Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions are a delightful side dish that combines crispy potatoes and tender onions, making them perfect for any meal. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or preparing a quick weeknight meal, this recipe offers a blend of flavors that everyone will love. The use of an air fryer not only speeds up the cooking process but also ensures that the potatoes achieve that coveted golden brown crust without excessive oil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 26 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful Seasoning: A simple blend of spices enhances the taste of the potatoes and onions, elevating your dish with minimal effort.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pair these air fryer potatoes and onions with meats, fish, or serve them as part of a vegetarian spread.
- Healthier Option: Cooking in an air fryer reduces the amount of oil needed compared to traditional frying methods.
- Perfect Texture: Enjoy crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors with each bite of these deliciously seasoned potatoes.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the cooking process, it’s essential to gather your tools. The right equipment will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Tongs or spatula
Importance of Each Tool
- Air fryer: The star of the show! It cooks food quickly while giving it a crispy texture without deep frying.
- Mixing bowl: Necessary for tossing ingredients together evenly before cooking.
- Tongs or spatula: Ideal for safely shaking or flipping your ingredients during cooking.
Ingredients
To make these Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (divided (3 teaspoons))
- 3 cups cubed russet potatoes (1 inch cubes)
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (¾ to 1 inch pieces) (1 medium onion)
How to Make Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Step 1: Prepare Your Seasoning
- Stir together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Set aside for later use.
Step 2: Coat the Potatoes
- Place the cubed russet potatoes in a medium mixing bowl.
- Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Reserve ¼ teaspoon of the seasoning blend for the onions. Sprinkle the remaining seasoning blend over the potatoes and toss again.
Step 3: Cook the Potatoes
- Place seasoned potatoes in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 390 degrees F for about 7 minutes.
Step 4: Add Onions
- While the potatoes are cooking, take another mixing bowl and add the chopped yellow onion.
- Drizzle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle with reserved seasoning blend and toss again until well coated.
Step 5: Combine and Finish Cooking
- After cooking the potatoes for 7 minutes, add the seasoned onions to the air fryer basket.
- Shake the basket gently (or use tongs) to combine everything.
- Cook for an additional 7 to 9 minutes or until both potatoes are golden brown and onions are tender.
Step 6: Serve Hot
If you are doubling this recipe:
1. Once all batches are cooked, place everything back into the air fryer basket for an additional 1 to 2 minutes at high heat to warm through before serving.
These Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions make a wonderful addition to any meal! Enjoy!
How to Serve Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions make a versatile side dish that pairs well with many meals. Here are some delicious ways to serve them.
With Grilled Meats
- Chicken: The crispy texture complements grilled chicken beautifully.
- Steak: Pair with a juicy steak for a hearty meal.
- Pork Chops: The flavors of potatoes and onions enhance the savory notes of pork.
In Breakfast Dishes
- With Eggs: Serve alongside scrambled or fried eggs for a filling breakfast.
- Breakfast Burrito: Add potatoes and onions to a burrito for extra flavor.
- Omelettes: Mix into your omelette for a delightful twist.
As Part of a Salad
- Warm Potato Salad: Toss into a warm salad with greens and vinaigrette.
- Mixed Greens: Top mixed greens with potatoes and onions for added texture.
As Snacks
- With Dips: Serve with sour cream, ranch, or your favorite dip for snacking.
- Tacos: Use as a filling in soft or hard-shell tacos for a tasty treat.
How to Perfect Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
To achieve the best flavor and texture from your Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions, follow these tips.
- Choose the right potatoes: Russet potatoes provide the perfect balance of fluffiness inside and crispiness outside.
- Cut evenly: Ensure all potato cubes are similar in size for consistent cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer: This helps achieve that perfect golden brown finish on your potatoes.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cooking in batches allows hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking.
- Toss halfway through cooking: Give the basket a shake or use tongs to toss the ingredients to promote even browning.
- Experiment with spices: Feel free to add herbs or spices to suit your taste preferences.
Best Side Dishes for Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions can be complemented by many side dishes. Here are some great options.
- Grilled Vegetables: Charred veggies add color and nutrients to your plate.
- Coleslaw: A crunchy slaw balances the warm, hearty potatoes nicely.
- Baked Beans: Sweet baked beans harmonize well with the savory flavors of this dish.
- Corn on the Cob: Fresh corn adds sweetness and is perfect for summer meals.
- Caesar Salad: A refreshing Caesar salad contrasts well with warm potatoes and onions.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These provide an earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the dish.
- Macaroni Salad: Creamy macaroni salad complements the crispiness of air-fried ingredients.
- Garlic Bread: Crunchy garlic bread is always a hit at the dinner table!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions, it’s easy to trip up. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Skipping the seasoning – Not seasoning your potatoes and onions can lead to bland flavors. Make sure to mix your spices thoroughly before coating your veggies for maximum taste.
Crowding the air fryer – Overloading the basket can prevent even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure that each piece gets crispy and cooked perfectly.
Not preheating the air fryer – Failing to preheat can result in uneven cooking. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature a few minutes before adding your ingredients.
Using the wrong type of potato – Some potatoes don’t crisp well in an air fryer. Stick with russet or Yukon gold potatoes for the best results.
Ignoring cooking time – Cooking times can vary based on the size of your potato cubes. Check regularly and adjust as needed for perfectly cooked potatoes and onions.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
- Make sure the dish has cooled completely before sealing it to prevent moisture buildup.
Freezing Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
- Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag.
- They can be stored for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
Reheating Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
- Oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spread the potatoes and onions on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave – Heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method may make them less crispy.
- Stovetop – Sauté in a non-stick pan over medium heat until heated through, which helps retain some crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions.
How do I make Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions crispy?
To achieve crispy results, ensure you’re using enough oil and not overcrowding the basket. Shake or toss halfway through cooking.
Can I use other types of onions?
Yes! You can experiment with red, white, or sweet onions to change the flavor profile of your Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions.
What is the best way to cut the potatoes?
Cutting russet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes ensures even cooking throughout your dish of Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to add bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini alongside your Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions for a colorful mix.
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions are a delightful side dish that combines crispy texture with comforting flavors. This recipe is versatile—customize it with your favorite herbs or additional vegetables for a unique twist. Enjoy experimenting with this amazing dish!
PrintAir Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions are the ultimate comfort food, combining crispy, golden potatoes with tender, flavorful onions. This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a family dinner or whipping up a quick weeknight meal. The air fryer ensures that your potatoes achieve that coveted crunch without excessive oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can enjoy this delicious side dish in no time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately four people
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed russet potatoes (1 inch)
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine cubed potatoes with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly then add three-quarters of the seasoning blend.
- Place seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 390°F for 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, coat the chopped onions with the remaining olive oil and reserved seasoning blend in another bowl.
- Add the seasoned onions to the air fryer after the potatoes have cooked for 7 minutes. Shake gently to combine and cook for an additional 7 to 9 minutes until both are golden brown and tender.
- Serve hot as a delightful side dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
