If you’ve been searching for the ultimately crispy yet fluffy roasted potato dish, look no further than this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe. It’s a genius way to get those golden edges and tender insides without the fuss of a traditional oven roast. Using simple ingredients and the magic of an air fryer, these potatoes come out beautifully crunchy and packed with fresh thyme aroma, making them a perfect side dish every time. Whether you’re short on time or just love a fuss-free cooking method, this recipe will quickly become your new favorite way to enjoy roast potatoes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but essential. Each adds something special to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe so irresistible.
- 700 g floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or red-skinned Rooster: These varieties roast beautifully, delivering fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors.
- 2 tbsp neutral oil like rapeseed, avocado, or sunflower oil: Provides the perfect coating to crisp up the potatoes without overpowering their natural flavor.
- 1 tsp Maldon salt: A sprinkle of this flaky sea salt brings out the potato’s inherent sweetness while adding a satisfying crunch.
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves: Adds a fragrant, herbaceous note that elevates the whole dish.
- Optional extra 1 tbsp neutral oil: For an added layer of crunch and richness in the final roasting step.
How to Make Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep the potatoes
Start by peeling your potatoes and chopping them into chunky, bite-size pieces roughly 3 to 3.5 centimeters across. Give them a quick rinse under cold water to wash off excess starch, then pat them completely dry. Drying is key here because moisture fights crisping, so don’t skip this step!
Step 2: Arrange in air fryer tray
Place a shallow tray insert into your air fryer basket. Then transfer your dried potatoes onto the tray. Drizzle the initial 2 tablespoons of oil over them, and give the tray a good shake or stir with a spoon to make sure each piece is fully coated. This oil coating forms the base of the crispy crust.
Step 3: Cook in two stages
Pop the tray into your air fryer and cook at 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes. After this, open the fryer and give the potatoes a shake or stir to ensure even cooking and browning. Cook another 5 minutes at the same temperature.
Step 4: Bash and oil for crunch
Now the secret weapon: use the back of a spoon to gently bash the potatoes, creating rough, ruffled edges that will crisp up beautifully. Drizzle on the optional extra tablespoon of oil to help build even more crunch. Return the tray to the air fryer and cook for a final 10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown and irresistibly crispy.
Step 5: Season and finish
Once cooked, scatter over the Maldon salt and fresh thyme leaves while the potatoes are still hot. The salt’s texture and the herbal fragrance of thyme perfectly finish this easy yet impressively tasty Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe.
How to Serve Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A lightly scattered handful of fresh thyme leaves adds a fragrant herbal lift, but you can also experiment with chopped rosemary, garlic powder, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a decadent twist.
Side Dishes
These roast potatoes are incredibly versatile. Pair them with Sunday roast classics, grilled chicken, or even a vibrant salad for a satisfying meal. They also make a perfect companion to a creamy dip or ketchup for casual snacking.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve these potatoes in small rustic bowls or mini cast iron skillets. Drizzle with garlic butter or a zesty aioli on the side to make your guests feel truly pampered. They also work wonderfully tossed with roasted vegetables for a colorful side platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They will keep their flavor but might lose some crispness.
Freezing
These potatoes don’t freeze well because the texture can become watery after thawing. It’s best to enjoy them fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating
To bring back that coveted crispness, reheat leftover roast potatoes in your air fryer at 180 degrees Celsius for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which makes them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use any type of potato for this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe?
While you can experiment, floury potatoes like Maris Piper or Rooster give the best results because their starchy texture crisps up beautifully while staying soft inside.
Do I need to parboil the potatoes before air frying?
This recipe skips parboiling for speed and simplicity, focusing on a quick crispy roast. However, if you have extra time, parboiling can make the centers even fluffier and shorten cooking time slightly.
What is the benefit of using a tray insert in the air fryer?
The tray helps keep the potatoes sitting in their oil rather than dripping through the basket holes, which creates a crunchier roast potato by allowing the hot oil to coat and cook them evenly.
Can I cook these directly in the air fryer basket without a tray?
Yes, but without the tray, the potatoes contact less oil and won’t have as thick or crunchy a skin. They’ll still brown nicely but with a lighter texture.
What oil is best for this recipe?
Neutral oils like rapeseed, avocado, or sunflower oil are great because they have a high smoke point and won’t overpower the potatoes, helping them crisp without burning.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe enough if you want perfectly crispy and fluffy roast potatoes with minimal fuss. It’s a game-changer that saves time and delivers satisfying, golden results every single time. Give it a try and see how quick and delicious roasting potatoes can be!
PrintAir Fryer Roast Potatoes Recipe
This Air Fryer Roast Potatoes recipe delivers crispy, golden-on-the-outside and fluffy on the inside potatoes quickly and with minimal fuss. Using an air fryer with a shallow tray insert allows the potatoes to sit in hot oil, creating a crunchy skin similar to traditional oven-roasted potatoes but in just 20 minutes of cooking time. Perfect as a side dish for any meal, these roast potatoes are seasoned simply with Maldon salt and fresh thyme for an aromatic finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 700 g (1 1/2 lbs) floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or red-skinned Rooster potatoes
Oil and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp neutral oil such as rapeseed, avocado or sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (optional, for extra crunch)
- 1 tsp Maldon salt
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and chop potatoes into bite-sized chunks about 3-3.5 cm (approximately 1+1/4 to 1+1/3 inches). Rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch and pat them dry thoroughly.
- Set Up Air Fryer Tray: Place a shallow tray insert into your air fryer basket to allow the potatoes to roast in oil without losing fat through the basket holes.
- Coat Potatoes with Oil: Add the prepared potatoes to the tray. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of neutral oil over them and stir or shake well to ensure all potato pieces are evenly coated in oil.
- Initial Cooking: Cook the potatoes in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes. Then, turn or shake the potatoes to ensure even cooking and continue for another 5 minutes.
- Ruffle and Add More Oil: Remove the potatoes briefly and give them a gentle bash with the back of a spoon to roughen the edges, which helps create a crispier texture. Drizzle on an additional 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Finish Cooking: Return the potatoes to the air fryer and cook for a final 10 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy.
- Season and Serve: Sprinkle the roast potatoes with Maldon salt and fresh thyme leaves before serving to add flavor and aroma.
Notes
- Using a tray insert in the air fryer helps the potatoes sit in hot oil for a thicker, crunchier skin, similar to roasting in an oven.
- You can cook the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket without a tray insert, but the skin will be less crispy and absorb less fat, resulting in lower calories.
- Par-boiling the potatoes for 8-9 minutes before air frying will improve fluffiness and crispiness but increases preparation time.
- This recipe is designed for drawer-style air fryers like the Ninja Max; it may not be suitable for grill-style air fryers or air fryers with paddles.
- Adjust cooking times slightly based on your air fryer model and potato size for best results.
