Crispy Air Fryer Red Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs: Your Ultimate Quick Side Dish
Achieve perfectly crispy exteriors and wonderfully tender interiors with these air fryer red potatoes, infused with fragrant garlic and fresh herbs. This irresistible comfort food transforms simple potatoes into a gourmet experience in just about 15 minutes, making it an ideal go-to dinner side dish for busy weekdays or festive holiday gatherings. Even if you don’t own an air fryer, don’t worry! We’ve also included detailed oven roasting instructions, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delicious, wholesome potatoes. Simple, flavorful dishes like this are truly the best way to nourish your family.
This recipe for crispy potatoes has been a staple in my kitchen for years due to its incredible flavor and straightforward preparation. While roasting these beauties in a conventional oven yields fantastic results, utilizing an air fryer drastically reduces the cooking time, making it an even faster and more convenient option for a delicious side dish. These easy air fryer red potatoes are destined to become a regular and cherished addition to your collection of favorite recipes, offering a healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes without sacrificing any of the desired crunch.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Potato Recipe
There are countless reasons why these air fryer red potatoes will quickly become a household favorite. From their ease of preparation to their versatile serving options, they truly tick all the boxes for a perfect side dish:
- Effortlessly Easy: This air fryer recipe simplifies potato preparation. With minimal chopping and hands-on time, you can achieve restaurant-quality crispy potatoes without any fuss. It’s perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike who appreciate simple yet satisfying cooking.
- Lightning Fast Cooking: Get perfectly crispy and tender red potatoes in as little as 12-15 minutes in your air fryer. For those who love an extra-crispy bite, just a few additional minutes will deliver that delightful crunch. This speed makes it ideal for last-minute meal additions or when you’re short on time.
- Incredibly Versatile: These garlic herb red potatoes are not only a superb accompaniment to a wide range of main courses, but they also shine in various meal settings. Serve them alongside roasted chicken, grilled meats, or flavorful pork chops. They are equally fantastic as a hearty breakfast side with scrambled eggs or omelets, or even as a flavorful addition to your next brunch spread. Their simple yet robust flavor profile makes them adaptable to almost any meal.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Keeping the skin on red potatoes ensures you retain all their valuable nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Air frying requires significantly less oil than traditional frying, resulting in a lighter, healthier dish that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
If you’re a true potato lover, be sure to also explore this delectable recipe for buttery baby Dutch yellow potatoes – another fantastic way to enjoy this versatile vegetable!
Essential Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
One of the beauties of this recipe is its reliance on simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a memorable flavor. Choosing the right type of potato and seasonings is key to achieving that perfect crispy texture and aromatic taste.
What kind of potatoes are the best for air frying? While most potato varieties can be successfully cooked in this fantastic kitchen gadget, for this particular recipe, we’re focusing on red potatoes due to their thin skin and waxy texture, which contributes to their excellent crisping ability and tender flesh.
- Red Potatoes: My top recommendation is to use small red-skinned potatoes, often labeled as “baby red potatoes.” These are typically about the size of a golf ball, weighing around 1 ¼ ounces each and measuring 1 ½ inches in diameter. Their thin skin gets incredibly crispy, and their waxy texture holds up beautifully during air frying. If you’re using larger red potatoes, simply cut them into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. The key is consistency in size for optimal results.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my first choice, not only for its delightful flavor but also for its healthy fat profile. It helps achieve that golden-brown crispness and distributes the herbs and seasonings evenly. Avocado oil is another excellent alternative, prized for its high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it perfect for high-heat cooking like air frying.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary is a classic pairing with potatoes and adds an incredibly aromatic depth. Its piney, slightly peppery notes are simply divine. Fresh thyme is another wonderful option, offering a more delicate, earthy aroma. A combination of both rosemary and thyme can also be particularly delightful, enhancing the overall flavor complexity of your crispy potatoes.
