These Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes are tasty, quick, and simple. The air fryer is the simplest method to cook crispy breakfast potatoes without having to stand over the stove.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy outside, fluffy inside: Air fryer breakfast potatoes cook crispy outside and fluffy inside with smoked paprika and garlic.
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 25 minutes with barely any hands-on work.
- Versatile pairing: Serve them with eggs and toast, or as a crispy side for any brunch spread.
Ingredients
- Yukon gold potatoes: Medium-sized starchy potatoes that stay creamy in the center while the edges get perfectly crisp in the air fryer.
- Egg: Fried and placed on top to finish the dish.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning adhere and promotes crispy edges; canola or vegetable oil works too.
- Leek: Freshly diced and used for decoration on top.
- Kosher salt: I always use kosher salt for this recipe.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Freshly ground gives the best flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Gives the potatoes the best flavor! Look for smoked paprika rather than regular.
- Garlic powder: Use garlic powder, not garlic salt, so you control the salt.
How to Make Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Preheat and wash. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes. Wash and dry the potatoes really well.
- Cut the potatoes. While the air fryer is preheating, dice the potatoes into ½ inch pieces. See post images above for tips.
- Season the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl then add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Toss to coat the potatoes really well in the seasoning.
- Air fry. Transfer them to the air fryer basket in an even layer. Do your best to not overcrowd the basket or they won't get as crispy. You may need to work in batches. Air fry for 20 minutes, pausing to shake or toss the basket 2-3 times.
- Check for doneness. The potatoes should be fork-tender and starting to brown around the edges.
- Broil for extra crispiness. If your air fryer has an air broil function, you can broil them for 2-3 minutes to get the edges extra crispy at the end, shaking as needed to stir. If your air fryer does not have a broil function, simply raise the temperature to 450°F and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket as needed.
- Top and serve. Fry an egg and put it on top, with some freshly diced leeks. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Cut evenly: Cut the potatoes into small and even-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Don't overcrowd: Potatoes only get crispy edges when they sit in a thin, single layer.
- Season right before cooking: Allowing the potatoes to sit with salt will draw the moisture out, which will inhibit the crisping process.
- Serve immediately: Air fryer breakfast potatoes are best served immediately after cooking while they're still hot and crispy.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy: Add ½ cup of parmesan cheese with the seasoning.
- Veggies: Dice 1 bell pepper and ½ medium onion and mix them with the potatoes.
- Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon chili powder and a pinch of cayenne to the seasoning mix.
- Garlic and herb: Toss the potatoes in a mixture of minced garlic, dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, scallions, salt, and pepper before air frying.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover air-fried breakfast potatoes can be kept in the fridge for three to four days in an airtight container. You can reheat them in a skillet with a little oil, in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes, or in the air fryer for three to five minutes.
FAQs
For uniform frying and crispy exteriors, most fried potatoes must be soaked in cold water to remove excess starch. But I tried this recipe without soaking, and as you can see, they came out really crispy! It's not required, but you can soak them for an hour if you'd like.
Depending on the size of the potato cubes, air fryer breakfast potatoes usually take 18 to 22 minutes at 375°F. During cooking, give the basket a couple shakes to ensure that the potatoes brown uniformly and get crispy on the edges.
If you don't like the skin, peel it before dicing. However, I adore the skin and discovered that it makes them even crispier.
Yes, they can be frozen for up to three months. They soften once frozen, so reheat them straight from the freezer in the air fryer to bring back some of the crispness.
A 6-quart or larger air fryer works best; with a smaller one, you'll need to cook the potatoes in batches.
Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
INGREDIENTS
- 4 medium-sized Yukon gold potatoes
- 1 whole egg
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 whole leek for decoration
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS
- For five minutes, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Really thoroughly wash and dry the potatoes.
- Cut the potatoes into ½-inch pieces while the air fryer is getting ready. For advice, see the post photographs above.
- Add the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the potatoes in a large bowl. Potatoes should be thoroughly tossed to distribute the seasoning.
- Place it in an equal layer in the air fryer basket. To ensure that they get as crispy as possible, try not to overcrowd the basket. Work may have to be done in batches. 20 minutes of air frying, with 2-3 tosses and coats.
- The potatoes should be beginning to color around the edges and be fork-tender.
- If your air fryer has an air broil setting, you can use it to broil the food for one to two minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to mix. If not, increase the temperature to 450°F and broil the food.
- Fry an egg and put it on top, with some freshly diced leeks. Enjoy!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
You had me at potatoes. Another great air fryer recipe for my to-do list.
Imsen says
Thank you for the comment! and yes it seems that the Air Fryer is the THING right now! so I'm trying to test different types of meals on it! Glad you liked it!
Katherine says
So easy to make breakfast spuds in the air fryer! I love the simple paprika and garlic seasoning. Yum!
Imsen says
sometimes simple things makes huge impact! and this recipe proves it!
Sandra says
These potatoes look amazing. I am going to make is this weekend for brunch. Thanks!!
Imsen says
def try it! perfect for a brunch or breakfast 🙂
Beth says
HOly cow, those look good! I'm going to add some pre-cooked sausage to mine.
Imsen says
glad you liked the recipe! and that combo will go insane 🙂
beth says
This recipe is the perfect dish to serve my family before sending them off to a busy day at school and work! Yum!
Imsen says
glad you liked the recipe! 🙂
Dina and Bruce says
These potatoes were crispy and tender, and just the right amount of seasoning!
Dina and Bruce says
Made these to go with eggs this week, and the family loved them, so crispy!