Air Fryer Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are the side that can do it all, from breakfast to dinner—honestly, what meal wouldn’t be improved by well-seasoned potatoes that are extra crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside? I can’t think of any, so I set out to find a foolproof way to guarantee they turn out their best. My secret to nailing them every time? The air fryer. Herby and extra crispy, these potatoes are ready in half the time—no waiting for the oven to preheat—and cooked through in around 10 minutes. Plus, the air fryer requires less oil than typical roasting while still giving an ultra-crispy, golden outside. Toss in your favorite seasonings, and in no time you’ll have perfectly crisp potatoes ready to be served with every meal.

What People Are Saying:
"Have to say, this is pretty much a perfect recipe. Everything came together in under 5 minutes and the potatoes were insanely crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside. The seasoning was great as-is (don't skip the Cajun!), but I may add a little smoked paprika next time for added depth of flavor." - jbva

“Have made these a few times and they are family favorite. Very soft on the inside and lightly crisp on the outside. Seasoning is just right.” - WinterHyena

How To Make Air Fryer Potatoes

INGREDIENTS

• Baby Potatoes: Otherwise known as “new” potatoes, these are a variety of potato that has been harvested before they are fully grown. This gives them thinner skin, which is great for crisping. Varieties of new potatoes include fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes, so use whatever you can find in your local store. Whatever you do, don't peel 'em!
• Seasonings: I’ll often change up the seasonings I use here depending on what I plan to serve alongside my roast potatoes, but garlic powder and Italian seasoning almost always make it on my list. I like the slight kick Cajun seasoning brings, but if you or your family don’t love spice, feel free to omit. Try whatever seasonings you do like, and let me know how they turn out with them in the comments below.
• Salt & Pepper: A must! Kosher salt is my preferred because I find it easier to season with, but feel free to use whatever you have. Not sure if you’ve salted these enough? Pop an uncooked, seasoned potato in your mouth to taste!
• Lemon: I love adding just a little squeeze of lemon over my roasted potatoes because it helps cut through their richness, but feel free to omit. Hot tip: only squeeze it on right before serving so they don’t risk getting soggy.
• Parsley: Making these for a casual weeknight dinner? Fine, skip the garnish. Making these to serve for the holidays or for a special occasion? Trust me, a little green will go far. Chopped parsley is my go-to, but thyme or rosemary would be lovely too.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First things first, let’s talk air fryers. Not all are created equal, and yours might look different than the one we used here. I’ve made these potatoes in the kind with a basket and the kind with just trays, and both worked. If yours needs preheating, or only has settings (rather than temperature options), you might need to do some adjusting to make this recipe work for you.

Let’s get started: first, get your potatoes cut (and your air fryer preheating, if applicable). I like to cut mine into water to do double duty in making sure they are clean AND to keep them from browning too much. Then toss your cut potatoes with all your seasonings, including salt and pepper.

Then place your potatoes in the basket of your air fryer, making sure they are in a single layer, and cook them for ~10 minutes. Pull your basket out and give it a shake or a stir, then cook them again for ~10 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. Squeeze a little lemon and a sprinkle of parsley over your potatoes, then serve.

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Leave the skin on. If you peel your potatoes, they won’t be nearly as crispy—the oiled skin gives the delicious crispy bite with these taters.
• Preheat your air fryer. Placing your potatoes in a preheated 400° air fryer will also help them achieve maximum crispiness in a shorter amount of time.
• Cook in batches. If you're doubling the recipe, make sure to cook in batches! You want your potatoes to be in a single layer when cooking for maximum crispiness (trust us—it might take more time, but it's worth it for extra crispy potatoes).
• No need to boil! The air fryer will do all the work to these tiny taters, keeping them soft and cooked-through on the inside.

How To Serve Air Fryer Potatoes

These crispy bites are so easy, they come in handy for almost any meal, anytime of the day. Some ideas:

• Put them in your breakfast tacos or in a breakfast burrito.
• Serve them as a hearty side to your steak or chicken dinners.
• Pair them with a dip (like in our whipped feta roasted potatoes) and serve 'em as an app.

Storage

If you have any leftover potatoes, store them in an airtight container for 4-5 days. When ready to enjoy again, reheat in the air fryer until hot and crispy.