This Air Fryer Red Potatoes recipe is a delicious dish that perfectly balances a golden, crispy exterior with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Red potatoes are the perfect side dish for a busy weekend, or when you are hosting guests.
In this blog post, we'll guide you through the simple steps to make this side dish in your air fryer. So, are you ready to make this delicious side dish for yourself? Let's dive in!
Love potatoes like we do? Be sure to check out the Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon and Rosemary Hasselback Potatoes as well!
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Reasons Why You'll Love This Recipe
Versatility: This Air Fryer Red Potatoes recipe works well with russet potatoes, Yukon gold, red skin potatoes, yellow potatoes, and even petite red potatoes.
Crispy Air Fryer Perfection with Less Oil: Achieve irresistibly crispy edges without drowning your potatoes in oil.
Flavor Explosion: Elevate the taste of your red potatoes with a flavorful blend of seasonings that your whole family will love.
Quick and Easy: With a cooking time of 25-30 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for a convenient weeknight dinner or a side dish for your main course.
Leftover Love: Leftover red potatoes are just as delicious when reheated and are a great solution for meal prep.
Key Ingredients
Red Potatoes: Red potatoes are perfect for this simple side dish because of their waxy texture, which helps them hold their shape during the cooking process. You can substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes, russet potatoes, or sweet potatoes.
Olive Oil: Olive oil serves as the primary fat for coating the potatoes. It contributes to the crispy texture and adds a subtly rich, savory flavor to the potatoes. Substitutes include vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil, but remember that the flavor profile may vary.
Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish, while black pepper adds a subtle kick. Feel free to experiment with seasoned salts or pepper blends.
Smoked Paprika: Paprika gives the potatoes a mild, slightly sweet, and smoky flavor. Regular or sweet paprika can be used as a substitute.
Onion Powder: Onion powder imparts a savory, oniony flavor to the potatoes without the texture of fresh onions. If you don't have onion powder, finely minced fresh onions or granulated onions can be used instead.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a garlicky flavor to the potatoes. For a fresher taste, minced fresh garlic can be substituted. Be sure to adjust the garlic based on your personal preference.
Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning brings a harmonious blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. It also elevates the overall flavor profile of the potatoes. If you don't have Italian seasoning, create your blend with these individual herbs or use dried herbs like thyme or rosemary individually. Other substitutions you can use include curry powder, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and more.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Wash the red potatoes under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Chop the potatoes into 1-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Step 2
Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically takes around 3-5 minutes, but be sure to check your specific model for an accurate estimate.
Step 3
Place the chopped red skin potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle olive oil over the potatoes.
Step 4
Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning over them evenly. Mix them all thoroughly to ensure all the potato pieces are well-coated.
Step 5
Prevent sticking by either spraying the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or lightly brushing it with olive oil.
Step 6
Arrange the seasoned potato pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between the pieces for even cooking.
Step 7
Place the loaded air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness.
Step 8
Check for doneness by inserting a fork; the crispy potatoes should be fork-tender.
Step 9
Garnish your delicious red potatoes with chopped fresh herbs like chopped fresh parsley, fresh thyme, or fresh rosemary. Also, consider serving your crispy air fryer red potatoes with additional salt, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a dipping sauce.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Pat your potatoes dry with paper towels before seasoning; doing this will give your potatoes a crispy exterior.
Transform your leftover red potatoes into a new dish by adding them to salads or your breakfast bowls. Store leftovers in an airtight container for freshness.
Preheat your air fryer to ensure that the potatoes start cooking immediately, which will give them that perfect golden exterior.
Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket so you can have crispy potatoes. Also, avoid overcrowding the potatoes.
Try different seasonings, sauces, and combinations so you can discover your favorite ways to enjoy these air fryer potatoes.
Check for doneness by inserting a fork; the crispy potatoes should be fork-tender.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Once your Air Fryer Red Potatoes are cooked and cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
To reheat them, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F and then place the leftover potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle a touch of olive oil or avocado oil over them for added moisture. Air fry for 5-7 minutes or until the potatoes are heated through and crispy.
You can also reheat them in a conventional oven. To achieve this, first, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and then place the leftover potatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
For an extra flavor boost, we recommend sprinkling Parmesan cheese before reheating.
Substitution and Addition Ideas
Elevate your potatoes by sprinkling Parmesan cheese on them before air frying or during the last few minutes of cooking for a golden, crispy topping.
To replicate the flavors of a loaded baked potato, consider serving the potatoes with toppings such as sour cream, chives, and crispy bacon bits after air frying.
Use parchment paper in your air fryer basket for easy cleanup!
Recipe FAQs
Do I need to parboil the potatoes before air frying?
No, parboiling the potatoes is not necessary, but parboiling can shorten cooking time by about 5 minutes. To parboil, simply boil them in salted water for about 5-7 minutes, then drain and pat dry before oiling, seasoning, and air frying.
What types of potatoes are best for air frying?
Red baby potatoes, russet potatoes (cut into bite-sized pieces), and Yukon Gold potatoes are best because these kinds of potatoes are sturdy and hold their shape. Sweet potatoes work well too!
Can I peel the potatoes?
Absolutely! Peeled potatoes will have a crispier skin. The skins contain nutrients, so leaving them on is what we recommend. Just make sure you place the potatoes in a large bowl with water and wash them really well.
How can I make my air fryer red potatoes crispy?
You can achieve the crispiest results by making sure the potatoes are in a single layer in the air fryer basket, not overcrowding them. Be sure to pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning for extra crispiness.
How can I make my air fryer red potatoes spicy?
Adding cayenne pepper, curry powder, red pepper flakes, or Cajun seasoning to the potatoes will certainly make them spicy. Be sure to adjust these spices to taste.
My potatoes aren't crispy. What did I do wrong?
To begin with, overcrowding is a factor, followed by very little use of oil, a short cooking time, and, lastly, not patting the potatoes thoroughly after washing – all these are contributing reasons for the lack of crispiness in your potatoes.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash the red potatoes under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Chop the potatoes into 1-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically takes around 3-5 minutes, but be sure to check your specific model for an accurate estimate.
- Place the chopped red skin potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle olive oil over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning over them evenly. Mix them all thoroughly to ensure all the potato pieces are well-coated.
- Prevent sticking by either spraying the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or lightly brushing it with olive oil.
- Arrange the seasoned potato pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between the pieces for even cooking.
- Place the loaded air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness.
- Check for doneness by inserting a fork; the crispy potatoes should be fork-tender.
- Garnish your delicious red potatoes with chopped fresh herbs like chopped fresh parsley, fresh thyme, or fresh rosemary. Also, consider serving your crispy air fryer red potatoes with additional salt, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a dipping sauce.
Risa says
I love the seasoning on these potatoes, these are delicious! They crisp up so nicely in the air fryer. Thanks for the great recipe!