Crispy air fryer fried potatoes are a cheap side dish everyone loves to make lightly seasoned and/or with za’atar seasoning. We have made them in a Ninja Foodi or Cosori and my kids love them!
If yo love fried potatoes but want to make them healthier without a lot of oil this is the way to go! They literally go with any protein for dinner in about 15 minutes. My kids think is the easiest air fryer recipe ever.
Have you seen those bags of petite potatoes at the store before and wondered the best way to cook them? When halved it’s a great way to make roasted potatoes in air fryer with the skins on! I mean that is where the fiber and nutrition is anyway. I am skin on all the way y’all.
You can find these in a few varieties. They sell little Yukon, air fryer red potatoes are great, and multi colored with white red and purple inside we love. Any of those will do, it’s kinda’ personal preference. Great part about buying them this way is that they are all similar sizes already.
Ninja Foodi (Option)
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
I have 3 different machines. A Cosori, AirWave and Foodi which all work basically the same so whatever you have just go with that. Of course the larger your air fryer basket is the more you can air fry at a time. You definitely want them to be in a single layer so the hot air circulates properly. Slice them thinner like our potato wedges in air fryer and you can change up the look, not the flavor.
How long does it take to fry potatoes in air fryer?
That depends on how large it is. If you do not cut it and you’re making baked potatoes you’re looking at a solid 40 minutes. If you dice them up they can cook as fast as 10 minutes. Petite potatoes in air fryer sliced in half like we share here take about 12 minutes (depending on their size).
If you want it done really fast you should follow our air fryer hashbrowns recipe. Those are typically served at breakfast but who really cares as far as I am concerned.
If you are cooking it as a main meal, stuffed, you’d want to go for a few air fryer baked potatoes with chili or something. These are kinda’ in the middle of the two. You could smother them with cheese or leave as is just with the light seasonings and maybe parmesan cheese.
Ingredient Notes
You are going to want to start with a bag of Baby potatoes with the skins on, any variety you like but red are used here. I like these because you can just half them and there is very little prep beyond that.
- Olive oil will help seasoning stick well
- Salt and pepper
- Then add your favorite flavors such as
- toss with some diced air fryer roasted garlic
- shredded parmesan cheese is great
- Za atar spice mentioned above gives it a pop of flavor.
- for a salt free choice try garlic powder and/or Mrs. Dash
- a package of dry Italian seasoning to make dressing is fabulous too
- If you want to add onions follow our air fryer potatoes and onions timing
Trick to Crispy Potatoes in Air Fryer
The #1 most important this to remember is that you want the outsides to be dry. I suggest doing this with a wad of paper towels. Press down and roll around until there doesn’t feel like there is not any more moisture left. You need to do this before drizzling on the oil.
If you want them REALLY crispy you will want to spray them with olive oil 3 minutes before the timing ends. Another option is that you can turn it up and cook at 400 degrees at the end.
Fried Potatoes in Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs petite potatoes, we used red, cut in half
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp za'atar seasoning, or Mrs. Dash seasoning blend
Instructions
- Wash and cut petite potatoes in half. Lay on paper towels and press down to remove as much water on the outsides as possible.
- Put into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, toss. Sprinkle with seasonings and toss so they're coated. Preheat air fryer to 380 F for 5 minutes.
- Put into air fryer basket in one single layer for 12 minutes. Shake basket/flip pcs. over half way thru. * If you add more so yours overlap it will take longer. Test after 12 with a fork and add 3 more minutes at a time until tender.
- Test with a fork to ensure they are tender, serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best way to save leftover fried potatoes
Allow them to cool completely. Then spoon them into a small freezer bag and suck all of the air out of it, so it looks like it’s vacuum sealed. Refrigerate and reheat within 1 day ideally. The next day sit them on the counter for a good 30 minutes so they aren’t so cold and then throw them back into your preheated air fryer. Cook at 400 F. for about 4 minutes tossing half way thru and then enjoy.
