Air Fryer Potato Slices: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer potato slices are a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to traditional fries. They are irresistibly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This simple recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and can be served as a side dish, snack, or appetizer.

Choosing the right potato

Type of Potato

The best potatoes for air frying are starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold. Russet potatoes are high in starch, which makes them ideal for crispy fries or home fries. Yukon Golds, on the other hand, have a medium starch content and are creamier, making them excellent for roasting or soups. Both options will result in delicious, crispy potato slices with creamy interiors.

Potato Size and Thickness

For even cooking, it is important to choose potatoes of similar size. This ensures that the slices will be uniform in thickness and cook at the same rate. Aim for potatoes that are around the same width, such as 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" for a medium potato. If you have a kitchen scale, you can also measure by weight, with a medium potato typically weighing between 5 and 10 ounces.

The thickness of your potato slices will impact the cooking time and the final texture. For potato slices that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, aim for a thickness of around 1/4 inch. Thicker slices may require a longer cooking time, while thinner slices may crisp up like potato chips.

Peeling and Soaking

Whether or not to peel the potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour, while peeling them will result in a more uniform appearance.

Soaking the potato slices in cold water before cooking is optional but can help draw out some of the starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. If you have the time, a 15-30 minute soak can improve the texture of your final dish. However, if you are short on time, it is not a necessary step, and your potatoes will still turn out delicious.

Preparing the potato slices

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make potato slices in an air fryer:

• 1-2 pounds of potatoes (russet, Yukon Gold, or baby potatoes)
• 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil (or another neutral-tasting oil such as canola or sunflower seed oil)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika or regular paprika
• Black pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. Italian herb, cajun seasoning, chili powder, etc.)

Utensils

To prepare the potato slices, you will need:

• A sharp knife or a mandolin slicer
• A large bowl
• An air fryer basket

Slicing the potatoes

Start by rinsing and scrubbing your potatoes. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it is not necessary. Using a sharp knife or a mandolin, slice the potatoes into uniform, 1/4-inch thick slices. The uniformity in thickness will ensure that the potato slices cook evenly.

Soaking the potatoes (optional)

Some recipes recommend soaking the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes to remove some of the starch and achieve crispier potatoes. After soaking, drain the water and pat the potato slices dry with a tea towel or paper towels.

Seasoning the potatoes

Place the potato slices in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice. Toss the potato slices until they are evenly coated in the oil and seasoning mixture.

Cooking the potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned potato slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out as evenly as possible. It is okay if they overlap slightly, but try to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Cook the potato slices for 12-15 minutes at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For extra crispy slices, you can cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes.

The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your potato slices and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or burning.

Once the potato slices are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a soft and fluffy interior, they are ready to be served!

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, are ideal for air frying as they tend to crisp up nicely while retaining a creamy texture on the inside. Make sure your potatoes are of similar size so that the slices cook uniformly.

Preparing the Potatoes:

Give the potatoes a good scrub and then dry them. You can decide whether to keep the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference. Using a sharp knife or a mandolin, slice the potatoes into uniform rounds, ideally about 1/4-inch thick. Thinner slices may crisp up too much, resembling potato chips, while thicker slices may require a longer cooking time.

Soaking the Potatoes (Optional):

Some recipes suggest soaking the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes to remove excess starch, which is said to result in crispier potatoes. However, others skip this step and still achieve satisfactory results. If you have the time, you can try the soaking method, but it's not mandatory.

Seasoning Options:

In a large bowl, combine the potato slices with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any other plant-based oil. For seasoning, you can go with a basic combination of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. You can also experiment with other spices like Italian herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or everything but the bagel seasoning. Don't be afraid to get creative!

Coating the Potatoes:

Use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly coat each potato slice with the oil and seasoning mixture. Ensure that all sides of the slices are evenly coated for maximum flavour and crispness.

Layering in the Air Fryer:

When placing the seasoned potato slices in the air fryer, it's best to arrange them in a single layer if possible. However, a little overlap or stacking is acceptable. Just be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer, as this can affect the cooking process and the overall crispiness of the potatoes.

Cooking and Serving:

Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, adjusting the temperature and timing as needed. Don't forget to shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking. Once your potato slices are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a soft and fluffy interior, they're ready to be served!

These air-fried potato slices make a versatile side dish or snack and can be enjoyed with various dips and sauces. Get creative with your seasonings, and don't be afraid to experiment with different types of potatoes to find your perfect combination!

Cooking the potatoes

Once you've sliced your potatoes to about 1/4 inch thickness, you'll want to toss them in a large bowl with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. You can use salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, black pepper, or cayenne for spice. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the seasoned potato slices into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are staggered and not directly on top of each other. It's okay if they overlap a little, but try to keep it to about two layers.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your potato slices and the model of your air fryer. For 1/4 inch slices, cook for about 12-15 minutes at 380-400°F. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside.

If you prefer your potatoes more well-done, you can cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so it's a good idea to check on your potatoes regularly to prevent overcooking or burning.

For extra crispy slices, you can sprinkle a little cornstarch over the potatoes along with the oil and seasonings. You can also spray the potatoes with an extra spritz of oil halfway through cooking to get crispier outsides.

Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They are best enjoyed hot and crispy straight out of the fryer.

You can also get creative and make loaded potato slices by adding cheese, sour cream, guacamole, or your favorite toppings.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer potato slices are a versatile side dish that goes well with almost anything. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Snack or Appetizer

You can serve these potato slices as a snack or appetizer with a variety of dipping sauces. Some great options include:

• Spicy garlic aioli
• Bacon aioli
• Dill aioli
• Ketchup
• Ranch dressing
• Sour cream
• Honey mustard BBQ sauce
• Homemade chipotle mayo

As a Side Dish

Air fryer potato slices make a great side dish for a range of main courses, including:

• Meaty mains such as chicken, pork chops, steak, or salmon
• Vegan roast beef and seitan BBQ ribs
• Seitan steaks and vegan Italian sausages
• Brined chicken wings
• Buffalo chicken thighs or sandwiches
• Pork kebabs
• Greek chickpea salad
• Air fryer baby carrots
• Air fryer butternut squash

Variations and Add-Ins

You can also get creative and try some variations or add-ins to your potato slices:

• Cheesy potatoes: Top them with shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (use plant-based cheese for a vegan option) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Loaded potato slices: Top with beef, turkey, or veggie mince, cheese, guacamole, or sour cream.
• Extra crispy: Toss them in cornstarch along with the oil and seasonings before air-frying.
• Seasoning variations: Experiment with different herbs and spices such as Italian herb, cajun seasoning, chili powder, everything but the bagel seasoning, or a blend of your choice.

Frequently asked questions