- Seasonings: A simple yet powerful blend of sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and granulated garlic (or garlic powder) forms the backbone of the flavor. It’s important to note that for air frying, granulated garlic or garlic powder is generally preferred over fresh minced garlic. Fresh garlic has a tendency to burn quickly and become bitter in the high-heat, circulating environment of the air fryer, whereas the powdered forms distribute flavor evenly without scorching.
For precise measurements of each ingredient, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.
Exciting Substitutions and Flavor Variations
One of the joys of cooking is experimenting with flavors. These air fryer red potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas to change up this recipe:
- Add a Pop of Color and Freshness: For an extra burst of color and a bright, fresh finish, toss the hot, cooked potatoes with a little finely chopped fresh parsley just before serving. It not only looks appealing but also adds a lovely herbaceous note.
- Cheesy Goodness: For a savory, umami kick, sprinkle finely grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes immediately after they come out of the air fryer. The residual heat will melt the cheese slightly, creating a delicious crust.
- Spice It Up: If you’re looking for a bold, barbecue-style or Southwestern flavor, skip the rosemary and garlic and instead toss the potatoes with my Ultimate Dry Rub recipe. It’s packed with a complex blend of spices that will transform your potatoes. Alternatively, a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder can add a warm, smoky depth.
- Dried Herbs Alternative: No fresh herbs on hand? No problem! A good quality dried Italian seasoning blend can be a convenient substitute. Use about half the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
- Citrus Zest: For a brighter, more vibrant flavor, add a teaspoon of finely grated lemon or orange zest to the potatoes along with the other seasonings before air frying. This provides a refreshing counterpoint to the earthy potato flavor.
- Heat Factor: If you enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper tossed with the potatoes before cooking will add a subtle warmth.
Chef’s tip for bigger flavor: Elevate your potatoes by tossing the hot, freshly cooked potatoes with a teaspoon of a high-quality flavored olive oil, such as rosemary, basil, or lemon-infused olive oil. This simple step adds an incredible layer of gourmet flavor. I personally adore the flavored olive oils produced by this family-owned business in California (note: no affiliate links, just a genuine love for their products!).
Easy Air Fryer Red Potato Instructions
Getting those perfectly crispy air fryer red potatoes is a simple process, but a few key steps will ensure the best possible results. Follow these instructions for a flawless batch every time:
First, begin by thoroughly scrubbing your red potatoes clean under cool running water. It’s crucial to dry them exceptionally well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Any excess moisture will steam the potatoes rather than allowing them to crisp up in the air fryer. Unlike some other potato varieties, red potatoes do not need to be soaked to reduce starch, which saves you an extra step. Once clean and dry, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and set the timer for 12 minutes. For best results and to prevent sticking, give the air fryer basket or rack a quick spray with a high-heat cooking oil, such as avocado oil.
Note: Air fryer models can vary significantly in their power and efficiency. Your first batch might require slight adjustments to the cooking time. Keep a close eye on your potatoes, especially towards the end, and test them for doneness.
Step 4: Serve and Savor. Once the air fryer cycle is complete and your potatoes have reached your desired level of crispness, they are ready to be served immediately. If you don’t need to serve them right away, you can turn off the air fryer and allow the potatoes to remain in the warm basket for a few minutes. They will continue to crisp and brown slightly with the residual heat. For an extra touch of flavor and presentation, consider tossing them with a drizzle of flavored olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh parsley after cooking.
Chef’s tip for air fryers: To maintain consistent cooking temperature and efficiency, it’s crucial to minimize the time your air fryer is open. When you need to shake the basket or stir ingredients, do so as quickly as possible. Every moment the air fryer door or drawer is open, precious heat escapes, which can prolong cooking times. This principle also applies to larger, standard ovens, though ovens typically have a more insulated door to help preserve heat and temperature more effectively.
Perfect Roasted Red Potatoes in a Conventional Oven
No air fryer at hand? No problem at all! You can easily make these delicious red potatoes using your conventional oven, yielding a wonderfully crispy and tender result. This is actually how I prepared them for years before I discovered the magic of air frying. The preparation steps for the potatoes are exactly the same as for the air fryer method.
