These Air Fryer Baby Potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside while staying soft and tender on the inside! Tossed in ranch seasoning and ready in 12 minutes, you’ll love this easy side dish recipe!

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish, whether you like them baked, mashed, smashed, scalloped, or stuffed! These Air Fryer Baby Potatoes are the perfect side dish for a busy weeknight because they’re ready super quickly and require very little preparation.

The best part about using an air fryer is the deliciously crispy exterior you get on the potatoes. I used baby potatoes (also known as new potatoes or petite potatoes) and tested these both halved and whole. You don’t have to peel these potatoes as the thin, nutritious skin adds a great crunch, too!

To save time, I didn’t bother measuring out several seasonings, either. Using dry ranch seasoning means you can get these cooking super quickly, and it gives you tons of flavor options. Now that they make several different variations (like Spicy, Fiesta, or Creamy Dill), you can swap out flavors to best match your main entrée!

Ingredients for Baby Potatoes in Air Fryer

As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients you will need to make the perfect crispy, crunchy air fryer potato recipe:

• Baby Potatoes: These are those small red potatoes, also known as petite potatoes. You could use new potatoes (the small yellow potatoes) as well.
• Oil: you will need an oil of your choice for these potatoes. I suggest extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
• Seasoning: instead of adding a pinch of this and a pinch of that we are making this ultra easy and using dry powdered Ranch seasoning mixture. This adds a ton of flavor and requires no prep work!
• Garlic: minced garlic works best in this recipe.

How do you cook Air Fryer Baby Potatoes?

This recipe is as easy as it can possibly get! Just wash, dry, toss, and fry! Follow these step by step directions for the best air fryer potatoes:

• Wash your potatoes and pat dry (this helps them get super crispy!). You can slice or leave your baby potatoes whole, but place them in a mixing bowl.
• Toss the potatoes in the oil of your choice, then add the Ranch seasoning and garlic and toss so they are well coated.
• Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees for 3 minutes. If cooking sliced potatoes: add the prepared sliced potatoes and fry 6 minutes. Toss the potatoes and fry another 6 minutes. If cooking the potatoes whole fry 8 minutes, toss and fry another 8-10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.

What temperature do you cook red potatoes in the air fryer?

To get the perfect potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside you will need to use a high temperature of 390 degrees F. Be sure to remember to shake the potatoes during the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly.

Do I have to cut potatoes for the air fryer?

No, this recipe will work for sliced or whole baby or little red potatoes. The cooking time for whole potatoes is, of course, longer. Just be sure you stop and shake the air fryer basket halfway through during the cooking time.

What should I serve with these air fryer potatoes?

These crispy, tender potatoes pair well with SO many dishes! If you love seafood, consider serving these with Lemon Garlic Fish and some Cheesy Roasted Asparagus. They would also be amazing with Cast Iron Pork Chops with Mushrooms or these Air Fryer Steak Tips. For dessert, add some Lemon Cheesecake Bars or an Air Fryer Brownie!

These are also delicious for breakfast! Serve with Steak and Eggs, maybe some Air Fryer Sausage with Easy Baked Eggs, or this Chorizo Egg Scramble. You’re sure to have a super filling, tasty breakfast.

How do I know when my potatoes are done?

To make sure your potatoes are ready, gently try pushing a fork into the potato. If you can easily pierce the potato without a lot of force, they’re ready! Allow them to cook a little bit longer if it takes a more work or pressure. If you prefer a bit more crunch, you can let them cook a couple minutes longer.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Potatoes

• Wash and pat the potatoes dry. If you add the oil and spice mixture to wet potatoes, the seasoning will not adhere well, and the potatoes will not get very crisp.
• Toss the potatoes in the oil so they are well covered before adding the spices and garlic. If you add everything at once, the spices tend to clump verses coat.
• Be watchful! Each air fryer is a bit different. Be careful to watch the potatoes and check them halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the potatoes as well as the size and type of your air fryer.
• Add toppings! Cheese, sour cream or meat would all be delicious on these potatoes.

Can I cook a whole potato in the air fryer?

Why yes you can! I have a great tutorial for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes that always turn out perfectly! This method will work with a regular potato, such as russet or Idaho, as well as a whole sweet potato. You can make fries, too!

How do I store these Air Fryer Baby Potatoes?

To store these potatoes, just keep in a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid and place in the fridge. These potatoes will stay fresh for up to five days. To reheat, just pop back into the air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until warmed throughout. You can also microwave them, but you’ll lose some crispiness.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
• Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Boats
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• The Best Air Fryer Cheeseburgers