Crackly edges. Gold and salty. Like the skillet potatoes Grandma used to searbut faster and lighter. These air fryer crispy baby potatoes took over Pinterest for good reason. No peeling, no flipping, hardly even any oil. Just a bag of taters, a little patience, and 20 minutes in your countertop air fryer. Cozy comfort, weekday easy.
This simple side stars baby reds or goldsthink whole potatoes in air fryer kind of easy. No fancy tools. Just olive oil, salt, garlic powder, maybe a pinch of rosemary if you’re feeling it. They finish like roasted potatoes, but crunchier. It’s a top-tier potato recipe air fryer lovers will want on repeat. Full details in the blog!
I grew up grabbing still-warm spuds right off the baking sheetsalty, buttery, crisped just enough. This recipe pulls from that memory, minus the oven-heating delay. I test every batch so it works with any air fryer model. There’s a tiny secret that makes them extra golden. You’ll love it.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes
Quick and simple: This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finishperfect for busy weeknights!
Extra crispy texture: Thanks to the air fryer, these potatoes are golden and crunchy outside, tender and fluffy inside.
Nostalgic comfort: These remind me of skillet potatoes Grandma made, but with less oil and effort.
Beginner-friendly: No fancy tools or techniquesjust toss, air fry, and enjoy.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Every ingredient here is pantry-friendly, but I’ve added some quick swap ideas to keep things flexible:
Ingredient
Purpose
Possible Swap
Baby potatoes
Main star of the dish
Small new potatoes or nibbler potatoes work the same way
Olive oil
Helps crisp the potatoes
Avocado oil or melted butter
Garlic powder
Classic flavor boost
Minced fresh garlic (but watch for burning!)
Onion powder & paprika
Warm, smoky seasoning
Skip or use a pinch of chili powder
Fresh parsley
Optional garnish for color
Fresh chives or green onions
Step-by-Step: How to Air Fry Potatoes
Pro Tip: Preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness! Here’s the super easy process:
Prep: Halve your baby potatoes (keep skins on for crunch!) and toss with olive oil in a big mixing bowl.
Season: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly coated.
Arrange: Add potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowdthis helps the hot air circulate!
Cook: Air fry at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even browning.
Check: Use a fork to test doneness. When they’re crispy outside and fork-tender inside, they’re ready!
Cooking Times & Tips
Timing is everything to nail these crispy air fried potatoes. Here’s a quick guide:
Step
Temperature
Time
Notes
Preheat
400°F
3–5 minutes
Helps the potatoes cook evenly
Air fry
400°F
15–20 minutes
Shake the basket halfway for even crisping
Test for doneness
–
2 seconds
Use a forkskins should crunch!
Serving and Storing Your Crispy Potatoes
Right out of the basket: Serve these potatoes hot for the crispiest experience. A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes them pop.
If you have leftovers (unlikely, right?), here’s how to store and reheat:
Storage
Reheat
Tips
Fridge: Up to 3 days
Air fryer, 3–4 minutes at 375°F
Reheat in a single layer for crunch
Freezer: Not recommended
–
They lose texture when frozen
Pro Tip: Pair these air fryer roasted potatoes with eggs for breakfast, or add them to a salad for a hearty lunch!
Expert Insight: Perfecting Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes
Achieving the ideal texture for AIR FRYER CRISPY BABY POTATOES relies on evenly coating the potatoes with oil and allowing enough space for hot air circulation. This method promotes a golden crust while keeping the inside tender, making air frying a smart choice for a quick, flavorful side dish.
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Perfecting My Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes
After several rounds of tweaking, including a few batches that were either too soggy or burnt, I finally nailed these Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes. It took time to balance the right oil amount and cook time, but this recipe is the result of learning from every crispy victory and flavorful mishap along the way.
FAQs ( Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes )
How long do baby potatoes take in an air fryer?
Air fryer crispy baby potatoes typically take 15-20 minutes at 400°F, depending on their size. For best results with this potato recipe air fryer method, shake the basket halfway through cooking. If your potatoes are larger than 1.5 inches, add an extra 3-5 minutes. The key is achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside fluffy and tender.
Do you need to pierce baby potatoes before air frying?
Yes, you should pierce baby potatoes with a fork before air frying to prevent them from bursting. Make 3-4 small holes in each potato to allow steam to escape during cooking. This simple step ensures your crispy air fried potatoes cook evenly and maintain their shape. It also helps the seasoning penetrate better for maximum flavor.
Should I wash baby potatoes before air frying?
Absolutely! Always wash baby potatoes thoroughly under cold running water before cooking. Scrub them gently with a brush to remove dirt and debris from the skin. After washing, pat them completely dry with paper towels – this step is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Excess moisture will create steam instead of the crispy exterior you want in your air fryer roasted potatoes.
What temperature is best for air fryer baby potatoes?
The ideal temperature for air fryer baby potatoes is 400°F (200°C). This high heat creates the perfect balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Lower temperatures like 350°F will take longer and may not achieve the desired crispiness. Higher temperatures above 425°F risk burning the outside before the inside is fully cooked, so 400°F is the sweet spot for this air fryer baby red potatoes recipe.
Can you cook whole potatoes in air fryer without cutting?
Yes, you can definitely cook whole potatoes in air fryer without cutting them! Baby potatoes are perfect for this method since they’re naturally small and cook evenly. Just remember to pierce them with a fork and toss with a little oil and seasoning. This technique works great for small new potatoes and creates a restaurant-quality side dish with minimal prep work.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes come together in about 30 minutes, delivering that perfect crisp outside and tender insidejust like those classic skillet potatoes, but simpler and lighter. You’ll love how easy they are, with little fuss and everyday ingredients that bring big, comforting flavor to your kitchen table.
Try swapping baby reds for whole potatoes in air fryer style or adding a dash of fresh herbs for a bright twist. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer for quick snacks or easy sides. A little tip from my neighborhood market: small new potatoes and air fryer nibbles potatoes both shine here, so get creative!
Did this potato recipe air fryer style remind you of a favorite family dish? Snap a pic or share your seasoning spinI’d love to see how you make it yours. Pass this one along to friends who cherish simple, soulful cooking. Once you try it, you’ll wanna make it again and again.
Yesica Andrews
Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes: Simple and Irresistible
These air fryer crispy baby potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This easy potato recipe air fryer method shows you how to air fry potatoes with flavorful seasonings for a quick and delicious side dish you’ll love.
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved baby potatoes with olive oil. Toss well to ensure they are evenly coated.
Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the potatoes. Mix thoroughly so the seasonings are distributed evenly across all potatoes.
Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. This ensures the potatoes are crispy on all sides.
Check for doneness by inserting a fork into the potatoes. They should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish, if desired.
Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even crispiness. You can also experiment with additional spices like rosemary or chili powder for a different flavor profile. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the air fryer to regain their crispiness.
