Air Fryer Small Yellow Potatoes: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Cooking small yellow potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious side dish. The potatoes turn out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the air fryer reduces the cooking time by half compared to an oven. Here's a simple recipe to make small yellow potatoes in an air fryer.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

When it comes to air frying, look for baby or new potatoes, which are any variety of potato harvested before reaching maturity. These potatoes have thinner skins, allowing them to crisp up nicely. Some common types of baby potatoes include fingerlings, Yukon Golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes. You can also use small yellow potatoes with thicker skins, but they may take slightly longer to cook.

Size and Shape

Aim for potatoes that are uniform in size, ideally no more than 1 inch in diameter. This ensures even cooking and browning. If some potatoes are larger, cut them into halves or quarters to match the size of the smaller ones.

Quality

Select potatoes that are free from eyes and blemishes. Look for smooth, firm potatoes with tight skins. Avoid those with wrinkles, soft spots, or sprouting eyes, as these signs indicate that the potatoes are past their prime.

Preparation

Before cooking, give the potatoes a good scrub to remove any residual dirt. Then, fully dry them with paper towels or a kitchen towel. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispness of the final dish. You can also soak the potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to overnight to remove excess starch, but be sure to dry them thoroughly afterward.

Seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, the sky's the limit! You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs like dill or oregano, or even a Cajun or taco seasoning blend. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select the right potatoes. Small yellow potatoes, often called "new potatoes", are ideal for this recipe. These are harvested before they are fully mature, resulting in thinner skins that crisp up nicely. If you can't find baby potatoes, larger Yukon Gold or other yellow potatoes can be used, but cut them into 3/4-inch or 1-inch chunks to ensure even cooking.

Next, wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Dry them with a paper towel. If the potatoes are larger than 1/2 inch in diameter, cut them in half or into equal-sized pieces so they cook evenly. You can also leave some whole and cut others into halves or quarters, depending on your preference.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use olive oil, grapeseed oil, or another vegetable oil of your choice. Add your desired seasonings and toss the potatoes to ensure an even coating. For a simple option, go with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add Italian seasoning, paprika, dried herbs like dill or oregano, or even spice blends like Cajun seasoning or taco seasoning.

Once the potatoes are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure proper cooking. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

With the potatoes in the air fryer, it's time to set the temperature and cooking time. For small yellow potatoes, a temperature of around 400°F is ideal. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes, then remove the basket and give it a shake or stir to ensure even cooking. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your potatoes.

Keep an eye on the potatoes towards the end of the cooking time to avoid burning. They are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the edges. Remove them from the air fryer, and your small yellow potatoes are ready to be served!

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Look for small yellow potatoes, often labelled as "baby" or "new" potatoes. These potatoes have thinner skins, which is ideal for achieving a crispy texture. If you can't find small yellow potatoes, you can use larger Yukon Gold potatoes and cut them into 3/4-inch or 1-inch chunks to ensure even cooking.

Preparation:

Wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Dry them with a paper towel. Cut the potatoes into halves or equal-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. If the potatoes are larger, you may need to cut them into quarters. The goal is to have uniform-sized pieces.

Oil and Seasonings:

Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, grapeseed oil, or any vegetable oil of your choice. Make sure to toss the potatoes well to evenly coat them with oil.

Now comes the fun part—seasoning! There are endless combinations of seasonings you can use to elevate the flavour of your potatoes. Here are some options:

• Garlic Powder: This adds a savoury, umami flavour to the potatoes.
• Italian Seasoning: It includes herbs such as basil, oregano, and rosemary. You can also make your own blend or substitute it with dried thyme.
• Salt and Pepper: A classic combination that enhances the flavour of the potatoes. Use kosher salt or regular table salt, whichever you prefer. Freshly ground black pepper adds a nice bite.
• Spicy Kick: If you like it spicy, add some Cajun seasoning, chilli powder, smoked paprika, or taco seasoning.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, chives, or dill not only add a pop of colour but also a burst of fresh flavour.
• Cheesy Twist: Toss the potatoes with grated Parmesan cheese before serving for a cheesy delight.
• Lemon Squeeze: A squeeze of lemon juice over the roasted potatoes adds a bright, tangy note that cuts through their richness. However, be sure to add the lemon juice right before serving to avoid sogginess.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile. You can also try premade seasoning blends like Italian, BBQ, or taco seasoning for a quick and easy option.

Once you've added your desired seasonings to the potatoes, toss them well to ensure an even coating. You can also add a little more oil at this stage if needed.

Cooking Instructions:

After seasoning, it's time to cook the potatoes in your air fryer. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the basket, shake or stir the potatoes, and return them to the air fryer for another 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and adjust the cooking time as needed until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Final Touches:

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. You can garnish them with fresh herbs and an additional sprinkle of salt and pepper if desired. For an indulgent touch, melt some butter and toss the potatoes in it before serving.

There you have it! Delicious, seasoned small yellow potatoes made in your air fryer. Enjoy them as a side dish, appetizer, or even for breakfast with eggs and bacon.

Cooking the potatoes

Ingredients

• Small yellow potatoes (baby, mini, or little potatoes)
• Olive oil or grapeseed oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Instructions

• Wash and dry the potatoes with a paper towel. Cut them in half or into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and even cooking.
• In a large bowl, add the potatoes and drizzle with oil. Toss them to coat evenly.
• Sprinkle on your choice of seasonings: garlic powder, Italian seasoning (or Cajun seasoning), red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Continue tossing until the seasonings are distributed as evenly as possible.
• Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
• Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and toss the potatoes to adjust their position.
• Set the timer for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy. Check on them at the 8-minute mark to ensure they don't burn.
• Remove the roasted potatoes from the air fryer basket and serve hot.
• For an extra indulgent touch, melt a few tablespoons of salted butter and toss the finished potatoes in it. Sprinkle with additional pepper and a pinch of salt if unsalted butter is used.

Tips

• Choose potatoes with thin skins and of equal size to ensure even cooking.
• Use a little oil to make the potatoes moist and crispy.
• Cook the potatoes in batches if needed to ensure even cooking and browning.
• For a simple side dish, serve these potatoes with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, chipotle mayo, or honey mustard.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer for 1-3 minutes.

Serving the potatoes

These small yellow potatoes cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served at any time of the day. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• Breakfast: These potatoes are great as a breakfast side dish with eggs, steak, bacon, or sausage. You can also add them to breakfast tacos or a breakfast burrito.
• Lunch/Dinner: They make an excellent side dish for lunch or dinner, pairing well with any protein, such as steak, chicken, or fish, and vegetables. They can also be served with a dip, like whipped feta, as an appetiser.
• Salads and bowls: You can add these potatoes to salads or bowls.
• With other grilled/air-fried veggies: These potatoes go well with other grilled or air-fried vegetables.
• With meat: They are a great side dish for meat lovers and can be served with fish, chicken, or Filet Mignon.
• As a snack: These potatoes can be served with a dipping sauce, such as ketchup, chipotle mayo, or honey mustard.
• Holiday meals: These potatoes can be added to a holiday menu alongside classic dishes like stuffing and green bean casserole.
• With a dip: You can serve these potatoes with a dip, such as whipped feta, as an appetiser.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer until hot and crispy, or use a microwave.

Frequently asked questions