Air-Fryer Fingerling Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryer fingerling potatoes are a quick, versatile, and delicious side dish that can be made in less than 20 minutes. They are a great alternative to homemade French fries or smashed potatoes and can be served with a variety of main courses, such as chicken, salmon, or steak. The potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside. This recipe typically uses fingerling potatoes, olive oil or avocado oil, and various seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or Italian seasoning for added flavour. The potatoes are cut into similar-sized pieces, seasoned, and then air-fried for 10-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

When it comes to variety, fingerling potatoes are the obvious choice. They are small, elongated potatoes with thin skins and a sweet, buttery flavour. However, if you can't get your hands on fingerling potatoes, don't worry! Baby potatoes, baby red potatoes, Yukon Gold, or baby russets are excellent substitutes. These varieties have similar textures and flavours, ensuring your dish turns out just as tasty.

Size

The size of the potatoes you choose matters, as it will directly impact the cooking time. Aim for potatoes that are all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. If your potatoes are larger or smaller than the standard fingerling size, be prepared to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Cutting the potatoes into similar-sized pieces (halved or quartered) will help ensure even cooking.

Quality

When selecting your potatoes, look for ones that are firm and smooth-skinned, with no wrinkles, sprouts, or deep scars. Check for any black spots or blemishes and remove them, as these can affect the taste and texture of your dish.

Preparation

Before cooking, give your potatoes a good scrub to remove any dirt. It's important to ensure they are thoroughly dry before moving on to the next step. Damp potatoes won't coat evenly with oil and seasonings, which can impact the crispiness of the final product.

Amount

Finally, consider how many potatoes you will need. As a guide, a 1 to 1.5-pound bag of fingerling potatoes is typically enough for four servings. However, this may vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the appetites of those you are serving!

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need fingerling potatoes, olive oil or another neutral-flavored oil such as avocado oil, and seasonings of your choice. You can also add Parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor. Common seasonings used include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Once you have your ingredients, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the potatoes. Give them a good scrub to remove any dirt, and then dry them thoroughly with a paper towel. Removing any moisture is crucial, as damp potatoes will not coat well with the seasoning mixture.

Next, cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces. You can halve or quarter them, but try to make the pieces as evenly sized as possible to ensure even cooking. If your fingerling potatoes are large, it is recommended to cut them into halves.

Now, it's time to season the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add your desired seasonings and a pinch of salt and pepper, then toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. You can also add Parmesan cheese at this stage for extra flavor.

After the potatoes are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Then, place the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket can constrict airflow and affect the cooking process.

With the potatoes in the air fryer, you are almost ready to start cooking. Just remember to shake the air fryer basket to ensure the potatoes cook evenly. Now, set the temperature to 400°F and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and use tongs to flip the potatoes so that the other side cooks evenly.

Finally, cook the potatoes for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. The total cooking time should be around 15-20 minutes. To check if the potatoes are done, pierce them with a knife or fork. If the knife slides in and out easily, the potatoes are ready to be served!

Choosing and preparing the oil

Choosing the right oil is essential when making fingerling potatoes in an air fryer. You want an oil with a high smoke point that will help to crisp up the potatoes.

Some suitable oils include:

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Vegetable oil
• Coconut oil
• Any neutral-flavoured vegetable oil

You'll want to use around 1-2 tablespoons of oil, depending on how crispy you like your potatoes.

Before adding the oil to the potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray. This will help ensure that the potatoes don't stick to the basket.

Next, place your halved fingerling potatoes in a large bowl and add the oil, along with any desired seasonings. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. You can also add shredded parmesan cheese to the bowl, but be aware that it may burn before the potatoes are fully cooked. In this case, it's best to add the cheese after cooking.

Finally, add the seasoned potatoes to the preheated air fryer and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Then, shake the basket and cook for an additional 5-12 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved.

Adding flavour

The best thing about making fingerling potatoes in an air fryer is that you can experiment with a variety of seasonings and spices to create different flavour profiles.

Basic Seasoning

The basic seasoning for fingerling potatoes includes olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add parsley flakes and paprika for extra flavour.

Cheesy Potatoes

Parmesan cheese is a popular addition to this dish. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan on the potatoes after removing them from the air fryer. The residual heat will melt the cheese, allowing the potatoes to absorb its nutty, rich, and buttery flavour.

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, or cilantro can add a sophisticated, herbal finish to the dish. You can also sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of bright, garden-fresh taste.

Lemon or Vinegar

For an authentic English twist, drizzle lemon juice or vinegar over the potatoes. This adds a bright tang that lightens the heartier base of the potatoes.

Spicy Options

If you like it hot, experiment with spice blends such as Cajun seasoning, blackened seasoning, curry powder, Italian seasoning, or BBQ dry rub.

Italian Flavours

Try Italian seasonings such as basil, oregano, and thyme to give your potatoes a Mediterranean flair.

Pesto

For a nut-free option, omit the olive oil and add pesto to your potatoes for a unique flavour.

Other Options

For buttery fingerling potatoes, substitute olive oil with butter or drizzle melted butter on top of the cooked potatoes. You can also try making curry fingerling potatoes by sprinkling curry powder and turmeric on the potatoes before cooking.

Cooking the potatoes

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. You can lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray. Then, toss the halved fingerling potatoes in a mixing bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add parmesan cheese to this mixture.

Next, carefully line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper, so the cheese doesn’t fall off into the basket or get stuck on the grate. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.

Cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The potatoes are done when they are tender when pierced with a knife. If they need more time, cook them in one-minute increments until they are fork-tender.

If you want crispier potatoes, you can cook them for a further 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the desired crispness is reached.

Frequently asked questions