How to cook fresh potatoes in air fryer

Q: Why do you Soak potatoes in water before air frying?

Soaking the potatoes after theyre cut draws out some of the starch which is naturally present in potatoes. This will result in a crispier fry. A thirty minute soak in cold water does the trick but you may soak them longer if you want. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes before you fry them.

INGREDIENTS

Air Fryer Potato Wedges ▢ 3 Large Russet Potatoes ▢ 2 Tbsp Olive Oil ▢ 1 Tsp Salt ▢ ½ Tsp Pepper ▢ 1 Tsp Garlic Powder ▢ 1 Tsp Paprika ▢ 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano ▢ 1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast

Wash Potatoes

Wash the potatoes under cold water, scrub the skin well to remove any dirt. Don't peel off the skin.

1 Cut Potatoes

Cut each potato in half lengthwise and then cut into wedges. Each potato makes about 8-16 wedges depending on their size.

2 Cover in Water

Place the potato wedges into a large mixing bowl, cover with cold water. Set aside for 10 minutes until the water is cloudy.

3 Drain and Dry Wedges

Drain the potato wedges in a sieve over the sink, then pat dry the wedges into a clean kitchen towel or absorbent paper.

4 Season the Wedges

Place the potato wedges into a large bowl and toss with olive oil and all seasonings.

5 Bake In Air Fryer

Place the potato wedges in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 35-40 minutes, shaking the basket every 8-10 minutes to roast evenly on all sides.

6 Serve Potato Wedges

Serve Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges hot with extra salt and dip of choice like my cucumber dip recipe.

7

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Makes: 6 Servings Calories: 196 kcal per Serving

CRISPY AIR FRYER POTATO WEDGES

SWIPE UP FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

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!

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.
Now, pour the potatoes into a greased air fryer basket.
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!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

0 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

▢ 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

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.

Parmesan cheese: normally I am an advocate for grating your own cheese because it is so much better for melting, but for these crispy potatoes I like to use the pre-grated cheese that comes in a shaker can (just go with it).

Calories: 156 kcal, Carbohydrates: 21 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 7 mg, Sodium: 444 mg, Potassium: 502 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 74 IU, Vitamin C: 22 mg, Calcium: 88 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Why do you Soak potatoes in water before air frying?

Soaking the potatoes after they're cut draws out some of the starch which is naturally present in potatoes. This will result in a crispier fry. A thirty minute soak in cold water does the trick but you may soak them longer if you want. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes before you fry them.

How long does it take to air fry potatoes?

Air Fry – Cook the potatoes in a basket-style air fryer at 400˚F for about 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes until a knife easily pierces through the center.

Should I boil my potatoes before I air fryer them?

The trick to making the fries perfectly is to blanch them first. I know this is an extra step, but it is worth it. Blanching the potato sticks for 4 minutes helps par-cook the fries to just the right stage so that the air fryer can crisp up the exterior, but keep the interior moist and tender.

Why do my potatoes not get crispy in the air fryer?

Wash your potatoes after cutting them or better yet soak them in water for about 10-20 minutes if you have time. This step gets rid of the excessive starch on the outside of potatoes, which in turn prevents them from sticking together in the air fryer and helps with crisping up.