Air-Fried Garlic Roasted Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers have revolutionised the way we cook, and roasted garlic potatoes are a popular dish to make in them. The circulating air of the fryer crisps the outsides of the potatoes to a golden finish, while keeping the insides soft and tender. They are also healthier than traditionally roasted potatoes, as they require less oil. In this article, we will be taking you through the steps to make your own garlic roasted potatoes in an air fryer.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

The most commonly recommended types of potatoes for air fryer roasting are Yukon Golds, red potatoes, and russet potatoes.

• Yukon Golds – These potatoes are a favourite for air frying because they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Their insides become creamy and full of flavour.
• Red Potatoes – When roasted, red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their high sugar and low starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the air fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.
• Russet Potatoes – This variety will air fry beautifully, giving you a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft, fluffy, and mildly flavoured.

Size and Shape

It is best to use small or medium-sized potatoes that are uniform in size and shape for even cooking. "Baby" or "new" potatoes are ideal, and you can leave the skin on for extra crispiness. Look for potatoes that are free from eyes and blemishes. If using larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces.

Starch Content

Starch content plays a role in the final texture of your roasted potatoes. If using starchy potatoes like russets, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry after soaking, or they will steam instead of roast.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select the right type of potatoes. Baby potatoes, Yukon Golds, red potatoes, and russet potatoes are all great options. You can also use any variety of potato you have on hand. The key is to look for potatoes that are uniform in size, free from blemishes, and have a thinner skin, which will help with crisping.

Next, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. For baby potatoes, cut them into quarters. If using larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and thoroughly in the air fryer.

After cutting, it's important to remove the excess starch from the potatoes. To do this, rinse the potatoes and soak them in a large bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes. Swirl the potatoes in the water, then drain the starchy water. Rinse the potatoes again to ensure all the starch is removed, and then pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towels.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Place the cut and dried potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the potatoes and toss to coat them evenly. You can also use avocado oil or any other mild-tasting oil. The oil helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and promotes crisping.

For seasonings, you can use a variety of options. Freshly minced or grated garlic is a must for garlic roasted potatoes. You can also add Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder or granules, salt, and pepper to taste. If you want to get creative, try other seasonings like Cajun, Mexican, or Greek blends. Toss the potatoes with the seasonings until they are evenly coated.

Finally, it's time to cook the potatoes in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes, then use tongs or a spatula to flip them. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

And that's it! You now have perfectly prepared garlic roasted potatoes from your air fryer. Serve them as a side dish, snack, or appetizer, and enjoy the delicious combination of crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors.

Adding flavour

There are several ways to add flavour to your garlic roasted potatoes. Here are some suggestions:

Spices and Seasonings

You can experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile. Some popular options include:

• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder/granules
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Stone house seasoning
• Mexican seasoning (cumin, chilli powder, onion and garlic powder)
• Greek seasoning (garlic, onion, oregano, basil, dill, salt and pepper)
• Ranch seasoning
• Cajun seasoning

Fresh Herbs

Adding fresh herbs can brighten up the flavour of your roasted potatoes. Try using chopped parsley, cilantro, thyme or rosemary.

Cheese

Adding shredded parmesan cheese to the potatoes before air frying can add a tasty, savoury dimension to the dish.

Lemon

A squeeze of lemon juice over the roasted potatoes can help to cut through their richness. Just be sure not to add the lemon juice until right before serving to avoid soggy potatoes.

Cooking the potatoes

First, cut the potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Smaller pieces will help them crisp up better. If you're using baby potatoes, just cut them in half. If they're tiny, you can poke them with a fork to let the steam escape. If you're using larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces.

Next, remove the starch by rinsing the potatoes and soaking them in a large bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes. Then, move the potatoes around in the water with your hands, drain the starch-filled water, and rinse the potatoes again. Let them dry thoroughly by wrapping them in a clean cloth or paper towels.

Now it's time to season the potatoes! Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, smoked paprika (if using), garlic powder or granules, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, or a mix of cumin, chili powder, onion, and garlic powder for a Mexican twist. Make sure the potatoes are well coated with the oil and seasonings.

If you're using an air fryer that requires preheating, preheat it to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer without overlapping.

Cook the potatoes at 380-400°F (195-200°C) for about 10 minutes. Then, flip or toss the potatoes and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The total cook time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes, so keep an eye on them and adjust the timing as needed.

Finally, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and a generous amount of ground sea salt to taste. Allow them to cool for a few minutes and then serve!

Serving suggestions

Garlic roasted potatoes from the air fryer can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions:

Breakfast

You can add these potatoes to your breakfast tacos or burritos. If you have any leftovers, you can reheat them in the air fryer and have them with scrambled eggs.

Appetizers

You can serve these potatoes with a dip like ranch dressing, yum yum sauce, lime crema, or guacamole. You can also serve them with ketchup, vegan spicy mayo, or vegan ranch dip.

Side Dishes

These garlic roasted potatoes can be served as a side with steak or chicken dinners. They can also be served with Swedish meatballs, salmon, or prime rib.

Main Course

You can serve these potatoes with a variety of main courses, such as chimichangas, Greek salad, or Baked Cod.

Frequently asked questions