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Air Fryer Red Potatoes are a simple and convenient side dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Their crispy texture and rich flavor make them a versatile addition to any meal.
Potatoes are an affordable and staple ingredient in many households, including mine. They are incredibly versatile, making their way into soups, stews, and even as a quick midday snack. With their ability to complement a variety of flavors and dishes, potatoes remain a weekly grocery essential.
Investing in an air fryer has completely transformed my approach to cooking. It offers a quick and efficient way to achieve perfectly roasted vegetables without the need for excessive oil or long cooking times. This is especially beneficial during the warmer months when turning on the oven is less than ideal. The air fryer provides a simple solution for creating crispy, golden potatoes without overheating the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This
Quick & Easy: Air-fried potatoes cook in half the time of oven-roasted ones, making them a great last-minute side dish. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have crispy, golden potatoes ready to serve in no time.
Customizable & Flavorful: This recipe is delicious as is, but you can easily switch things up with add-ins like mushroom bacon, green onions, or fresh herbs. Whether you prefer a classic taste or something more bold, these potatoes adapt to your cravings.
Lighter & Healthier: Get the crispy texture of fried potatoes with far less oil, making this a lower-calorie, lower-fat alternative. You’ll enjoy all the crunch and flavor without the heaviness of traditional frying.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Red Potatoes - I love using red potatoes in the air fryer! Because of their lower starch content, their shape holds relatively well while roasting. Other potatoes that work great for roasting/air-frying include Yukon, new potatoes, and fingerling potatoes. Common or regular potatoes like russets work too.
- Olive Oil - Alternatively, you can use any oil you prefer.
- Garlic Salt - I love using garlic salt because I like anything garlic-flavored. You can also use regular salt. Or, a mix between regular salt and garlic powder. If you prefer to use fresh garlic, just crush or mince a couple of cloves.
- Black Pepper - Totally optional, but I love a bit of heat in my roasted potatoes. Other spices that work well in air fried potatoes include cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, adobo, smoked paprika, and curry powder.
- Paprika (Optional) - I use paprika for its color. But this can be skipped as well.
- Parsley - This adds incredible flair to the potatoes! Other herbs that can be used include rosemary or thyme. Feel free to use fresh herbs if you have them available.
If you fancy a different kind of seasoning mix - go for it. You can try Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, chili powder, pepper, or keep it simple with a mix of olive oil and salt.
How To Make Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Toss Potatoes with olive oil and your choice of spices until well coated.
- Arrange the potatoes into the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry the potatoes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer basket and transfer to a large bowl.
- Toss to coat the cooked potatoes with parsley or herbs of choice.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Potatoes
Making perfectly flavorful air fryer red potatoes is more than just tossing them in and pressing start. The right techniques can make all the difference. Here are my best tips:
- Season to Your Taste: If you don’t have garlic salt, regular salt works just fine. Feel free to use any spice mix you prefer to customize the flavor.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: I used dried parsley for convenience, but freshly chopped parsley adds a burst of flavor and color if you have it on hand.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Giving the potatoes space allows the hot air to circulate, ensuring an even cook.
- Shake the Basket: Halfway through cooking, give the basket a good shake or flip the potatoes with tongs. This helps them brown evenly on all sides.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Red Potatoes
For a hearty, well-balanced meal, serve them alongside a protein-packed option like tofu scramble, lentil loaf, or a simple chickpea salad. If you're craving something fresh, a tangy slaw or a citrusy arugula salad can add brightness to the plate.
Dipping sauces are a must—think creamy tahini dressing, smoky chipotle mayo, or classic ketchup for that nostalgic touch. For a full comfort-food experience, pair them with a warm bowl of vegetable soup or a thick, satisfying stew. Whether you’re keeping it light or going all-in on a cozy meal, these crispy red potatoes fit right in.
How To Store Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Store in a refrigerator: For longer storage, place the potatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to four days. To help maintain crispiness, avoid stacking them too tightly.
Store in the freezer: I don’t recommend freezing cooked potatoes. Opt for eating right away.
Recipe FAQs
Soaking potatoes in water before air frying can help remove excess starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. However, for this recipe, it’s not necessary as long as you pat them dry before cooking.
Cooking time varies based on the size of the potato pieces, but generally, diced or halved potatoes take about 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.
If your potatoes aren’t crisping up, it could be due to overcrowding in the air fryer basket, excess moisture, or not enough oil. Make sure to spread them out in a single layer and pat them dry before cooking.
Yes! While red potatoes work well, you can also use Yukon Gold, Russet, or baby potatoes. Just adjust the cooking time based on their size and texture.
Classic options like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika work well. You can also experiment with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, or a dash of cayenne for extra flavor.
Yes, you can cook frozen diced or wedge potatoes in the air fryer. Increase the cooking time by a few minutes and shake the basket frequently to ensure even cooking.
Yes, shaking the basket or flipping the potatoes halfway through cooking helps them cook evenly and achieve a crispy texture on all sides.
While a small amount of oil helps with crispiness, you can make them oil-free. Just be aware that they may have a slightly drier texture.
More Recipes with Potatoes
Want more air fryer recipes? Check out our air-fryer roasted tomatoes and homemade spaghetti sauce recipes.
Tried out this Air Fryer Red Potatoes recipe?
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Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red potatoes scrubbed & washed, pat dry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt or regular salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika optional
- 2 tablespoon parsley dried or fresh
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into quarters or into 1 ½-inch pieces. Place the potatoes into a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic salt, black pepper, and paprika. Toss until potatoes are well coated
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F for a couple of minutes. Place potato quarters into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through the cook time. Work in batches if there isn’t enough space in the basket.
- Remove potatoes from the air fryer and quickly transfer to a mixing bowl. Toss with parsley and add additional garlic salt to taste.
Notes
- If you don’t have garlic salt, regular salt works too.
- I used dried parsley, however, freshly chopped parsley can be used as well
- Be sure to pat dry the potatoes after washing them.
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