Crispy Baby Potatoes

Picture those golden baby potatoes coming out of your air fryer with a crunchy, seasoned outer layer and fluffy, soft centers. Every small potato gives you that awesome mix of textures, made better with the piney smell of fresh rosemary and just the right spices. Your air fryer turns ordinary potatoes into must-have treats that make any meal special, and they're done in under 20 minutes.

I tried making these many different ways and found out that making sure the potatoes are super dry before adding seasonings is how you get those addictive crispy edges.

Key Potato Ingredients

• Baby Potatoes (1.5 pounds): Pick ones smaller than golf balls with clean, unmarked skin. Try getting different kinds - reds are a bit sweet and creamy; golds taste buttery and rich; purples look amazing and have a nutty flavor. They should feel solid when you squeeze them, without squishy spots or green areas
• Fresh Rosemary (3-4 large sprigs): Go for bright green, fragrant pieces with bendy needles that don't fall off. Skip any with brown or dried parts. Good rosemary smells piney when you rub it. Pull the leaves off and chop them just before you cook
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2-3 tablespoons): Get cold pressed, early harvest oil with a zingy, peppery finish. It should smell fresh and grassy with a slight bitter kick showing it's packed with antioxidants. Look for dark bottles that keep the oil fresh
• Garlic Powder (1 tablespoon): Use pure stuff without added salt or clumping agents. Good garlic powder smells strong and has an even, smooth texture. Keep it in a sealed container away from heat and sunshine
• Sweet Paprika (1 teaspoon): Hungarian paprika gives the best color and sweet pepper taste. It should be bright red and smell fresh and sweet, not musty. Good quality paprika is slightly moist and clumps a bit when pressed
• Kosher Salt (1.5 teaspoons): Diamond Crystal works best because its big, flat flakes stick well to potatoes. The larger crystals spread flavor better and help pull moisture from the potato surface so they crisp up nicely
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper (1 teaspoon): Grind Tellicherry peppercorns for the most interesting, fragrant pepper flavor. Good pepper has different color shades and smells sharp and spicy when ground
• Optional Extras: You might want to add 2-3 whole fresh garlic cloves (pick firm, heavy heads with tight skin), fresh thyme (look for bright green, soft stems), or 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (aged 2-3 years for best flavor)

Making Potato Magic Happen

Prep Like a Pro:

Wash those potatoes well and dry them completely so your seasonings stick properly.

Season Smart:

Mix potatoes with oil first, then add your spices bit by bit while tossing to cover everything evenly.

Air Fryer Trick:

Put potatoes cut side down in one layer so air can flow around them all.

Getting the Heat Just Right

Getting the Heat Just Right:

Keep it at 400°F the whole time and check if they're done by seeing if a fork slides in easily.

Save it

Through lots of testing in my kitchen, I found that letting those seasoned potatoes sit for 5 minutes before cooking lets the flavors soak in better.

Tasty Food Matches

Make amazing meal combos by serving these with herb-coated salmon, stuffing them in breakfast wraps, or offering them as fancy starters with garlic dip.

Fun Twists to Try

Play around with different herbs, add a crunchy layer of Parmesan, or mix in some roasted garlic for extra flavor.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Store any extra potatoes in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Heat them again at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to bring back their crunch.

Save it

After trying this recipe many different ways, I've learned that great roasted potatoes come down to three things: getting them ready right, controlling the temperature exactly, and watching the timing carefully. You'll end up with a side dish that works for both comfort food nights and fancy dinners.

Common Questions

→ Should I boil them first?

No, there's no need. Just wash, cut, season, and toss straight in the air fryer.

→ Can I change the seasonings?

Totally! Experiment with herbs like oregano or thyme, or pick your favorite spices.

→ Why slice them in half?

Cutting them exposes more surface area, which makes them super crispy and helps them cook evenly.

→ Will large potatoes work?

Yes, but cut them into 1-inch chunks to speed up cooking. Bigger pieces take longer.

→ What's the best way to reheat?

Pop them back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F, and they'll get crispy again.