Air Fryer Potatoes
Air Fryer Potatoes recipes come in all different flavors and styles from our crispy air fryer potatoes to air fryer roasted potatoes. Air frying potatoes is faster and easier than baking and gives them a darker golden-brown color on the outside that you cannot get from a microwave. When you air fry potatoes, it is good to rub them with extra virgin olive oil or canola oil and poke a few holes in them.
After baked potatoes, the most common use for potatoes is to make homemade french fries. The air fryer is perfect for that. Use a potato slicer or chop your own and spritz them with oil. Then, season them with salt, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley before air frying. It only takes a few minutes, and you have the perfect side dish cuisine.
Other air fryer recipes are good with a dash of chili powder and freshly ground black pepper for a bit of spiciness. Try adding some freshly shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, pizza sauce, and chopped parsley for flavorful potatoes that call for a pizza flavor.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of potatoes work best in the air fryer?
The type of potato depends on the air fryer recipe you are using. Russet potatoes are great for soft potato dishes, baby potatoes work perfectly for roasted potatoes, and baby red potatoes are for just about anything from crispy potatoes to mashed. Any time you cook potatoes in the air fryer, just consider the texture of the recipe you are making.
White, Yukon gold potatoes, baby gold potatoes, and yellow potatoes are also good for many air fryer recipes. Sweet potatoes are also easy to cook in the air fryer. Just remember, if you use large potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces. Cubed potatoes or diced potatoes cook more evenly than large whole spuds.
Do you have to boil potatoes before air frying?
Although our crispy air fryer potatoes recipe does not call for it, some people prefer to boil them before frying. They say it gives them a more tender and fluffy inside. Just cut the potatoes first and then add them to boiling water for three minutes. Then, transfer potatoes to a paper towel to absorb excess moisture before adding oil and seasoning.
Why should I poke holes in my air fryer potatoes?
If you have never seen a potato explode, you probably already poke holes in them just because the recipe tells you to. But, we do this for more than just that one reason. It also helps the heat penetrate better to cook evenly. Whether you use the air fryer, oven, or microwave, poking holes is a must! Even if some air fryer potato recipes do not call for it.
Are all air fryers the same?
No. Some air fryers are stronger than others and they can come in all shapes and sizes with different uses. For example, they have some huge air fryers that can rotisserie a whole turkey or bake a cake. Then there are those small ones that are perfect for those who are cooking for one. And the toaster oven type that can broil, bake, and toast. When shopping for a new air fryer, remember, the best air fryer is the one that does what you need it to do.
Recipe tips:
- Try to cut potatoes evenly with a sharp knife so they are cooked perfectly.
- For perfectly seasoned diced potatoes, put them in a large bowl with avocado oil, fresh herbs, and a splash of lemon juice. Toss potatoes for even coverage.
- If you use garlic salt, make sure you do not use any other salt like kosher salt, or they will be too salty.
- Prep time and cooking time are much shorter. Air fryer potatoes cook in half the time compared to oven-roasted potatoes and are super crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
- Are you worried about nutrition, calories, and fat? Using an air fryer to make french fries is a much healthier alternative than using a deep fryer because you cook them in hot air instead of oil. A light coating is all you need.
- Because they are healthier, you can indulge in other things like sour cream, bacon, and shredded cheese.
- Always store cooked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge after cooking.
- Remember to shake the air fryer tray or air fryer basket halfway through your cook time for even cooking. This also helps them coat evenly with whatever seasonings you are using.
- If you are looking for more air fryer or side dish ideas, check out our food blog. We post new recipes every day.