Air Fryer Roast Potatoes (Super Crispy – No parboiling!)

Roast potatoes are my all-time favorite side dish. Especially when they are super crisp and you get that incredible crunch as you bite through to the super-soft interior. Heaven!

I have perfected my oven roasted potatoes but I don’t make them anymore… because making Air Fryer roasted potatoes are just as amazing but SO MUCH easier and quicker to make. There’s no need to parboil them first or roast them for upwards of 45 minutes – these air fried roasties are ready in about 25 minutes!

But there ARE some secrets to getting that perfect crunch in record time and I am prepared to share the results of testing the various methods with you.

Here’s What You Will Need for Best Crispy Roasties

You need just a handful of ingredients to make roast potatoes – potatoes, salt, herbs and a type of cooking fat.

The ONE ingredient that made the biggest difference overall is WHAT you cook the potatoes in. Olive oil is a good option but for life-changing great air fryer potatoes you need to use goose fat, beef dripping or ghee. All three of these have a high smoking point and create the crispiest roast potatoes.

For everyday roasties, I use olive oil or sunflower oil and sometimes a spray bottle so I can create a healthier option. But when I really want to impress, say for a festive dinner, I opt for the goose fat, beef dripping or ghee (clarified butter).

The second most important ingredient is the potatoes themselves. A floury variety such as Yukon Gold, Rooster, Maris Piper or King Edward will yield the best results. After extensive recipe testing, Rooster potatoes came out on top with a super crispy exterior and creamy buttery insides.

When it comes to the herbs and seasoning you can play around – flaky sea salt is a must and maybe a dried herb blend such as Italian seasoning. You can also add garlic powder or Cajun seasoning to vary things up a bit.

How to Make Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

↓ For the full ingredients and detailed method, jump to the recipe card.

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters – I like to keep my roasted potatoes fairly chunky.

1. Place in a bowl and drizzle with the olive oil (or melted goose fat), and toss to thoroughly coat. Sprinkle with salt and Italian seasoning.

1. Remove the rack or insert from the air fryer if your model has one and preheat to 400°F / 200°C. Add the potatoes, ideally in a single layer, and cook for 10 minutes. Shake the basket vigorously and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.

1. Test the potatoes – if you have cut them into small pieces they may be cooked through already. Larger, chunkier roast potatoes will need a further 5-10 minutes until fully crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy within! Serve immediately with your fave main dishes.

Recipe Notes, Tips and FAQs

• Do I have to soak the potatoes before roasting? Some recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in water with a teaspoon baking soda added to make the water alkaline. This made no difference to air fryer roasties so I suggest skipping this step. However if you are prepping the potatoes early in the day to serve later, this is a great way to get the peeling out of the way and prevent the potatoes from browning.

• Should I parboil the potatoes first? Parboiling the potatoes for 10 minutes before roasting is a great way to get extra crispy oven roasted potatoes faster. have tried this method when making roast potatoes in my air fryer and it doesn’t make much of a difference. So while you CAN do this if you like, it just adds extra work and dirty dishes.

• SHAKE IT LIKE A POLAROID BABY! Shaking the basket roughs up their exterior so they crisp up all the more! But whatever you do, avoid overfilling the air fryer – the potatoes will steam rather than roast and won’t get properly crisp.

• STORING AND FREEZING Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Refresh the potatoes in the air fryer to crisp them up again. You can also freeze the roasted potatoes – spread them on parchment paper and freeze until solid then transfer to a suitable container and consume within three months. Cook from frozen in a preheated air fryer at 400°F /200°C until crisp and hot all the way through (about 15 minutes).

Serving Suggestions

Roasted potatoes go with pretty much everything, making them the ideal side dish whether you are serving Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner or a simple Sunday roast! Here are some suggestions from the recipe archives.

• Spatchcock Turkey
• Air Fryer Venison Roast
• Easy Roasted Turkey Legs
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef
• Air Fryer Prime Rib

If you loved this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes recipe, please give it a star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #Nusde – don’t forget to tag me @supergolden88

You might also like my Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes.