Perfect Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes (Air Fryer Or Oven!)

Key Ingredients

This recipe calls for just a handful of fresh ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• Baby potatoes. Any small baby potatoes work well: red baby potatoes, baby gold potatoes, or yellow potatoes. Everyone has their favorite, so use what's in season or what you like best. The most important thing: choose ones that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
• Olive oil. Helps the potatoes crisp and gives them a nice flavor. You can also use avocado oil or melted butter here. Or, if you're looking to cut down a bit on the fat, I've been using an olive oil spray that adds just enough of a coating to get these crispy without overdoing it on the oil.
• Salt. A must. A tiny pinch of salt completely transforms these from meh to yum!
• Garlic powder. Optional, but it adds a mild garlic flavor that makes these really special. I've used minced garlic on these before, too, but find it hard to keep the garlic from burning during the cooking process, so I prefer garlic powder here. (This also means no peeling or chopping the garlic! Bonus!)
• Rosemary. Again, this is optional, but fresh rosemary (or dried, if that's what you have) adds extra flavor and a delicious, fresh aroma to these babies. Almost any seasoning works. Try swapping in Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or onion powder for a twist. Or leave it out completely if you prefer the simple flavor of just the oil and salt.

How To Make Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes

One of the best things about this dish is that it's so easy to make, yet tastes so, so good! It's almost impossible to screw up. Here's how to make these roasted potatoes.

1. Wash and dry the potatoes well using paper towels. Be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Moisture is the enemy of crispy!
2. Cut potatoes in half (or quarters if you have larger potatoes). Smaller pieces crisp up better. I usually shoot for potato pieces about the size of a golf ball, or slightly smaller.

4. Cook the potatoes! A note about cooking times: This may vary a lot depending on the size of your potato pieces and on your air fryer or oven. The first time you make these, I recommend checking on them often to make sure they don't get too crispy!)
5. For the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through to ensure even cooking. The hot air circulates around the potatoes, making them perfectly crisp.

6. For the oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in the oven while it preheats (adding the potatoes to a hot pan helps create crispier edges). Once the oven has heated, remove the pan and spread the potatoes on the hot pan in a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, flip, then roast for another 10 minutes, or until the edges of the potatoes are crispy and the insides are tender.
7. Add some extra seasoning. Sprinkle the potatoes with more fresh herbs or Parmesan cheese if desired and serve warm.

Variations And Different Seasonings

One of the great things about potatoes is that they can take on a lot of different flavors, making them easy to complement whatever you're serving them with. Here are some ways I like to switch these up.

• Garlic Parmesan (one of my favorites). Toss roasted potatoes with Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of garlic powder.
• For the herb lovers. Toss warm potatoes in melted butter and chopped herbs before serving. Fresh parsley, thyme, or rosemary add some great flavor.
• Make 'em spicy. Add cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, or fries seasoning for a bold flavor. I also love roasting them with just a little olive oil and salt, and then giving them a splash of hot sauce once they're out of the oven or air fryer.
• Simple and savory. Try onion powder, Italian seasoning, or a mix of garlic and paprika.
• Lemon and herb. Toss with lemon juice, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
• Sweet and smoky. Add a touch of smoked paprika and melted butter.

Air Fryer Vs. Oven. Which one should I choose?

Both methods make delicious crispy potatoes, but each has its strengths. The air fryer uses hot air to circulate the potatoes, creating those perfect crispy edges in less time (and with less oil, I find). I like this method when I'm cooking a smaller batch or don't want to heat up my whole kitchen. The oven is better for larger portions and creates a deep, roasted flavor. It's great if you have a big family, or are making other dishes, and already have your oven on.

Troubleshooting Tips for Perfectly Roasted Potatoes

If your potatoes aren't crisping up, it's usually due to too much moisture or overcrowding. Here are a few tips to help make sure they turn out nice and crispy:

• Always dry the potatoes thoroughly and make sure they're spread out in a single layer.
• Use just a little oil, enough to coat the surface but not so much that they're sitting in hot oil. (This is where the spray really comes in handy!)
• If they're still soft, extend the cooking time slightly until golden brown and soft on the inside. You can also finish them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to help them crisp up.
• If you have a convection setting on your oven, use it! The constant and even circulation of air will help make the potatoes nice and crispy.
• Give them a stir halfway through. The potatoes tend to get ver crispy when touching the pan. Giving them a flip halfway through ensures all sides crisp up nicely. (And prevents the sides from touching the pan from burning!)

What to Serve With Roasted Baby Potatoes

Honestly, these crispy potatoes go with almost anything. Serve them alongside garlic butter steak bites, Mediterranean turkey meatloaf, grilled chicken, or roasted salmon. They make a great addition to weekend brunch with some creamy scrambled eggs and oven-cooked bacon, or as a hearty side for main dishes like smash burgers or pork chops. You can even use leftover potatoes in breakfast burritos or toss them into salads. For dipping, try sour cream, garlic aioli, honey sriracha sauce, or a drizzle of pesto.

Tip: These are also a great addition to almost any sheet pan meal. They cook beautifully alongside a sheet pan chicken thighs, salmon, or steak and will absorb some of the flavors of the rest of your meal as they cook, making them even more delicious!

Additional Serving And Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, air fry (400 degrees F for about 4-5 minutes) or bake in the oven (400 degrees F for about 10 minutes) until crisp again. Avoid the microwave like the plague! This can soften the skin, making the potatoes more mushy than crispy.

If making roasted potatoes ahead of time (or if you happen to have leftovers), let them cool completely before storing to avoid condensation (this can also soften the skin!). When hosting a large crowd, I double or triple the recipe and use two baking sheets in the oven so the potatoes have enough space to crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions