5-Star Reader Comment
These are impressively good, especially for how simple they are. I’ve made them twice now and have stuck to the recipe. This is easily one of my favorite side dishes already – partially because of the taste, partially because of how easy they are.
Shellie
Hot to Make Getting Dinner on the Table Easy
I’ve made potatoes a hundred different ways over the years, but I keep it simple for a quick side dish everyone loves. These crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes are made with just 6 ingredients—no fancy extras, just what you probably already have in your kitchen.
After raising two boys and cooking countless meals, I’ve learned that when you start with good ingredients, you don’t need much else to make something delicious.
Enjoy!
Can You Really Get Potatoes Crispy in the Air Fryer? Yes! Here’s How
For the crispiest air fryer baby potatoes, dry the potatoes well, give them enough room in the basket, and cook until the cut sides are golden and the centers feel tender when pierced with a fork.
Crowding is the one thing that can steal the crisp edges. If your basket is full, work in batches and keep the first batch warm while the second one finishes.
Ingredients For Air-Fried Roast Potatoes
- Baby Potatoes – Red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, or a mixture of both work great in this recipe.
- Olive Oil and Butter – One adds flavor and one helps with roasting.
- Fresh Parsley – Fresh rosemary or thyme can also be used, as well as any fresh herbs you like. Fresh herbs are key to keeping the ingredient list short.
- Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper – You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, or Parmesan cheese.
Mix It Up – Recipe Variations
- Cajun Kick – Add Cajun seasoning to make Air-Fry Cajun Potatoes.
- Go Dairy-Free – Swap the butter for ghee or vegan butter if you’re dairy-free.
- Add Heat – Add a dash of red pepper flakes when tossing in the parsley.
Step-By-Step Directions
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on salt. Toss and place in the basket of the air fryer.
- Set the temperature to 400 degrees and the timer to 20 minutes. Halfway through cooking, remove the basket, shake it, and then place it back in the air fryer to continue cooking.
- While the potatoes are cooking, melt butter. When the potatoes are done, transfer them to a bowl, drizzle with butter, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley, and toss, coating the potatoes.
- Spoon the potatoes into a pretty bowl and serve warm.
Don’t Be Afraid To Work In Batches
Small halved baby potatoes usually cook fastest. Larger baby potatoes may need a few extra minutes, especially if they are not cut evenly. The goal is golden edges and creamy centers, not just a timer.
Quick guide: tiny potatoes halved – start checking early; medium baby potatoes halved – use the recipe timing; larger baby potatoes quartered – give them room and check tenderness before serving.
More Potato Recipes You’ll Love
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1.5 pound bag baby red potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter – melted
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Wash and dry potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle on olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Add potatoes to the air fryer. Set temperature to 400 degrees. Set timer to 20 minutes. Press start. At 10 minute mark, halfway through cooking, remove the basket and shake. Place the basket back in air fryer and cook the remaining 10 minutes.
- Place cooked potatoes in serving bowl. Drizzle on butter, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can make the potatoes ahead of time and reheat them in the air fryer or in the oven before serving.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, coating the potatoes with a small amount of oil will help them crisp up and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Yes, you can make the potatoes ahead of time and reheat them in the air fryer or the oven before serving.
Store any air fryer mini potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer until warmed through.
Do I need to peel baby potatoes?
No. The thin skin helps the potatoes crisp up and gives them that roasted flavor, so leave it on unless you prefer them
peeled.
Can I reheat air fryer baby potatoes?
Yes. Reheat them in the air fryer until warmed through and crisp around the edges again.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
These potatoes can be served at any meal as a side dish. I love serving them with Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs or Honey Garlic Lime Shrimp for a quick weeknight meal. And there’s nothing like a meat and potatoes meal with Easy Glazed Meatloaf.
Ready to discover even more possibilities with your air fryer? Don’t miss my ultimate list of Amazing Air Fryer Recipes!
If you tried this Air Fryer Baby Potato Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Twenty minutes at 400 degrees seems to be the magic formula! I made little baby reds, and I cut in half the ones that were on the bigger side. I preheated the air fryer but forgot about shaking halfway through. Still came out perfect and the flavoring is just right!
That sounds like a total win! Baby red potatoes in the air fryer at 400° for 20 minutes really is the sweet spot — crispy on the outside, tender inside. Preheating always helps get that golden crust going fast, and even without shaking halfway, it’s great to hear they still turned out perfect. The seasoning blend must’ve hit just right, too!
Thanks for sharing your tip about cutting the bigger ones — that’s a great detail others will appreciate when trying this method. Let me know if you experiment with different seasonings next time!
~Donya
Thank you, works great.
BabyRed Baked Potato, Wash, Pat dry, Coat w oil, 400, 15 min
Turn, 400, 8 min, when done pare eyes/defects, slightly mash with fork, butter, tiny dollop sour cream, salt, blk pepper – my variation of your recipe.
(thanks for getting me started)