Potatoes & Fries
Air Fryer Diced Potatoes (Crispy Potato Cubes)
Crispy air fryer diced potatoes at 400°F: 15–20 minutes for 1-inch cubes, 12–16 for ½-inch, shaken every 5 minutes. Plus frozen diced potatoes.
Quick answer
Cook diced potatoes in the air fryer at 400°F205°C. 1-inch cubes take 15–20 minutes, ¾-inch cubes take 14–18 minutes and ½-inch cubes take 12–16 minutes. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of oil and seasoning, cook in a single layer, and shake the basket every 5 minutes. They're done when they're golden and crisp outside and soft inside.
- Time
- 15–20 min (1-inch cubes)
- Flip
- Shake every 5 min
- Done when
- Golden outside, soft inside
Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diced potatoes, 1-inch cubes | 400°F205°C | 15–20 min | Shake every 5 minutes |
| Diced potatoes, ¾-inch cubes | 400°F205°C | 14–18 min | Shake every 5 minutes |
| Diced potatoes, ½-inch cubes | 400°F205°C | 12–16 min | Great for breakfast potatoes |
| Diced potatoes with peppers and onions | 400°F205°C | 16–20 min | Add the vegetables halfway |
| Frozen diced potatoes (plain or O'Brien) | 400°F205°C | 12–16 min | No need to thaw, shake twice |
| Canned diced potatoes, drained and dried | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min | Already cooked, just crisping |
| Parboiled diced potatoes, 1-inch | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min | Boil 5 minutes first for extra crunch |
| Sweet potato cubes, 1-inch | 400°F205°C | 15–18 min | Browns faster, so watch closely |
| Reheating cooked diced potatoes | 375°F190°C | 3–5 min | Shake once |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Diced potatoes are the fastest way to get crispy potatoes from an air fryer. Small cubes have lots of surface area, so every side gets golden while the insides turn soft and fluffy, in about 15–20 minutes. Serve them as a side, under a fried egg for breakfast, or alongside sausage for an easy dinner.
How to cook diced potatoes in the air fryer
- Cut the potatoes into even cubes, about 1 inch.
- Rinse and dry them well. Surface water stops them from crisping.
- Toss with oil and seasoning. A tablespoon of oil is enough for 1½ pounds.
- Air fry at 400°F205°C in a single layer, shaking every 5 minutes, for 15–20 minutes.
How long to cook diced potatoes in the air fryer
At 400°F205°C, by cube size:
- 1-inch cubes: 15–20 minutes
- ¾-inch cubes: 14–18 minutes
- ½-inch cubes: 12–16 minutes
- Frozen diced potatoes: 12–16 minutes
The size of the cubes matters more than the type of potato. Keep them the same size so they finish together, and start checking at the low end of the time.
Which potatoes to use
- Russet: the crispiest outside and fluffiest inside. Peel them or leave the skin on.
- Yukon gold: creamy and buttery, and they hold their shape. No need to peel.
- Red potatoes: firm and waxy, with thin skin. See our red potatoes guide.
- Sweet potatoes: they brown faster, so check them early. See sweet potatoes.
How to get them extra crispy
- Soak or rinse the cubes in cold water to wash off surface starch.
- Dry them thoroughly with a clean towel before adding oil.
- Don’t overfill the basket. Cook in batches if the cubes overlap.
- Shake every 5 minutes so every side touches the hot air.
- Parboil for 5 minutes if you want an extra-fluffy inside with crunchy edges, then dry and air fry for 12–15 minutes.
Frozen diced potatoes
Bagged frozen diced potatoes, including O’Brien potatoes with peppers and onions, go straight into the basket with no thawing. Spray lightly with oil, season, and air fry at 400°F205°C for 12–16 minutes, shaking two or three times.
Breakfast potatoes
For a quick breakfast side, dice the potatoes into ½-inch cubes and cook for 12–16 minutes. For peppers and onions, add a diced bell pepper and half an onion tossed in a little oil halfway through. They’re great with bacon and hard boiled eggs, or under a fried egg.
Seasoning ideas
- Garlic and paprika: the recipe below.
- Garlic parmesan: add 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan for the last 2 minutes.
- Ranch: 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning instead of the spices.
- Cajun: 1–2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning.
- Rosemary: 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary with the garlic powder.
What to serve with diced potatoes
They go with eggs for breakfast, or with Italian sausage, pork chops, burgers or salmon for dinner. For bigger chunks and wedges, see our guide to air fryer potatoes.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat at 375°F190°C for 3–5 minutes, shaking once, until crisp again. See our reheating guide.
Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 28 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 160 per serving
Ingredients
- 1½ lb russet or Yukon gold potatoes (about 3 medium)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Dice. Peel the potatoes if you like, or leave the skin on. Cut them into 1-inch cubes, keeping the pieces as even as you can.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse the cubes in cold water to remove the surface starch, then dry them very well with a clean towel.
- Season. Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Spread the potatoes in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until golden and crisp outside and soft inside.
- Serve. Taste, add a pinch more salt if needed, and sprinkle with parsley or chives.
Notes
- For extra-crispy cubes, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes, then dry well before seasoning.
- For a 3–4 qt air fryer, cook 1 lb at a time so the cubes fit in one layer.
- Russets get the fluffiest insides. Yukon golds are creamier and hold their shape.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook diced potatoes in the air fryer?
At 400°F205°C, 1-inch cubes take 15–20 minutes, ¾-inch cubes take 14–18 minutes and ½-inch cubes take 12–16 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes so they brown evenly.
What temperature do you air fry potato cubes at?
400°F205°C. It crisps the outside before the inside dries out. Lower temperatures make softer, paler potatoes.
Do you need to soak diced potatoes before air frying?
No, but it helps. Soaking the cubes in cold water for 30 minutes removes surface starch, which makes them crispier. Even a quick rinse helps. Either way, dry them very well before adding oil.
Do you have to boil diced potatoes before air frying?
No. Diced potatoes cook through from raw in 12–20 minutes, depending on size. Boiling them for 5 minutes first is optional, and gives them a fluffier inside and crunchier edges.
How do you cook frozen diced potatoes in the air fryer?
Spread them in the basket straight from the freezer, with no need to thaw. Spray lightly with oil and air fry at 400°F205°C for 12–16 minutes, shaking two or three times, until golden and crisp.
What are the best potatoes to dice and air fry?
Russets give the fluffiest insides and crispiest outsides. Yukon golds are creamier and hold their shape well. Red potatoes stay firm and don't need peeling. All of them work at the same time and temperature.
Why are my diced potatoes soggy?
Usually the basket was too full, or the potatoes were wet when they went in. Cook them in a single layer, dry them well, and shake often. Overlapping cubes steam instead of crisping.
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