Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes

5 from 13 votes

Sep 25, 2020, Updated Dec 28, 2023

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These crispy air fryer potatoes are one of my go-to side dishes—easy to make, full of flavor, and always a hit. The air fryer does all the work, and thanks to a quick toss in herb butter, every bite turns out golden, crispy, and totally irresistible.

Tender, golden, salty, and buttery, these crispy air fryer potatoes are so delicious and bursting with garlicky, herby flavor! They’re the kind of side dish that goes with just about everything—and around here, they’re a weeknight staple. The other night, while our favorite crack chicken was in the oven, I used my double-basket air fryer to make these potatoes on one side and air fryer Brussels sprouts on the other. Easiest dinner ever!

Reasons To Make This Air Fryer Potatoes Recipe

Big Flavor: Garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese come together to make these baby potatoes crispy, golden, and packed with flavor in every bite.
Simple Ingredients: A few fresh staples bring out the best in these air fried potatoes without overcomplicating things.
Air Fryer = Less Fuss: The air fryer makes these super easy to whip up and gives you that crispy, roasted finish with way less mess.
A Lighter Take: These crispy potatoes taste like a treat, but they’re a lighter option compared to deep frying—and way easier to make at home.

What You’ll Need

Baby Potatoes: Small red potatoes, Yukon gold, or fingerling potatoes all work great here. Just give them a good scrub and slice them in half so they cook up evenly and get that golden edge.
Olive Oil: Use a light to medium olive oil or something that can handle high heat while still adding that signature richness.
Fresh Garlic: Mince 3 to 4 cloves for big garlicky flavor. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder (about 1 teaspoon), but fresh makes a big difference here.
Salt and Black Pepper: The basics, but honestly, they do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor.
Dried Thyme and Oregano: These bold herbs balance out the richness of the oil and garlic and add that herby punch we love.
Parmesan Cheese: A little Parm goes a long way! It adds savory depth and helps crisp up the edges.
Melted Butter + Fresh Parsley: The final drizzle! It’s buttery and the perfect finishing touch to bring all the flavors together.

raw red baby potatoes cut in quarters and seasoned

How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes

If you’ve never tried making potatoes in the air fryer, prepare for it because I think you’ll love it! They turn out perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and take hardly any effort at all.

Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the scrubbed and halved potatoes with the other ingredients (except melted butter and parsley). Stir or toss well to coat.
Cook: Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you have too many potatoes, cook in batches to avoid crowding. Crowded food won’t get crispy. Fry at 400˚F for 10 minutes, shake and stir to turn the potatoes, and fry again for 8 minutes or so, until the potatoes are tender and golden.
Drizzle and serve: Make the herb butter (if using) by melting butter and mixing in chopped fresh parsley, or fresh herbs of your choice. Remove the potatoes to a serving dish, drizzle, and enjoy!

side view of quartered red baby potatoes

Katerina’s Recipe Tips

Wash the potatoes: There’s a reason for the old saying that a given object is “as dirty as an unwashed potato.” Root veggies, potatoes literally grow in the dirt and have to be washed well before cooking. I like to scrub my potatoes with a veggie brush, remove any imperfections with a small sharp knife, and then rinse well under running water.
Pat dry the potatoes: Since water and oil don’t mix, dry the potatoes well with a clean dishcloth or paper towel before adding the oil and seasonings. Oil will coat a dry potato better.
Dairy is optional: If you’d like this dish to be dairy-free/vegan, leave out the cheese and butter. There’s no need to replace them, as the dish still packs a ton of flavor as-is.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving these potatoes alongside a good steak, like my filet mignon, or with my steak salad. Air fried potatoes also go wonderfully with fish, and these particularly complement this salmon baked in foil. Also, try cozying these lovelies up with skillet barbecue shrimp, half-cobs of Elote, and small squares of grilled pizza!

overhead shot of quartered baby potatoes

How To Store and Reheat Leftovers

Fridge or Freezer: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container or food-storage bags for 3 to 5 days or freeze them for up to 1 month.
Reheat: To reheat, first thaw the potatoes (if frozen) in the refrigerator. Then, place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and bake at 350° until heated through.

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5 from 13 votes