Perfectly Crispy Roast Potatoes: The Ultimate Air Fryer Recipe
There’s something truly magical about the humble roast potato. Whether it’s a Sunday roast or just a treat to accompany your meal, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside roasties are pure comfort food heaven. And guess what? You don’t need to heat up your whole oven to achieve this perfection. The air fryer is your new best friend for making incredible roast potatoes that are irresistibly crunchy and golden.
Why Air Fryer Roast Potatoes?
Using an air fryer to roast potatoes gives you that crispy finish you crave without drowning them in oil. It’s quicker, cleaner, and often healthier than traditional roasting. Plus, you get the same gorgeous golden crunch.
The Secret: Parboil Before You Roast
The key step that really elevates these roasties is parboiling. This means boiling the potatoes just enough so the edges start to soften, but the potatoes don’t fully cook through. This roughs up the edges, which helps create more surface area for that crispy crust when air fried.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes (Maris Piper or Yukon Gold work great)
- Olive oil or your favorite cooking oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or paprika for extra flavor
Method:
- Peel and cut the potatoes into roughly equal-sized chunks.
- Parboil the potatoes in salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes until the edges are just tender.
- Drain and rough up the potatoes by shaking them in the colander to create a rough surface.
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (about 400°F).
- Toss the potatoes in oil and your chosen seasonings.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Check for a golden, crispy exterior and fluffy inside. Cook a little longer if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these roast potatoes alongside roast chicken, beef, or even just with a dollop of sour cream and chives for a simple snack.