Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Why this recipe works
- Crisp, craggy edges: Parboiling softens the outside of the potatoes, while shaking them in the pan creates rough edges that crisp well in the air fryer.
- Classic savoury flavour: Rosemary, garlic, sea salt and black pepper give the potatoes a familiar roast-style seasoning without needing a long oven cook.
- Straightforward method: The recipe uses simple stages: boil, dry, season and air fry, making the crisp texture easier to control.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- For extra crisp edges: Let the potatoes steam dry after draining so the surface is not wet before the oil goes on.
- Avoid steaming in the basket: Keep the potatoes in as close to a single layer as possible, cooking in batches if the air fryer basket is crowded.
Common mistakes
- Do not skip the parboil: The potatoes should be just softening at the edges before air frying; this helps create a fluffy centre and crisp exterior.
- Crowding reduces browning: Too many potatoes in the basket trap steam and slow down crisping, especially during the first half of cooking.
Ingredient notes
- Best potato texture: Yukon Gold potatoes give a good balance of creamy centres and crisp edges, but other all-purpose roasting potatoes can also work.
- Fresh herbs work best: Fresh rosemary brings a brighter, more aromatic flavour than dried herbs, though thyme can be used for a softer herbal note.
Make-ahead tips
- Re-crisp before serving: Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 200°C (390°F) until piping hot and crisp again.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes (or leave the skins on if you prefer) and cut into even chunks. Put them in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just starting to soften but the centres are still firm.
- Drain well in a colander, then return the potatoes to the hot pot. Shake the pot for 10 to 15 seconds to rough up the edges, then let the steam evaporate for 2 minutes so the surface dries slightly.
- Strip the rosemary leaves from the sprigs and finely chop them. Finely grate or crush the garlic. Tip the potatoes into a mixing bowl and toss with the vegetable oil, rosemary, garlic, remaining 1 tsp fine sea salt, and the black pepper until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 3 minutes. Add the potatoes to the basket in a single layer as much as possible, cooking in batches if needed. Air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the basket every 7 to 8 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp.
- Taste and add a pinch more fine sea salt if needed. Serve immediately while hot and crisp.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Dry potatoes crisp better: after draining, let them steam off for a couple of minutes before tossing with oil.
- Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary so the potatoes roast rather than steam.
Substitutions
- Replace Fresh rosemary with Fresh thyme for a softer, more delicate herbal flavour.
- Replace Vegetable oil with Olive oil for a fruitier finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 200°C (390°F) for 6 to 10 minutes, shaking once, until piping hot and re-crisped.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 50min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: British
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Stoemp Bowl with Carrots and Leeks
Mashed potatoes with carrots and leeks, enriched with butter
Kartoffelknödel (German Potato Dumplings)
German potato dumplings gently simmered until tender
Chips with Cheese and Onion Gravy
Thick-cut chips topped with Cheddar and hot onion gravy
Air Fryer Bacon
Crispy air fryer bacon cooked quickly in a single layer.
Ovenfrieten met Kruiden (Belgian Herb Oven Chips)
Belgian herb oven chips with paprika and thyme
Stoemp (Belgian Mashed Potatoes with Vegetables)
Belgian mashed potatoes with carrots, leeks, butter and milk
Green Bean Casserole with Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Crispy Onions
Green bean casserole with creamy mushroom sauce and crispy onions
Cornbread with Honey Butter
Golden cornbread served warm with whipped honey butter
Sticky Rice (Khao Niao)
Thai sticky rice steamed from soaked glutinous rice
Apple and Horseradish Slaw with Yoghurt Dressing
Cabbage and apple slaw with horseradish yoghurt dressing
Moroccan Beetroot Salad with Cumin, Lemon and Olive Oil
Beetroot salad with lemon, cumin and fresh parsley
Moroccan Carrot Salad with Cumin, Lemon and Coriander
Tender carrots dressed with lemon, cumin and fresh coriander
Cordero Asado de Navidad (Spanish Christmas Roast Lamb)
Roast leg of lamb with rosemary, garlic and potatoes
Agnello alla Scottadito with Roast Potatoes
Grilled lamb chops with rosemary roast potatoes
Roast Pork Belly with Crackling, Potatoes and Apple Sauce
Roast pork belly with crisp crackling, potatoes and apple sauce
Agnello al Forno di Pasqua (Easter Roast Lamb with Potatoes)
Italian roast lamb with garlic, rosemary and potatoes
Cordero Asado a la Castellana (Castilian Roast Lamb)
Roast lamb over potatoes with garlic, rosemary and white wine
Agnello al Forno (Roast Lamb with Potatoes and Rosemary)
Roast lamb with potatoes, garlic and rosemary
You might also like
Pineapple and Bok Choy Rice Bowl
Jasmine rice bowl with bok choy, pineapple and sesame
Masala Quinoa Bowl (Spiced Quinoa with Chickpeas, Spinach and Yoghurt)
Masala quinoa with chickpeas, spinach, yoghurt and coriander
Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice
Chicken tikka masala in a creamy tomato sauce with basmati rice
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Vegetables and Sushi Rice
Teriyaki salmon traybake with vegetables and sushi rice
Clay Pot Rice (Hong Kong-Style Rice Casserole)
Clay pot jasmine rice with chicken, Chinese sausage and spring onion
Veal Milanese with Rocket and Cherry Tomato Salad
Crisp veal Milanese with rocket and cherry tomato salad
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
