These air fryer baby potatoes are one of the easiest sides I make during the week, and they are always a go-to winner in my house. They air fry until golden and crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and are full of flavor from the seasoning added.
What really makes this recipe work is boiling the potatoes first before air frying. It gives you that fluffy inside while the outside gets extra crispy in the air fryer. Also, they make a great side dish for meat dishes, such as our Boneless Pork Neck recipe.
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Video Tutorial
Try These Extra Crispy Baby Potatoes
I tested a lot of methods before landing on this baby potatoes air fryer style version, and pre-boiling honestly makes the difference between okay potatoes and perfection.
These little potatoes stay creamy inside while the edges crisp up perfectly once they hit the air fryer basket. They are also on the healthy side because you use very little oil while making them, and they are a good source of protein.
Why You’ll Love It
- Extra crispy: The air fryer makes the potatoes nice and crispy, without having to deep fry them.
- Easy side dish: These potatoes go with almost anything, from chicken to steak to burgers, and more.
- Healthier option: Even though you use less oil than you would in the oven, they are still full of flavor and you get extra crispy potatoes each time.
- Customizable: Apart from adding different spices and fresh herbs to the mix, you can also garnish with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh rosemary, thyme, and fresh parsley, whatever taste you prefer.
Ingredients
- Baby potatoes: I love using baby potatoes cut into 4 pieces each because they cook more quickly and more evenly.
- Paprika: This gives the potatoes warmth and their beautiful golden color.
- Garlic powder: This is what adds savory flavor without changing the taste of the potatoes. You can add onion powder, too, if you prefer.
- Dried basil: I like using basil because it adds a fresh, herby flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Adding breadcrumbs in the mix gives an even crispier coating in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
1. Rinse the potatoes thoroughly and cut each one into four equal pieces.
2. Put the potatoes in a saucepan, cover them with one inch of water, and add a teaspoon of salt. If you like, you can also add a bay leaf and some whole peppercorns to the water for extra flavor (optional). Bring them to a boil and let them simmer for about 20 minutes. It’s fine if the potatoes are not fully cooked at this point, as they will continue to cook while cooling down.
3. Take the saucepan off the heat and drain the water. Let the potatoes cool down, ideally to room temperature. After this, you can refrigerate them to use the next day if you like. You can also move on to the next step right away.
4. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Next, put half of the potatoes in the basket with the skin side facing down in a single layer, sprinkle the top with half of the spices, and then add some olive oil.
Tip: I would not suggest you toss potatoes in a large bowl, as they may break up after pre-boiling them.
5. Set the air fryer to a temperature of 400°F or 200°C for 14 minutes. Note that the total cooking time will be slightly longer as the air fryer takes about 3 minutes to preheat, but it won't significantly affect the result.
Tip: The cooking time is only a recommendation. You can make the potatoes as golden or crispy as you want them to be. Just check them using a fork during cooking to get your desired level of crispiness.
6. After the first batch of potatoes is finished, move them to a serving dish. Repeat the same process with the remaining potatoes. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overboil the potatoes, or they can start falling apart in the air fryer.
- I like letting the potatoes cool slightly before air frying because it helps them crisp up even better.
- Cook in batches if needed so the potatoes have enough room to crisp and turn golden brown instead of steaming.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Steak
- Chicken
- Burgers
- Dipping sauces
- Roasted vegetables
- Salad
FAQs
Boiling softens the inside so the potatoes become fluffy while the air fryer crisps the outside.
Yes. Just leave them in the air fryer a few extra minutes until they reach the crispiness level according to your preference.
Absolutely. I sometimes swap basil for oregano or add chili flakes for heat.
Recipe
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Equipment
- Air Fryer (My Instant Vortex Plus XL)
- Knives
- Cutting board
- Cooking pot
- Paper towels
- A serving dish
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse the potatoes thoroughly and cut each one into four equal pieces.
- Put the potatoes in a saucepan, cover them with one inch of water, and add a teaspoon of salt. If you like, you can also add a bay leaf and some whole peppercorns to the water for extra flavor (optional). Bring them to a boil and let them simmer for about 20 minutes. It’s fine if the potatoes are not fully cooked at this point, as they will continue to cook while cooling down.
- Take the saucepan off the heat and drain the water. Let the potatoes cool down, ideally to room temperature. After this, you can refrigerate them to use the next day if you like. You can also move on to the next step right away.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with Olive Oil Spray. Next, put half of the potatoes in the basket with the skin side facing down, sprinkle the top with half of the spices, and then add some olive oil.
- Set the air fryer to a temperature of 400°F or 200°C and a time of 14 minutes. Note that the total cooking time will be slightly longer as the air fryer takes about 3 minutes to preheat, but it won't significantly affect the result. Also, the cooking time is only a recommendation. You can make the potatoes as golden or crispy as you want them to be. Just check them during cooking to get your desired level of crispiness.
- After the first batch of potatoes is finished, move it to a serving dish.
- Repeat the same process with the remaining potatoes. Sprinkle the rest of the spices on top, and cook for another 14 minutes (or the amount of time that you prefer) using the same temperature. Once finished, take them out of the air fryer and put them on the serving dish. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 14 minutes per batch.Taste & Texture
Golden, crispy potatoes with fluffy centers and savory herb seasoning.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked potatoes for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Air fry again for a few minutes to bring back crispiness.
Serving Recommendations
I love serving these with burgers, grilled chicken, or just with dipping sauces as a snack. They’re especially good with garlic aioli or ranch.Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add parmesan cheese.
- Use oregano instead of basil.
- Add chili flakes for spice.
- If you do use turmeric, be careful not to add too much, as it can make the fries taste bitter.
- Finally, serving the fries with a rich sauce like cheese sauce sounds delicious, but using just salt is always an option.
Proper Storage Tips
- Cool completely before storing.
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Reheat in the air fryer for the crispiest texture.
Pro Tips
- Boil the potatoes first.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket.
- Cook a little longer for extra crispy edges.
Video
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