Crispy Air Fryer Roast Potatoes in Just 20 Minutes

Let me show you how I make air fryer roast potatoes—super easy, no parboiling is needed, and they are ready in no time!

Watch my video below for a simple, step-by-step recipe on how to make the crispiest air fryer roast potatoes. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more easy and delicious recipes!


What Makes These Air Fryer Roast Potatoes So Irresistible?

Air Fryer Roast Potatoes 1
  • Crispy on the Outside, Fluffy Inside – That perfect crunch-to-softness ratio? Yeah, these potatoes nail it.
  • Faster Than the Oven – No need to wait forever. Just 20 minutes in the air fryer, and you’re good to go.
  • Less Oil, Same Great Taste – You get that deep-fried crispiness without drowning them in oil. Guilt-free crunch? Yes, please!
  • Super Easy Seasoning – Salt, pepper, and a little spice—that’s all you need. But feel free to go wild with your favorite flavors!
  • Perfect for Any Meal – Serve them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They pair with everything!
  • Works with Any Air Fryer – Whether you have a Ninja Air Fryer like mine or any other brand, this method works like a charm.

What You Need to Make Crispy Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

To me, great food doesn’t have to be complicated—just like these air fryer roast potatoes. A few simple ingredients, minimal effort, and in no time, you’ve got perfectly crispy, golden bites. Let’s get cooking!

What You Need to Make Crispy Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
  • 1 kg baby potatoes, cut into halves or thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
  • 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon (6 grams) mixed herbs
  • 1 tablespoon (5 grams) red chili flakes (optional)
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 small (45 grams) green chili, finely chopped (optional)

Quick Note – Using larger potatoes instead of baby potatoes? Just cut them into smaller chunks and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time for the same crispy perfection!

How to Make Roast Potatoes in an Air Fryer

For me, air fryer roast potatoes are the perfect mix of crispy, golden, and fluffy. Let me show you how I make air fryer roast potatoes—super easy, no parboiling is needed, and they are ready in no time!

How to Make Roast Potatoes in Air Fryer

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
I’m using baby potatoes because they’re small, cook quickly, and get wonderfully crispy in the air fryer. No need to peel them—just give them a good wash and cut them into halves or thick slices. Slicing speeds up cooking and gives you more crispy edges.

Step 2: Get the Seasonings Ready
Before we start cooking, let’s sort out the seasoning. Crush the garlic cloves using a garlic crusher—it makes mixing so much easier later. Then, finely chop the green chili. If you prefer a milder flavor, just remove the seeds. Now, mix the garlic and chili in a small bowl. This ensures the flavors blend well and pack a punch when they coat the potatoes.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes
Sprinkle salt evenly over the potatoes—about a teaspoon is perfect to bring out the flavor. Then, add black pepper, and if you love spice like I do, throw in some red chili flakes. I know we already added green chili, but I like that extra kick. If you’re not a spice fan, you can totally skip it. Next, add Cajun seasoning for that smoky, bold flavor and mixed herbs to balance it out.

Step 4: Coat with Oil
Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes—just enough to coat them, but not too much. This helps them crisp up beautifully without being greasy. Mix everything together using your hands or a spoon. You want every potato to be coated in that flavorful seasoning.

Step 5: Add the Garlic and Chili Mix
Remember that garlic and chili mix we made earlier? Now’s the time to add it to the potatoes. Give everything a final good mix so the flavors really come together.

Pro Tip — Even if your air fryer doesn’t require it, preheating the air fryer for a couple of minutes gives you a better crisp, set it to 180°C (356°F).

Step 7: Cook the Potatoes
Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket and spread them out as evenly as possible. Don’t overcrowd them—they need space for that hot air to circulate. Set the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and cook, or I mean, air fry the potatoes for 20 minutes.

Step 8: Shake the Basket for Even Crispiness
Halfway through cooking, give the basket a good shake. This ensures the potatoes cook evenly on all sides and get that perfect golden crunch.

Step 9: Check for Crispiness
Once the 20 minutes are up, take a look. If you want them extra crispy, air fry for another 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Small Reminder — If you want to use parmesan, fresh herbs, or lemon juice, add them after cooking to keep the flavors fresh and vibrant.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!
Now for the best part—eating! Serve them hot with your favorite dip, alongside a juicy steak, or just grab a fork and dig in straight from the air fryer basket (I won’t judge!)

Want the Perfect Pairing? My juicy baked turkey meatballs are the perfect match for crispy air fryer roast potatoes. Trust me, you’ll want to try them together!

How to Make Roast Potatoes in an Air Fryer

Recipe by Jen Evansy
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Calories

200

kcal

25

minutes

For me, air fryer roast potatoes are the easiest way to get that perfect crispy bite without the hassle of oven-roasting. Golden on the outside, fluffy inside, and packed with flavor—they come together in no time with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re making them as a side dish or just snacking straight from the basket, they’re always a hit!

