Air-Fried Red Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryer red potatoes are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a golden-brown colour and a soft texture. The air fryer's small size ensures that the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of crispness or tenderness in less than 30 minutes. This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and can be customised with various seasonings and spices to suit your taste preferences.

Choosing the right potatoes

Type of Potato

Small red potatoes, also known as baby red potatoes or new potatoes, are ideal for air frying. They have a creamy and mildly sweet flavour, and their small, tender size makes them perfect for this cooking method. Other types of small, tender potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, baby russets or fingerlings, can also be used. Avoid using potatoes with high starch content, such as russet potatoes, as they won't crisp up or tenderise as well.

Size and Cutting

When choosing red potatoes, look for those that are evenly sized, with a regular or baby size. This ensures that they cook evenly in the air fryer. Cut the potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch wide. This helps them cook evenly and ensures they get crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Skin On or Off

Leave the skin on the potatoes! The skin helps to create a delicious crispy bite, and it also adds extra fibre to your dish. The skin on red potatoes is thin, so there's no need to peel them before cooking.

Freshness

Always choose fresh potatoes that are free from any eyes or bad spots. Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly before cutting and cooking to remove any bacteria and debris.

Amount

Don't overcrowd your air fryer! Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. A 6.5-quart air fryer, for example, can typically accommodate one pound of red potatoes in a single layer. Cooking in batches ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and get nice and crispy.

By following these tips and choosing the right potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy air-fried red potatoes.

Preparing the potatoes

Next, place the chopped potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. You only need a small amount of oil—around one to two tablespoons should be enough. Toss the potatoes in the oil to ensure they are evenly coated. Then, add your chosen spices and herbs. You can adjust these to your preferences, but a simple combination might include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and rosemary. Give the bowl a good mix to ensure the potatoes are coated in the oil and spices.

Once your potatoes are prepared, it's time to cook them!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for red potatoes in an air fryer will depend on the result you want. For crispy potatoes, you should cook them for 18-22 minutes at 400°F. If you prefer them extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time by 2-5 minutes. For tender potatoes, 15 minutes at 400°F should be enough. If you want to make French fries, cook them for 12-15 minutes at 375°F.

It is important to remember that cooking times can vary depending on the model of your air fryer. Therefore, you should keep an eye on your potatoes to avoid under or over-cooking them. To ensure even cooking, you should also toss the potatoes a few times during the cooking process, preferably every 5 minutes.

When cooking red potatoes in an air fryer, it is best to cut them into uniform sizes. This will ensure even cooking, and you can cut them into bite-sized pieces for the best results. Also, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. You may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Seasoning options

The great thing about air fryer red potatoes is that they can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Herbs and Spices

• Fresh or dried rosemary is a popular choice, providing a fragrant and intense flavour.
• Thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, or chives can also be used for a fresh herb flavour.
• For a spicy kick, try adding cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chilli powder.
• Other spices that can be used include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Salt and Pepper

A little salt and pepper can go a long way in enhancing the flavour of your potatoes. Kosher salt is a good option for seasoning, as it is easy to use.

Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a great way to add a rich, savoury flavour to your potatoes. Sprinkle it on at the end of cooking for a salty, cheesy kick.

Lemon

Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your potatoes can help to cut through their richness. Just be sure not to add it until right before serving, so your potatoes don't get soggy.

Other Seasoning Blends

There are also a variety of seasoning blends that you can use to mix things up:

• Cajun seasoning
• Old Bay seasoning
• Mexican-inspired seasoning (cumin, chilli powder, onion powder, garlic powder)
• Greek-inspired seasoning (oregano, basil, dill)
• Italian seasoning
• Mediterranean seasoning
• Baharat spice mix
• Ranch seasoning

Customising Your Seasonings

The beauty of air fryer red potatoes is that you can customise the seasonings to your taste preferences and what you plan to serve them with. So, feel free to experiment and find your perfect combination!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer red potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Breakfast

Add these crispy potatoes to your breakfast plate, or include them in breakfast tacos or a breakfast burrito. They also go well with breakfast chicken sausage patties or a breakfast hash.

Appetizers

Serve the potatoes with a dipping sauce as an appetizer or game-day snack.

Main Course

Air fryer red potatoes are a perfect side dish for a variety of main courses, including:

• Chicken dishes, such as Air Fried Cornish Hens or Chicken Kabobs
• Beef recipes, like Reverse Sear Tenderloin or Pot Roast
• Pork chops, burgers, prime rib, or steak
• Fish, such as Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Special Occasions

If you're making these potatoes for a special occasion, consider adding a sprinkle of parsley, thyme, or rosemary for a gourmet touch.

Dips and Sauces

These potatoes go well with a variety of dips and sauces, such as:

• Blue Cheese Dip
• Yogurt Ranch Dip
• Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes

Other Sides

Air fryer red potatoes can be served alongside other side dishes, such as:

• Air fryer mushrooms and onions
• Air fryer Moroccan-spiced carrots
• Parmesan roasted cauliflower
• Chipotle butter broccoli

Leftovers

If you have any leftover potatoes, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions