Diced Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Diced potatoes in a frying pan need constant stirring, plenty of oil and about 30 minutes, and they still tend to catch on one side. Diced potatoes in the air fryer turn golden and crisp on every face in 18–20 minutes, with just a tablespoon or two of oil. They are a quick side, a breakfast hash base or a way to use up a bag of potatoes.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 40min
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 170kcal
Why the air fryer works for diced potatoes
Making diced potatoes in air fryer baskets is simpler than frying them, because the hot air reaches every face of every cube. A frying pan only crisps the sides that touch the metal, and the cubes need turning one by one. In the air fryer, a good shake every few minutes is enough to get an even, golden crust all round.
The small size is also an advantage. A 2 cm cube has a lot of surface compared with its volume, so the crisp edges arrive before the middle dries out. That makes the cubes quick, around 18–20 minutes, without needing to par-boil, and it uses far less oil than a pan.
How to make diced potatoes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Dice the potatoes Peel the potatoes if you like, or just scrub them, and cut them into cubes of about 2 cm. Pieces of the same size cook at the same speed.
- Rinse and dry Put the cubes in a bowl of cold water for to wash off some starch, then drain and dry them thoroughly with kitchen roll. Dry potatoes crisp, wet ones steam.
- Season Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for . Toss the potatoes in the oil, paprika, garlic granules, thyme, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook Tip the potatoes into the basket in one layer, or as close to it as you can. Cook at 200 °C for , shaking the basket every .
- Check The potatoes are ready when they are deep golden and a cube is soft all the way through when pierced. Add if they are still pale, then serve hot.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Diced Potatoes | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw diced potatoes, 2 cmShake every 5 minutes | 200 °C | 18–20 min |
| Small cubes, 1 cm | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Par-boiled sauté potatoesBoil 5 minutes first | 200 °C | 15 min |
| Sweet potato cubes, 2 cm | 190 °C | 15–18 min |
| Frozen diced potatoesNo oil needed | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cut evenly. Aim for 2 cm cubes. Smaller bits burn before bigger ones are cooked, which is the most common reason for a mixed batch.
- Soak and dry. A 10-minute cold soak removes surface starch, so the cubes do not stick together. Drying them afterwards is the part that gives crispness.
- Use the right potato. All-rounders such as Maris Piper crisp well. Waxy salad potatoes keep their shape and have a creamier middle, but a less crunchy edge.
Sweet potato cubes
Sweet potato cubes work the same way but at 190 °C for 15–18 minutes, because their sugars brown quickly. Peel and dice them to 2 cm, toss in 1 tbsp oil with a pinch of salt and cook, shaking every 5 minutes. For more ideas, see sweet potatoes in the air fryer.
Serving
Diced potatoes in air fryer batches are a good partner for a fried egg, bacon and grilled tomatoes at breakfast, or a plain side with pork chops or steak. Add a diced pepper and onion for the last 8 minutes to make a quick hash. If you want a bigger, rougher version, see potato wedges.
Storing and reheating
Cooked diced potatoes keep for 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
Variations
- Cajun cubes: Swap the thyme for 1 tsp Cajun seasoning and finish with chopped spring onions.
- Garlic and parsley: Cook the cubes plain, then toss with 1 crushed garlic clove, a squeeze of lemon and 2 tbsp chopped parsley while hot.
- Rosemary and sea salt: Use 2 chopped sprigs of rosemary in place of the paprika and finish with flaky sea salt.
Troubleshooting
- The diced potatoes are pale and soft
- They were too wet or the basket was overloaded. Dry the cubes well, keep to a single layer or two thin layers and shake often.
- Some cubes are burnt and others are raw
- The pieces are different sizes. Cut them to the same 2 cm and lower the temperature to 190 °C if your air fryer runs hot.
- The seasoning has burnt
- Garlic granules and paprika scorch at high heat. Keep the oil coating even, do not use fresh garlic at the start and add delicate herbs after cooking.
Frequently asked questions
How long do diced potatoes take in the air fryer?
Raw 2 cm cubes take 18–20 minutes at 200 °C, shaken every 5 minutes. Smaller 1 cm cubes need about 12–14 minutes and bigger 3 cm chunks 25 minutes.
Do you need to par-boil diced potatoes first?
No. Raw diced potatoes cook well in the air fryer. Par-boiling for 5 minutes gives a softer middle and a rougher, crispier outside, and is the best way to make sauté potatoes.
How do you make sauté potatoes in the air fryer?
Par-boil slices or cubes for 5 minutes, drain, steam dry, then cook with a tablespoon of oil and a little butter at 200 °C for 15 minutes, shaking twice (the butter makes it not vegan or dairy-free; leave it out if you need to).
Can you cook sweet potato cubes in the air fryer?
Yes. Cubes of 2 cm cook in 15–18 minutes at 190 °C. They catch faster because of their natural sugars, so shake often.
Can you cook frozen diced potatoes in the air fryer?
Yes, straight from frozen with no oil needed. Cook them at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes, shaking twice, until golden and steaming hot throughout.
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