Name: Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

These crispy, golden Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes are a game-changer for your morning routine. Perfectly seasoned, deliciously crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these potatoes come together in just 25 minutes. They’re the ideal sidekick to your eggs, bacon, or avocado toast, giving you that restaurant-quality breakfast experience without leaving your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Hassle-Free: These potatoes cook up in just 15 minutes in the air fryer – no need to wait for the oven to preheat or deal with splattering oil on the stovetop.
Perfectly Crispy: The air fryer creates that irresistible golden exterior while keeping the inside tender and fluffy – the holy grail of breakfast potatoes!
Customize to Your Taste: The basic seasoning blend is just the starting point. You can easily adjust the flavors to match whatever you’re craving.
Healthier Option: Using an air fryer means you get all that delicious crispiness with significantly less oil than traditional methods.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Yukon Gold potatoes: These have the perfect starch content for crispy exteriors and creamy interiors. Their natural buttery flavor makes them ideal for breakfast potatoes.
Olive oil: Helps the potatoes crisp up beautifully while adding a subtle flavor. Just a quarter cup does the trick!
Salt and pepper: The foundation of good seasoning – never skip these basics.
Paprika: Adds a gorgeous color and mild, sweet peppery flavor that’s perfect for morning potatoes.
Onion powder: Delivers savory onion flavor without the prep work or tears.
Garlic powder: Provides that aromatic garlic taste that pairs beautifully with potatoes without overpowering your morning palate.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Try these delicious twists:

Southwest Style: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cumin and a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
Herb Garden: Toss in 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary or thyme before air frying.
Loaded Breakfast Potatoes: After cooking, top with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions.
Mediterranean Version: Sprinkle with dried oregano and finish with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley.

How to Make Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While it’s heating up, dice your potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Keeping them uniform ensures they’ll cook evenly.

Step 2: Season the Potatoes

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Toss everything together until each potato piece is evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket, giving them some breathing room. Cook for 15-20 minutes, pausing halfway through to shake the basket. This ensures all sides get that perfect golden crispness.

Step 4: Serve Hot

Once your potatoes have reached golden-brown perfection, transfer them to a serving dish and enjoy immediately while they’re at their crispiest.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Soak in Cold Water: For extra crispiness, soak your diced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking. This removes excess starch. Just be sure to dry them thoroughly afterward.
Don’t Overcrowd: If cooking for a crowd, work in batches. Overcrowding the basket will steam rather than crisp your potatoes.
Consistent Cutting: Try to cut your potato pieces as uniformly as possible for even cooking.
Preheating Matters: Always preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes. This gives you that immediate sear that helps with crisping.
Check Early: All air fryers are different – start checking for doneness around the 12-minute mark your first time making these.

How to Serve

These crispy breakfast potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with:

Morning Classics

Serve alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, or your favorite breakfast sandwich.

Brunch Favorites

Create a breakfast bowl with these potatoes as the base, topped with a fried egg, avocado slices, and fresh herbs.

Dipping Options

Offer ketchup, hot sauce, aioli, or a quick homemade sour cream and chive dip on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They make great quick additions to breakfast burritos or hash later in the week.

Freezing

You can freeze these potatoes after cooking! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For maximum crispiness, reheat frozen or refrigerated potatoes in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but won’t maintain the crispy texture.

FAQs

Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Yukon Golds offer that perfect balance of waxy and starchy, russet potatoes will give you extra fluffy interiors. Red potatoes work well too, with a more buttery flavor and firmer texture. Just adjust cooking time slightly as needed – starchier potatoes may cook a bit faster.

My potatoes aren’t getting crispy enough. What am I doing wrong?
The number one culprit is overcrowding. When potatoes are too close together, they steam rather than crisp. Try cooking in smaller batches. Also, make sure your potatoes are completely dry after washing, as excess moisture prevents crisping. Lastly, check that your air fryer is actually reaching the proper temperature – some models may need extra preheating time.

Can I make these breakfast potatoes without oil?
While some oil helps achieve that golden crispiness, you can reduce it to just 1-2 tablespoons. For completely oil-free, try spritzing the potatoes with a little vegetable broth or using parchment paper liners in your air fryer basket, though the texture won’t be quite the same.

Do I need to peel the potatoes first?
Not at all! The peels add extra texture and nutrients. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly. If you prefer peeled potatoes, go ahead and remove the skins – the recipe works beautifully either way.

These Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes will transform your morning routine with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The perfect combination of crispy exteriors and tender centers, along with that customizable seasoning blend, makes these potatoes irresistible any day of the week. Whether paired with eggs or enjoyed on their own, they’re sure to become a breakfast staple in your home. Give them a try this weekend – your breakfast plate (and family) will thank you!