After seasoning your potato pieces, spread them out in a single layer, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, you might want to line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Roast the potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes. Cooking time can vary depending on your oven and the size of your potato pieces, so start checking around the 25-minute mark. The potatoes are done when they are beautifully crusty, crisp, and golden brown on the outside, and tender on the inside when pierced with the tip of a paring knife. A metal spatula can be helpful for easily removing them from the baking sheet to serve.
Chef’s tip on doubling the recipe for a crowd: When preparing for a larger group, the number of red potatoes you can air fry at once will largely depend on the specific size and capacity of your air fryer. For instance, my 6-quart air fryer comfortably holds between 1 to 1 ½ pounds of potatoes in a single layer. The great advantage of air frying red potatoes is their rapid cooking time, which makes preparing multiple batches back-to-back very efficient. To keep earlier batches warm and perfectly crisp while you cook subsequent ones, transfer the finished potatoes to a serving bowl and place them in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F/95°C) or a warming drawer. This ensures all your potatoes are hot and delicious when it’s time to serve.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Red Potatoes
These versatile air fryer red potatoes are a fantastic accompaniment to a wide array of dishes, making them a true culinary MVP. Their crispy texture and savory flavor complement both simple weeknight meals and elaborate holiday feasts.
- Dinner Pairings: They are an absolutely perfect side dish with savory main courses such as succulent roast chicken breasts, light and flavorful grilled lemon chicken breasts, comforting sour cream pork chops, or an elegant classic roast beef tenderloin. They also pair wonderfully with baked salmon, pan-seared steak, or even a hearty vegetarian loaf.
- Breakfast & Brunch Bliss: Don’t limit these potatoes to just dinner! They are terrific served for a hearty breakfast or brunch alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, a cheesy omelet, or a savory frittata. The crispness of the potatoes provides a delightful contrast to softer egg dishes.
- Complete Your Meal: To round out your menu, consider adding a fresh and vibrant seasonal fruit salad, a crisp green salad, or some steamed green beans to provide balance and extra nutrients. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives can also elevate the experience.
- Leftovers & Storage: Any leftover air fryer red potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure to label and date the container for freshness. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and re-crisped, or in a conventional oven on a baking sheet. They are also delicious cold, tossed into a salad, or quickly pan-fried for a breakfast hash.
Looking for more innovative and delicious air fryer recipes? I’m constantly working on developing a dedicated category filled with new and exciting air fryer creations, so please stay tuned! For the latest updates and a free welcome-book recipe series, don’t forget to subscribe in the box above to receive them directly in your inbox.
Air Fryer Red Potato FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you master your air fryer red potatoes and get the best possible results:
Absolutely! Red potatoes are an excellent addition to a healthy, balanced diet. They are packed with an impressive array of essential vitamins and minerals, especially when consumed with their skin on. You’ll find a significant amount of Vitamin C, more potassium than a medium banana, and dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. Their antioxidants also contribute to overall well-being. So, since this recipe encourages keeping the skin on for maximum crispiness and nutrition, the answer is a resounding yes!
Shaking the air fryer basket (or manually turning/flipping food) halfway through the cooking process is a best practice for most air-fried foods, especially potatoes. The primary reason is to ensure even cooking and browning. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, but food resting on the bottom of the basket or piled up might not get uniform exposure. Shaking redistributes the pieces, allowing all surfaces to come into contact with the hot air, leading to consistently crispy and perfectly cooked results. Remember to do this quickly to minimize heat loss from the air fryer, which can otherwise extend your cooking time by a few minutes.
The ideal way to cut red potatoes for air frying largely depends on their initial size, but the goal is always consistency. For smaller “baby” red potatoes, roughly the size of a golf ball, simply cutting them in half is perfect. For medium-sized red potatoes, quartering them will typically yield ideal pieces. If you’re working with larger red potatoes, you may need to cut them into eighths or even smaller, always aiming for pieces that are approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in size. Uniformly sized potato pieces are crucial for ensuring they cook evenly and reach the same level of crispness at the same time.
