These air fryer roasted potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside, while staying soft, fluffy, and tender inside. They make an easy side dish for chicken, steak, fish, burgers, or almost any meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1½ lbs (700 g) baby potatoes, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika, optional
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
- Wash and cut the potatoes. Cut into roughly 1-inch pieces. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Optional soaking: For extra-crispy edges, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 15–20 minutes.
- Dry thoroughly: Drain and pat the potatoes completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Season: Add potatoes to a bowl. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Arrange: Place the potatoes in the basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry: Cook for 18–24 minutes, shaking the basket every 7–8 minutes.
- Check: They are ready when deeply golden outside and fork-tender inside.
- Extra crisp: Add another 2–3 minutes if you prefer very crispy potatoes.
- Finish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
🔥 The Secret to Crispy Roasted Potatoes
1. Dry them well.
Excess water creates steam and makes potatoes softer.
2. Don’t overcrowd the basket.
Hot air needs room to circulate around each piece.
3. Use enough oil—but not too much.
A light coating is all you need.
4. Shake regularly.
This exposes different sides of the potatoes to the hot air.
5. Cut them evenly.
Small, evenly sized pieces cook and brown more consistently.
🧄 Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
During the final 2 minutes, add:
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Fresh parsley
Continue air frying just until the cheese melts and lightly browns.
🌿 Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Add ½–1 tsp rosemary with the other seasonings. Fresh rosemary can be added after cooking for an even stronger flavor.
🌶️ Spicy Roasted Potatoes
Add:
- ¼–½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Great with grilled chicken or burgers.
🍋 Lemon Herb Potatoes
After cooking, toss the hot potatoes with:
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- A little black pepper
Add the lemon after cooking so the potatoes stay crisp.
🧀 Cheesy Roasted Potatoes
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar or Parmesan during the last 1–2 minutes of cooking. Don’t add cheese at the beginning because it can burn before the potatoes are tender.
❄️ Can You Use Frozen Potatoes?
Yes. Frozen diced or roasted potatoes can usually be cooked directly from frozen.
400°F (200°C) for 15–22 minutes, shaking several times.
No thawing is necessary.
♨️ Reheating Leftovers
For crispy leftovers:
375°F (190°C) for 5–8 minutes
Shake once halfway through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crispy texture.
🍽️ What to Serve With Them
These potatoes are delicious alongside:
- 🍗 Air fryer chicken breast
- 🍗 Crispy chicken thighs
- 🥩 Steak
- 🍤 Shrimp
- 🐟 Fish
- 🍔 Hamburgers
- 🌭 Sausage
- 🥕 Roasted carrots
- 🍳 Eggs
🥔 Best Potato Choices
Baby potatoes: Excellent for crispy edges and creamy centers.
Yukon Gold: Creamy and buttery inside.
Red potatoes: Hold their shape very well.
Russet potatoes: Crispier exterior with a fluffy interior.
⏱️ Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 10 minutes
Optional soak: 15–20 minutes
Cook: 18–24 minutes
Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
⭐ Best tip: If your potatoes have been coming out soft rather than crispy, soak them briefly, dry them extremely well, and cook them in a single layer without overcrowding the basket.
