Air-Fried Roast Potatoes: The Perfect Crunchy Comfort Food

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy way to make a tasty side dish. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and can be made in half the time of oven-roasted potatoes. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Yukon gold, red potatoes, russet potatoes, or baby potatoes, and season them with your favourite herbs and spices. The key to getting crispy potatoes is to ensure they are well-coated in oil and not overcrowded in the air fryer, so they have room to circulate and crisp up.

Choosing the right potatoes

Types of Potatoes

The type of potato you choose will impact the final texture and flavour of your roast potatoes. Here are some commonly used potato varieties for air frying:

• Yukon Gold: Yukon Gold potatoes, also known as yellow potatoes, are a popular choice for air frying. They crisp up well and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp is slightly softer than other varieties, but the inside remains creamy and flavourful.
• Russet: Russet potatoes are a good option as they crisp up beautifully and have a pale golden colour. Their insides become soft and fluffy, making them a great choice for air fryer roast potatoes.
• Red Potatoes: Red potatoes will roast to an even darker golden brown colour due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy at first but will soften quickly. The insides remain creamy and soft.
• Baby or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content and roast perfectly in the air fryer. They also hold their shape well. However, they can be harder to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Other Considerations

When choosing potatoes for your air fryer roast potatoes, keep the following in mind:

• Size: Look for potatoes that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking. Smaller potatoes, such as baby potatoes, can be cut in half, while larger potatoes should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Skin: Leaving the skin on is recommended for air fryer roast potatoes as it provides a delicious crispy texture. However, if you or your family prefer peeled potatoes, you can certainly peel them before air frying.
• Pre-washing: It is essential to wash your potatoes thoroughly, especially if you plan to leave the skin on. This removes any dirt or chemicals and ensures a crispier final product.
• Soaking: If you are using starchy potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch. Make sure to pat them dry before adding oil and seasonings.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer roast potatoes is choosing the right type of potato, preparing them properly, and ensuring they are well-coated with oil and seasonings. With the right potatoes and some simple techniques, you'll achieve crispy, golden, and fluffy roast potatoes every time!

Preparing the potatoes

Select the Right Potatoes: Choose potatoes that are suitable for roasting, such as Yukon Golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, or baby potatoes. You can also use any other variety, but these types tend to work well and crisp up nicely.

Wash and Cut the Potatoes: Give your potatoes a thorough wash to remove any dirt. You can leave the skin on for that extra crispy texture and added nutrients. Cut the potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces, about 1/2" to 3/4" thick or 1-inch chunks. This ensures even cooking and a better final texture.

Seasoning and Coating: Place the cut potatoes in a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle them generously with extra virgin olive oil, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Then, add your desired seasonings. You can use a combination of salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, or any other spices you prefer. Give the potatoes a good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Use a Shallow Tray or Basket: For the crispiest results, it is recommended to use a shallow tray insert inside your air fryer basket. This allows the potatoes to be in better contact with the oil, creating a crunchier skin. If you don't have a tray insert, you can add the potatoes directly to the air fryer basket, but the skin will be slightly less crunchy.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for roast potatoes in an air fryer will vary depending on the type of potato and the specific air fryer model being used. However, here is a general guide:

For fluffy and crispy roast potatoes, it is recommended to cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces, ensuring they are not too big. For baby potatoes, cut them into halves, and for larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch or bite-sized pieces (about 0.5-0.75 inches thick). If using an air fryer with a basket, it is important not to overcrowd it and to arrange the potatoes in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. You can cook them in batches if needed.

Some recipes suggest steaming or parboiling the potatoes before air frying. This step is not necessary, but it can help to speed up the cooking process and ensure the potatoes are cooked through. If you do choose to parboil the potatoes, peel and chop them into chunks, then boil or steam for about 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes well before proceeding to the next step.

When ready to air fry, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (195-200°C). Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket or tray, making sure they are in a single layer. Drizzle or toss the potatoes with oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Some recipes also suggest adding other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or Cajun seasoning.

The cooking time will depend on the quantity of potatoes and the specific air fryer model. For a single layer of potatoes, cook for about 10 minutes, then flip or stir the potatoes and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. For a thicker crunch, you can add another drizzle of oil halfway through the cooking process.

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of potato and the specific air fryer model being used. Be sure to refer to your air fryer's instructions for the best results. Additionally, always ensure that the potatoes are well-coated in oil and seasonings before air frying, and consider using a shallow tray insert if you want crispier potatoes.

Oil and seasoning

The oil and seasoning you use will depend on your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you decide:

Oil

• Extra virgin olive oil is recommended by some sources, as it helps the potatoes crisp up and brown nicely, as well as adding flavour.
• Other options include rapeseed, avocado, sunflower, or vegetable oil.
• Avoid using aerosol cooking sprays, as these will damage the coating of your air fryer basket.
• You only need enough oil to coat the potatoes and help the seasoning stick.

Seasoning

• Seasoning is a matter of personal preference, but some popular options include salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and parsley.
• For extra crispiness, you can toss the potatoes in a little flour before adding them to the fryer with the oil.
• You can also get creative with your seasonings. Some ideas include Ranch, Taco, Cajun Spice, Chili Lime, Lemon and Herb, or Greek seasoning.
• If you're using baby potatoes, you can simply poke them with a fork to allow the steam to escape, rather than cutting them up.

Serving suggestions

As a Side Dish

Air fryer roast potatoes are a great side dish for a variety of meals. Serve them alongside a main course such as steak, chicken, or salmon. They also pair well with other side dishes like a fresh green salad, roasted cauliflower, or roasted asparagus.

For Breakfast

Try adding these crispy potatoes to your breakfast tacos or burrito. A squeeze of lemon will help cut through the richness of the dish.

As an Appetizer

Serve the potatoes as an appetizer with a dip such as ranch dressing, yum yum sauce, lime crema, or guacamole.

For a Special Occasion

If you're making these potatoes for a special occasion or holiday gathering, consider adding a garnish of chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary for a touch of elegance.

With Meat

Air fryer roast potatoes go well with a variety of meats. Try pairing them with pan-seared steak, creamy Tuscan chicken, juicy pork tenderloin, or a juicy roast turkey.

With Roasts

These potatoes are also delicious with roast lamb shoulder or roast duck legs.

Frequently asked questions