Air Fryer Frozen Diced Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, Delicious

Making frozen diced potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tasty, crispy side dish. With very little prep, you can have fluffy, golden brown potatoes in under 30 minutes. This method is also healthier than deep frying, as it requires less oil.

How to prepare the potatoes before cooking

Preparing the potatoes before cooking is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crispy, golden brown air-fried diced potatoes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the potatoes:

Firstly, choose the right type of potatoes. Yukon gold, russet, red, and sweet potatoes are all great options for air frying. Avoid waxier varieties such as red or purple-skinned potatoes as they may not yield the desired crispiness.

Next, wash and peel the potatoes. While the skin of thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon gold can be left on, thicker-skinned varieties like russet potatoes are better peeled for a better texture. After washing and peeling, dice the potatoes into uniform cubes of around 1-inch in size. Uniformity in size ensures even cooking and crispiness.

Now, it's time to soak the potatoes. Soaking removes excess starch and prevents sticky textures, promoting even browning. Place the diced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you have the time. Then, rinse and pat them dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel.

The next step is to season the potatoes. Add the diced potatoes to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated, and then add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, rosemary, chili powder, dried parsley, or cayenne pepper. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.

Once the potatoes are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Spread the potatoes in a single layer, ensuring they have enough room to cook evenly and crisp up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

With the potatoes ready, it's now time to set the air fryer to the appropriate temperature and cooking time. Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) and cook the potatoes for 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on the potatoes, and adjust the cooking time as needed until they reach the desired level of crispiness and golden brown color.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy air-fried diced potatoes that are perfect as a side dish or even on their own!

The best oil to use

When making frozen diced potatoes in an air fryer, the type and amount of oil you use can impact the taste and texture of the final dish. Here are some tips and recommendations for choosing the best oil:

Type of Oil

While you can use various types of oils for air frying frozen diced potatoes, olive oil and avocado oil are two popular choices. Olive oil is a versatile option that many people have on hand, and it adds a nice flavour to the potatoes. Avocado oil, on the other hand, has a higher smoke point, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without smoking or burning. This makes it a good choice for air frying, as it can help prevent the potatoes from sticking to the air fryer basket.

If you don't have either of these oils on hand, you can also use vegetable oil or even an oil spray. Oil sprays are a good option if you want to control the amount of oil used and ensure even coverage.

Amount of Oil

When it comes to the amount of oil, a little goes a long way. You only need enough oil to coat the potatoes lightly, which will help them brown and crisp up in the air fryer. Using too much oil can make your potatoes soggy, so it's important to measure carefully. For a standard batch of frozen diced potatoes, 1-2 tablespoons of oil is usually enough.

Adding Oil at the Right Time

The timing of when you add the oil is also important. For frozen diced potatoes, it's best to add the oil after the potatoes have started cooking. Start by cooking the potatoes in the air fryer for a few minutes to defrost them. Then, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the oil over the potatoes and toss to coat them evenly. You can also add your favourite seasonings at this point, such as salt and pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. Once the potatoes are coated in oil and seasonings, return them to the air fryer and continue cooking until they are golden brown and crispy.

Oil Alternatives

If you want to reduce the amount of oil used or are looking for a lower-calorie option, you can simply skip the oil altogether. Your potatoes may not get as brown or crispy, but they will still cook through in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use an oil spray to lightly coat the potatoes before cooking. This will help them brown slightly without adding too much oil.

How long to cook the potatoes for

The cooking time for frozen diced potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the model of the air fryer and the desired crispiness of the potatoes. On average, it takes around 15-25 minutes to cook frozen diced potatoes in an air fryer.

• Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). Some air fryers may not have a preheat function, in which case you can run the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes to heat it up.
• If your potatoes are unseasoned, toss them with olive oil and your desired seasonings before placing them in the air fryer basket. This step will help the potatoes crisp up and turn golden brown. It also ensures that the seasonings stick to the potatoes.
• Place the frozen diced potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket as this can affect the cooking process and prevent even browning. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.
• Air fry the potatoes at 400°F for 15-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them and shake or stir them with a spatula a few times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.
• The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy. If you prefer them to be more well done, you can cook them for a few additional minutes.
• Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve them immediately.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the potatoes during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning.

How to serve the potatoes

Air fryer diced potatoes are a versatile side dish that can accompany a variety of meals. They are a perfect breakfast potato, pairing well with eggs and bacon. For a hearty breakfast, serve them with sliced avocado or fried eggs. You can also add them to burritos or kebab wraps.

For lunch or dinner, these potatoes are a great side to meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb. They also go well with BBQ tofu, BBQ seitan ribs, or grilled portobello mushroom burgers.

If you're serving them as a side, you can either serve them beside something, such as lemon herb grilled chicken or spicy roasted broccoli, or serve them under something, like a skillet meal with sausage and zucchini.

These potatoes are also delicious on their own, especially if you're a potato lover. Enjoy them with some tomato ketchup or mayonnaise, or sprinkle some feta cheese or fresh parsley on top.

Get creative with your seasonings to make air fryer Greek potatoes, spicy Cajun potatoes, or potatoes with mixed herbs and garlic powder. You can also sprinkle on some parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for an extra savoury touch.

And if you're making these for a crowd, don't worry about leftovers! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and reheat in the air fryer to maintain their crispiness.

How to store and reheat the potatoes

To store your potatoes, wait for them to cool and then place them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will last for up to three to four days.

If you want to reheat your potatoes in an air fryer, place them in the basket or tray in a single layer and cook at between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Shake the basket or toss the potatoes, then cook for another 2 minutes. If they need a little longer, add an additional 1-2 minutes.

To reheat your potatoes in an oven, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your leftover potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Place in the oven for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

You can also reheat potatoes in a frying pan. Heat butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the potatoes and stir to coat them in the fat. Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions