Air Fryer Roast Potatoes: Crispy, Golden Perfection

Air fryer roast potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, and a great alternative to oven-roasted potatoes. They are crispy and golden on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. The circulating air of the air fryer crisps the outsides of the potatoes and cooks the insides evenly. They are also healthier than deep-fried potatoes, as they require less oil.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The best potatoes for air fryer roast potatoes include Yukon Golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, and baby or new potatoes. These varieties will crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, giving you that desired crunchy texture on the outside.

Yukon Golds and yellow potatoes are a favourite choice for many because they strike the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and a creamy, flavourful interior. Their lower starch and higher sugar content result in a deeper golden colour and a slightly softer crisp.

Russet potatoes are another excellent option, known for crisping up wonderfully with a pale golden colour. Their insides become soft and fluffy, making them a great choice for those who prefer a milder flavour.

Red potatoes will also turn out great, but they tend to darken to an even deeper golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will emerge crispy from the air fryer but will quickly soften on the outside.

Baby potatoes or new potatoes are also a good choice, but they can be harder to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal. These potatoes have a high sugar content, roast perfectly, and hold their shape well.

Size and Uniformity

When choosing potatoes, look for those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. This will ensure even cooking and browning. If using baby potatoes, aim for similar-sized potatoes to ensure they cook at the same rate.

Starch Content

The starch content of potatoes can impact the final texture of your roast potatoes. Starchy potatoes, such as russets, tend to have a fluffier interior when roasted. If you're using starchy potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes before roasting to remove excess starch. This step will help you achieve a crispier result.

Skin On or Off

Leaving the skin on your potatoes adds a delicious crispy texture and is more nutritious. However, the choice to peel or not to peel the potatoes is entirely up to you. If you prefer a rustic look, leaving the skin on is a great option, especially if you buy organic potatoes. Just be sure to give them a thorough wash before cooking.

In summary, the best potatoes for air fryer roast potatoes are Yukon Golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, or baby/new potatoes. Opt for uniform-sized potatoes with a suitable starch content for your desired texture, and don't forget to consider whether you want to leave the skin on for added crispiness and nutrition.

Preparing the potatoes

Selecting the Potatoes:

Choose potatoes that are uniform in size, preferably baby or new potatoes, as they hold their shape well during cooking. You can also use Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or russet potatoes. Look for potatoes that are free from eyes and blemishes to ensure even cooking.

Cutting the Potatoes:

Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1-inch chunks. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly in the air fryer. If using baby potatoes, you can cut them in half, or simply poke them with a fork to allow steam to escape.

Washing and Drying:

Give the potatoes a thorough wash, especially if you plan to leave the skins on. This step ensures that you remove any dirt or impurities from the surface of the potatoes. After washing, pat the potatoes dry with a clean towel to remove any excess moisture.

Seasoning the Potatoes:

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the potatoes with extra-virgin olive oil, making sure they are well-coated. You can also add your preferred seasonings at this stage, such as salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or any other spices you like. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Pre-Cooking Options:

Although not necessary, you can choose to parboil or steam the potatoes before air frying. This step can help speed up the cooking process in the air fryer and ensure the potatoes are cooked through. Simply simmer the potatoes in a pan of boiling water for about 5 minutes, or steam them for the same amount of time. Drain the potatoes well before proceeding to the next step.

Using a Tray Insert:

For crispier potatoes, consider using a shallow tray insert placed inside your air fryer basket. This allows the potatoes to be in contact with the oil, creating a crunchier skin. Drizzle the potatoes with oil and give them a good shake or stir to ensure they are fully coated.

Using oil

The circulating air in an air fryer crisps the outsides of potatoes with a golden crust, while keeping the insides soft, tender, and flavourful. Using an air fryer also reduces the amount of oil required, making roasted potatoes a healthier choice.

Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for roasting potatoes in an air fryer. However, other neutral oils with a high smoke point, such as rapeseed, avocado, or sunflower oil, can also be used.

