Breakfast Potatoes in the Air Fryer (Crispy Recipe)

Want to learn how to make breakfast potatoes in the air fryer? Then you’ve come to the right place. These air fryer breakfast potatoes are as good as any you make in the oven. 

They have thin, well-seasoned, delightfully crispy skins. However, their insides remain soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. 

You’ll love everything about making breakfast potatoes in the air fryer.

The taste and texture are out of this world. And best of all, they’re so easy to make. Let’s get to it! 

Breakfast Potatoes in the Air Fryer 

There’s nothing I love more than a good breakfast. 

But who has time to make a full spread on busy mornings? Of course, being pressed for time doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious, filling breakfast.

This air fryer recipe results in perfectly crisp, tender potatoes in about 20 minutes.

Pair them with other quick dishes like scrambled eggs or instant oatmeal, and voila! You have a healthy, hearty breakfast in under 30 minutes. 

Ingredients 

This recipe has two components: the potatoes and everything else. Here’s what you need: 

• Potatoes – They’re the right size and hearty enough to stand up under the pressure of frying. But you can use practically any potatoes for this recipe. Just be sure they’re strong enough to withstand the cooking process.

• Olive oil – I use olive oil for just about everything. However, if you prefer canola or vegetable oil, you can go that route instead. You want something that’ll make the seasonings stick to the potatoes.

• Seasoning mixture – Use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper for this mix. This blend gives the potatoes their robust, herby, delicious flavor. 

How to Make Breakfast Potatoes in the Air Fryer 

Follow these steps for the crispiest, tenderest air fryer breakfast potatoes: 

1. Prepare the potatoes. Thoroughly wash and dry the potatoes to remove all the dirt and other gunk. Then, dice them into uniformly sized 1/2-inch cubes. 

2. Coat the potatoes. Mix all of the other recipe ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the diced potatoes and toss them to coat. 

3. Cook the potatoes – Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket. You may have to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding them. 

Cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Then, stop and shake the air fryer basket. Return it to the fryer and cook for another 10 minutes. 

The potatoes are ready once they’re golden brown and tender on the inside. Serve them and enjoy! 

Tips for Success

A few final tips to ensure the best breakfast potatoes: 

• Pick your potatoes wisely. Yukon Gold offers a buttery taste, while Russet provides more crispiness.

• Resist the urge to peel. If you want your potatoes extra crispy, leave the skin on. They can’t crisp up nicely without skin. 

• Play with the paprika. Use smoked for a smoky touch or sweet for a milder taste.

• Know your equipment. Some air fryers (like mine) don’t need preheating. Always refer to your specific model’s guidelines.

• Keep a close eye on them. Cooking times vary based on the size of your potatoes. If the potatoes aren’t cooked after 20 minutes, air fry them some more in 2-3 minute intervals.

• Shake them up! Shaking the basket halfway through ensures your potatoes don’t stick and burn. 

Variations 

I have a few variations you can try, too: 

• Get cheesy with them. Simply add 1/2 cup of parmesan to the seasoning blend. 

• Go the sweet route. You can follow the same recipe, just cut the cooking time down a bit. Shake the basket after about 7 minutes and estimate how much longer the potatoes need to cook. 

• Spice them up. Experiment with spices like cayenne or chili powder for heat.

• Add more veggies. I like to add mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers to mine. You can experiment with other veggies to see what you like best. 

• Brighten them up. Add a little lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice to the finished potatoes. Doing so gives them a lighter, brighter flavor. 

Serving Suggestions 

Air fryer breakfast potatoes are best served at, you guessed it, breakfast. Pair them with whatever sweet or savory breakfast foods you enjoy best, such as: 

• Crispy bacon (or one of these 25 bacon breakfast recipes)
• Juicy sausage
• Salty ham
• Scrambled eggs
• Omelets
• Pancakes or waffles
• Oatmeal
• Banana bread
• Biscuits and gravy

Make it a complete breakfast by picking two or three of your favorites to pair with your potatoes. 

How to Store & Reheat

Need tips for storing and reheating your leftover breakfast potatoes? I have you covered!

To Store: Transfer the cooled potatoes to an airtight container. Then, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

To Reheat: The best way to reheat breakfast potatoes is in the oven. Spread them on a baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with foil, then roast the potatoes in the oven. They need about 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Your other option is to pop them in the microwave and reheat them. Unfortunately, doing so will make them soft. Roasting them will help retain their crispiness.