Does the perfect crispy air fryer roast potato exist? There is certainly a lot of debate online about the best way to cook roast potatoes in an air fryer. Some say par-boiling is the key. Others say it’s down to the oil you use or the variety of potato you use. For me, it’s taken a bit of trial and error. But I think I’ve finally found the best air fryer roast potatoes recipe to share with you.
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How to make perfect air fryer roast potatoes
Achieving a crisp, golden exterior and light fluffy interior does take a little bit of trial and error as there are so many variables from the size or your potatoes, the variety of potato, your particular air fryer model, the oil you use and whether you choose to par boil your potatoes before cooking them in the air fryer, or not. Here are the main things I consider when air frying roast potatoes:
Variety
Choose a variety of potato that is good for roasting such as Maris Piper or Russet – their starchy content makes them ideal for achieving a fluffy interior.
Par boil
I know lots of people choose not to par boil their potatoes before roasting them but personally, I’ve found much better results when I do and it doesn’t take long. After peeling and chopping the potatoes, I par boil for five minutes, then drain and give the potatoes a good shake in the pan to rough up the edges. I let them air dry for a few minutes as this helps maximise the crispiness.
Oil and season
Next I coat the potatoes in a little oil (Sometimes I drizzle an olive oil, sunflower oil or vegetable oil straight onto the potatoes, or I'll use an oil spray that is suitable for use in air fryers). Now is the time to add seasoning as it will stick to the oil and help add extra crispiness to the potatoes. In my experience, salt is essential for perfect roast potatoes and I always use sea salt for both flavour and texture. Alongside salt, you can add any combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder or dried herbs like rosemary or oregano.
Cooking time for air fryer roast potatoes
I cook my air fryer roast potatoes at 200C (400F) for 20-25 minutes, shaking and turning regularly during the cooking process. When they are golden and crisp on the outside and perfectly cooked within, they’re ready. I serve them straightaway to maintain the crispiness.
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 kg potatoes (Maris Piper, King Edward, Russet or Yukon Gold are all good varieties for roasting)
- 1.5 tbs sunflower oil (or vegetable oil)
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 sprinkle garlic powder
- 1 sprinkle paprika
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Peel your potatoes and chop into evenly sized chunks.
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan of cold water with a teaspoon of salt and bring to the boil. Boil for 8 minutes, then drain.
- Pop the drained potatoes back into the saucepan with the lid on and give them a good shake so that the edges of the potatoes become roughed up. Leave the potatoes to steam dry for a couple of minutes.
- Drizzle over 1.5 tablespoons of sunflower oil (or vegetable oil), toss the potatoes so that all sides are oiled. Season generously with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss until the potatoes are well coated.
- Place your potatoes into your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, shaking or turning the potatoes halfway through to ensure even cooking. Cook until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
- Once done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you made roast potatoes in your air fryer? How did it go? You can let me know by leaving a ⭐star rating and a comment below. I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for visiting!
Michael
These are so crispy with a fluffy interior, went well with gravy!