Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes

Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes are the perfect side dish, combining golden-brown edges with a fluffy interior. Seasoned with fresh thyme and garlic, they have a savory, earthy, and robust flavor that’s hard to beat! Serve them with your favorite dip for the ultimate crowd-pleaser at any meal.

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Golden brown potatoes and garlic in a bowl.

Why This Recipe Works

These crispy air fryer potatoes are a foolproof side dish or snack that delivers fantastic results every time. Yukon Gold potatoes are pre-cooked in the microwave, which is my trick to soften them and reduce the cooking time.

The air fryer results in potatoes that are perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and fluffy on the inside. Olive oil, salt, fresh thyme, and garlic cloves add layers of savory flavors without the need for a long list of ingredients.

They pair unbelievably well with mains like smoked ribeye steaks, oven cooked NY strip steaks, stuffed chicken marsala, and oven baked bone in chicken thighs. I even find myself enjoying them as an afternoon snack with creamy dips like garlic aioli!

Ingredients

Yukon Gold Potatoes: With a creamy texture and buttery flavor, Yukon Golds are perfect for achieving crispy edges and a fluffy interior. Plus, they hold up well in the air fryer.
Olive Oil: Adds a rich, smooth flavor and helps crisp the potatoes. It also promotes even browning and adds a layer of moisture to prevent the potatoes from drying out.
Thyme Sprigs: Fresh thyme adds a fragrant, earthy note that complements the potatoes incredibly well.
Garlic Cloves: Garlic infuses the potatoes with a mellow, roasted garlic flavor. Keeping the cloves unpeeled prevents them from burning and becoming bitter.

Chopping, seasoning, and air frying potatoes.

Instructions

Prep the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Place them in a microwave-safe dish with a lid and microwave for 9-10 minutes. Check for doneness after 9 minutes to ensure you can easily put a knife through it.
Add Seasonings: In the same dish, add the olive oil, kosher salt, unpeeled garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs. Close the lid and shake the container a few times to evenly coat the potatoes and slightly roughen up their surfaces for better crisping.
Air Fry the Potatoes: Carefully transfer the seasoned potatoes, garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs to the air fryer basket. Set it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes. Then turn the heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10-12 minutes. Shake in between temperatures.
Serving: Once they’re golden brown, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving dish. Peel the garlic cloves and serve these crispy air fryer potatoes with your favorite dip, like garlic aioli (from my salt roasted potatoes) or lemon basil aioli.

Substitutions & Variations

Potatoes: Substitute Yukon Golds with red or russet potatoes for a different texture and flavor. Red potatoes have a creamier interior, while russet potatoes will turn out fluffier.
Oil: You can always use avocado oil as an alternative to olive oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for air frying.
Herbs: To introduce different aromatic profiles, swap thyme with rosemary, sage, or a mix of Italian herbs. Each herb will bring its own unique touch to the dish!
Garlic: If you prefer a more robust garlic flavor, add minced garlic instead of whole cloves. For a milder taste, reduce the number of cloves or use garlic powder.
Spices: Enhance the flavor of your crispy air fryer potatoes by adding spices such as paprika, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.

Storing & Reheating

Crispy air fryer potatoes are best enjoyed fresh for the best texture. However, if you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature before storing them.

Fridge: Keep leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing cooked potatoes as the texture will become more grainy once thawed.
Reheating: Reheat your potatoes in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes until they regain their crispiness.
Prep Ahead: You can peel and quarter the potatoes beforehand, then store them in water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Expert Tips

Uniform Size: Cut all your potato pieces into similar sizes. This promotes even cooking, so every piece is perfectly crispy and tender at the same time.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the potatoes. This helps to achieve a consistent cooking temperature and better results.
Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow space for the air to circulate around the potatoes. Cook them in batches if necessary!
Check for Doneness: Test a potato piece for doneness by piercing it with a fork. It should be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Season After Cooking: Add a final sprinkle of kosher salt immediately after cooking to enhance the flavor. This extra seasoning step gives you perfectly seasoned crispy air fryer potatoes.

FAQs

How do I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the air fryer basket?

To prevent sticking, make sure the potatoes are well-coated in oil and shake the basket gently to create space between the pieces.

How do I know when the potatoes are done?

The potatoes should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a tender interior. You can test one by piercing it with a fork.

Can I skip the microwaving step?

Microwaving helps to soften the potatoes and reduce cooking time, but you can skip it and increase the air frying time instead.

Hand dipping air fryer potatoes in sauce.

If you enjoyed these crispy air fryer potatoes, be sure to check out some more air fryer snacks and side dishes like these:

If you try these Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!