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

Air fryer breakfast potatoes are a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast option. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The best part? You can make them in under 30 minutes! All you need are some potatoes, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings. You can even add some veggies or meat to make it a hearty meal. So, if you're looking for a tasty and convenient breakfast option, air fryer breakfast potatoes are the way to go!

Choosing the right potatoes

• Russet Potatoes: These are considered "starchy" or "floury" potatoes. They get crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside when cooked in an air fryer. However, due to their low moisture content, they are more likely to fall apart, so you may need to handle them with care. Russet potatoes have thick skin, so you may prefer to peel them before cooking.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes are in between "starchy" and "waxy", making them a good all-purpose option. They have a rich, buttery flavour, and their thin skin usually doesn't need to be peeled. The inside of Yukon Gold potatoes will be creamier and not as dry or crisp as Russets, but they are extremely flavorful and hold their shape well.
• Red Potatoes: This variety also works well for air fryer breakfast potatoes. They tend to have a thin skin and a waxy texture, which makes them ideal for dishes where you want the potatoes to hold their shape.
• Mini Yukon Gold Potatoes: These smaller potatoes are perfect for air frying and provide a great balance of flavour and texture.

When selecting potatoes, look for those that are firm and free of bruises or sprouting eyes. Avoid potatoes that feel soft, shrivelled, or have a greenish discolouration, as these may affect the taste and texture of your breakfast potatoes.

Once you've chosen the right potatoes, simply follow the steps to cut, season, and air fry them to perfection!

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, choose the right type of potatoes. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for breakfast potatoes. Russet potatoes will give you drier and crispier results, while Yukon Gold potatoes have a richer, almost buttery flavour and a creamier texture. You can also use mini Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes if you prefer.

Next, peel the potatoes. This step is optional, especially if you're using Yukon Gold potatoes, as their skin is thin and adds flavour. However, peeling can help improve the texture and crispiness of the potatoes, especially if you're using Russet potatoes.

Now, it's time to cut the potatoes. For even cooking and browning, it's important to cut the potatoes into uniform pieces. Cut them into 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes. There are a few techniques you can use to achieve this. You can first slice off a small portion of one of the long sides of the potato so that it lays flat. Then, cut it into 1/2-inch slices lengthwise. Next, turn the potato on its side and make more 1/2-inch cuts. Finally, turn the potato horizontal and finish with additional 1/2-inch cuts to create cubes. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable chopper or a food slicer to make the process easier and faster.

Once your potatoes are cut, place them in a large bowl and add the olive oil, along with your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. For an extra flavour boost, you can include a "secret" ingredient like Dijon mustard, which adds depth of flavour without an overpowering mustard taste. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

At this point, you can choose to let the potatoes sit for a while. If you've cut the potatoes ahead of time, you can store them in water for a few hours or even overnight. However, if you plan to season them, it's best to do it right before cooking, as salt will draw out moisture and inhibit the crisping process.

Now, you're ready to cook the potatoes in your air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F or 400°F, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned potatoes in the basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. If needed, cook the potatoes in batches.

Air fry the potatoes for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket at least once at the halfway mark to ensure even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model and the size of your potatoes, you may need to adjust the cooking time. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Finally, serve your breakfast potatoes immediately while they're still hot and crispy. You can top them with fresh herbs like parsley or add some grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavour. Enjoy your delicious and crispy breakfast potatoes!

Adding seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, the options are endless. The most basic seasoning consists of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. However, you can also add dried herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, or dried spices like chili powder or cayenne for a spicier kick.

For an extra special touch, you can add a "secret" ingredient: Dijon mustard. Roasting the potatoes in mustard adds depth of flavor, and nobody will guess it's there! If you don't have Dijon, you can use whole-grain or regular yellow mustard instead.

If you're feeling cheesy, sprinkle some Parmesan over the potatoes before serving, or add some shredded cheese while they're still hot.

Cooking the potatoes

Ingredients

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

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold)
• Olive oil (or avocado oil/another neutral oil)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
• Dijon mustard (optional)

Preparation

First, peel and cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. If you want to save time, you can use a food slicer or vegetable chopper to dice the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the seasoning and oil.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 2-3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray or oil spray to prevent sticking. Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to ensure crispiness.

Air fry the potatoes for about 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. If you prefer extra crispy potatoes, you can air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Serving

Serve the air fryer breakfast potatoes immediately while they are still hot and crispy. They go well with a variety of breakfast dishes, such as eggs, bacon, sausage, or other breakfast sides. You can also top them with fresh herbs, shredded cheese, or a sauce like ketchup, hot sauce, or aioli.

Serving suggestions

As a side

Air-fried breakfast potatoes are a great side for a range of morning dishes, including scrambled eggs, omelettes, quiche, and steak. They can also be served with a fried egg on top, or as part of a hearty breakfast like breakfast burritos or quesadillas.

With meat

For a classic diner-style breakfast, serve your potatoes with bacon, ham, or sausage. You could also add some chopped cooked ham or bacon to your eggs.

With vegetables

If you want to add some vegetables to your breakfast, try diced peppers and onions. You can cook these in the air fryer with your potatoes, but be aware that they will make your potatoes less crispy. You could also serve your potatoes with a vegetable frittata or spinach and feta casserole.

With sauce

Try serving your potatoes with a sauce like vegan Dijon aioli, Sriracha aioli, chipotle mayo, peri peri sauce, or ketchup.

Frequently asked questions