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These crispy air fryer small potatoes are made with baby potatoes, simple seasoning, and just a little oil. They cook quickly in the air fryer and come out golden and crisp on the outside, tender on the inside.

This is one of those reliable recipes I come back to often – easy enough for a weeknight, but good enough to serve as a snack or side dish when friends or family are over.

Air Fryer small potatoes in a ceramic bowl

Why Make Crispy Air Fryer Small Potatoes

  • If you love simple, well-seasoned potatoes, this recipe delivers exactly that with very little effort.
  • Using small or baby potatoes means they cook evenly and quickly, without the need for peeling or parboiling.
  • The air fryer gives you that crispy texture with far less oil than traditional frying, and without turning on the oven – perfect when you want something comforting, fast, and uncomplicated.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Works as a side dish, snack, or appetizer
  • Crispy outside, tender inside
  • Quick and easy air fryer recipe
  • Made with simple pantry ingredients
  • Kid-friendly and versatile

What You’ll Need

  • Dried dill or oregano (optional)
  • Small or baby potatoes – “new” potatoes, mini potatoes, or potato medley
  • Oil – grapeseed, vegetable, sunflower, or olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika or smoked paprika

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

  • Oil: A small amount is enough – just enough to coat the potatoes lightly for crisping.
  • Potatoes: Use potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly. If some are larger than ½ inch in diameter, cut them in half or into equal pieces.
  • Seasoning: This recipe is very flexible. Italian seasoning, BBQ seasoning, or taco seasoning all work well.

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Small Potatoes

  1. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and dry them well.
  2. Cut larger potatoes in half so all pieces are roughly the same size.
  3. Place the potatoes in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and add the seasoning. Toss until evenly coated.
  4. Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes at 400°F (200°C).
  5. Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  6. Air fry for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and crispy.
  7. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes if needed, then serve warm.

Tips for Best Results

  • Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
  • Choose potatoes that are close in size for even cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook in batches if needed.
  • Shake or toss the potatoes during cooking to help them brown evenly.

Air Fryer potatoes in a bowl

What to Serve These With

These air fryer small potatoes are great on their own with a dipping sauce, or served alongside:

  • Fish or seafood
  • Grilled or air-fried chicken
  • Steak or other meats
  • Salads or roasted vegetables

They also work well as part of a casual appetizer spread.

  • A cooked small potato on a fork over a bowl with dipping sauce

Storage & Reheating

Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer for 1–3 minutes to restore crispiness. The microwave works, but the potatoes will be softer.

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Air Fryer small potatoes go well with fish, like this Easy Baked Halibut, Easy Salmon in The Air Fryer or Broiled Shrimp.

Serve them with Filet Mignon or Air Fryer Chicken Breast for meat lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?

Yes. If you don’t have baby potatoes, you can use regular potatoes cut into small, evenly sized pieces. The key is keeping all pieces similar in size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Do I need to parboil the potatoes first?

No. For small or baby potatoes, parboiling is not necessary. Most air fryers are powerful enough to cook them through while still getting a crispy exterior. If you do parboil, reduce the air frying time slightly.

Why aren’t my air fryer potatoes crispy?

This usually happens if the basket is overcrowded or there isn’t enough oil. Make sure the potatoes are in a single layer and lightly coated with oil, and shake the basket during cooking.

Can I make these ahead of time?

These potatoes are best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back some crispiness.

Are these air fryer small potatoes kid-friendly?

Yes. They’re simple, mildly seasoned, and easy to eat, which makes them a great option for kids. You can also adjust the seasoning to keep them more neutral.

More Potato Recipes:

Air Fryer small potatoes in a ceramic bowl
5 from 2 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Small Potatoes

Crispy air fryer small potatoes made with baby potatoes, simple seasoning, and a little oil. A quick, easy side dish or snack that’s golden on the outside and tender inside.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 lb small new baby potatoes
  • 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried dill or oregano, or both/optional

Instructions 

  • Wash potatoes very well, make sure there is no dirt or debris on them.
  • Dry with paper towel.
  • Cut in half, if potatoes are too big.
  • Place in a bowl, drizzle with oil, add the seasoning.
  • Toss to spread the seasoning evenly.
  • Preheat Air Fryer for 3 minutes at 400 F (200 C).
  • Add seasoned potatoes in a single layer.
  • Cook for 15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes, until crispy and fully cooked.
  • Cook for additional 2-3 minutes, if needed.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use small or baby potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
  • If some potatoes are larger, cut them in half to keep the pieces uniform.
  • A small amount of oil is enough – just enough to coat the potatoes lightly for crisping.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for best results.
  • Shake the basket every 5 minutes to help the potatoes brown evenly.
  • For extra crispiness, add 2–3 more minutes of cooking time if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 395mg, Potassium: 488mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 85IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: side, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinglsl or tag #cookinglsl!

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Hi! I'm Mira.

I share simple, mostly low-carb and Keto recipes, that don't take a lot of time to make and use mostly seasonal, easy to find ingredients. I'm a supporter of healthy eating, but you'll also find some indulgent treats too.

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