Air Fryer Chopped Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, tasty potatoes with minimal fuss and oil. You can use a variety of potatoes, but the best results are achieved with potatoes that have a blend of waxy and floury characteristics. This combination ensures that the outside of the diced potato is crunchy, whilst maintaining its shape. Russet, Yukon gold, and red potatoes are all great options.

To make delicious air fryer potatoes, simply dice your potatoes into evenly-sized cubes, add oil and your choice of seasoning, and air fry for 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking.

How to cut potatoes for the air fryer

The first step to making chopped potatoes in an air fryer is to select the right type of potatoes. Waxy potatoes, such as fingerlings, red potatoes, and Yukon Gold potatoes, tend to yield the crispiest results. However, starchy potatoes like Russet, King Edwards, or Maris Piper can also be used, although they may require soaking to remove excess starch and prevent sogginess.

When cutting the potatoes, aim for uniform, evenly sized cubes. This ensures that all the pieces cook at the same rate, yielding a consistent level of crispiness. A recommended size is 1-inch cubes, although sizes between 0.5 and 2 inches will also work. There is no need to peel the potatoes, but be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly before cutting.

If you desire extra crispy potatoes, consider soaking the cubed potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to an hour before rinsing and drying them. This step helps remove excess starch, promoting even cooking and a crispier texture.

Once your potatoes are cut and dried, you can proceed to season them and cook them in the air fryer, following your preferred recipe instructions.

How long to cook potatoes in the air fryer

The cooking time for potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the model, but on average, it takes around 15 to 25 minutes to cook diced potatoes in an air fryer. It is recommended to cook them at a temperature between 380°F and 400°F.

It is important to note that the cooking time can be affected by the size of the potato cubes and the type of potato used. For example, starchy potatoes like russets may require a longer cooking time compared to waxier potatoes.

To ensure even cooking and to avoid overcrowding, it is best to arrange the potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Additionally, shaking the basket a few times during cooking helps to ensure that all the potatoes cook evenly.

Some recipes suggest pre-soaking the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, which can help achieve a crispier texture. However, this step is not mandatory, and simply patting the potatoes dry after washing can also work.

How to make air fryer potatoes extra crispy

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (baby reds, russets, Yukon golds, white potatoes, or yellow potatoes)
• Olive oil or avocado/vegetable oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley
• Lemon
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method:

• Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized cubes (around 2cm/1-inch cubes).
• Soak the cubed potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which can inhibit crispness.
• Rinse and pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel or paper towel.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and oregano/Italian seasoning. You can also add Parmesan cheese for extra flavour.
• Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook for 20-25 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• The potatoes are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tips for Extra Crispiness:

• Preheat your air fryer before adding the potatoes.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed.
• Use a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil to toss the potatoes before air frying.
• Shake or toss the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to expose all sides to the hot air.
• Soaking the potatoes before cooking helps to remove excess starch and ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Best potatoes to use for air fryer

The best type of potatoes to use for air fryer will depend on the result you want to achieve. If you want your potatoes to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, then Russet potatoes are a good choice. Russets are starchier and will crisp up nicely with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy with a mild flavour.

If you prefer your potatoes to be crispy on the outside but have a firmer, creamier inside, then Yukon Gold or Yellow potatoes are a better option. This is because they have a lower starch and higher sugar content, so they will turn a deeper golden colour and have a slightly softer crisp. Their insides will be creamy and full of flavour.

Red potatoes will also turn a darker golden brown due to their high sugar and low starch content. They will be crispy when they first come out of the fryer but will soften quickly.

Baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a variety in themselves but rather regular potatoes that have been thinned early in the crop. They have a high sugar content and hold their shape well in the air fryer.

For crispy potatoes, it is best to use potatoes that have a blend of waxy and floury characteristics. In the UK, King Edwards and Maris Pipers are good options.

For a healthier option, avoid using red or purple-skinned potatoes as they are starchier and waxier.

How to reheat air fryer potatoes

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350–400° F. If you are reheating a baked potato, wrap it in aluminium foil before placing it in the air fryer. This ensures that the surface area of the potato is covered and no air can escape.

If you are reheating roasted potatoes or potato wedges, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches. For roasted potatoes, reheat for 3–5 minutes at 375° F. For potato wedges, reheat at 400° F for 10–20 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions