Introduction Learn how to cook crispy air fryer fingerling potatoes with this simple recipe. Golden brown and crispy on the outside, perfec...
Introduction
Learn how to cook crispy air fryer fingerling potatoes with this simple recipe. Golden brown and crispy on the outside, perfectly tender and fluffy on the inside, these bite-size potatoes are cooked to perfection in the air fryer with just a fraction of the oil required for deep frying.
Air fryer fingerling potatoes are one of my favorite easy side dishes. I rely on them any time I need a delicious side dish that cooks up quickly for busy weeknights or that feeds a crowd as the main course for special occasions. They’re foolproof and deliver amazing taste every time! Fingerling potatoes are also ideal for making in the air fryer because they’re already creamy and flavorful.
You need only a few simple ingredients and less than half an hour to make crispy fingerling potatoes in your air fryer that will rival any restaurant’s. You’ll never want to roast potatoes in the oven after you try these!
Fingerlings vs Regular Potatoes: What’s the Difference?
Fingerlings are often mistaken for “new potatoes” or “baby potatoes.” They’re actually their own variety of potato. When they naturally reach maturity, fingerlings remain small and narrow. The skin is so thin that there’s no need to peel them. Potato skin is where most of the nutrients are, as well as most of the texture you’re looking for in air fryer potato recipes.
| Feature | Traditional Oven Roasting | Air Fryer Method |
| Preheat Time | 10–15 Minutes | 2–3 Minutes |
| Cook Time | 35–45 Minutes | 15–20 Minutes |
| Oil Required | 2–3 Tablespoons | 1 Tablespoon |
| Texture | Soft with some crisp | Uniformly "fried" crunch |
Ingredients you need to make these air fryer fingerlings:
You don’t need much to make crispy fingerlings! The best thing about fingerlings are that their natural flavor is deliciously buttery without much effort. All they need are some quality ingredients to complement them.
Selecting Your Spuds:
Select firm skinned potatoes without green coloration or soft spots at the grocery store. “Russian Banana,” “French Fingerling,” and “Purple Majesty” are common options you may see. Feel free to mix and match potato colors – they not only create a beautiful plate, but each color has a slightly different flavor ranging from earthy and nutty to sweet.
Oil Options:
Fat is a Conductor of heat. While EVOO is a traditional fat to cook with, avocado oil is great to use in air fryer potato recipes too since it has a higher smoke point.
Air Fryer Fingerling Potato Cook Time Chart
| Potato Size | Temperature | Time | Result |
| Small/Whole | 400°F | 15 Mins | Soft interior, light crisp |
| Medium/Halved | 400°F | 18 Mins | Ultra-crisp edges |
| Large/Halved | 400°F | 22 Mins | Deep golden brown |
The Secret to Super Crispy Fingerling Potatoes
When cooking potatoes in the air fryer you may notice some recipes come out soggy, others crisp right up and have that glass-like crunch. There are really only two things that matter: moisture and airflow. Here are some pro tips to help you achieve that coveted “snap” when you bite into your crispy little potatoes.
1.Should I soak my potatoes?
Fingerlings are lower in starch than their large russet counterparts (aka French fry potatoes). That being said, if you have the time (about 15 extra minutes) patting your halved fingerlings completely dry after soaking them in cold water can make a world of difference. The water helps pull out surface starch.
Pro Tip: Make sure you pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Any moisture will cause them to steam in the air fryer.
2.For the crispiest potatoes don’t overcrowd the basket.
Air fryers work by flowing hot air around your food (think “convection”). When you overcrowd the basket your potatoes won’t cook evenly because the hot air can’t circulate around each potato.
Protip: Try to keep your potatoes in a single layer as best as possible.
3.Give the basket a good shake every 5 minutes.
We mentioned shaking the basket at the halfway point. But shaking every 5 minutes for the second half of cook time will ensure the crispiest, most even golden brown potato
Air Fryer Fingerling Potato Variation’s and Flavors
After learning how to make the basic recipe, play around with flavors. Fingerling potatoes are like a blank slate for spices from around the world and fresh herbs.
Garlic Parmesan Fingerlings
This hands down, is the most searched for recipe variation. Add the garlic during the last few minutes because it will burn (and turn bitter) if you don’t.
Instructions: Follow regular recipe.
With 3 minutes left in the cook time, toss in 2 tsp minced garlic and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Cook until melted and golden.
