Air-Fried Diced Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make diced potatoes, and they come out perfectly crispy and fluffy. The best potatoes to use are white, russet, red, Yukon gold, or sweet potatoes. You can also use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. The air fryer requires less oil than traditional frying methods, making it a healthier alternative. The cooking time is typically around 20 minutes, and the potatoes come out golden brown and delicious.

How to make diced potatoes in the air fryer

Choosing the right potato

The type of potato you use for your air fryer diced potatoes can make a big difference to the final result. You want to achieve a blend of waxy and floury characteristics, so the outside of the potato is crunchy, but it also maintains its shape.

Varieties

• Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer diced potatoes. They will crisp up wonderfully and turn a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft, fluffy, and mild in flavour.
• Yukon Gold potatoes are also great for air frying. They will crisp up nicely and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp will be slightly softer than a russet, but the insides will be creamy and full of flavour.
• Red potatoes will also work, but they will turn an even darker golden brown and will soften quickly after cooking.
• Baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a specific variety but are instead regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content and hold their shape well in the air fryer.
• In the UK, King Edwards and Maris Pipers are good choices for achieving the desired blend of waxy and floury characteristics.

Preparation

• It is recommended to leave the skin on, as this will provide a crispy texture.
• Wash the potatoes thoroughly, especially if you are leaving the skin on, to remove any dirt.
• Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized cubes, around 1-inch in size. This will help them cook evenly.
• Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which can prevent even cooking and a crispy texture.
• Pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel or paper towel after soaking.
• If you are short on time, you can also soak the potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes and then rinse them in running cold water.
• Avoid peeling the potatoes, as this will impact their crispiness.

Avoid

Red or purple-skinned potatoes, as they are starchier and waxier.

Preparing the potato

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russet, Yukon gold, yellow potatoes, or white potatoes are ideal due to their lower moisture and higher starch content, which is perfect for achieving a crispy texture. You can also use red potatoes, but they may not be as fluffy or crispy.

Next, wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. You don't need to peel the potatoes unless you're using russet potatoes, as their skin is thicker and doesn't have the best texture when air-fried. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes, aiming for around 1-inch cubes. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly in the air fryer.

At this point, you have the option to soak the potatoes in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove excess starch, which can inhibit crispness. However, some recipes suggest that this step is not necessary, as the air fryer can crisp up the potatoes just fine without soaking. If you do choose to soak, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel before proceeding.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Place the cubed potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. You can also use a cooking spray if you prefer. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil.

Next, add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, rosemary, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or Italian seasoning. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, green onions, or chives can also be added for extra flavour. Give the potatoes another good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Once your potatoes are prepared, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. If needed, cook the potatoes in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.

Now, you're ready to air fry your potatoes! Cook for about 15-25 minutes, depending on your air fryer model, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on the potatoes, and adjust the cooking time as needed. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Picking a cooking oil

When making diced potatoes in an air fryer, you can use a variety of cooking oils, including olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. Olive oil is a versatile choice and a great source of unsaturated fats. If you don't have olive oil, you can use any oil of your preference. It is worth noting that you don't need to worry too much about using a 'high heat cooking oil' when using an air fryer.

• Oil Type: Vegetable oil and peanut oil are popular choices due to their high smoke point. Olive oil is also a good option and allows for experimentation with different flavours.
• Amount of Oil: Air fryers require significantly less oil than deep fryers or even roasting. A light coating of oil is usually enough, and you can use an oil spray or an oil brush to ensure an even coating.
• Oil Application: After soaking and drying the potatoes, place them in a mixing bowl and toss them with the oil. This helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes.
• Oil and Water: Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before adding oil. Oil and water don't mix, so if the potatoes are wet, the oil will not adhere properly.
• Oil and Seasoning: Add salt and other seasonings right after tossing the potatoes in oil. This helps the potatoes hold onto the flavour while they cook.

Seasoning the potato

The key to making delicious diced potatoes in an air fryer is to season them well. Potatoes are quite bland, so they need a generous amount of seasoning to bring out their flavour. You can use a variety of spices, herbs, and other ingredients to add flavour to your potatoes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spices and Seasonings

A good base for seasoning your diced potatoes is salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add other spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or Italian seasoning to give your potatoes a kick. Play around with different combinations of spices to find your favourite blend.

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs can add a wonderful depth of flavour to your diced potatoes. Try using rosemary, thyme, or parsley. You can chop the herbs finely and mix them in with the spices, or you can sprinkle them over the potatoes after cooking for a pop of colour and flavour.

Lemon

Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your potatoes can brighten up the flavour and add a nice acidic touch. You can also add lemon zest for extra zing.

Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a great way to add a salty, savoury note to your diced potatoes. Sprinkle it over the potatoes during the last few minutes of cooking so it melts slightly and sticks to the potatoes. You can also try other types of cheese, like feta or vegan parmesan.

Oil

Using a good-quality oil is essential for getting crispy, golden potatoes. Olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil are all great options. Make sure to toss the potatoes in oil before adding the spices to ensure an even coating.

Other Add-Ins

You can also experiment with other ingredients to mix in with your potatoes, like caramelised onions, sour cream, Greek yoghurt, or cottage cheese. Get creative and find combinations that you love!

Cooking the potato

First, cut the potatoes into evenly-sized cubes. This will ensure they cook evenly. You can peel the potatoes if you like, but it's not necessary—just give them a good wash. Aim for cubes of around 1-inch or 2 cm.

Next, put the potatoes into a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak them for around 10 minutes, or even up to half an hour if you have the time. This will help to remove excess starch, which can make the potatoes sticky and prevent them from crisping up. After soaking, rinse the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean tea towel or paper towel.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Add them to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil. You can also use avocado or vegetable oil. Once the potatoes are coated, add your chosen spices and seasoning. This could include salt, black pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, chilli powder, Italian seasoning, or cayenne pepper. You can also add lemon juice for a tangy kick. Give the bowl a good shake to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. If you have a compact air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Preheat the air fryer to around 200°C/400°F, or as per your air fryer's instructions.

Cook the potatoes for about 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

You can serve the potatoes as they are, or add some fresh herbs such as parsley, scallions, or chives as a garnish.

Frequently asked questions