Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Air fryer baby potatoes are one of those side dishes I make when dinner needs something crispy, simple, and dependable.

The potatoes turn golden on the outside and soft in the middle with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and smoked paprika. I like them with steak, chicken, turkey, seafood, or holiday dinners because they feel a little special but do not need boiling or oven space.

The biggest thing I watch is the size of the potatoes. Halved baby potatoes cook best when they are close in size, coated well, and tossed during cooking so the edges can brown.

Quick Success Tips

• Halve the potatoes. Cut sides brown better than whole potatoes.
• Dry them well. Wet potatoes tend to steam instead of crisp.
• Coat evenly with oil. Every piece should have a light coating.
• Do not crowd the basket. Potatoes brown better when the hot air can move around them.
• Toss during cooking. This helps more sides get golden.
• Check with a fork. The potatoes are done when the centers are tender.
• Add parsley after cooking. Fresh parsley tastes better when it goes on at the end.
• Cook longer for larger potatoes. Bigger pieces may need the full 30 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

Baby potatoes cook well in the air fryer because the skins get crisp while the centers stay soft.

I like cutting them in half because the flat side gets more color than a whole potato. A little olive oil helps the garlic, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper stick to the potatoes and helps the edges brown.

The potatoes do not need to be boiled first. They cook all the way through in the air fryer as long as the pieces are not too large and the basket is not packed too tightly.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• You do not have to boil the potatoes first.
• The outside gets golden and crisp while the middle stays soft.
• The garlic-herb seasoning works with almost any main dish.
• It is an easy side for weeknights, steak dinners, chicken dinners, turkey dinners, and holidays.
• The air fryer keeps the oven free.
• Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer.

Ingredients You'll Need

**Find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.**

• Baby potatoes: Halved baby potatoes cook faster and brown better than whole potatoes. Baby gold, red, or mixed-color potatoes all work.
• Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and helps the potatoes brown.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the potatoes a stronger garlic flavor. Garlic powder can work when you want something faster.
• Fresh rosemary and thyme: These give the potatoes a simple roasted-herb flavor.
• Smoked paprika: Adds color and a little smoky flavor.
• Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
• Fresh parsley: Add this after cooking for a fresh finish.

How to Make Baby Potatoes in the Air Fryer

• Rinse the baby potatoes, dry them well, and cut them in half.
• Add the potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then add the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.

• Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket in an even layer, placing some of the cut sides down when possible.
• Air fry at 370°F for 25-30 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the potatoes are golden outside and fork-tender in the center.

• Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Cut the potatoes into similar-size pieces so they cook evenly.
• Dry the potatoes after rinsing so they roast instead of steam.
• Use enough oil to lightly coat the potatoes, but do not leave them sitting in oil.
• Spread the potatoes out as much as your basket allows.
• Toss occasionally so more edges brown.
• Very small potatoes may cook faster, so start checking around 25 minutes.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley after cooking so they stay bright.
• Cook in batches when the basket is crowded.

How Long to Cook Baby Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Baby potatoes usually take 25-30 minutes at 370°F in the air fryer.

Smaller halved potatoes may be ready closer to 25 minutes. Larger pieces may need the full 30 minutes.

The potatoes are done when they are golden on the outside and a fork slides easily into the center.

Make It a Meal

Steakhouse dinner: Serve with New York strip steak, T-bone steak, ribeye, porterhouse steak, steak bites, asparagus, green beans, or mushrooms.

Chicken dinner: Pair with chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, drumsticks, or wings.

Turkey or holiday dinner: Serve with turkey tenderloin, turkey thighs, Cornish hen, green beans with bacon, Brussels sprouts, acorn squash, or cranberry sauce.

Seafood dinner: Pair with salmon, shrimp, scallops, swordfish, or fish nuggets.

Vegetarian plate: Serve with roasted vegetables, salad, green beans, asparagus, cauliflower, or a dip.

Breakfast-style meal: Serve leftover potatoes with eggs, sausage, bacon, or breakfast bowls.

How to Store and Reheat Baby Potatoes

Store leftover baby potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can freeze cooked potatoes for up to 3 months, but the texture is best from fresh or refrigerated leftovers. Frozen potatoes may be softer after reheating.

Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F for about 5 minutes, or until hot and crisp again.

When reheating from frozen, add more time and shake the basket halfway through.

FAQs

More air fryer potatoes recipes

• Cubed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe
• Potato and Onion
• Sweet Potato Cubes Recipe
• Potato and Sausage
• Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Japanese Sweet Potatoes

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