🥔 Air Fryer Baby Potatoes — Extra Crispy & Golden

These are golden, crispy, fluffy, and packed with garlic-herb flavor. They’re an easy side dish for chicken, steak, fish, burgers, or sausages.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 18–25 minutes
Total: 30–35 minutes
Serves: 4

🥔 Ingredients

• 450–500 g (1 lb) baby potatoes
• 1½–2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Optional extras

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1–2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Fresh rosemary

👩‍🍳 How to Make Them

1. Prepare the potatoes

Wash the baby potatoes and remove any dirt.

Dry them really well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

If they’re larger than bite-size, cut them in half. Smaller potatoes can remain whole.

2. Optional soaking step

For extra-crispy potatoes, place the cut potatoes in cold water for 15–20 minutes.

Drain them thoroughly and dry them completely.

This removes some surface starch and can give you a crunchier exterior.

3. Season

Put the potatoes into a large bowl.

Add:

• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss thoroughly until every potato is coated.

4. Preheat the air fryer

Preheat to:

200°C (400°F) for 3–5 minutes.

5. Air fry

Place the potatoes into the basket in a single layer.

If you’ve cut them in half, place some of the cut sides facing down against the basket.

Cook for 10–12 minutes.

6. Shake

Shake the basket well or turn the potatoes with tongs.

Continue cooking for another 8–13 minutes.

They’re ready when they’re:

• Golden brown
• Crispy outside
• Fork-tender inside

7. Finish

For an incredible finish, toss the hot potatoes with:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan
• Fresh parsley

Return them to the air fryer for 1–2 minutes.

🧄 Garlic Butter Baby Potatoes

For a richer version, skip the Parmesan and make a quick garlic butter.

Mix:

• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• Pinch of salt
• Black pepper

Toss with the cooked potatoes.

This is especially good with roast chicken or steak.

🧀 Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

During the final 3 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the potatoes with:

• 2–3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of black pepper

Cook until the Parmesan becomes golden and crispy.

🌶️ Spicy Baby Potatoes

For a little heat, add:

• ½ teaspoon chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Serve with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or garlic dip.

🍋 Lemon Herb Potatoes

After cooking, toss with:

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh thyme
• A drizzle of olive oil

The lemon cuts through the richness beautifully.

🔥 Secrets to Really Crispy Potatoes

1. Dry them well.
Water creates steam and prevents browning.

2. Don’t overcrowd the basket.
If the potatoes are piled on top of each other, they will steam rather than roast.

3. Use enough oil.
You don’t need much, but a light coating helps the exterior become beautifully crisp.

4. Shake halfway through.
This gives all sides a chance to brown.

5. Cut larger potatoes.
Halving them creates more exposed surface area for crispy edges.

6. Cook at high heat.
200°C / 400°F works particularly well for golden edges.

⏱️ Cooking Guide

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes and your air fryer.

⭐ My Favorite Version

For maximum flavor, use olive oil + garlic powder + smoked paprika + rosemary + Parmesan, then finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

You get crunchy golden edges, creamy potato centers, salty Parmesan, and a fresh lemon-herb finish. 🥔✨