Skip the oven and make these super crispy and tender Air Fryer Potatoes! Made with baby gold potatoes, garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese, these are such a simple and fuss-free side dish that is seriously packing the flavor. Top them with bacon, cheese, or serve them alongside any favorite dish for a truly scrumptious meal even the pickiest of eaters will beg for a repeat!
Try more delicious air fryer recipes like my Air Fryer Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Air Fryer Butternut Squash, and Air Fryer Salmon.
Recipe Directions
Making air fryer fried potatoes really couldn’t be any easier!
- First, cut the potatoes in half or into 1-inch pieces, then toss them into a bowl with olive oil to coat.
- Next, season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese and give it all a good stir to combine. (photo 1)
- Now, pour the potatoes into a greased air fryer basket. (photo 2)
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, give the potatoes a stir, and then cook them for another 8-10 minutes or so longer, depending on how crispy you like them.
- Pour the fries out of the basket or take them out with tongs onto a plate. Garnish the air fryer potatoes with fresh herbs (if desired) and serve.
Why This Recipe Works
Easy – Making air fryer fried potatoes is super easy! All you have to do is cut your potatoes, coat them in olive oil and seasonings, and pop them into the air fryer basket. Turn the fryer on, let them roast a bit, pull the tray out, shake them around, and let them cook until you get the perfect crispiness. So easy!
Any potatoes – I like to use baby gold potatoes in the air fryer, but you can use any potatoes you like or have on hand. I do recommend cutting them down to 1-inch pieces though, no matter which potato you choose. That way, they will all cook evenly.
Make in batches – I don’t know about you, but I like to eat my potatoes and fries nice and hot and crispy, right out of the fryer. Because the air fryer baskets aren’t generally super huge, I find it helpful to cook in batches when I’m making a lot of air fryer potatoes. That way, we can eat the first round right out of the fryer and then put in more air fryer potatoes that will be ready when everyone’s ready for seconds.
Simple ingredients – Not only are these air fryer fried potatoes easy to make, but they are also simple to make too. No fancy ingredients – just potatoes, olive oil, and simple spices you probably have in your spice drawer.
What is The Point of an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small(ish) kitchen gadget that you buy and plug into an outlet. It sits on your counter while it cooks. It “fries” food using circulating heat rather than using hot oil.
The circulating hot air produces what’s called a Maillard reaction, which is a chemical reaction that results when an amino acid and sugar (present in potatoes/veggies/etc.) is released with the heat. This release results in a crispy, crunchy exterior of whatever food you have in the air fryer.
Is Air Fryer Food Healthier?
Traditionally fried foods are not good for us. All those fats and oils, when consumed regularly, can lead to heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
However, when you “fry” food in an air fryer, you still achieve that crispy, crunchy exterior that you get when you fry foods in oil, but with much fewer fat and calories.
Therefore, yes, cooking foods in an air fryer is much, much healthier than submerging them in hot oil. Win, win!
Advantages of an Air Fryer
- They’re very easy to use.
- Air fryers are easy to clean, too.
- They take up little counter space (less than a slow cooker; unless you get some giant industrial model).
- They are safe.
- They create healthier meals than frying in oil.
- Easy to clean.
How Long to Air Fry Potatoes?
Not sure how long to air fry potatoes? I cook these air fryer potatoes at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping them around at the halfway mark.
If your potatoes are cut thinner, you’ll need less time. Thicker, you’ll need more time. If you’re not sure if they’re done, stick a knife or fork in the middle of one of them. If it goes in easily, then they’re done.
Should You Boil Potatoes for Air Frying?
I almost never do, I find the extra step and preparation time not worth it. But, some people prefer to boil them for a bit before air frying them. To do this, cut the potatoes first, then add them to a pot of boiling, salted water. Boil them only a few minutes – until they are about halfway cooked through.
Then, carefully remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon onto paper towels or a dish towel. Allow to cool slightly and pat dry.
From there, add the seasonings and put them in the air fryer for about 5 minutes each side at 400 degrees.
What You Should Not Put in An Air Fryer
There are some things that will not air fry well or will cause your air fryer to break. These foods include:
- Anything battered. Wet batter doesn’t work in the air fryer.
- Fresh greens like kale or spinach.
- Raw grains – the air fryer is not a rice cooker.
- Entire big roasts or whole chickens. (Unless you have a massive air fryer to accommodate these.)
- Anything that will melt like cheese or other soft dairy products.
Expert Tips
- For the parmesan cheese,you know normally I would totally say grate your own because it melts and tastes better in lots of casseroles and dishes. However, for these crispy potatoes, I like to use the pre-grated cheese that comes in a shaker can – it works totally fine!
- Air fryer potatoes will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing them, as they will be soggy and mushy after thawing.
- There’s no need to preheat the air fryer before adding the potatoes. The air fryer will heat up quickly.
- I recommend reading the owner’s manual to find out how best to clean your air fryer. I wash mine by hand.
More Potato Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
- Chicken and Potatoes with Dijon Cream Sauce
- Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Smashed Potatoes
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and tag me on social – then come back here to rate the recipe!
Easy Air Fryer Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby gold potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt - or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper - or 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut potatoes in half or into 1-inch pieces. Toss with olive oil to coat.
- Season potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian sasoning, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese, stirring to coat well.
- Transfer potatoes to a greased air fryer basket.
- Set to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Give potatoes a stir, then cook for 8-10 minutes longer depending on how crispy you like them.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve.
These were fantastic! At the halfway point, I added in some chopped sweet peppers and a half of a red onion (chopped). Super delicious and a great side dish. I have a Dual Blaze air Fryer.