Explore More Delicious Potato Recipes!
Potatoes are incredibly versatile, and there are endless delicious ways to prepare them, whether you prefer red potatoes, Yukon Golds, Russets, or sweet potatoes. Each variety brings its unique characteristics and flavor profile to the table. If you’ve enjoyed these air fryer red potatoes, consider trying some other fantastic potato dishes to expand your culinary repertoire.
For a refreshing and vibrant side, try this herbed potato salad with delightful Mediterranean flavors, a perfect choice for summer gatherings or light lunches. It offers a fresh contrast to the warm, crispy texture of air-fried potatoes.
- Buttery Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes
- Crispy Baked Garlic and Parmesan Potatoes
- Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Simple Whipped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
⭐️ Did You Make This Recipe?
I would absolutely love to hear about your experience if you make these fantastic air fryer red potatoes! Please take a moment to leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Your feedback is invaluable and genuinely brightens my day. If you loved this recipe and it earned a spot in your rotation, please consider giving it a 5-star rating! Your ratings truly help other readers discover and enjoy these recipes.
This recipe was originally published as “Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary” on July 31, 2012, and has now been updated and enhanced to feature the convenience and efficiency of the air fryer.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Red Potatoes
Sally Cameron
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pounds baby red potatoes, scrubbed clean or small to medium size red potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil divided use
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or fresh chopped thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
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Pre-heat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and set the cooking timer for 12 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer rack or basket with a non-stick cooking spray, such as avocado oil, to prevent potatoes from sticking.
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Thoroughly wash and dry the baby red potatoes. For baby red potatoes, simply halve them. For medium red potatoes, quarter them to ensure even sizing. In a medium bowl, toss the potato pieces with the olive oil, finely chopped fresh rosemary (or thyme), sea salt, ground black pepper, and granulated garlic powder until every piece is well coated. Once the air fryer is pre-heated, arrange the seasoned potatoes cut side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this will steam the potatoes instead of crisping them. Begin the air frying cycle. At the 6-minute mark (halfway through), pause the air fryer and shake the basket vigorously or quickly stir the potatoes with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking and browning. Close the air fryer and complete the cycle.
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At the completion of the cycle, carefully remove one potato piece and test it. The potatoes should be tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife and display a lovely golden-brown color with light crisping on the exterior. If you prefer them even crisper and browner, return them to the air fryer and add an additional 2-3 minutes to the cycle. Once done, serve hot or warm immediately for the best texture and flavor.
For an enhanced flavor profile, consider tossing the hot potatoes back into the same bowl you initially used for seasoning, which will still have residual oil and herb flavor. Add an extra teaspoon of a flavorful olive oil (like a lemon or rosemary infused oil) for a boost of taste. For a vibrant visual appeal and fresh note, sprinkle with some freshly chopped parsley before serving. A little finely grated Parmesan cheese also makes a delightful addition if you enjoy it!
Notes
Oven Roasted Red Potatoes:
Prepare the potatoes identically to the air fryer instructions: wash, dry, and cut them into uniform pieces. Toss with olive oil, herbs, and seasonings. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the seasoned potatoes cut side down in a single layer on a metal rimmed baking sheet (parchment paper is recommended for easy cleanup). Roast for approximately 25-35 minutes, or until the skin is beautifully crisp and golden, and the interior is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife or skewer. Cooking times will vary depending on your specific oven and whether you use a convection or standard setting, so begin checking for doneness around the 25-minute mark.
When the roasted potatoes are done, a metal spatula may be helpful to gently lift them from the baking sheet for serving.
To Make Ahead and Re-Heat
Air fryer red potatoes can be prepared in advance and reheated for convenience. Simply spread them on a metal baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) until hot and re-crisped, or place them back into your air fryer on the bake setting at 350°F (175°C) until thoroughly heated through. This ensures they retain their delicious texture.