New Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Roasting new potatoes in the oven takes the best part of an hour, and boiling them gives you no crisp edge at all. In the air fryer they go golden and crisp on the outside and stay creamy in the middle in around 22 minutes. This works with fresh new potatoes, baby potatoes and even tinned ones, so it is a quick side for almost any meal.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep
- 8min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 175kcal
Why the air fryer works for new potatoes
Cooking new potatoes in air fryer baskets suits their size and their thin skins. The potatoes are small enough for the hot air to reach every side, so the skins blister and crisp while the waxy flesh inside stays creamy. A few minutes of roasting does what boiling and then frying in a pan would do, with much less oil and no pan to watch.
New potatoes in air fryer machines also finish faster than a tray in the oven, and you do not need to heat a whole oven for a small side dish. The same method works for baby potatoes, salad potatoes and, with less time, tinned new potatoes. If you like your roast new potatoes extra crisp, a short boil first roughens the surface and gives you more edges to brown.
How to make new potatoes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the potatoes Wash the potatoes and leave the thin skins on. Halve any larger than a walnut so all the pieces are about the same size, then dry them well with kitchen roll.
- Season Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper until every piece is coated.
- Cook Add the potatoes to the basket in one layer, tuck the garlic and rosemary between them and cook at 200 °C for . Shake the basket every .
- Check Pierce the largest potato with a knife. It should slide in with no resistance and the cut sides should be deep golden. Give it 3 more minutes if not.
- Finish Squeeze the soft garlic out of its skin, crush it into the potatoes and toss everything together. Serve hot, with the rosemary leaves stripped over the top.
Cooking times and temperatures
| New Potatoes | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Halved new potatoesShake every 7 minutes | 200 °C | 20–22 min |
| Whole baby potatoes, under 3 cm | 200 °C | 18–20 min |
| Tinned new potatoes, drainedDry them very well first | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
| Par-boiled new potatoesBoil 8 min first | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
| Smashed new potatoesBoil until tender, then press flat | 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
- Keep the pieces the same size. Halve large potatoes so everything is about 3 cm across. Mixed sizes mean some are crisp and others still firm.
- Leave the skins on. They hold the potato together, add texture and save time. Just scrub off any soil.
- Season in two stages. Salt and pepper go on before cooking, but fresh herbs, lemon zest and butter are better added once the potatoes are out of the basket.
Serving
Roast new potatoes go well with salmon fillets, pork chops or a simple steak. Add a handful of chopped parsley, mint or spring onions, or a spoonful of garlic butter, for a more special side. If you are cooking a different potato dish for the same meal, try potato wedges alongside, as the settings are nearly the same. For fluffier potatoes with a crunchier crust, see roast potatoes in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Cooked new potatoes keep for up to 2 days in a covered container in the fridge. To reheat, spread them in the basket and air fry at 180 °C for 5–6 minutes until they are crisp again and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). They also work cold in a potato salad.
Variations
- Garlic and parmesan: Toss the hot potatoes with 2 tbsp grated parmesan and a little chopped parsley just before serving (not vegan).
- Paprika and lemon: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika with the oil and finish with lemon zest.
- Potatoes and carrots: Add 2 chopped carrots in 2 cm pieces to the basket for a one-basket vegetable side.
Troubleshooting
- The new potatoes are pale and soft
- They were wet when they went in, or the basket was overfull. Dry them thoroughly, cook in one layer and use 200 °C.
- The skins are wrinkled and tough
- Older or very small potatoes can do this. Halve them, cut side down, and use a slightly lower heat of 190 °C for a few minutes longer.
- The rosemary burns
- Needles on the surface scorch in a hot basket. Tuck whole sprigs among the potatoes, or add chopped herbs at the end.
Frequently asked questions
How long do new potatoes take in an air fryer?
Halved new potatoes take 20–22 minutes at 200 °C, shaking the basket now and then. Whole baby potatoes under 3 cm need about 18–20 minutes.
Do you have to boil new potatoes before roasting them in the air fryer?
No. Raw new potatoes cook through in the basket. Par-boiling for 8 minutes first gives a fluffier middle and a rougher, crisper surface, and shortens the air fryer time to about 12–15 minutes.
Can you cook tinned new potatoes in the air fryer?
Yes. Drain and dry them very well, toss in oil and cook at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes, shaking twice. They are already soft, so you are only crisping the outside.
Can you make crispy smashed new potatoes in the air fryer?
Yes. Boil them until tender, press each one flat with a glass, brush with oil and air fry at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes without turning.
Rate this recipe
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this recipe.
