How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes are the perfect way to start your day. With a golden, crispy exterior and a tender, fluffy interior, these potatoes make a delicious side dish for any breakfast. The beauty of making them in the air fryer is that you can get that crispy texture without the need for deep frying, keeping things healthier while still satisfying your cravings for crispy potatoes.

Air fryers are a game-changer when it comes to cooking potatoes. They cook faster, require less oil, and give you that perfect crunch. Whether you’re looking to serve them alongside scrambled eggs, a quiche, or a breakfast burrito, these crispy breakfast potatoes will elevate your meal. And the best part? They are super easy to make!

Why Choose Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes?

Making crispy breakfast potatoes in the air fryer is the best way to achieve that perfect crisp without the excess oil and calories of deep frying. The air fryer uses hot circulating air to cook the potatoes, which results in a golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender. Plus, it’s quick and requires minimal preparation.

Here are some of the benefits of making breakfast potatoes in the air fryer:

• Healthier Cooking: Air frying uses significantly less oil than traditional frying, making the potatoes lighter and healthier.

• Crispy Texture: The circulating hot air ensures the potatoes are crispy all over without the need to flip them halfway through the cooking process.

• Faster Cooking: Compared to baking or frying, air frying cooks potatoes in a fraction of the time, giving you a quicker breakfast.

• Less Cleanup: With fewer pans to wash and no greasy splatters, cleanup is a breeze.

Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Making crispy breakfast potatoes in the air fryer is simple and requires just a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Potatoes: Yukon gold potatoes work best due to their creamy texture and ability to crisp up well in the air fryer. However, you can also use russet or red potatoes if you prefer.

• Olive Oil: A little olive oil helps the potatoes achieve that crispy, golden exterior.

• Seasonings: The classic seasonings for breakfast potatoes include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste.

• Fresh Parsley (optional): For garnish, fresh parsley adds color and a hint of fresh flavor.

 

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Making crispy breakfast potatoes in the air fryer is a simple and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the method that ensures you get that perfect golden-brown texture on the outside while keeping the inside fluffy and tender.

Start with Fresh Potatoes

First, pick your favorite variety of potatoes—Yukon Gold works best for its creamy texture and ability to crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Wash and dry them thoroughly, as excess moisture can prevent crisping. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds extra flavor and texture.

Cut the Potatoes into Uniform Pieces

Cut the potatoes into even, bite-sized cubes. Aim for 1/2-inch pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Uniformity is key for consistent crispiness across all the pieces. If you’re using larger potatoes, you can adjust the size, but keep them consistent for the best results.

Season Generously

The seasoning is what brings flavor to these crispy potatoes. You can go for a classic combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. If you prefer a different flavor profile, feel free to experiment with spices like chili powder or herbs like rosemary and thyme. The key is to coat each piece evenly, so the spices are distributed throughout.

Air Fry for the Perfect Texture

Now, it’s time to cook the potatoes. Preheat the air fryer and then arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket, as that can lead to uneven cooking. Give them a gentle shake halfway through cooking to ensure they crisp up evenly.

The air fryer circulates hot air around the potatoes, creating that crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this step will usually take around 20 minutes. If you prefer extra crispy potatoes, feel free to increase the cooking temperature or use the broil function for a few minutes at the end.

Garnish and Serve

Once your potatoes are perfectly crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer. If you like, garnish them with fresh herbs like parsley to add color and a burst of freshness. Serve immediately as a side to your favorite breakfast dishes. Whether with scrambled eggs, bacon, or avocado, these crispy air fryer breakfast potatoes will be the star of your meal.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Breakfast Potatoes

• Uniform Size: Cutting the potatoes into uniform pieces ensures that they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.

• Don’t Overcrowd: Spread the potatoes out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness.

• Use Enough Oil: A light coating of olive oil helps the potatoes crisp up and enhances the flavor. Just be sure not to overdo it—too much oil can make the potatoes greasy.

