Air Fryer Crunchy Potatoes: The Secret To Crispiness

how to make potatoes crunchy in air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make crunchy potatoes. The high, dry heat and light coating of olive oil help to crisp up the potatoes perfectly. The key to getting that crunch is to ensure the potatoes are in a single layer in the air fryer, so the air can circulate and crisp up the potatoes properly. You can also soak the potatoes in water before air frying to remove the starch and help them turn brown and crispy. Another tip is to fry the potatoes, let them rest, and then fry them again to achieve the desired level of crispness.

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The best types of potatoes for air frying

There are several types of potatoes that are suitable for air frying, and the best option may depend on your personal preferences for texture and taste. Here are some of the most recommended varieties:

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes are a popular choice for air frying. They are known for their ability to crisp up perfectly while achieving a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The insides of these potatoes will be creamy and full of flavour, although their crisp may be slightly softer than other varieties.

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes are another excellent option for air frying. They will crisp up beautifully and turn a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft, fluffy, and mildly flavoured. They are always a good choice for air frying and will give you that classic restaurant fry taste.

Red Potatoes

Red potatoes are a great choice if you want your potatoes to have an even darker golden-brown colour. Their higher sugar and lower starch content will give them a crispy exterior that may soften quickly. The insides will be creamy and soft.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a specific variety but rather regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content and are perfect for air frying, as they hold their shape well. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal, but they are worth seeking out for their crispy exterior and creamy interior.

Fingerlings, Baby Russets, and Baby Red Potatoes

These varieties of "new" potatoes, which are harvested before they are fully grown, are also excellent choices for air frying. They have thinner skin, which is ideal for achieving a crispy texture.

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How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy and tasty potatoes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare potatoes for air frying:

Step 1: Choose the Right Potatoes

Select the right type of potatoes for air frying. Baby potatoes, Yukon Gold, red potatoes, and russet potatoes are all great options. Baby potatoes, also known as "new" potatoes, have thinner skins that crisp up nicely. Yukon Gold potatoes have a thin yellow skin and tend to get very crispy, with soft and creamy centres. Russet potatoes have brown skin and get super crispy, while red potatoes are similar to Yukon Gold but are best eaten right after cooking as their skins can get soft.

Step 2: Wash and Cut the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt, especially if you plan to leave the skins on. Then, cut the potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces. For baby potatoes, halve or cut them into small wedges. For larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes or chunks.

Step 3: Soak the Potatoes (Optional)

Some people recommend soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 to 45 minutes to remove excess starch, which can help them get crispier. However, others suggest that this step is not necessary and may even make the potatoes soggy if soaked for too long. If you choose to soak them, make sure to dry them thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Season the Potatoes

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. You can also use other types of oil, such as avocado oil, sesame oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or a combination of these. You can also try other herbs and spices like cumin, cilantro, ginger, nutmeg, or turmeric. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the flavours you like best!

Step 5: Air Fry the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes, then shake or stir them and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. You may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve them immediately. You can squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the potatoes and garnish them with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary for added flavour and presentation. Enjoy your crispy and delicious air-fried potatoes!

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The ideal temperature for air frying potatoes

Air-fried potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, and they turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The ideal temperature for air frying potatoes is between 140°C and 165°C (400°F).

The Maillard reaction, which is responsible for the nice crispy surface on air-fried potatoes, occurs within this temperature range. To achieve the Maillard reaction, hot air is circulated around and through the food. This reaction gives air-fried potatoes their distinctive texture and flavour, without the need for unhealthy fats from traditional deep frying.

When cooking potatoes in an air fryer, it is important to cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. It is also recommended to leave the skins on, as they provide a delicious crispy bite and are more nutritious. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and ensure even crisping.

By following these simple tips and cooking at the ideal temperature, you can achieve perfectly crispy and fluffy air-fried potatoes every time.

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How long to air fry potatoes

Air fryer potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, and they turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The length of time you air fry your potatoes for will depend on the type of potatoes you are using, and how crispy you like them.

Preparation

Before air frying your potatoes, you will need to prepare them. First, wash your potatoes. You can peel them, but leaving the skin on will add to the crispiness of your potatoes. Chop your potatoes into bite-sized chunks, about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch thick. Place the chopped potatoes into a bowl and toss them with olive oil and your chosen seasonings. You can also add grated parmesan cheese to the mix.

Cooking time

Once your potatoes are prepared, you can place them into the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded, as this will affect how crispy they turn out. Set your air fryer to 400˚F and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, shake the basket and stir the potatoes. Then cook for another 8-10 minutes. Check your potatoes to see if they are done to your liking. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. If you prefer your potatoes extra crispy, you can put them in the air fryer for another couple of minutes.

Serving

Once your potatoes are cooked, you can serve them with a squeeze of lemon juice and some chopped fresh parsley.

Tips

  • If you want to add even more crispiness to your potatoes, you can parboil them before placing them in the air fryer.
  • You can also try frying your potatoes twice. This is a classic method for making French fries, and it will give your potatoes that extra crunch.
  • If you are making a large batch, cook your potatoes in batches to ensure they are nice and crispy.
  • You can also try preheating your air fryer to 400° before placing your potatoes in, to help them achieve maximum crispiness.

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Tips for the best air fryer potatoes

Leave the Skin On

The skin of a potato is key to achieving that crispy texture. It also adds extra flavour and is more nutritious. Just remember to give the potatoes a good wash before cooking.

Avoid Cooking Spray

Cooking spray can damage the coating of your air fryer basket. Instead, toss the potatoes in olive oil to prevent them from sticking.

Don't Overcrowd the Basket

It's important to give your potatoes room to breathe. They need space for the air to circulate and crisp them up. If you have a lot of potatoes, cook them in batches.

Soak the Potatoes

Soaking the potatoes in water before cooking helps to remove the starch and prevent them from browning too quickly. Soak them for around 30-45 minutes, then pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Double Fry

A classic technique for achieving crispy potatoes is to fry them twice. First, fry them at a lower temperature, then let them rest before frying again at a higher temperature to achieve that desired crispness.

Choose the Right Potato

Some potatoes are better suited to air frying than others. Yukon gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and baby potatoes are all great choices and will crisp up beautifully.

Season Generously

Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or try something more adventurous like Cajun spice, chili lime, or Italian seasoning.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Don't forget to preheat your air fryer before adding the potatoes. This will help them achieve maximum crispiness in a shorter amount of time.

Frequently asked questions

No, there is no need to boil the potatoes before air frying. If you do, they may become too soft and turn into mashed potatoes.

It is best to cook them in batches to ensure they are crispy. Leave a little room between each potato so the air can circulate.

Baby potatoes, Yukon gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and fingerlings are all good options.

Don't overcrowd the basket and shake the basket or stir the potatoes halfway through cooking.

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