Potatoes & Fries
Air Fryer Red Potatoes (Garlic Parmesan)
Crispy roasted red potatoes in the air fryer at 400°F: 18–22 minutes quartered, 15–20 halved, skin on, no peeling. With garlic and parmesan.
Quick answer
Cook red potatoes in the air fryer at 400°F205°C. Quartered red potatoes or 1-inch chunks take 18–22 minutes, and small red potatoes cut in half take 15–20 minutes. Leave the skin on, toss them with 1 tablespoon of oil and seasoning, and shake the basket every 6–7 minutes. They're done when the edges are golden and a fork slides in easily.
- Time
- 18–22 min quartered
- Flip
- Shake every 6–7 min
- Done when
- Fork slides in easily
Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Red Potatoes air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red potatoes, quartered (medium) | 400°F205°C | 18–22 min | Skin on |
| Red potatoes, 1-inch chunks | 400°F205°C | 18–22 min | Shake every 6–7 minutes |
| Small red potatoes, halved | 400°F205°C | 15–20 min | Cut side down first |
| Small red potatoes, whole, about 1½ inch | 400°F205°C | 20–25 min | Prick each one with a fork |
| Red potatoes, ½-inch diced | 400°F205°C | 12–16 min | Good for breakfast potatoes |
| Whole medium red potato, about 3 inch | 400°F205°C | 30–35 min | Prick with a fork first |
| Smashed red potatoes (boiled first) | 400°F205°C | 15–18 min | Brush with oil |
| Reheating roasted red potatoes | 375°F190°C | 4–6 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.
Red potatoes are made for the air fryer. Their thin skin crisps up with no peeling, and because they’re waxy, they hold their shape instead of crumbling. Cut them into quarters, toss with oil and garlic, and they’re golden at the edges and creamy inside in about 20 minutes.
How to cook red potatoes in the air fryer
- Scrub and cut the potatoes into quarters or 1-inch chunks. Leave the skin on.
- Dry them well, then toss with oil and seasoning.
- Air fry at 400°F205°C in a single layer.
- Shake every 6–7 minutes, and cook until a fork slides in easily: 18–22 minutes for quarters.
How long to cook red potatoes in the air fryer
At 400°F205°C:
- Quartered or 1-inch chunks: 18–22 minutes
- Small red potatoes, halved: 15–20 minutes
- Small red potatoes, whole: 20–25 minutes
- ½-inch diced: 12–16 minutes
- Whole medium red potato: 30–35 minutes
Red potatoes vary a lot in size, from marble-sized to as big as a fist. Cut them so the pieces match, and they’ll finish together.
Why red potatoes work so well
Red potatoes are a waxy potato. They have less starch and more moisture than russets, so the inside turns creamy and smooth rather than fluffy, and the pieces keep their shape when you shake the basket. The thin red skin doesn’t need peeling, and it adds color and a little crunch.
For fluffier insides, use russet or Yukon gold, and see our guide to air fryer potatoes.
Small and baby red potatoes
Small red potatoes, sometimes sold as baby reds or creamers, are best halved and cooked cut side down for 15–20 minutes. Leave tiny ones whole, but prick each one with a fork first. Our baby potatoes guide has times for every size.
Seasoning ideas
- Garlic parmesan: the recipe below.
- Rosemary and garlic: 1 teaspoon dried rosemary instead of the thyme.
- Ranch: 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning instead of the herbs.
- Lemon herb: cook with garlic, salt and pepper, then toss with lemon zest and fresh dill or parsley.
- Spicy: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne.
Smashed red potatoes
Boil whole small red potatoes for 12–15 minutes, until tender. Drain, let them steam-dry, then press each one flat with the bottom of a glass. Brush with oil, season, and air fry at 400°F205°C for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are crispy.
What to serve with red potatoes
They go with almost any main: Italian sausage and peppers, pork chops, salmon, burgers or pork tenderloin. For more ideas, see our air fryer side dishes.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat at 375°F190°C for 4–6 minutes, shaking once, and they’ll crisp up again. See our reheating guide.
Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 180 per serving
Ingredients
- 1½ lb red potatoes, scrubbed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, to serve
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Cut. Cut the potatoes into quarters, or into 1-inch chunks if they're large. Halve small ones. Keep the pieces about the same size.
- Dry and season. Pat the potatoes dry with a towel. Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, 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 18–22 minutes, shaking the basket every 6–7 minutes, until golden at the edges and tender inside.
- Add the parmesan. Sprinkle the parmesan over the potatoes and cook 1–2 minutes more, until it melts and turns lightly golden.
- Serve. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- There's no need to peel red potatoes. The thin skin crisps up and keeps the potatoes from falling apart.
- For a 3–4 qt air fryer, cook 1 lb at a time so the potatoes fit in one layer.
- Adding the parmesan at the end keeps it from burning.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook red potatoes in the air fryer?
At 400°F205°C, quartered red potatoes and 1-inch chunks take 18–22 minutes, halved small red potatoes take 15–20 minutes, and whole small ones about 1½ inches across take 20–25 minutes. Shake the basket every 6–7 minutes.
Do you need to peel red potatoes?
No. Red potatoes have thin, tender skin that crisps nicely in the air fryer. Just scrub them well and dry them before cutting.
Do you need to boil red potatoes before air frying?
No. Cut into quarters or chunks, red potatoes cook through from raw in about 20 minutes. Boil them first only if you're making smashed potatoes.
What temperature do you air fry red potatoes at?
400°F205°C. It browns the outside while the inside turns tender. At lower temperatures the potatoes cook through before the edges get crisp.
Are red potatoes good for air frying?
Yes. They're waxy, so they hold their shape and have a creamy, slightly firm inside, while the skin crisps. They don't get as fluffy as russets, but they don't fall apart either.
How do you cook baby red potatoes in the air fryer?
Halve them and air fry at 400°F205°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway. Very small ones under 1 inch can stay whole. See our baby potatoes guide for more small potato times.
Why are my red potatoes not crispy?
Usually the basket was too full or the potatoes were wet. Dry them well, use a tablespoon of oil, cook in a single layer and shake often. Crowded potatoes steam instead of browning.
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