• Customize the Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings. Add rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a more herbal flavor, or sprinkle with cheese after cooking for cheesy breakfast potatoes.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

These crispy breakfast potatoes make the perfect side dish for a variety of breakfast and brunch options. Here are some ideas for what to serve them with:

• Scrambled Eggs: Classic and comforting, scrambled eggs pair perfectly with crispy breakfast potatoes.

• Sausage or Bacon: A side of crispy bacon or sausage adds some extra protein to your breakfast.

• Avocado: For a lighter option, top your potatoes with sliced avocado and a drizzle of hot sauce for a fresh, flavorful meal.

• Eggs Benedict: These crispy potatoes make a great accompaniment to a rich and indulgent dish like eggs benedict.

• Breakfast Burritos: Add these potatoes to a breakfast burrito for a satisfying, filling meal.

 

Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftover Breakfast Potatoes

Crispy breakfast potatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, don’t worry! They can be stored and reheated easily for later enjoyment. Here’s how you can store and reheat them:

Storing Leftovers

1. Cool the Potatoes: Allow the potatoes to cool completely before storing them to prevent excess moisture buildup, which can make them soggy.

2. Airtight Container: Store the cooled potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating Leftovers

• Air Fryer: The best way to reheat leftover air fryer breakfast potatoes is by placing them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This will bring back their crispiness and flavor.

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer, and heat for 10-15 minutes until crispy and heated through.

• Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave the potatoes, but keep in mind that they won’t be as crispy. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

One of the great things about crispy air fryer breakfast potatoes is how easily you can customize them to fit your preferences. Here are a few variations you can try:

1. Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes

Add shredded cheese (cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella) during the last 2-3 minutes of air frying to create gooey, cheesy breakfast potatoes.

2. Spicy Breakfast Potatoes

For a bit of heat, sprinkle cayenne pepper or chili powder into the seasoning mix. You can also add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice.

3. Herb Infused Potatoes

Experiment with fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to add a fresh, earthy flavor to your potatoes.

4. Veggie Packed Potatoes

Mix in diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms before air frying for a heartier, veggie-packed version. The vegetables will roast along with the potatoes and add a burst of flavor.

5. Bacon Breakfast Potatoes

Add crispy bacon bits to the seasoning mix for a savory, smoky flavor. You can also crumble some bacon on top of the potatoes after cooking for an extra indulgent treat.

What to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

These crispy breakfast potatoes are so versatile and can be paired with a wide range of dishes. Here are a few ideas to serve them with:

1. Eggs:

• Scrambled eggs, over-easy eggs, or eggs benedict are classic breakfast options that go wonderfully with crispy breakfast potatoes.

• Try topping the potatoes with a fried egg and a drizzle of hot sauce for a satisfying meal.

2. Breakfast Meats:

• Pair these potatoes with crispy bacon, sausages, or even a veggie sausage for a hearty breakfast plate.

3. Quiche or Frittata:

• Serve the potatoes alongside a slice of quiche or a vegetable frittata for a full breakfast or brunch experience.

4. Toast or Avocado Toast:

• For a lighter option, serve the potatoes with a side of buttered toast or avocado toast for a complete, well-rounded meal.

5. Breakfast Burritos:

• Add these crispy potatoes to a breakfast burrito for added texture and flavor.

Recipe Card: Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes (washed and diced into 1/2-inch cubes)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• Fresh chopped parsley for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Cut them into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Ensure the pieces are even for consistent cooking.

2. Season the Potatoes: Place the diced potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the potatoes to coat them evenly with the seasoning.

3. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.

4. Cook the Potatoes: Transfer the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crispiness.

5. Optional Step (For Extra Crispiness): If your air fryer has a broil function, broil the potatoes for 2-3 minutes to get the edges extra crispy. Alternatively, increase the temperature to 450°F (232°C) and cook for a few additional minutes.

6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite breakfast dishes.

Notes:

• Make sure to cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly.

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If needed, cook the potatoes in batches for the crispiest result.

• For a cheesy variation, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.

• Customize the seasoning to your liking, adding cayenne for heat or dried rosemary for an herbal note.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving – Based on 4 servings):

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 204 kcal
Yield: 4 servings