These air fryer potatoes turn out super crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. Coated in a simple savory seasoning, these roasted potatoes are quick to prepare and make an ideal side dish for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a casual Sunday roast.
If you enjoy vegetable sides from the air fryer, broccolini or roasted greens pair wonderfully with these potatoes.
I’m a big fan of the air fryer. Once I got used to how reliable it is, it quickly became a daily go-to for everything from chips to vegetables and roasted potatoes. The circulating hot air gives consistently even browning and a crisp exterior without hours in the oven.
When I first started using an air fryer I cooked lots of frozen chips because they came out perfectly every time: crispy outside and tender inside. That success made me want to cook more fresh potatoes in the air fryer — and the results have been excellent.
Simple roast potatoes are a staple in my kitchen. They’re versatile for meal prep and can be served with almost anything. The only downside to oven-roasted potatoes is the longer roasting time required to achieve a deeply golden, crunchy exterior. In the air fryer, that same result often takes about 20 minutes.
These air fryer roasted potatoes are my go-to: tasty, fast, and popular with everyone around the table. I often find a few disappear before they even reach the plate.
Key Ingredients
You don’t need many ingredients to make these crispy air fryer roasted potatoes.
Quantities and the full ingredient list are shown in the recipe card below.
- Potatoes – Baby potatoes are my preference for roasting, but you can use small white or red potatoes. Keep the skins on for extra flavor and texture; just wash them well.
- Oil – Olive oil gives good flavor and helps the spices adhere. Use any neutral oil if you prefer.
- Spices – A basic blend I use is garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt and black pepper. Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or swap in your favorite herb or spice blend. Mixed dried herbs are also a lovely finish.
Equipment
Air fryer – You’ll need an air fryer to achieve the fastest results and the best crisping. Small to medium air fryers are ideal for 2–4 people; choose a larger basket if you’re feeding a family.
Step-By-Step Instructions
These instructions are written for an air fryer but an oven method is included in the recipe notes if you don’t have one.
If you don’t have an air fryer, roast the potatoes in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F for about 40 minutes on a lined baking sheet, turning once, until golden and crisp.
Start by chopping the potatoes into even pieces, roughly 1 inch (2–3 cm). For baby potatoes, halves or thirds are usually right. If cutting releases a lot of starchy moisture, pat the pieces dry with a clean towel so they crisp better.
Place the chopped potatoes in a large bowl. Add olive oil and the spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt and black pepper) and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F for a few minutes. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the basket so air can circulate around each piece. Cook for 10 minutes, gently turn or shake the basket, then cook another 10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and crisp.
Air fryer models vary, so check for doneness and adjust cooking time as needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and an extra pinch of sea salt if desired. Leftovers reheat nicely in the air fryer for 5–8 minutes until hot and crisp again.
What to serve with air fryer potatoes
These roast potatoes are versatile. Serve them as a side with roasted or pan-seared proteins, or enjoy them with a dipping sauce such as garlic aioli, a simple herb mayo, or a dairy-free ranch-style dressing.
If you have a dual-zone air fryer you can cook a protein at the same time—salmon, chicken schnitzel or BBQ chicken thighs work well alongside these potatoes for a speedy family meal.
For a balanced meal, serve with a green salad or a roasted vegetable salad to add freshness and texture.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating in the recipe card below. If you share photos on social media, tag them with the blog’s hashtag.
More potato side dishes
Try other favorite potato recipes such as oven baked potato wedges, a dairy-free potato salad, salt and vinegar smashed potatoes, or baked sweet potato fries for variety.
Air Fryer Potatoes
Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside. An easy and quick air fryer roast potato recipe that works as a reliable side dish for a variety of meals.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Australian-style
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Sally
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 600–700 grams baby white potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F (or run it empty at this temperature for a few minutes).
- Chop the potatoes into roughly 1 inch pieces. Pat dry if a lot of starchy liquid is released.
- Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10 minutes, turn or shake the basket, then cook another 10 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra sea salt if desired.
Notes
Oven method: After step 3, spread the potatoes on a lined baking sheet and bake at 200°C/400°F for about 40 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 183 kcal | Carbohydrates: 27 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 7 g | Fiber: 4 g
Nutritional information is an estimate and should be used as a guide only.