Air fryer diced potatoes are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish or snack. They come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the best part is that you use very little oil. Here’s a basic recipe along with some notes for making perfect air fryer diced potatoes:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium-sized potatoes (russet, Yukon gold, or red potatoes work well)
- 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional seasonings: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, or any of your favorite herbs and spices.
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, you can simply let it run for a few minutes while you prepare the potatoes.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash the potatoes and peel them if desired. Cutting them into uniform, bite-sized cubes (around 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm) ensures even cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Season the Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the diced potatoes with olive oil or lightly coat them with cooking spray. Add salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Be creative with your seasonings to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is small. Cooking in a single layer ensures even crisping.
- Cooking Time: Cook the potatoes at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Shake the basket or use a spatula to toss the potatoes every 5-10 minutes for even cooking. The total cooking time can vary depending on the size of your potato cubes and your air fryer’s power, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.
- Check for Doneness: The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can test doneness by inserting a fork or toothpick into a potato cube to ensure it’s soft inside.
- Serve: Once done, transfer the air-fried diced potatoes to a plate, sprinkle with additional salt and seasonings if desired, and serve immediately. They’re great on their own or as a side dish with ketchup, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes:
- Potato Type: Different types of potatoes can yield slightly different results. Russet potatoes tend to be fluffy inside, while red potatoes hold their shape better. Use your favorite or what you have on hand.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you have too many potatoes in at once, they won’t cook evenly, and you’ll end up with some undercooked pieces.
- Seasonings: Be creative with your seasonings. Experiment with various herbs and spices to find your favorite flavor combination.
- Oil: You can adjust the amount of oil to your preference. Using less oil will result in slightly less crispy potatoes, but they will still be delicious.
- Customization: You can add other ingredients like onions, bell peppers, or garlic to your diced potatoes for extra flavor.
Enjoy your homemade air fryer diced potatoes!
1. Pre-Soak and Dry: After dicing the potatoes, you can soak them in cold water for about 15-30 minutes. This helps remove excess starch and can lead to even crispier results. Just make sure to thoroughly dry the potatoes before seasoning and air frying.
2. Parboil the Potatoes: For even faster cooking and extra tenderness, consider parboiling the diced potatoes for about 5 minutes before air frying. This step helps them become fork-tender more quickly in the air fryer.
3. Use a Different Cooking Temperature: While the recipe above uses 375°F (190°C), you can experiment with higher temperatures for shorter cooking times or lower temperatures for longer cooking times. Just be sure to adjust the time accordingly and check for doneness.
4. Frozen Diced Potatoes: You can also make air fryer diced potatoes using frozen diced potatoes. Simply follow the instructions on the package, but you can usually skip the pre-soaking step since frozen potatoes are already blanched.
5. Sweet Potato Variation: Try making air fryer diced sweet potatoes for a healthier and sweeter twist. Follow the same steps but adjust the seasonings to complement the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.
6. Breakfast Potatoes: Turn your air-fried diced potatoes into breakfast potatoes by adding diced bell peppers, onions, and some breakfast sausage or bacon bits. Serve them with fried eggs for a hearty breakfast.
7. Cheese Topping: When the potatoes are almost done cooking, sprinkle them with shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite) and continue cooking for a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Herb Butter: Instead of olive oil, you can toss the diced potatoes in melted herb butter for a rich and flavorful variation.
9. Dipping Sauces: Serve your air-fried diced potatoes with various dipping sauces like aioli, ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, or honey mustard for added flavor.
10. Seasonal Variations: Change up the seasonings to match the season. For example, use rosemary and thyme for a classic flavor, or try smoked paprika and cayenne for a smoky and spicy twist.
Remember that air fryers can vary in cooking times and temperatures, so it may take a little trial and error to find the perfect settings for your specific air fryer and your preferred level of crispiness. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and variations of air fryer diced potatoes!
