These crispy air fryer potatoes are the star of any meal! With their golden, crunchy outside and fluffy inside, they make a perfect side dish or snack any time of the day.
I love whipping these up because they’re so easy and quick! Just toss the potatoes with a little oil and your favorite seasonings, and let the air fryer do the rest. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Baby Potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best for this recipe. Their buttery texture adds to the overall taste. If you don’t have baby potatoes, you can use regular potatoes—just cut them into smaller pieces for quicker cooking.
Olive Oil: This is essential for that crispy texture. While I love using extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor, you can substitute it with vegetable oil or avocado oil if needed. Just remember, different oils have different flavors!
Garlic and Onion Powder: These add a wonderful savory taste. If you prefer fresh herbs, use minced garlic and diced onion instead—just adjust the quantity to your liking as fresh versions are stronger in flavor.
Italian Herbs: Dried herbs bring great flavor, but if you have fresh herbs like oregano or thyme, feel free to chop them up and use them instead! Fresh herbs are vibrant and offer a different taste experience.
How Do You Get Potatoes Extra Crispy in an Air Fryer?
The key to achieving crispy potatoes is ensuring they’re coated evenly with oil and seasonings. Here’s how to do it:
- First, ensure all your potatoes are dry after washing—this helps them crisp up.
- When combining them with oil and seasonings, toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece gets a touch of oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Spread the potatoes out to allow hot air to circulate around them effectively.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning and crispiness.
Following these tips will help you achieve that perfect golden brown finish on your crispy air fryer potatoes!
Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Potatoes:
- 2 pounds baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, basil mix)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and around 20 minutes to cook in the air fryer, for a total of about 30 minutes from start to finish. In no time, you’ll have delicious, crispy potatoes ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Potatoes:
Start by washing and scrubbing the baby potatoes to remove any dirt. After cleaning, pat them dry with a towel. If some potatoes are larger, cut them in half; leave the smaller ones whole so they cook evenly.
2. Making the Seasoning Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed, creating a flavorful coating for your potatoes.
3. Coating the Potatoes:
Add the prepared potatoes into the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Toss them gently until all the potatoes are well coated in the oil and spices. This will help them get crispy and tasty in the air fryer!
4. Cooking in the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Once it’s ready, place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket. Spread them out evenly to ensure they cook properly. Cook them for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning. You want them to be golden and crispy!
5. Serving the Potatoes:
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. To make them look even more delicious, garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.
Enjoy your crispy air fryer potatoes! They make a perfect side dish or snack!
Can I Use Different Types of Potatoes?
Absolutely! While Yukon Gold and red potatoes are great choices, you can also use fingerling potatoes or even new potatoes. Just make sure they are uniform in size for even cooking. If using larger potatoes, cut them into quarters to match the cooking time.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Herbs?
No problem! You can substitute dried herbs for fresh ones. Use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. So, instead of a tablespoon of fresh herbs, use a teaspoon of dried ones. Adjust to taste!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover crispy potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes or until they’re crispy again. You can also use an oven to re-crisp them if preferred.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Oil?
If you’re looking to make this recipe oil-free, you can try using a cooking spray, or you can toss the potatoes with a bit of vegetable broth to coat them lightly. They might not be as crispy, but this will help flavor them as they cook!