Use just enough oil to coat the potatoes so that the seasonings will stick. The amount of oil will depend on the number of potatoes you are roasting. For example, 1 kg of potatoes will require 1 tablespoon of oil, while 1.5 lbs of potatoes will need 2 tablespoons of oil.

How to Use Oil When Air Frying Potatoes

First, cut your potatoes into evenly-sized pieces, leaving the skin on. Then, in a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and your desired seasonings. Make sure the potatoes are well coated.

Next, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket so that the air can circulate properly.

If you are using a drawer-style air fryer, you can place a shallow tray insert into the basket first, and then add the potatoes. This will prevent the oil from draining through the basket holes, resulting in crispier potatoes.

Finally, air fry at 380-400°F for 18-20 minutes, or until golden and crisp, flipping the potatoes halfway through.

Tips for Using Oil with an Air Fryer

• Avoid using aerosol cooking sprays as these can damage the coating of the air fryer basket.
• If you desire a thicker, crunchier skin on your potatoes, you can add a little more oil and cook for a few minutes longer.
• For a lower-calorie option, use less oil and cook the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket without the tray insert.

Adding seasoning

The seasoning you use for your air fryer roast potatoes is entirely up to you and can be as simple or complex as you like. The most basic seasoning consists of salt and pepper, but you can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and Parmesan cheese. If you want to get creative, you can try different variations such as Greek, Mexican, or Cajun seasoning. You can also toss the potatoes in a little flour before putting them in the fryer with the oil for extra crispness.

Italian seasoning

A blend of Italian herbs such as oregano, basil, and rosemary can add a delicious Mediterranean flavour to your potatoes.

Greek seasoning

Combine garlic, onion, oregano, basil, dill, salt, and pepper for a Greek-inspired twist on your roast potatoes.

Mexican seasoning

For a Mexican-inspired dish, blend cumin, chilli powder, onion, and garlic powder. These potatoes would pair well with chimichangas.

Cajun seasoning

Add some spice to your potatoes with a Cajun seasoning blend. This can be a great side dish to serve with baked cod.

Ranch seasoning

Use a packet of dry ranch seasoning, adding it to taste. You can also make your own homemade ranch seasoning.

Taco seasoning

Give your potatoes a southwestern spin with taco seasoning.

Chili-lime seasoning

A combination of ground cumin, chilli powder, garlic powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice will add a zesty kick to your potatoes.

Lemon and herb seasoning

For a fresh and flavourful option, try dried or fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and dill, with a squeeze of lemon.

Cooking methods

The key to making the best air fryer roast potatoes is to get them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to achieve that:

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. You will need potatoes, oil, and seasonings. For the potatoes, Yukon Golds, red potatoes, russet potatoes, or baby/new potatoes are great options. For the oil, extra virgin olive oil is recommended. As for seasonings, you can use salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder or minced garlic, black pepper, and/or paprika.

Preparation

Start by washing the potatoes, then cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. If you are using baby potatoes, cut them in half. For larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch chunks. If you are using starchy potatoes, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for 10-15 minutes to remove excess starch, and then pat them dry.

Next, place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the oil and seasonings. Make sure the potatoes are well coated. You can also add other ingredients like Parmesan cheese or minced garlic for extra flavour.

Cooking

Place a shallow tray insert into your air fryer basket. This will allow the potatoes to sit in the hot oil and develop a crunchier skin. Add the potatoes to the tray and drizzle with oil. Give them a good shake or stir to ensure they are fully coated.

Now, it's time to air fry! Cook the potatoes at a temperature between 380°F and 400°F for 10 minutes. Then, flip or toss the potatoes and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender and crispy. If you have time, preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes will result in crispier potatoes.

Serving

Once the potatoes are crisped and fork-tender, they are ready to serve! You can garnish them with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and serve them with a dip such as ranch dressing, guacamole, or lime crema. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions