Air-Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make roasted baby potatoes that are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. The air fryer requires less oil than typical roasting while still giving an ultra-crispy, golden outside. This recipe is easy and versatile, and can be served with almost any meal.

Choosing the right potatoes

Type of Potato

The most commonly used potatoes for air frying are baby potatoes, also known as "new" potatoes. These include varieties such as fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes. You can use a mix of red, gold, and even purple potatoes, depending on what's available. These potatoes have thinner skin, which is ideal for achieving a crispy texture.

Size and Uniformity

When selecting your potatoes, try to choose ones that are uniform in size, as this will help ensure even cooking. Baby potatoes are typically small, but if you're using larger potatoes, cut them into bite-sized pieces or wedges, aiming for a similar size across all pieces.

Skin

Leaving the skin on is essential for achieving maximum crispiness. The oiled skin will give you that delicious, crispy texture. So, make sure to give the potatoes a good scrub and pat them dry before seasoning and air frying.

Starch Content

The starch content of potatoes can impact the final texture. Soaking the cut potatoes in water for about 20 minutes can help draw out excess starch, resulting in crispier potatoes.

Seasonings

While you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, feel free to experiment with various seasonings to elevate the flavor of your roasted baby potatoes. Popular options include garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or sage.

Oil

Using the right oil is crucial for achieving the perfect crisp. Opt for oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or olive oil. Drizzle or rub the oil onto the potatoes, ensuring they are well coated, as this will help the seasonings stick and promote even browning.

Remember, the beauty of roasted baby potatoes in the air fryer is their versatility, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of potatoes, seasonings, and oils to find your perfect combination!

Preparing the potatoes

The first step in making roasted baby potatoes in an air fryer is to select the right type of potatoes. Baby potatoes, also known as "new" potatoes, are harvested before they are fully grown, resulting in thinner skin that crisps up nicely in the air fryer. You can use any variety of baby potatoes, such as fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, or baby red potatoes.

Once you have your potatoes, give them a good wash and pat them dry. You can also soak the potatoes in water for about 20 minutes to remove the starch and make them even crispier. If you're short on time, you can skip this step.

Next, cut the baby potatoes in half. Cutting them into similar-sized pieces will ensure even cooking. Place the halved potatoes in a large mixing bowl.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the potatoes and toss until they are well coated. You can also use an oil spray for this step. The oil helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and promotes crisping.

For seasonings, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with a blend of spices. Some popular options include garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, rosemary, oregano, and parsley. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy touch. Play around with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.

After seasoning, it's time to arrange the potatoes in the air fryer. If you have an oven model air fryer, place the potatoes on the trays in a single layer. For basket models, put the potatoes in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure maximum crispiness.

Adding seasoning

The first step to seasoning is to rub your sliced baby potatoes in olive oil or avocado oil. This will ensure that the seasonings stick to the potatoes. You can also add grated parmesan cheese at this stage for a crispy parmesan and rosemary flavour.

Next, add your seasonings. A blend of rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper is a popular choice for a simple yet flavourful dish. You can also experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or sage. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try other combinations like Cajun seasoning, Mexican spices, or a Greek blend.

Don't be afraid to mix and match seasonings to suit your taste preferences and the main dish you're serving the potatoes with. For example, if you're serving the potatoes with a steak, you might want to use a different blend of spices than if you were serving them with salmon.

Finally, toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the seasoning. This will ensure that every bite is packed with flavour.

By following these steps and choosing the right combination of seasonings, you can take your baby potatoes from plain to mouthwatering!

Cooking the potatoes

Ingredients

Depending on your preference, you can use red, gold, or yellow baby potatoes. You can also use a mix of these. For seasoning, you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other high smoke point oil. For seasoning, you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, Italian seasoning, or any other herbs and spices of your choice.

Preparation

Start by washing and drying the potatoes. Leave the skin on, as this will help make the potatoes crispier. Cut the potatoes in half or into bite-sized pieces. If you have time, you can soak the potatoes in water for about 20 minutes to make them even crispier.

Next, drizzle the oil over the potatoes and toss them until they are well coated. Add your desired seasonings and toss again to combine. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer. If your air fryer doesn't have a basket, arrange them on the trays in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they cook evenly.

Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, then shake the basket or toss the potatoes to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for another 8-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. You can test for doneness by piercing the potatoes with a fork.

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They can be enjoyed as a side dish with steak, chicken, fish, or any other main course.

Serving suggestions

• Add them to your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner menu.
• Serve them as a side for pan-seared herbed chicken, grilled lemon lime chicken, or grilled rack of lamb.
• Serve them with mini meatloaves or maple-glazed salmon.
• Add them to a breakfast or brunch bowl.
• Put them in a salad for lunch.
• Pair them with almost any protein for dinner, including steak, chicken, or fish.
• Put them in breakfast tacos or a breakfast burrito.
• Serve them as a hearty side for steak or chicken dinners.
• Pair them with a dip and serve them as an appetiser.

Frequently asked questions