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Air fryers are increasingly popular as a quick and cheap way to make healthy meals. However, search for air fryers online and it seems all anyone wants to know is how to cook potatoes in them.
Whether you’re looking to make the tastiest roasted potatoes with less fat, or want to make crispy jacket potatoes in a fraction of time, cooking them in one of the best air fryers is the way to go. Buying an air fryer just for potatoes may not work out as the most cost-effective purchase, yet you may be surprised at the variety of potato dishes your air fryer can produce.
“Potatoes taste so much better when made in an air fryer because it uses hot air circulation to cook the potatoes evenly and quickly,” says air frying enthusiast and cooking blogger Liana Green.
“The result is a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. Also, air frying requires less oil than traditional frying methods, making the result lighter and less greasy.”
Before you dive into your air fryer potato odyssey, you may want to consider picking up some air fryer accessories to make sure you get the best results.
The right potato dish needs the right potato.
Don’t discount that tin of potatoes in the cupboard. While they may not taste quite as good as a fresh spud, they’re a great choice if you want to make a cheap and speedy meal.
Make sure you drain them well first before placing in a bowl and adding oil and seasoning. Then put them in your basket and air fry for two to three minutes at 190°C (370°F).
Award-winning health coach Amanda Place says that on the whole air fryer potatoes are much better for you, as there’s less oil used than when you roast or fry them. There’s also the extra bonus of the potato holding on to its nutrients, which can break down over a long period of cooking.
“Air fryers cook food more quickly and evenly than ovens, which means that the potatoes retain more nutrients and have a better texture overall.”
"This is particularly beneficial if you're trying to eat a healthier diet and are looking for ways to reduce your calorie and fat intake while still enjoying delicious food,” she says.
When it comes to air fryer potatoes, there are very few limits.
“There aren't many potato dishes that can't be made in an air fryer as it's a versatile cooking appliance,” says Green.
“Be careful with very thinly sliced potatoes as they might cook too quickly or fly around the air fryer and burn. If you have a trivet or similar, you can place that on top to stop them flying about too much.”
While jacket potatoes may not be the quickest potato dish to cook in an air fryer, you can still shave off about 20-30 minutes of cooking time compared to a traditional oven. And if you’re using an electric oven, that’s going to save you money as well as time.
Short on time? You can start the cooking process in the microwave, followed by a blast in the air fryer to crisp it up. The potatoes will probably need about eight minutes or so in the microwave followed by another 10-15 in the air fryer to crisp them.
If any potato dish was made for air fryers, it’s the humble chip. Much healthier than the deep-fried version and way tastier than oven chips, once you’ve tried them you won’t go back.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own chips, then frozen chips taste lovely in an air fryer. However, they can get a little soggy. The trick, Green says, is to not overcrowd the basket.
“Try not to overfill the air fryer basket as the frozen chips won't have a chance to crisp up, and instead get soggy as they defrost slightly before cooking,” she says.
“Depending on the size of the chips, cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times through to ensure even cooking and make sure they don't stick to each other.”
A good roast potato – one that’s fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside – can take up to an hour and a half to cook in an oven. Your air fryer can reduce this time considerably, which means you can enjoy them every day of the week and not just on a Sunday.
Green says that crispy air fryer roast potatoes are all about prep. As well as cutting them into evenly-sized pieces, to allow uniform cooking, she recommends parboiling beforehand.
“Either parboil or steam the potatoes for five to seven minutes before drying them,” she says. “If you don't want to parboil them first, make sure you rinse them well in cold water and then pat them dry before oiling and seasoning them.”
Another tip from Green is to shake the potatoes in a colander. This will rough up the edges, which also contributes to that crunchy outside. Then coat the potatoes with no more than a tablespoon of oil and your preferred seasonings.
Cook in a preheated air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Want even crispier roast potatoes? Green suggests dusting the potatoes before cooking with a little flour. You only need about a tablespoon to add extra crunch.
Wedges make a great alternative to chips and are easy to make, especially as you don’t even need to peel your spud beforehand.
Choose a nice creamy potato like a Desiree, which will help give this mash extra flavour. However, don’t expect it to taste quite like the mash you make by boiling potatoes. It has more of a baked potato taste but is still yummy.
Soaking potatoes before putting them in the air fryer will result in a crispier fry, which is particularly important if you’re making chips or roast potatoes. This is because the water draws out some of the starch in the potatoes. A 30-minute soak is all it takes, but don’t forget to dry them well before you put them in the air fryer.
“Any water or moisture on potatoes in the air fryer will prevent them from crisping up and risk them turning out soggy,” says Green.
Place says you can make your potatoes even healthier by using less oil and choosing a different oil from regular sunflower.
“Try using heart-healthy oils like olive or avocado oil,” she suggests. “These oils contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Packing in too many potatoes will cause uneven cooking. Place them in a single layer and don’t forget to shake the basket a few times to make sure they cook evenly.
Whatever type of potato dish you’re making in the air fryer, it will benefit from a liberal bit of seasoning. Salt and pepper are the obvious choice, but Place says not to dismiss other seasonings such as herbs, garlic granules or even smoked paprika, as it can help reduce your sodium intake.
Green also suggests adding a dash of vinegar or lemon juice to the potatoes before air frying, for a delicious, tangy twist.
Green warns against ditching the potato peels, as they can be turned into a tasty snack. Drizzle them with oil, add some seasoning, and put them in the air fryer for eight to ten minutes. While they’re delicious on their own, you can also serve them with dips or additional toppings, such as cheese or sour cream.
