Air fryer potatoes are a healthier alternative to deep fried potatoes. They have a crispy texture without high fat or calories - easy side dish for any meal
These air fryer potatoes are the tasty side dish you have been looking for! Healthier than traditional fried wedges, they are lower in calories and fat, and perfect as a snack or as part of a fuller meal. Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle, wedges have never tasted so good!
If you got an air fryer for Christmas or for your birthday recently, one of the first recipes you’ll probably want to try is air fryer potatoes. That’s exactly what I was excited to try first. It’s an easy recipe with just a couple small potatoes, any seasoning you like and a touch of olive oil. This is a great introduction to air frying with a foolproof recipe that will show you how amazing the air fryer is!
These air fryer potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! They have the the flavor and texture you’d expect from deep fried potatoes but way less fat and calories. That’s because for 3 potatoes, you only need to use 1 teaspoon of olive oil. It’s the definition of “the new healthy”. We don’t need to sacrifice taste while using better-for-you ingredients and quantities of those ingredients.
What is an air fryer
Overview of air fryers
You’ve probably been hearing more and more about air fryers lately. They are basically a kitchen appliance that you can set on your countertop. They cook food by circulating hot air around the food the way that a convection oven would. However, the speed at which it circulates the hot air is much faster than a convection oven. And because of this speed, the result mimics that of deep fried golden crispy food.
It’s the perfect combination of hot air with high speed circulation all around the food that cooks evenly, quickly and crispy. I was recently at a housewares show in Chicago learning about new kitchen appliances – the air fryer is all the rage right now!
Is the air fryer healthy
The whole concept of an air fryer is that the air is circulating so fast at a temp so high that it crisps food quickly. So yes, air fryers are healthy! You get the crispy texture of fried food without frying in a whole pan of oil. That way you reduce fat and calories in food without sacrificing texture or taste. You can fry, bake, roast or grill all kinds of food with little to no oil thanks to the air fryer!
How to make air fryer potatoes
To start, cut the potatoes in wedges and season with anything you’d like. Spray them with some olive oil or just use 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon. A little goes a long way as you’ll see!
Next place the potatoes in the air fryer. I like to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray first, but this may not be necessary for your air fryer. Then place the potatoes in the air fryer without overlapping, select the temperature and time and start.
A little over the halfway mark (or really anytime you’d like), you can pull open the basket tray and check up on them, shake them around a little or use tongs to flip them over. The first image below is what they look like when they go in and the second image is after about 8 minutes.
The crisp factor will really come down to preference. But if you’re looking for a more crispy texture I find that 15 minutes is best. So at the end of the cooking time, the air fryer potatoes have a golden color and the perfect crisp on the outside.
If you’re limited on space, season the next batch while the first batch is cooking. And you’ll be on your way to the perfect potato side dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Air fryer vs. convection oven
- Air fryers cook food faster than an oven does. Because of the small size of air fryers, the heat inside is more concentrated and powerful. This results in quick and crispy results.
- Air fryers don’t get as hot as an oven. Usually air fryers have temperature controls from 100°F to 390°F. This can be limiting if you’re looking to broil something or use a higher temperature.
- Air fryers have limited space for cooking food. For example, the NuWave air fryer is 3.5 quarts which is pretty decent for a family of 4. There are some large ones, but they’ll never be as large as your oven.
- Air fryers take up space on a kitchen counter. As convenient as they are, air fryers are still another appliance to place on prime kitchen counter space. So you have to decide if you will use them enough. I’m now seeing toaster ovens that have air fryer capabilities as a new trend. That’s great to save on space and get double the functions in one appliance.
What’s the best air fryer?
There are so many on the market now and each one touts different benefits like larger baskets, or no preheating necessary, or a smaller size appliance. After reading some reviews I found that the best air fryer reviews seem to go to the NuWave air fryer (affiliate link), which is the one I have.
Tips for making air fryer potatoes
- Cut the potatoes evenly. To ensure even cooking time for all the potatoes, try using potatoes that are similar in size. To cut them into wedges, first cut them in half lengthwise. Then place them cut side down on a cutting board and cut again in half lengthwise. You can do this with yukon gold potatoes like I did, red potatoes or russet potatoes.
- Don’t forget to preheat. While it’s actually not necessary to preheat the air fryer, I think it’s a crucial step to ensure accurate cooking at the temperature you select.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. It’s tempting to throw all the potatoes in there at once. But if you overcrowd the basket and the potatoes overlap, you may end up creating a steaming effect instead of crisping effect.
- Turn the potatoes half way through cooking. You can shake the basket or use tongs to turn the potatoes. While the air does circulate all around the potatoes, I see better all around crispiness when I turn them at the halfway point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are air fried potatoes good for you?
These air fried potato wedges are a great healthy alternative to deep fried, and one serving is around 160 calories. A lot less oil is needed to get that crispy edge so they contain a lot less fat.
What can I serve with potato wedges
This potato side dish is so versatile, and can be a great option to serve alongside a fresh salad and your protein of choice. Pair it with my Air Fryer Chicken for a perfect meal! They are also great to serve straight up with some dips for casual snacking.
What else can I cook in an air fryer?
The list of food you can cook in an air fryer is endless! From fish to beef, frozen food to fresh vegetables, not much is off limits! I can’t wait to try out more in mine!
For more potato recipes:
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Crispy Oven-Baked French Fries
- Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
If you recently got an air fryer and dying to try some recipes, these air fryer potatoes are the perfect place to start. All you need are potatoes, spices and about 15 minutes. These potatoes are so versatile, tasty and pair well with main dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
If you’ve tried this healthy Air Fryer Potatoes recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
Air Fryer Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 yukon gold potatoes quartered
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer 380°F.
- Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the olive oil, paprika and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Place the potato wedges in the basket of the air fryer, without over crowding the pan. Cook for 8 minutes, then use tongs to flip and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Remove and enjoy immediately with ketchup, if desired
