Air-Fryer Sliced Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make sliced potatoes, which can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. They are healthier than traditional fries, with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the potato slices and the type of air fryer used, but generally, it takes around 12-15 minutes to achieve the desired crispiness and doneness.

Choosing the right potato

Type of Potato

The best potatoes for air frying are starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold. Russet potatoes are high in starch, which makes them ideal for crispy fries or home fries. Yukon Golds, on the other hand, are medium-starch potatoes that offer a creamier texture, making them excellent for roasting or soups. Both options will give you delicious results, but if you're after that extra fluffiness, go for Russets.

Potato Size

For even cooking, it's important to choose potatoes of similar size. This ensures that the slices will cook at the same rate, preventing some from burning while others remain undercooked. Aim for potatoes that are around the same dimensions and weight to ensure uniform cooking.

Potato Thickness

The thickness of your potato slices will impact the cooking time and the final texture. For air-fried potato slices, a thickness of around ¼ inch is ideal. Thicker slices may require longer cooking times, while thinner slices might crisp up too much and resemble potato chips.

Peeling or Not Peeling

Whether you peel the potatoes or leave the skin on is entirely up to your preference. Peeling the potatoes will give you a more uniform appearance, while leaving the skin on can add a bit of texture and colour contrast.

Soaking or Not Soaking

Soaking potato slices in cold water before air frying is optional but can help improve crispiness. Soaking draws out some of the starch, resulting in a crispier exterior. If you have the time, give your potato slices a quick soak, then pat them dry before tossing them in oil and seasonings.

With these considerations in mind, you'll be well on your way to choosing the right potato for your air fryer slices. Remember to also take into account your personal preferences and the specific recipe you're following for the best results.

Preparing the potato

Select the Right Potato Variety: Choose starchy potatoes such as Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. These varieties will give you the fluffiest and crispiest slices. If you want to use sweet potatoes, keep in mind that they cook slightly faster than regular potatoes.

Peeling and Slicing: You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Use a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer to cut the potatoes into even slices, ideally 1/4-inch thick. This thickness will give you a nice balance between crispiness and softness.

Soaking (Optional): Soaking the potato slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes is optional but recommended. It helps draw out some of the starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. After soaking, make sure to pat the slices dry with a towel before proceeding to the next step.

Seasoning: Place the dried potato slices in a bowl and add your choice of seasoning. You can use olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or any other spices you like. Toss the slices well to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Arranging in the Air Fryer: Place the seasoned potato slices in the air fryer basket. It's okay if they overlap slightly, but try not to overcrowd the basket. For even cooking, make sure the slices are not directly stacked on top of each other.

Seasoning

Choosing Your Seasonings

You can choose from a variety of seasonings to add flavour to your potatoes. Here are some popular options:

• Salt: Use a coarser type of salt such as kosher or sea salt for a stronger flavour.
• Garlic: Garlic powder or crushed garlic can be used to add a savoury kick to your potatoes.
• Onion: Onion powder can be used as a seasoning, or you can use fresh onion slices for a stronger flavour.
• Paprika: Hungarian paprika is a great option for its vibrant colour and flavour. Smoked paprika also works well.
• Herbs: Dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil or Italian seasoning can add a lot of flavour to your potatoes.
• Spicy kick: If you like your food spicy, consider adding cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chilli powder to your seasoning mix.

Preparing the Seasoning Mix

In a small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings with olive oil to create a paste. You can also add melted butter to the mix for extra flavour. Mix the ingredients until they are well blended.

Coating the Potatoes

Once you have prepared your seasoning mix, it's time to coat the potatoes. Place your potato slices in a large bowl and pour the seasoning mix over them. Use a spoon or your clean hands to toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. Make sure all the slices are well covered so that they will cook evenly in the air fryer.

During Cooking

Depending on the recipe you are following, you may want to add more seasoning during the cooking process. For example, you can brush the potatoes with the seasoning mix halfway through cooking to ensure they don't dry out. You can also sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes during cooking for an extra savoury flavour.

Serving

When serving your sliced potatoes, you can offer a variety of dips and sauces on the side. This gives your guests the option to add more flavour to their potatoes. Some popular options include spicy garlic aioli, bacon aioli, dill aioli, ketchup, ranch dressing, sour cream, and honey mustard BBQ sauce.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for sliced potatoes in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the potato slices, the type of potato used, and the size and model of the air fryer.

For 1/4-inch thick slices of Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, the cooking time will be around 12-15 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. If your potato slices are thicker, aim for 15-18 minutes. Anything thinner than 1/4 inch will take 10-12 minutes or less.

It's important to note that different types of potatoes will cook at different rates. Russet potatoes, for example, are higher in starch and crisp up more easily, making them ideal for crispy fries or home fries. Yukon Gold potatoes, on the other hand, are medium starch and creamier, making them better for roasting or soups.

Additionally, the size and model of your air fryer will impact the cooking time. A larger air fryer, such as a 7-quart or larger basket-style air fryer, will cook the potatoes more quickly than a smaller air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.

It's also worth mentioning that preheating the air fryer is not always necessary, but it can help to shorten the cooking time by a minute or two.

Serving suggestions

Air-fried sliced potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served as a side, snack, or appetiser. They are best served fresh, straight out of the fryer, but you can also store them for up to four days in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer.

Dips and sauces

These potato slices are a great finger food and go well with dips and sauces such as:

• Ketchup
• Mayo
• Sour cream
• Aioli (dill, spicy garlic, or bacon)
• Chip dip
• Honey mustard BBQ sauce
• Homemade chipotle mayo

As a side

Air-fried potato slices are a great side dish to serve with a variety of mains, including:

• Meat, especially meaty mains such as pork chops, steak, or chicken
• Fish
• Brined chicken wings
• Buffalo chicken thighs
• Pork kebabs
• Greek chickpea salad
• Green salad
• Air-fried vegetables

Variations

You can also experiment with different seasonings and spices to change up the flavours of your potato slices. Try adding:

• Dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning
• Chili powder or taco seasoning
• Garlic or onion salt
• Ground cumin and coriander
• Cayenne pepper for a kick
• Parmesan cheese
• Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Frequently asked questions