I literally had to look it up! When one of my sister-in-laws asked me to bring a savory side dish, I had to Google what a savory side dish even was. Just so your computer search history won’t include “What is a savory side dish,” I’ll let you know now that these Air Fryer Potato Cubes definitely qualify as a savory side dish. A savory side dish is a non-sweet side dish that typically has herbs and spices. And savory side dishes like my daughter’s Air Fryer Potato Cubes are the perfect compliment to your main dish such as a roast, steak, or chicken. But they also go well with hamburgers!!
Benefits of Air Frying vs. Traditional Methods
While I was a bit late to the air fryer revolution, I have learned to love the ease and handiness of using an air fryer, especially when trying to give that nice crisp crunch to your food. The traditional method of deep frying, lingers heavily with excess oil and heightened calorie counts. Now, I can make a conscious choice for healthier eating without sacrificing flavor – all thanks to my trusty air fryer. This clever device uses rapid air technology to achieve that coveted golden crunch. With just a light coating of oil, potato cubes transform into a delectable, savory dish.
Let’s talk numbers – air frying cuts the oil usage drastically, and by extension, shrinks the calorie load of your meal. Your potatoes still emerge from the air fryer satisfyingly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with their natural, unmasked taste. The reduced oil doesn’t just benefit your waistline; it also simplifies cleanup and reduces waste, making the process a breeze from start to finish.
Key Takeaways:
- Healthy Alternatives: Air frying uses less oil than traditional deep frying, cutting down on calories without sacrificing taste.
- Flavor Preservation: The rapid air technology of the air fryer ensures your potato cubes are full of flavor and achieve the ideal crispy-firm texture.
- Convenient and Clean: Air frying not only promotes healthier eating, but it also offers easy cleanup and less oil waste, enhancing the overall cooking experience.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
My go-to choice for potatoes is Russet, also called Idaho potatoes. They are easy to cut. Idaho potato’s outer skin adds a nice crispness to the potato bites. Their slightly creamy texture also offers the perfect contrast to the crunch.
You may also enjoy my Summer Corn Salad recipe here!
As you prep your side dish, pay close attention to how you cut the potato cubes. The size of the potato cubes directly influences cooking time and consistency. So you want your potato cubes to be as uniform as possible. This ensures even cooking in the air fryer and that you won’t have some pieces burned while others are underdone.
For the potatoes, my daughter likes to add a lot of seasoning. I was a little hesitant with all the seasonings she was adding. But upon tasting, I decided that her recipe is delicious. The potatoes come out crispy and full of flavor. So be sure not to hold back on all the herbal seasonings!
Essential Air Fryer Settings & Preparations
Before diving into the process of making these mouthwatering, crispy potato cubes in your air fryer, a bit of preparation will help your potato side dish be a success. Start by giving your air fryer basket a quick check to ensure it’s clean and free from any food residue that might have stuck around from previous meals. You’ll want to preheat your appliance to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit – this step is similar to warming up your oven, ; it’s critical for getting those potatoes nice and golden.
Arrange your cut potatoes in a single layer to give each piece its own little space. This prevents the potatoes from steaming and helps achieve that coveted crispy outer layer we’re all after.
About halfway through your cooking time, make sure to shake or stir the potatoes in your air fryer basket. This ensures a more even cooking for that perfectly even, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside potato cubes that will have everyone asking for more.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
Wash and Prep Potatoes: Start by washing your potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt. Cut them into uniform cubes, about 3/4 -1-inch in size to ensure even cooking. Pat the cubes dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this helps achieve a crispier exterior.
Season Generously: In a mixing bowl, toss the potato cubes with olive oil, sprinkle them with the herbs, and season with salt. Make sure each cube is coated evenly for a robust flavor. Allow potato cubes to sit for 5 minutes.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes. A hot air fryer will cook the potatoes faster and help attain that desired crunch.
Arrange Potatoes in the Basket: Place the seasoned potato cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure hot air can circulate around each cube, which is crucial for that all-around golden finish.
Cook and Shake: Cook the potatoes for about 15 minutes. Halfway through the cook time, give the basket a good shake or use a spatula to turn the potatoes. This promotes even browning and prevents any hard spots.
Check for Doneness: Potatoes are done when they’re golden brown and crunchy on the outside, with a soft, fluffy center. If they aren’t crisping up, continue cooking for a few more minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
Serve Immediately: Once they’ve reached your ideal level of crispiness, remove the potato cubes from the air fryer and serve them hot for the best texture and flavor. They tend to soften as they cool, so timing is everything!
If you find your potato cubes still aren’t crisping after adjustments, try decreasing the cube size for faster cook times or increasing the temperature slightly, but keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Every air fryer is different, and finding the perfect settings may take a bit of trial and error. Rest assured, the effort is worth it for those perfectly crispy, air-fried potato cubes that I know you’ll love.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Meal prepping is my favorite way to make life a little easier in the kitchen. If you want to prep these Air Fryer Potato Cubes ahead you can! Simply wash potatoes thoroughly. Next, dice them into uniform cubes for even cooking. Then submerge the potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent browning and store them in the refrigerator. This method keeps them fresh for up to 24 hours. Easy! And an added bonus, soaking them in water will make them crisp up nicely.
When ready to use, drain potatoes in a colander and pat dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
If you have any leftovers, allow the potato cubes to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to four days. To reheat and revive their crispiness, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re heated through and crunchy once more. The savory side dish won’t be quite as crisp, but we still enjoy them reheated as a side dish or with an omelet the next morning!
Versatility of Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Air Fryer Potato Cubes are perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! So make sure to PIN this recipe for later for a quick side dish that everyone will love. Double the recipe for breakfast. And then serve the rest of the seasoned diced potatoes with lunch or dinner! They’re a delightful addition to the breakfast table, pairing perfectly with a side of eggs or wrapped up in a warm tortilla with cheese and salsa for a quick breakfast burrito.
Come dinnertime, the humble potato cube transforms once again. They nestle next to grilled chicken or steak. You will appreciate that your kids are not just excited to eat them, but they’re also getting a healthier version of a normally fried food.
Quick to prepare, easy to customize, and loved by both kids and adults, air fryer potato cubes are indeed the versatile hero of a healthier, home-cooked meals.
Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 potatoes like Idaho potatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil up to 1/3 cup if needed
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Wash and dice unpeeled potatoes into small cubes, about 3/4 inch.
- Place diced potatoes into a bowl or plastic bag.
- Pour olive oil over potatoes.
- Mix seasonings and pour over potatoes. Shake in bag or stir in bowl to coat.
- Let potatoes sit for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat air fryer at 400 degrees for 3 minutes.
- Pour cubed potatoes into air fryer, and shake until potatoes are spread out as much as possible.
- Cook potatoes for a total of 15 minutes. Cook potatoes for 7 minutes and shake basket. Cook an additional 8 minutes. Test for doneness.
- Cook another 1-2 minutes if necessary. Serve as a savory side dish!