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 1 kg baby potatoes

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt

  • 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) Cajun seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon (6 grams) mixed herbs

  • 1 tablespoon (5 grams) red chili flakes

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 1 piece (45 grams) green chili pepper

Directions

  • Prepare the Potatoes: Baby potatoes are perfect for this recipe—they cook fast and get wonderfully crispy. No need to peel them! Just wash, dry, and cut them into halves or thick slices. If you want them even crunchier, go for slices since they have more surface area to crisp up.Prepare the Potatoes
  • Get the Seasonings Ready: Before you start cooking, prepare the flavors. Crush the garlic cloves and finely chop the green chili. If you’re not into too much heat, take the seeds out to keep the flavor without the extra spice.Get the Seasonings Ready
  • Mix for Maximum Flavor: Stir the garlic and chili together in a small bowl. This helps them blend better, ensuring every bite of potato has just the right amount of seasoning.Mix for Maximum Flavor
  • Season the Potatoes: Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the potatoes to enhance their natural taste. Then, add Cajun seasoning, mixed herbs, and red chili flakes if you like a little heat. The Cajun seasoning adds a smoky touch that makes them extra flavorful.Season the Potatoes
  • Drizzle with Oil: Pour just enough olive oil over the potatoes to lightly coat them. This helps them crisp up perfectly in the air fryer without becoming greasy. Give them a good toss so the oil and spices coat every piece evenly.Drizzle with Oil
  • Combine Everything: Now, add the garlic and chili mixture to the potatoes. Mix everything once more, making sure all the flavors blend well. This little extra step makes a big difference in taste!Combine Everything
  • Preheat the Air Fryer: If your air fryer needs preheating, set it to 180°C (356°F). Preheating helps the potatoes cook evenly and get that perfect crispy texture.Preheat the Air Fryer
  • Start Cooking: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re spread out evenly. If they’re too crowded, they won’t crisp up properly. Set the air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and cook the potatoes for 20 minutes.Start Cooking
  • Shake for Even Cooking: Halfway through, shake the basket well to make sure all the potatoes cook evenly. This helps them crisp up on all sides instead of just one.Shake for Even Cooking
  • Check for Crispiness: Once the 20 minutes are up, take a look. If you like them even crispier, let them cook for another 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.Check for Crispiness
  • Time to Serve! Now comes the best part—eating! Serve them fresh from the air fryer with your favorite dip, pair them with a main dish, or just enjoy them on their own. These crispy air fryer roast potatoes are so good, they won’t last long!Air Fryer Roast Potatoes 4

Equipment

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Use Baby Potatoes – They cook faster and have the perfect balance of crispy skin and fluffy insides.
  • Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: If you want even crispier potatoes, cook them in a single layer with some space between each piece. Overcrowding traps steam and can leave you with softer, less crispy results.
  • Shake the Basket Halfway – This helps get that all-over crunch.
  • Soak the Potatoes for Extra Crispiness: If you have a few extra minutes, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This removes excess starch and helps them crisp up even more in the air fryer. Just make sure to dry them completely before seasoning!
  • Try a Parmesan Crust: For a delicious twist, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the potatoes in the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. It melts and forms a flavorful, crispy crust that pairs perfectly with the seasoning.

Nutrition Facts

  • Total number of serves: 4
  • Calories: 200kcal
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Protein: 4g

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Related Recipe: Now that you’ve mastered air fryer roast potatoes, try making crispy, low-carb air fryer onion rings—quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!

Best Ways to Serve Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

Best Ways to Serve Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
  • With Dips – These crispy potatoes are perfect for dipping! Try them with garlic aioli, sour cream, and chives, or spicy sriracha mayo.
  • As a Side Dish – Serve them alongside steak, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
  • For Breakfast – Swap your usual hash browns for these golden potatoes and pair them with eggs and crispy bacon.
  • Loaded Roast Potatoes – Melt some cheese on top, add crispy bacon bits, and finish with fresh chives for a next-level treat.
  • In a Salad – Toss them into a warm salad with arugula, feta cheese, and a lemon dressing for something fresh and hearty.

Why Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Are Better Than Oven-Roasted

Why Air Fryer Roast Potatoes Are Better Than Oven-Roasted
  • Way faster – No need to preheat a giant oven; these are done in 20 minutes.
  • Crispier with less oil – The air fryer gives them that deep-fried texture with just a tiny bit of oil.
  • Less cleanup – No baking trays, no grease splatters, just a quick wash of the air fryer basket.
  • Perfect every time – No flipping, no uneven cooking—just shake the basket once, and you’re good to go.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Roast Potatoes

roast potato salad
  • Breakfast Hash – Chop them up and sauté with onions, bell peppers, and a fried egg on top.
  • Potato Tacos – Stuff them into warm tortillas with avocado, salsa, and cheese.
  • Roast Potato Salad – Toss them with bell peppers, spring onions, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs for a unique twist on potato salad.
  • Soup Topper – Instead of croutons, use crispy roasted potatoes to add crunch to soups or creamy chowders.
  • Shepherd’s Pie Upgrade – Use them instead of mashed potatoes for a crispy twist on the classic dish.

Got a Question or Want to Share Your Experience?

Tried this air fryer roast potatoes recipe? Let me know how they turned out! If you have any questions about how to make roast potatoes in an air fryer, leave a comment below or on the YouTube video here—I check those more often, so you’ll get a quicker reply. – Jen

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About Jen Evansy

Nutritionist, researcher, avid home cook, and writer interested in everything nutrition and food-related. Striving to inform, encourage, and inspire all the readers to make healthy and informed choices when it comes to cooking, food, diet, and nutrition.