There is something especially satisfying about roasted potatoes when they are crispy and golden on the outside but soft and fluffy in the middle. These Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes are an easy way to get that texture without using a lot of oil. They are simple enough for a regular weeknight meal, but they also work really well when you need an easy side dish for a larger meal.

The air fryer makes the potatoes nicely browned while keeping the inside tender. Since the cooking time is short and there is very little preparation involved, this is one of those recipes that can easily become part of your regular cooking routine.

Why Make Potatoes in the Air Fryer?

Roasting potatoes in an air fryer is quick and convenient. Instead of using a large amount of oil, the potatoes only need a small amount to help the seasonings stick and to encourage the outside to become golden and crisp.
The circulating hot air cooks the potato pieces from all sides. When the pieces are cut into roughly 1-inch chunks, they have enough surface area to become crispy while still cooking through in the center.
Another useful thing about this recipe is that you do not need complicated ingredients. Potatoes, olive oil, a few seasonings, salt, and pepper are all that are needed. The result is a simple side dish with plenty of flavor.

Choosing the Potatoes

You can use different types of potatoes for this recipe. Yukon Gold, red potatoes, and russet potatoes are all suitable choices, but you do not have to limit yourself to those varieties.
The type of potato can slightly change the final texture. Some potatoes are naturally more starchy, while others have a smoother and creamier texture. Either way, cutting them into similar-sized pieces is more important for even cooking.
If you are using baby potatoes, cut them in half if they are large enough to need it. Very small potatoes can be left whole, but poking them with a fork allows steam to escape while they cook.
For larger potatoes, cut them into pieces about 1 inch in size. Try to keep the pieces as similar in size as possible. If some pieces are very small and others are much larger, the smaller ones may become overly browned before the larger pieces are fully cooked.

Do You Need to Peel the Potatoes?

No. Peeling is completely optional.
For a more rustic-looking dish, I like leaving the potato skins on. The skin also adds a little texture to the finished potatoes. If you prefer potatoes without the skin, simply peel them before cutting.
The important thing is to wash the potatoes well if you are keeping the skin on. After washing, dry them before seasoning.

When to Soak the Potatoes

Soaking is not necessary for every type of potato, but it can be useful when you are working with particularly starchy potatoes.
If you want to soak them, place the cut potatoes in cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes. This helps remove some of the excess starch.
There is one important step after soaking: dry the potatoes thoroughly.
Wet potatoes can produce more steam during cooking, which can prevent them from becoming as crisp on the outside. Pat them dry before adding the oil and seasonings.
If you are short on time, you can skip soaking and simply make sure the potatoes are dry before seasoning them.

Preparing the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are cut, place them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder or granules, salt, and ground black pepper.
Toss everything together well.
This step is worth doing carefully because you want the seasoning and oil distributed across the potato pieces. The potatoes should be lightly coated rather than sitting in a pool of oil at the bottom of the bowl.
Smoked paprika gives the potatoes a warm, slightly smoky flavor, while garlic powder or granules add a savory note. Salt and pepper bring everything together without making the recipe complicated.
Once the potatoes are evenly coated, they are ready for the air fryer.

Preparing the Air Fryer

You do not have to preheat the air fryer for this recipe. The potatoes can go directly into the basket.
However, if you have a few extra minutes, preheating the air fryer for about 5 minutes can help the potatoes become crispier.
If your air fryer requires a particular setup according to its instructions, follow those instructions for your model.
Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Try not to handle them too much after they have been coated because you want the seasoning to remain evenly distributed.

Air Frying the Potatoes

Set the air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes.
After the first 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully turn the potatoes. A pair of tongs or a turner works well for this.
Turning the potatoes helps different sides come into contact with the hot air and encourages more even browning.
Once they have been turned, cook them for another 10 minutes.
At the end of the cooking time, check the potatoes with a fork. They should be tender enough to pierce easily, while the outside should be browned and crisp.
If they need more cooking, continue until they reach the texture you want, keeping an eye on them so they do not become too dark.

Why Turning the Potatoes Matters

It can be tempting to simply shake the basket halfway through cooking, but using tongs or a turner is a better option for this recipe.
Potatoes can become tender as they cook, and shaking the basket too vigorously may break some of the pieces. It also may not turn every piece.
Carefully turning the potatoes gives you more control and helps make sure that the pieces brown evenly.
You do not need to spend a lot of time doing this. Just turn the pieces after the first 10 minutes and return the basket to the air fryer.

Getting Crispy Potatoes

The crisp outside comes from a combination of the hot circulating air, the small amount of oil, and properly prepared potatoes.
There are a few simple things that make a difference.
First, make sure the potatoes are dry before adding the oil. This is especially important if you have soaked them.
Second, coat them evenly with the oil and seasonings.
Third, give them a halfway turn during cooking.
Preheating the air fryer for about 5 minutes can also help if you are looking for a little extra crispiness.
The potatoes should be cooked until the centers are fork-tender and the outsides are golden and crisp.

Changing the Seasoning

The listed seasonings give these potatoes a smoky and savory flavor, but the basic preparation can work with different seasoning combinations.
For this version, use the smoked paprika and garlic powder or granules along with salt and pepper exactly as listed.
If you want to change the flavor another time, different seasonings can be used with the same cooking method. Italian seasoning, fajita seasoning, shawarma seasoning, or stone house seasoning are examples of combinations that can be used for variations.
You can also keep things very simple with salt and pepper before roasting.
Another option is to season the finished potatoes with french fry seasoning after they come out of the air fryer.
These variations do not change the basic cooking method. The potatoes are still cut, coated, air fried, turned halfway through, and cooked until tender inside and crisp outside.

How to Serve Them

These roasted potatoes are best served hot.
They make an easy side dish alongside a main meal, but they can also be served as an appetizer. Because the potatoes are already seasoned, they can be served as they are or paired with a dip.
For a little fresh color, chopped parsley or cilantro can be added when serving.
You can also serve them with a dip such as ranch dressing, Yum yum sauce, lime crema, or guacamole.
The contrast between the crisp potatoes and a creamy or fresh dip makes them especially enjoyable as an appetizer.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

The most important part of the recipe is cutting the potatoes into similar-sized pieces. This helps them cook at approximately the same rate.
If you are using baby potatoes, halve them when necessary. Very small potatoes can be left whole after being poked with a fork.
If you use larger potatoes, aim for pieces around 1 inch.
Remember that soaking is optional. It is mainly useful for starchy potatoes. If you soak them for 10 to 15 minutes, dry them thoroughly afterward.
Preheating is also optional. Five minutes of preheating can help with crispiness, but the recipe does not require it.
During cooking, turn the potatoes after the first 10 minutes rather than relying only on shaking the basket.
Finally, serve the potatoes while they are hot. That is when the outside is at its crispiest and the inside is tender and fluffy.