These Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes are the crispy, golden, and impossibly savory side dish you’ll want with everything—think rich, buttery potatoes enrobed in garlicky oregano and crowned with a blanket of fresh parmesan. In just 30 minutes, you’ll transform humble potatoes into a cheesy, crave-worthy treat, all thanks to the trusty air fryer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Crispy Edges: The air fryer guarantees extra golden, crunchy potato outsides without the need for deep frying.
- Packed With Rich, Cheesy Flavor: Fresh parmesan clings to every bite, creating a glorious cheesy crust that melts right into the potato.
- Quick and Easy: With just 10 minutes of prep and simple ingredients, anyone can whip up these Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes, even on a busy weeknight.
- endlessly Versatile: These little flavor-bombs go with everything—try them for breakfast, alongside dinner, or as a party snack!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes is their simplicity! Each ingredient is chosen to build irresistible flavor and texture—think buttery richness, cheesy goodness, and just the right touch of herb and spice.
- Baby red potatoes (1 1/2 pounds): Naturally creamy and quick to cook, these keep their shape and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Melted butter wraps every piece in rich flavor and helps the parmesan adhere for a golden finish.
- Dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a warm, herby aroma that pairs so well with parmesan and potatoes.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Delivers an even, mellow garlic flavor in every bite—no mincing required!
- Fine sea salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, ensuring each bite pops.
- Ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle zing and warmth.
- Finely grated fresh parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, divided): Real, freshly grated parmesan melts, crisps, and infuses every potato with salty, nutty depth—so much better than the jarred stuff.
Variations
One of the best things about Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes is how easy they are to customize. You can easily tailor the seasonings, cheese, or even the type of potato to suit your cravings or dietary needs—so you never get bored!
- Switch up the cheese: Substitute part of the parmesan with pecorino romano or asiago for a deeper, saltier bite.
- Try fresh herbs: Sprinkle with chopped parsley, rosemary, or chives after air frying for a burst of color and freshness.
- Spice things up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the seasoning blend if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Use different potatoes: Yukon gold, fingerlings, or even sweet potatoes will all work beautifully—just adjust the cook time as needed.
How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
Give your baby red potatoes a thorough scrub and halve them (or quarter if they’re larger). Keeping the skin on adds irresistible crispiness and gorgeous color. Pat them dry to ensure every bit of butter and seasoning will stick.
Step 2: Toss With Seasonings and Cheese
In a large bowl, toss the potato halves with your melted butter until each piece glistens. Sprinkle over the oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and half of the parmesan. Mix thoroughly so every potato gets coated in this savory blend.
Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer
Give your air fryer basket a quick oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the potatoes cut side down, in a single layer if you can—this gives maximum crunch! If your basket is small, work in batches or shake the basket partway through cooking to distribute the heat.
Step 4: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 15 minutes. Flip the potatoes, sprinkle them with the remaining parmesan, then air fry for another 5–7 minutes until deeply golden and fork-tender. The cheese will turn into a crispy, savory crust you’ll dream about for days!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
- Single Layer Crunch: Arrange potatoes in a single layer, cut side down, for a super crisp finish. Crowding the basket will steam them instead of crisping—worth the patience for that golden crust!
- The Parmesan Trick: Use freshly grated parmesan, not the shelf-stable kind, for the best melt and flavor—the strands caramelize and get lacy and crunchy as they crisp up!
- Same-Size Pieces for Even Cooking: Cut all the potatoes into similar sizes so every piece cooks at the same rate and you’re not left with underdone or overcooked bites.
- Shake or Flip for Uniform Browning: Halfway through cooking, gently shake the basket or flip the potatoes for perfectly even browning on all sides.
How to Serve Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
Garnishes
After air frying, a generous sprinkle of extra fresh parmesan, a handful of chopped parsley, or a dusting of smoked paprika gives these potatoes restaurant-worthy appeal. Even a simple squeeze of lemon adds brightness that takes each bite to new heights!
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes pair perfectly with grilled chicken, roast beef, or salmon. Or serve them with eggs for a hearty brunch—they soak up runny yolks like little sponges of flavor. For a comforting vegetarian meal, try them alongside sautéed greens and a crisp salad.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, thread the potatoes onto skewers for fun finger food, or serve them in individual parchment cones. You can also pile them high on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by dip bowls—think herbed sour cream or spicy aioli—for a shareable, snackable centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They stay tender inside and savory, ready for snacking or quick reheating later!
Freezing
While freshly air-fried is best for texture, you can freeze cooked potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen for best results—they’ll still be tasty (though slightly less crisp).
Reheating
Pop cold potatoes back in the air fryer at 360°F for 3–5 minutes to restore their crispy exterior. The oven works too, or even a hot skillet if you like a little extra char!
FAQs
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Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby red potatoes?
Absolutely! Just cut them into bite-sized pieces, aiming for uniform size for even cooking. Yukon gold or even russet potatoes work well—just keep an eye on the cook time, as larger chunks might need an extra few minutes in the air fryer.
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Do I need to peel the potatoes first?
No need—the skins get incredibly crisp and add a rustic texture that’s part of the charm of Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes! Just make sure to scrub them well. If you prefer, though, peeled potatoes work too.
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How do I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the air fryer?
Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil before adding the potatoes. The melted butter in the recipe also helps create a nonstick barrier, but the little bit of oil spray is key to easy removal and perfect results.
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Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
You sure can—just cook in batches as needed so the potatoes don’t overcrowd the basket. Keep batches warm in a low oven, and sprinkle with a fresh shower of parmesan before serving!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a little magic from your air fryer, give Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes a try. They’re everything you want in a side: cheesy, crispy, satisfying, and so fun to make. I can’t wait for you to taste just how crave-able a simple potato can be—let me know how you serve yours!
Print
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes that are easy to make and perfect as a side dish. These potatoes are seasoned with herbs and parmesan cheese, then air fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Parmesan Potatoes:
- 1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, scrubbed clean and halved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely grated fresh parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Add the potatoes to a large bowl and toss with melted butter. Mix in the oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Toss until the potatoes are fully coated.
- Grease your air fryer basket with spray oil and add the potatoes cut side down in a single layer. Air fry on 380F for 15 minutes, then carefully flip the potatoes over, sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and air fry for another 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and fork tender.
Notes
- For the crispiest results, air fry the potatoes cut side down in a single layer.
- Use grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Ensure the baby potatoes are similar in size for even cooking.
- You can use regular-sized potatoes, just cut them into smaller pieces.
- Keep the skins on for extra crispiness, or peel if preferred.
- If not using pre-washed baby potatoes, rinse and scrub before using.
- Preheating the air fryer is optional.
- Adjust air frying time and temperature based on your air fryer model.
- Refer to the sections above for additional tips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
