Crispy, cheesy air fryer Parmesan potatoes made with baby potatoes, olive oil, and simple spices. An easy side dish ready in about 25 minutes, no boiling required.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
These air fryer Parmesan potatoes are the easy, crispy side dish I make on repeat, and they disappear off the plate every single time. Baby potatoes get tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and Parmesan, then air fried until they are golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They taste like they took real effort, but they could not be simpler.
The best part is how hands-off they are. The air fryer does all the work in about 25 minutes, with just a few shakes of the basket, so there is no standing over the stove or heating up the whole oven. It is the perfect side dish for a busy weeknight or a laid-back dinner with friends.
That savory, cheesy, perfectly seasoned flavor is what makes these air fryer Parmesan potatoes so crave-worthy. Half the Parmesan gets tossed right in and the other half goes on top, so you get little crispy, cheesy edges in every bite.
What You Need to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
The full list with substitutions is in the ingredients section below, but here is the gist: baby potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan. You will also want an air fryer. Just a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together into the crispiest potatoes.
How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
These could not be easier. Start by washing the baby potatoes and cutting them in half or into quarters, so they are all roughly the same bite-size pieces. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy all over.
Add the potatoes to a bowl and toss them with the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and half of the Parmesan, until every piece is well coated. Tossing half the cheese in now means it melts right onto the potatoes as they cook.
Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket, ideally in a single layer, and air fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times so they crisp up evenly. In the last few minutes, sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan so it melts and turns golden and crispy. Serve your air fryer Parmesan potatoes warm.
Why the Air Fryer Is Perfect for Crispy Potatoes
The air fryer is my favorite way to make crispy potatoes without a ton of oil or a long roast in the oven. The hot circulating air crisps the outside beautifully while keeping the inside soft and fluffy, and it does it faster than the oven. That is exactly what makes these air fryer Parmesan potatoes so quick and reliable.
It also means less mess and no need to preheat a big oven, which is a win on a busy night. Just be sure to give the basket a few shakes so the potatoes brown on all sides instead of sticking together.
Tips for the Crispiest Parmesan Potatoes
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they cook and crisp at the same rate.
Do not overcrowd the basket. A single layer with a little space gives you the crispiest results, so cook in batches if needed.
Shake the basket a few times during cooking so every side gets golden.
Toss half the Parmesan in and save half for the end, so you get both melted-in flavor and crispy cheesy edges.
Pat the potatoes dry after washing so they crisp instead of steam.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
These air fryer Parmesan potatoes are the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish, and they go with just about anything. Serve them alongside grilled or roasted chicken, steak, salmon, or burgers for an easy, complete dinner. They are also perfect for brunch next to eggs, or as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
Because they are so hands-off, they are a great side to make while your main is cooking. A little garlic aioli, ranch, or marinara on the side never hurts either.
These air fryer Parmesan potatoes are best fresh, while they are hot and crispy, but leftovers are still tasty. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To bring back the crisp, reheat them in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes, until hot and crispy again. I would skip the microwave if you can, since it tends to make them soft. A fresh sprinkle of Parmesan freshens them right up.
Why These Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes Are a Family Favorite
If you are after a side dish that pleases everyone at the table, these air fryer Parmesan potatoes are it. Kids love the crispy, cheesy edges, and adults love how easy and hands-off they are. They take about five minutes to prep and use ingredients you almost certainly already have in your pantry.
They are also endlessly adaptable, which is why they have become such a staple in my kitchen. Some nights I keep these air fryer Parmesan potatoes simple and classic, and other nights I toss in fresh herbs, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or an extra shower of Parmesan. However you make them, that crispy, golden, cheesy result is the kind of thing everyone comes back for seconds of.
FAQ
What are air fryer Parmesan potatoes?
Air fryer Parmesan potatoes are baby potatoes tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and grated Parmesan, then air fried until golden and crispy. They are an easy, cheesy side dish that comes together in about 25 minutes.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No. That is the beauty of this recipe. The air fryer cooks the potatoes through and crisps them at the same time, so there is no boiling or parcooking needed.
What kind of potatoes work best?
Baby potatoes are perfect because they are creamy and crisp up well. Yukon gold or red potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks also work great.
How do I get them extra crispy?
Cut the potatoes evenly, do not overcrowd the basket, and shake it a few times as they cook. Patting them dry after washing helps them crisp instead of steam.
Can I make them ahead of time?
They are best fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat them in the air fryer to bring back the crisp.
How To Make Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes (Easy Crispy Side Dish)
The Ingredients
INGREDIENTS + SUBSTITUTES
1 1/2 to 2 lbs baby potatoes, washed and halved or quartered — bite-size pieces crisp up best. Sub: Yukon gold or red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks.
2 tbsp olive oil — helps them turn golden and crispy. Sub: avocado oil.
Add herbs: toss with fresh parsley or rosemary after cooking.
Add heat: a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne with the spices.
Extra cheesy: add even more Parmesan in the last few minutes.
Dip it: serve with garlic aioli, ranch, or marinara.
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What You Need
The Steps
Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half or into quarters so they are evenly sized.
Add the potatoes to a bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and half of the Parmesan until well coated.
Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 390F for about 25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until golden and crispy.
In the last few minutes, sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan so it melts and crisps. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
Do not overcrowd the basket for the crispiest results, cooking in batches if needed. Pat the potatoes dry after washing so they crisp instead of steam. Reheat in the air fryer at 375F to bring back the crunch.
These air fryer Parmesan potatoes are my go-to easy side dish: crispy and golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with savory, cheesy flavor. Baby potatoes get tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and Parmesan, then air fried until perfectly crisp in about 25 minutes, no boiling required.
1 1/2 to 2 lbs baby potatoes, washed and halved or quartered
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half or into quarters so they are evenly sized.
Add the potatoes to a bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and half of the Parmesan until well coated.
Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 390F for about 25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until golden and crispy.
In the last few minutes, sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan so it melts and crisps. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the basket for the crispiest results, cooking in batches if needed. Pat the potatoes dry after washing so they crisp instead of steam. Reheat in the air fryer at 375F to bring back the crunch.
Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
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