If you’ve been hunting for the ultimate way to start your morning, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe. It’s that perfect golden combination of tender, fluffy potato with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior, all whipped up effortlessly in the air fryer. Whether you’re rushing through a busy weekday morning or slowly savoring a weekend brunch, these potatoes bring warmth, comfort, and a punch of smoky, garlicky flavor that will have you smiling after every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is brilliantly simple, relying on just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. Each component plays a starring role: the baby or Yukon gold potatoes give you creaminess inside and crispy edges outside, olive oil helps everything brown beautifully, and the blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and onion powder infuses every bite with bold, savory notes.
- 1½ lbs baby potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes: Choose evenly sized potatoes for uniform cooking and perfect texture.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Coats the potatoes to crisp them up and carry those delicious spices.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds rich, aromatic depth without overpowering.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Brings a lovely smoky warmth and vibrant color.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Compliments garlic and deepens the savory flavor profile.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors beautifully—don’t skip it!
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right amount of subtle heat.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional): A fresh, green garnish that brightens each bite.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
First things first, get your air fryer warmed up to 400°F. This usually takes about 3–5 minutes and ensures your potatoes start crisping up immediately when they hit the basket. It’s a crucial step to lock in that crunch everyone loves.
Step 2: Season the Potatoes
Dice your potatoes into half-inch cubes for even cooking, then toss them in a big bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure each cube is coated evenly—we want every piece bursting with flavor and perfectly crisped on the outside.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Crowding them can steal that crispness, so give each piece room to breathe. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to brown the potatoes evenly. You’ll know they’re done when they turn golden on the outside and soft on the inside—absolute bliss!
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
If you love a pop of color and freshness, sprinkle chopped parsley on top right before serving. This step is optional but highly recommended to brighten the smoky, crispy goodness waiting below.
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a lovely herbal note that cuts through the richness and elevates the overall flavor. You can also try a little grated Parmesan or a dash of hot sauce for some exciting variations. These garnishes make your breakfast potatoes feel special without any extra fuss.
Side Dishes
These crispy breakfast potatoes pair wonderfully with just about any morning favorite. Think fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a simple avocado toast. They’re also fantastic alongside sautéed greens or your favorite vegan sausage for a hearty start to the day.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your potatoes in small cast iron skillets right at the table or top them with a poached egg and a drizzle of hollandaise for an elevated brunch experience. You can even toss in some diced bell peppers or onions while cooking to add vibrant color and a little extra sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When sealed properly, they keep their flavor, though a quick re-crisp in the air fryer is key before serving again.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t ideal for maintaining the perfect crispy texture, you can freeze cooked potatoes on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen, but expect them to be more tender than crunchy.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is to pop the potatoes back into the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 400°F. This revives their crispiness far better than microwaving, keeping them tasting fresh as if just made.
FAQs
Can I use russet potatoes instead?
Absolutely! Russets can work well but tend to be fluffier, so be sure to cut them into evenly sized cubes and keep an eye on cooking time to avoid them getting too soft.
Do I need to soak the potatoes before air frying?
For this recipe, soaking isn’t necessary because the air fryer crisps the outer layer quickly, locking in the natural starches and flavors that give you that wonderful texture.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Adding diced bell peppers or onions during the last 5 minutes of cooking is a fantastic way to bring color and extra flavor to your crispy breakfast potatoes.
Is this recipe vegan and gluten-free?
Definitely. The Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe uses only plant-based ingredients and contains no gluten, making it perfect for a variety of dietary needs.
What’s the best type of oil to use?
Olive oil is ideal for flavor and crispiness here, but feel free to swap in avocado or canola oil if you prefer a different taste or higher smoke point.
Final Thoughts
I truly believe this Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe will become your go-to morning treat. It’s straightforward, quick, and delivers that perfect balance of crispy outside and tender inside that everyone craves. Give it a try, and watch how it elevates every breakfast or brunch—it’s like a warm hug on your plate that never disappoints!
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
This Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes recipe delivers golden-brown, perfectly seasoned potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Made with simple spices and olive oil, these potatoes make a delicious and healthy breakfast side dish that’s quick to prepare using an air fryer.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1½ lbs baby potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Season the potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the diced potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning blend.
- Arrange in air fryer basket: Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to allow the hot air to circulate and crisp up each piece.
- Air fry the potatoes: Cook the potatoes at 400°F for 15–18 minutes. Remember to shake or toss the basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and prevent sticking.
- Check for doneness: The potatoes should be golden brown and crispy on the outside while tender when pierced with a fork.
- Garnish and serve: If desired, sprinkle the potatoes with chopped fresh parsley before serving hot for a fresh, vibrant flavor boost.
Notes
- Cut the potatoes into even ½-inch cubes to ensure consistent cooking and crispiness.
- For extra flavor and color, toss in a handful of chopped bell peppers or onions during the last 5 minutes of air frying.
- Leftover potatoes can be reheated in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes to restore crispness.
