Air-Fryer Potatoes: Soft, Crispy, Quick

Air fryers are a great way to make soft and tender potatoes. The circulating air in the fryer crisps the outsides of the potatoes to a golden crust while keeping the insides soft, tender, and flavourful. The air fryer also reduces the amount of oil required, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying.

How to make soft potatoes in an air fryer without boiling them first

Making soft potatoes in an air fryer is easy and quick. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect soft potatoes without having to boil them first.

Ingredients

• Potatoes (baby reds, Yukon gold, white potatoes, or yellow potatoes)
• Olive oil (extra virgin olive oil is recommended)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Parsley (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Step 1: Cut the Potatoes

Start by cutting the potatoes into halves or smaller pieces, depending on their size. For larger potatoes, cut them into bite-sized chunks of about ½” to ¾” thick.

Step 2: Season the Potatoes

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over them and add your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 3: Air Fry the Potatoes

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Shake and Stir

After the initial 10 minutes, open the air fryer and shake the basket to stir the potatoes. This helps ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Continue Cooking

Return the air fryer basket and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and soft and tender on the inside.

Step 6: Serve

Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired texture, serve them immediately. You can squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley over the potatoes for added flavor and garnish.

Tips:

• Soaking the potatoes in water for 30-45 minutes before cooking can help remove excess starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. However, this step is optional and not necessary for achieving soft potatoes.
• Avoid using cooking spray in the air fryer as it can damage the coating of the basket. Instead, use olive oil to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
• For the best results, leave the potato skins on as they add texture and flavor to the dish. Just remember to wash them thoroughly before cutting.
• If you want to add some spice, you can include a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to your seasonings.

Enjoy your soft and crispy air-fried potatoes!

The best potatoes for soft air fryer recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, giving them a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior. The circulating hot air of an air fryer produces a Maillard reaction, resulting in a crunchy exterior. This method is also healthier than deep-frying, as it uses a fraction of the oil.

When it comes to choosing the best potatoes for soft air fryer recipes, there are several types that are particularly effective:

• Russets: These potatoes will air fry beautifully, crisping up wonderfully with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy, with a mild flavour.
• Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes: These are a favourite for air frying as they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. Their crisp will be a tad softer than russets, but their insides will be creamy and full of flavour.
• Reds: Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when they come out of the fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.
• Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content, hold their shape, and roast perfectly in the air fryer. However, they can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

When preparing potatoes for the air fryer, it is recommended to cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Leaving the skin on will result in a crisp, salted texture, and it is more nutritious. It is also important to wash and thoroughly dry the potatoes before cooking.

Now, let's look at some specific recipes and tips for achieving soft potatoes in the air fryer:

• Boiling potatoes before air frying is not necessary, but it can help to soften them. However, it is an extra step that adds preparation time.
• Soaking potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to overnight can help remove starch and lead to crispier results. Ensure they are thoroughly dried before cooking.
• Preheating the air fryer to 400°F and cooking in batches will help achieve maximum crispiness.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the potato pieces. For even cooking, it is recommended to cut them into uniform sizes.
• For soft and tender potatoes, aim for a cooking time of around 18-20 minutes in the air fryer, flipping them halfway through.

Sample Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Yukon gold baby potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the potatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat evenly.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Flip or toss the potatoes and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until tender and crisp.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to find your favourite soft air fryer potato recipe!

How to make soft potatoes in an air fryer without them getting crispy

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (russets, red potatoes, Yukon golds, baby potatoes, or sweet potatoes)
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. Italian seasoning, paprika, pepper, parsley)

Instructions

First, wash and pat dry your chosen potatoes. Leave the skins on for that extra crispiness and added nutrition. Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to an hour can help remove the starch and make them crispier, but it is not necessary for this recipe.

Next, place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the oil, salt, garlic powder, and any other seasonings you wish to add. Make sure the potatoes are coated evenly.

Now, it's time to air-fry! Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each potato to allow for proper air circulation. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, shake the basket and stir the potatoes. Return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender and cooked through.

Finally, serve your soft and fluffy potatoes! They go well with a variety of main dishes, such as steak, chicken, or fish. Enjoy!

How to make soft potatoes in an air fryer without them getting mushy

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (baby reds, baby gold, baby russets, fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby red potatoes, russet potatoes, or yellow potatoes)
• Olive oil (extra virgin olive oil is recommended)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon (optional)
• Parsley (optional)
• Other seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, etc.)

Instructions:

• Cut the potatoes into halves or uniform bite-sized pieces (about 1/2"-3/4" thick).
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Make sure the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation.
• Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, shake the basket and stir the potatoes. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
• Optional: Squeeze a little lemon juice over the cooked potatoes and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Tips:

• Soaking the potatoes in water for 30-45 minutes before cooking can help remove excess starch and ensure they get crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. However, avoid soaking them for too long, as they may absorb too much water and become soggy.
• Leave the potato skins on for a crispy, salted texture, but make sure to wash them thoroughly before cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
• For maximum crispiness, preheat your air fryer before adding the potatoes and flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.

How to make soft potatoes in an air fryer without losing nutrients

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (white or sweet)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parsley
• Lemon (optional)
• Other seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, etc.)

Method:

Start by washing your potatoes thoroughly, leaving the skin on to retain nutrients. Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, about 1/2"-3/4" thick. You can use any type of potato, but white or yellow-skinned potatoes are recommended, as red or purple-skinned potatoes are slightly starchier and waxier.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the potatoes in a mixing bowl and toss them with olive oil. Once they're coated, add your desired seasonings and a squeeze of lemon juice (if using).

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not overcrowded. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you're using Parmesan cheese, add it in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

The potatoes are done when they're golden brown and crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside. Serve them with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Tips:

• Avoid cooking spray as it can damage the coating of your air fryer basket.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. The potatoes need space for the air to circulate and crisp up properly.
• Get creative with your seasonings! You can try different combinations like Ranch, Taco, Cajun, or Chili Lime.
• For extra crispy potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces and soak them in cold water for 1-2 hours before cooking. This removes starch and gives them a crispier texture.
• If you're short on time, you don't need to soak the potatoes, but make sure to pat them dry before adding oil and seasonings.

Enjoy your soft and nutritious air-fried potatoes!

Frequently asked questions