Baby Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Air fryer baby potatoes get a golden, crackly skin and a creamy center in about 20 minutes, with no boiling first. Mini potatoes and other small potatoes work the same way, as long as they are cut or sized evenly. This recipe gives times for halved and whole baby potatoes, plus a smashed version.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 25min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 175kcal
Why the air fryer works for baby potatoes
Baby potatoes, mini potatoes and small new potatoes share thin skins and a waxy, creamy texture. Those traits suit the air fryer. The thin skin crisps fast in hot air, and the creamy flesh stays moist instead of drying into the mealy texture of a large russet. You get roasted-potato flavor without heating an oven for 45 minutes.
Size is the only thing to control. A potato 1 inch wide cooks through in about 20 minutes, while a 2-inch one needs a cut. Cutting also adds a flat, oiled surface that browns more deeply than skin does.
How to make baby potatoes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Wash and halve Scrub the potatoes and dry them well. Cut each potato in half, or in quarters if they are larger than 1½ inches. Halves have a flat side that browns deeply.
- Season Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, salt, garlic powder, rosemary and pepper. Make sure every cut face is coated.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Add the potatoes to the basket cut side down, in a single layer. Cook for , shaking the basket after so they brown on all sides.
- Check and serve Pierce one with a fork. It should go in easily, and the cut sides should be deep golden. If not, cook for more. Toss with parsley and serve hot.
Times and temperatures
| Baby Potatoes | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| HalvedShake after 10 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 20 min |
| Whole, 1 inch | 400 °F (200 °C) | 22–25 min |
| Quartered | 400 °F (200 °C) | 15–18 min |
| SmashedBoil 8–10 min first | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12–15 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Sort by size. Cook potatoes of the same size together. If your bag has a mix, cut the biggest ones to match the small ones.
- Cut side down first. The flat side makes contact with the hot basket and the circulating air, and it forms the golden crust.
- Do not crowd the basket. Up to 1½ lb fits in a 5–6 quart basket. For 4 quarts, cook 1 lb at a time.
What to serve with baby potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes go with chicken thighs, pork tenderloin and salmon, and they are a weeknight dinner side with green beans. For a more dramatic potato side, try hasselback potatoes.
Storing and reheating
Cooled potatoes keep for 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375 °F for 4–5 minutes, shaking once, until hot and crisp. They also work cold in a potato salad with mustard and scallions.
Variations
- Garlic parmesan: Toss the hot potatoes with 2 tbsp grated parmesan and 1 minced garlic clove (not vegan or dairy-free).
- Smashed: Boil the potatoes for 8–10 minutes, press each flat with a glass, brush with oil and cook at 400 °F for 12–15 minutes.
- With vegetables: Add 1 cup of onion wedges or carrot chunks to the basket. They cook in the same 20 minutes.
- Red Potatoes: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer red potatoes.
- Smashed Potatoes: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer smashed potatoes.
If it does not turn out right
- The potatoes are hard in the middle
- They were too big. Cut potatoes larger than 1½ inches in half or quarters, and add 3–5 minutes if they are whole. Always test with a fork before serving.
- The skin is wrinkly but not crisp
- The potatoes were damp or crowded. Dry them well, leave space between them and use at least 1 tablespoon of oil per pound.
- The seasoning fell off
- Toss the potatoes in the oil first, then add the dry spices so they cling. Add fresh herbs after cooking, since they burn at 400 °F.
Questions and answers
How long do baby potatoes take in the air fryer?
About 20 minutes at 400 °F for halves, shaken halfway. Whole potatoes about 1 inch wide take 22–25 minutes, and quarters take 15–18 minutes.
Do I need to boil baby potatoes before air frying?
No. Raw halves cook through in 20 minutes. Boiling for 8–10 minutes first is only needed for smashed potatoes, which shorten the air fryer time to 12–15 minutes.
Can I cook mini potatoes whole?
Yes, if they are 1 inch wide or smaller. Pierce each potato once with a fork and cook for 22–25 minutes at 400 °F, shaking twice.
How do I cook baby potatoes without oil?
Use a light spray of cooking oil, about ½ tsp per pound, and cook 2–3 minutes longer. They still brown, but the skin is a little drier.
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