want to make your potatoes extra crispy, you can add a little grated Parmesan cheese to the mix.

Step 5: Cook the potatoes

Place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook until they are golden brown and tender.

Tips:

• You can experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your favourite flavour profile.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the potatoes in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to add a little extra flavour, squeeze some lemon over the potatoes before serving.

Cooking the potatoes

Now that you have your ingredients and your air fryer is preheated to 400°F, it's time to cook the potatoes. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer and making sure they're not piled on top of each other. This will help them get nice and crispy as they roast. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they're not overcrowded.

For baby red potatoes, cooking time will typically range from 15 to 20 minutes. If you're cooking larger potatoes, you may need to increase the cooking time accordingly. It's a good idea to shake the basket or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Once the potatoes are fork-tender with crispy, golden brown edges, they're ready to be removed from the air fryer. Give them a good toss or stir to ensure they're evenly coated with the herbs and spices.

If you're serving them as a side dish, consider pairing them with a juicy ribeye steak, pan-seared herbed chicken, grilled lemon lime chicken, mini meatloaves, or maple-glazed salmon. They also make a great addition to breakfast or brunch bowls and dinner salads.

For an extra touch of flavour, you can garnish the potatoes with additional fresh herbs such as rosemary, parsley, chives, or thyme. Serve them warm, and enjoy the crispy exterior and soft, creamy interior that only an air fryer can deliver!

Serving the potatoes

Once your baby red potatoes are cooked, you can serve them as a side dish or an appetizer. They go well with a variety of meals, including chicken, steak, salmon, and salad. Here are some specific serving suggestions:

• Add them to your Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner menus.
• Serve them as a side dish with pan-seared herbed chicken, grilled lemon lime chicken, or mini meatloaves.
• Include them in a breakfast or brunch bowl.
• Pair them with maple-glazed salmon or parmesan-breaded fish.
• Put them in your breakfast tacos or burritos.
• Serve them as a hearty side to steak or chicken dinners.
• Pair them with a dip and serve them as an appetizer.

You can also sprinkle your air-fried baby red potatoes with additional salt, herbs, and parmesan cheese directly after cooking while the potatoes are still hot. This will help the potatoes develop richer, savoury flavours.

If you have any leftover potatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to five days. When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-7 minutes, or until they're warmed through.

Frequently asked questions