Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes (20 Minutes)
I started making air fryer baby potatoes because, honestly, I hated the extra work of dicing potatoes or cutting them into wedges. With mini potatoes, there’s almost no prep, and they come out crispy on the outside with soft, fluffy centers—perfect for dipping in ketchup (my personal favorite).
Back when I ran my gym and did nutrition coaching , I spent a lot of time helping members see that carbs aren’t the enemy—they’re fuel! Potatoes are one of my go-to carb sources, and these air fryer small potatoes make them so easy to enjoy.
If you love potatoes as much as I do (and have a little extra time), try my air fryer breakfast potatoes or air fryer sweet potato wedges—both are family favorites we make on repeat!
These air fryer baby potatoes are quick, easy, and perfect for beginners—ready in under 20 minutes with minimal effort! You only need a few simple ingredients, and since the air fryer uses less oil, they’re a lighter option without sacrificing crispiness. Plus, they fit a variety of dietary needs, including Whole30, gluten free, and vegan. Whether as a side dish or a snack, they’re always a hit!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Baby potatoes (small potatoes or mini potatoes) – baby potatoes are typically yellow, red or purple potatoes. If you can’t find baby potatoes, you can use larger potatoes cut down to 1-1.5 inch cubes.
- Extra virgin olive oil (or avocado oil) – the oil helps to ensure the potatoes get crispy. You could also use melted coconut oil or melted ghee in place of the olive oil.
- Spices: Salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme – these spices help to create a smoky, savory coating on the potatoes that makes them incredibly satisfying.
How to make air fryer mini potatoes
Cut baby potatoes in half. In a bowl combine the spices (salt, paprika, garlic powder and thyme). Add olive oil and spices to the potatoes in a bowl. Stir the potatoes well so they are coated in spices. Add mini potatoes to air fryer basket. Cook at 400F for 16 minutes. With 6 minutes left, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Serve hot, these mini potatoes have the best texture right after cooking.
How to check to see if potatoes are done cooking
Insert a paring knife or a fork into the thickest one you can find. If the knife easily pierces through the center, they are fully cooked. Then you just have to decide if the outside of the potatoes is crisp enough.
Sam’s Tips for Success
- Cut for even cooking – Halve or quarter the potatoes based on their size to ensure a crispy exterior and tender inside.
- Use canned potatoes for extra crispiness – Since they’re already cooked, they crisp up faster. Drain, cut in half, season, and check after 10 minutes.
- Reheat for maximum crunch – Air-fried potatoes lose crispiness as they sit. Reheat at 400°F for 4-6 minutes to restore their crunch.
- Adjust cooking time to your air fryer – Air fryers vary, so check for doneness with a fork around 14 minutes and adjust as needed.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – Although the potatoes don’t have to be in a single layer, overfilling the basket will make it tough to get that crispy exterior. If needed, cook in batches.
Other flavor combinations
Use these seasonings instead of what is listed in the ingredient list
- Ranch – 1 tablespoon dried chives + 1 teaspoon each dried parsley and salt + ½ teaspoon each dried dill and garlic powder
- Cajun – ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning + 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Italian – 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning + 1 teaspoon each salt and garlic powder.
- Greek – 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning + 1 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon each dried oregano and garlic powder
- Mexican –1 teaspoon each chili powder and salt + 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and garlic powder and ¼ tsp. dried oregano
- Curry – 1 teaspoon each curry powder, salt and garlic powder + ½ teaspoon ground cumin. You can also add ½ teaspoon garam masala if you have it on hand.
How I love to serve these
- Breakfast: My favorite way to enjoy these is alongside eggs and veggies, but they’re also great with bacon, sausage, or sautéed peppers and onions.
- Lunch: Crispy potatoes on a salad? Trust me, it’s a game-changer! They also make the perfect side for sandwiches, wraps, burgers, or veggie burgers.
- Dinner: You really can’t go wrong serving these with any protein and veggie combo. Some of my favorites? Ranch turkey mini meatloaf, 10-minute Italian cubed chicken, or tahini-herb salmon.
- Snack: These are so fun to snack on! I love dipping them in spicy chipotle mayo, but ketchup will always have my heart.
20 Minute Air Fryer Mini Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, cut in half or quarters
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Wash under warm water, scrubbing them if needed. Dry as best as possible.
- Cut the potatoes in half or in quarters depending on the size.
- Add to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and dried thyme. Stir well.
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket and cook on high for 16 minutes at 400F.
- After cooking for 10 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Continue to cook for the next 6 minutes.
- After 16 minutes of cooking, check the potatoes with a paring knife or fork to see if they are fully cooked. You may need to add 1-4 minutes of cooking time to get the crispy exterior depending on your air fryer.
Equipment
Notes
- Cut the potatoes down in half or quarters depending on the size, this helps to ensure that the potatoes can get slightly crispy on the outside.
- To make even crispier potatoes, use canned potatoes. Drain them first and cut them in half before adding olive oil and spices. Check them after 10 minutes.
- The potatoes lose crispiness as they sit out.
- Cooking time will depend on your air fryer, start checking them around 14 minutes.
- Fridge: leftover will last 5 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer 400F for 4-6 minutes.
- Freezer: Store leftovers in a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Defrost before reheating.
Nutrition Information
Common questions
What if I don’t have baby potatoes?
Use red or gold potatoes cut into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. Add 1-2 extra minutes of cooking time if needed.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
Nope! No need to pre-cook them.
Can I keep the small potatoes whole?
Yes, but increase the cooking time to about 20 minutes.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but cook in batches to prevent steaming. Keep the first batch warm in a 300°F oven, then re-crisp all the potatoes in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes before serving.
