Air Fryer Breakfast: Frozen Potatoes, Quick And Easy!

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen diced potatoes to perfection. They are a delicious, quick, and easy breakfast option that can be made in just 15-20 minutes. The potatoes turn out crispy on the outside and fluffy and tender on the inside. You can use russet potatoes, red potatoes, Yukon gold, or sweet potatoes for this recipe. The potatoes can be seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and olive oil. The air fryer is also a pretty hands-off process as you don't need to worry about flipping or moving the potatoes around.

Choosing the right potatoes

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes are a common choice for breakfast potatoes in an air fryer. They have a fluffy and creamy texture when cooked, making them ideal for achieving that perfect balance of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Their high starch content contributes to their ability to get crispy edges.

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent option for air fryer breakfast potatoes. They have a naturally buttery flavour and a creamy texture, making them a tasty choice. Yukon Golds also hold their shape well during cooking, ensuring evenly cooked potatoes.

Red Potatoes

If you're looking for a slightly sweeter option, consider using red potatoes. They have a thin, smooth skin and a waxy texture, which makes them ideal for holding their shape during cooking. Red potatoes will add a touch of sweetness to your breakfast dish.

Potato Size and Uniformity

When choosing potatoes, opt for those that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. Whether you're cutting them into cubes or wedges, try to make the pieces as uniform as possible. This will help prevent some potatoes from being overcooked or undercooked.

Soaking Potatoes

Consider soaking your potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch. This step is not mandatory but can help you achieve crispier potatoes. If you decide to soak them, allow at least 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before adding them to the air fryer.

In summary, selecting the right potatoes for your frozen breakfast dish depends on your personal preference for flavour and texture. Russet, Yukon Gold, and red potatoes are all excellent choices, each offering unique qualities to your final dish. Remember to choose potatoes of similar size and consider soaking them for optimal crispiness. With the right potatoes and your air fryer, you'll be on your way to a delicious breakfast treat!

Preparing the potatoes

First, choose your potatoes. Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes are all great options. You can also leave the skin on for extra crispness, or peel them if you prefer. Cut the potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures that they cook evenly.

Next, place the diced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for about 30 minutes to an hour. This step helps remove excess starch, which can prevent the potatoes from sticking together and promotes crispness. If you're short on time, you can skip the soaking step, but make sure to rinse and dry the potatoes thoroughly before proceeding.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or dried herbs like rosemary and thyme. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.

Now it's time to cook the potatoes! Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the potatoes in the basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven cooking.

Cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even browning. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and fluffy on the inside.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy breakfast potatoes that are perfect for brunch or as a side dish for any meal. Enjoy!

Adding seasoning

Choosing the Right Seasonings:

• The most commonly used seasonings for breakfast potatoes include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. These seasonings provide a savoury and slightly spicy flavour profile that complements the potatoes well.
• You can also experiment with other seasonings like dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme), ground spices (cayenne pepper, cumin, smoked paprika), or red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Don't be afraid to mix and match seasonings to find your perfect combination.

Preparing the Potatoes for Seasoning:

• Before adding any seasonings, it is essential to prepare the potatoes properly. Cut the potatoes into uniform cubes, usually around 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size. This ensures even cooking and browning.
• Some recipes recommend soaking the potatoes in ice-cold water for 30 minutes to 45 minutes before seasoning. This helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. However, others suggest that this step is not necessary and can be skipped to save time.
• After cutting and/or soaking, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels before proceeding to the next step.

Coating the Potatoes with Oil and Seasonings:

• Place the prepared potatoes in a large bowl and add your chosen oil. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use avocado oil, neutral oil, or any other high-heat cooking oil.
• Toss the potatoes in the oil to ensure they are evenly coated. This step is crucial, as it helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and promotes even browning during cooking.
• Now, add your chosen seasonings to the bowl and toss again to coat the potatoes evenly. You can also sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese at this stage for extra flavour.
• Make sure to taste and adjust your seasonings as needed. It's better to start with less seasoning and gradually add more to your liking.

Cooking the Seasoned Potatoes in the Air Fryer:

• Once your potatoes are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket by placing the potatoes in a single layer, with minimal overlap.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure even cooking.
• Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 375°F to 400°F, and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• During the cooking process, remember to shake the basket a few times to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
• If your air fryer has an air broil function, you can use it for the last 2-3 minutes to get extra crispy edges. Alternatively, increase the temperature to 450°F and cook for the same amount of time.

Remember, these are just general guidelines, and you can always adjust the seasonings and cooking times to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your perfect breakfast potatoes!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen diced potatoes in an air fryer will vary depending on the model of your air fryer and the size you cut the potatoes. However, on average, the cooking time is around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 375°F-400°F.

For example, one recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes and then cooking the potatoes for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times throughout to promote even cooking.

Another recipe recommends cooking the potatoes at 375°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for another 10 minutes. If you want the edges of the potatoes to be extra crispy, you can broil them for 2-3 minutes at the end, shaking as needed.

If you are using frozen diced hash browns, one recipe suggests cooking them at 400°F for a total of 15 minutes. After the first 5 minutes, remove the basket and defrost the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste, and then return the potatoes to the air fryer for another 5 minutes. Finally, remove the basket, shake to ensure even browning, and return to the air fryer to finish cooking.

It is important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in less crispy potatoes. It is recommended to cook the potatoes in a single layer if possible, and you may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Serving suggestions

The Classic Breakfast Plate

Add a side of bacon, sausage, ham, or some diced peppers and onions. Top it off with a sunny-side-up egg. If you're feeling extra indulgent, add some air-fried steak or chicken wings.

Brunch Options

Serve with a quiche or vegetable frittata, or add some over-easy eggs and hot sauce on top of the potatoes. You can also make breakfast burritos or breakfast quesadillas with the potatoes as a side.

Condiments and Sides

Try some homemade BBQ sauce on the side, or add some spice with hot sauce.

Customise Your Potatoes

Add some veggies to your potatoes, like green bell peppers, or bacon bits. You can also add some cheese, like parmesan or cheddar, or a squeeze of lemon juice and some lemon zest.

Potato Alternatives

If you're feeling adventurous, try sweet potato breakfast hash, or steak and potato hash.

Frequently asked questions