Lemon Herb and Rosemary
For Mediterranean flavors brighten your potatoes up with fresh rosemary. Rosemary is hardy compared to say parsley and won’t burn in the hot air fryer.
Ingredients needed: 1 sprig fresh rosemary (minced) and zest of 1/2 a lemon.
Instructions: Toss the rosemary with oil together at the start. Sprinkle the zest on after cooking. This helps keep those citrus oils nice and aromatic.
Loaded Air Fryer Potato Bites
Transform your fingerling potatoes into a loaded appetizer. Think of these as little appetizer sized “loaded potatoes”.
Potato Toppings: When cooked and crispy add a spoonful of sour cream, bacon bits and chives.
What to Serve with Crispy Potatoes
Air fryer fingerling potatoes are fancy enough to serve with steak but hearty enough to serve with almost any protein.
Steak and Chimichurri : Serve them alongside steak with chimichurri sauce. The acid will cut through the buttery potatoes.
Roasted Chicken : For Sunday dinner.
Grilled Salmon: Crispy potatoes are a great textural contrast to flaky salmon.
Arugula Salad: Toss warm potatoes into a bed of arugula with balsamic vinegar for a healthy lunch.
FAQ
I get questions about these crispy fingerling potatoes all the time. Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions to help you nail your side dish.
Should I peel fingerling potatoes?
Absolutely not! You never peel fingerling potatoes. The reason people love this variety is because the skin is thin enough to be delicate. It also provides the potatoes with a satisfying snap and contains all of the nutrients. Once you cook fingerling potatoes in the air fryer, the skin will be your favorite part because it gets crispy, salty, and golden.
Can you cook frozen fingerling potatoes in the air fryer?
Yes! Just keep in mind that because these potatoes are frozen, they will take longer. Increase your overall time to 22–25 minutes. Do not thaw your potatoes ahead of time. This will only make them mushy. Toss them in oil and seasoning while they’re still frozen, then place them in the preheated air fryer basket.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Storage: Allow your leftovers to cool then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.Reheating: The microwave will zap the crunch right out of these potatoes. Return them to the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes to crisp up the skin again.
My potatoes are still hard in the middle. What did I do wrong?
If your air fryer fingerling potatoes came out green on the outside but are still hard in the middle, your temperature was probably too high. Turn it down to 375°F (190°C) and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. You should also make sure to cut any potatoes in half that are significantly larger than your smallest potato.
Conclusion: Perfect Crispy Fingerling Potatoes In Air Fryer
Cooking elevated side dishes doesn’t have to be difficult; all it takes is a little know-how. Creating fingerling potatoes in air fryer is our favorite “low effort, high reward” recipe. Not only do fingerling potatoes taste amazing (better than your average russet potato), they are also smaller and easier to work with.
Because of their diminutive size and paper-thin skin the fryer works AMAZINGLY well with fingerlings. Convection creates a crispy, all over crunch that you just can’t get from your oven. Potatoes cooked in the oven tend to dry out or just don’t get crispy all the way around. Air frying allows you to get that coveted crispy exterior while maintaining that silky smooth creamy center.← That’s what every potato recipe dreams of.
Three Simple Steps.
Remember these three tips when air frying fingerling potatoes.
Keep Them Dry.
Any moisture on the skin will be replaced with steam. For that perfect “crack your teeth” texture, pat potatoes dry with a lint-free towel.
Choose the Right Fat.
For better results, go with an oil that stays stable at high temperatures. 400 degrees may not seem very hot to you and me, but it’s too hot for butter! We recommend avocado oil or light olive oil for the cooking process. Add your butter at the very end for extra crispy potatoes.
Don’t Crowd the Fryer.
This goes for cooking anything in the air fryer. For even cooking, make sure to only have one layer of potatoes. If you are cooking for the whole fam, split into batches.
Ready to impress your friends?
If you want to wow your family or guests with an easy side dish you can trust the air fryer to deliver. These crispy potatoes are guaranteed to be a favorite every time.
But before you go…
Comment below! Tried this recipe with garlic parmesan or plain salt? Share your results with us! 🙂
Pin It! We appreciate any help spreading the love. Save this recipe to Pinterest or share it with a friend who could use some help with their air fryer.
Subscribe! Want more pro tips and easy weeknight meals? Sign up for our newsletter for new recipes straight to your inbox.
No comments