Air-Fried Greek Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air Fryer Greek potatoes are a delicious, quick and easy dish to make. The potatoes are soft and creamy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside, with hints of lemon, olive oil, and herbs. The recipe is simple and includes just a few ingredients, such as olive oil, lemon juice, and Greek seasoning. The potatoes are first tossed in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and then air-fried for a few minutes. They are then tossed again with Greek seasoning and air-fried for an additional few minutes. The result is a tasty dish that can be served as a side or enjoyed on its own.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety of Potatoes

You can use a variety of potatoes for making Greek potatoes in an air fryer. Some of the most popular options are baby potatoes, baby red potatoes, baby gold potatoes, and Yukon gold potatoes. These varieties tend to have a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with the Greek seasoning. If you don't have access to these varieties, you can also use Russet potatoes or any other type of potato you have on hand. Just keep in mind that you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as different potatoes have varying starch contents, which can affect the cooking process.

Size and Uniformity

When preparing Greek potatoes in an air fryer, it is essential to cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking, so you don't end up with some pieces being overcooked while others are still undercooked. Aim for pieces that are about 1-inch or slightly smaller in size. If you're using baby potatoes, you might not need to cut them at all, depending on their size.

Starch Content

The starch content of the potatoes can impact the final texture of your Greek potatoes. If you want crispier potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water for about 15 minutes before cooking. This helps remove some of the excess starch, resulting in a crispier exterior. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry before tossing them in oil and seasonings.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose fresh, firm potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid potatoes that have sprouted or have shrivelled skin, as these may not cook evenly and could affect the overall taste of your dish. Look for potatoes that feel heavy for their size, as this indicates they are moist and have a higher starch content, which is ideal for air frying.

Quantity

Lastly, consider the quantity of potatoes you will need. This will depend on the number of people you are serving and whether the Greek potatoes are the main dish or a side dish. As a general guideline, one pound of potatoes is usually enough for four servings as a side dish. However, if you are making a large batch or want to have leftovers, you can easily double or triple the recipe.

Remember, choosing the right potatoes is a crucial step in making delicious Greek potatoes in an air fryer. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to creating a mouth-watering dish that your family and friends will surely enjoy!

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select your potatoes. Baby potatoes, such as Yukon gold, baby red potatoes, or baby gold potatoes, are great options. You can also use regular potatoes, but cut them into uniform chunks or cubes of around 1-inch in size. This ensures even cooking. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for a few minutes can help remove excess starch, which will make them crispier. Remember to pat them dry after soaking.

Next, place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add your chosen oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, and toss to coat the potatoes evenly. You can also add other ingredients to this mixture if you like, such as lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together to ensure the potatoes are well coated.

Now it's time to cook the potatoes. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, then toss them to ensure even cooking. Return the potatoes to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 5-15 minutes, or until they are soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can check their doneness by piercing them with a fork. If the potatoes are still hard, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Once they're done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and garnish with fresh herbs like parsley and an additional squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Your Greek potatoes are now ready to be served! They make a delicious and healthy side dish and go well with a variety of main courses. Enjoy!

Preparing the seasoning

Firstly, cut your potatoes into uniform chunks or slices, around ½” thick. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss them with olive oil, making sure they are well coated. You can use any high smoke point oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil.

Next, add lemon juice and lemon zest to the bowl. It is recommended to use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, and don't skip the lemon zest as it adds a fresh citrus flavor.

Finish off the seasoning by adding garlic, oregano, and salt to taste. You can use fresh or dried oregano, and if you are using fresh garlic, grate or finely chop it before adding. Give the bowl a good toss to ensure all the potatoes are evenly coated in the seasoning.

If you want to add some extra spices, you can include dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, basil, or marjoram. A pinch of black pepper can also enhance the flavor.

Once your potatoes are seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked according to your preferred method.

Cooking the potatoes

To cook the potatoes, start by washing and scrubbing your potatoes, then drying them. Cut the potatoes into uniform chunks or slices, around 1/2" thick. If you are using large potatoes, you may want to cut them into smaller chunks. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for around 15 minutes can help to remove some of the starch, leading to crispier potatoes, but make sure to pat them dry afterwards.

Next, place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add your chosen oil—olive oil or avocado oil are good options. Toss the potatoes in the oil to ensure they are well coated. You can then add lemon juice, lemon zest, and your chosen seasonings. For a Greek flavour, use garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss the potatoes again to coat them in the seasoning.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at between 350°F and 400°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are ready when they are soft and creamy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside. You can test this by piercing them with a fork.

Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and garnish with fresh herbs, an extra squeeze of lemon, or a sprinkle of lemon zest.

Serving the potatoes

These Greek potatoes are a versatile side dish. They can be served with Greek chicken dishes like lemon chicken or chicken souvlaki, hearty lamb entrees such as lamb chops, grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, gyros, falafel or pita sandwiches, and Greek salad with feta, olives, and tomatoes. They also go well with tzatziki, hummus, or baba ganoush dips.

For an extra kick of flavour, sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or mint and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top of the potatoes. You can also add some feta cheese crumbles, chopped black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or toasted pine nuts.

If you're serving them as a main course, they pair well with pork chops, chicken, or lamb.

And if you're looking for a simple dip to serve with these potatoes, try whipped feta.

Frequently asked questions