These Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and have the perfect cheesy, garlicky flavor that makes them addictive! 

If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish to put together with minimum ingredients, this recipe is just perfect. All you’ll need is some potatoes, your favorite seasonings, a few minutes of kitchen time and your trusty Air Fryer- that’s it! 

Serving Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes with dipping sauce on the side.
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If you haven’t guessed it already, I love using my Air Fryer whenever I can. Over the years, I have experimented with and perfected a LOT of Air Fryer recipes

On days when I’m not in the mood to spend too much time and effort into cooking, I simply turn to one of those recipes. 

It’s almost always my Air Fryer garlic butter green beans or my Air Fryer ranch carrots, and sometimes my low carb Air Fryer broccoli

This time, I wanted to try something more hearty and comforting, and of course, I had to pick potatoes! 

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • Super crispy:  If you love the crunch of deep fried potatoes, this recipe offers that perfect texture, with minimum oil, which makes it healthier! 
  • Versatile: Play around with the seasonings and spices to enjoy different versions of these Air Fryer cheesy potatoes. 
  • Crowd pleaser: You can pair these potatoes with pretty much anything you like. They have a delicious savory flavor which makes them a total hit with everyone in the family, and also when you’re hosting a house party.  

Ingredients For the Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients For the Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes Recipe on wooden table.
  • Russet potatoes: Russet potatoes have a higher starch content, which makes them perfect for this recipe. They’ll have that fluffy interior and crispy exterior when you air fry them, which is exactly what you need. I used baby potatoes here, but you could use regular sized potatoes too, if that’s what you have. 
  • Olive oil: To help the potatoes crisp up nicely, and will also help the seasonings stick to the potatoes. Use refined olive oil or check out this list of oils to use in your Air Fryer and pick one that you have at hand. 
  • Parmesan cheese: While pre-shredded Parmesan cheese might make things quicker, I would highly recommend freshly grating the cheese, for that perfect flavor and melty deliciousness. 
  • Herbs and seasonings: I used a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, some black pepper, paprika and kosher salt here. .

Variations & Substitutions

To lend the Air Fryer Parmesan potatoes a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika in the seasonings mix. 

Try different seasoning mixes you have at hand to enjoy different flavors. I love using my homemade Old Bay seasoning sometimes (wacky, I know!), or just some of my classic French fry seasoning

Make these Air Fryer potatoes vegan by using dairy-free cheese or some nutritional yeast instead of the Parmesan cheese. 

How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes

Potatoes sliced and seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan, ready for air frying.

Prep: To make Parmesan potatoes in the Air Fryer, start by preheating your Air Fryer basket at 400 degrees F, and washing and scrubbing your potatoes to remove all the dirt. 

Prep potatoes: Pat the potatoes dry with paper towels and cut them in halves or bite sized cubes. Add them all to a large mixing bowl. 

Season time: Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes along with all the seasonings, and toss until all the potatoes are well coated. 

Potato slices being arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Add the Air fry potatoes: Add the potatoes to the Air Fryer basket in a single layer and cook them for 15-20 minutes or until they have a crispy, golden brown exterior. 

Cheese time: Transfer the potatoes back into the mixing bowl, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss again. 

Serve: Garnish with some chopped parsley if you want to, and serve immediately. 

Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes plated with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra parmesan.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Perfect Parmesan Potatoes in Air Fryer

  • Top the potatoes with fresh herbs towards the end, right before you serve. Adding them in too early will cause them to burn. 
  • To get the perfect evenly cooked and crispy potatoes, make sure you chop the potatoes such that they’re roughly the same size. 
  • Avoid overcrowding the Air Fryer basket with too many potatoes. Leave a little room between the potatoes for the hot air to flow through the basket and get the potatoes crispy. 
  • Make sure you remove all the moisture from the surface of the potatoes, and get them completely dry. The moisture  can create steam inside the Air Fryer, which will cause the potatoes to get soft and soggy.
Serving Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes with dipping sauce on the side.

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigeration: You store your leftovers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Simply transfer them to an airtight container, and pop it in! 
  • Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing your leftover Parmesan potatoes. The process of freezing and thawing them can ruin their crispy texture. 
  • Reheating: You can reheat the potatoes in the Air Fryer or the microwave. I would recommend using the Air Fryer to get that nice crispiness back again. 

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

These crispy air fried Parmesan potatoes are the perfect hearty side dish to any meaty dish. I love pairing these with my Blackstone beef and broccoli and my Salisbury steak and gravy

On days when I’m really craving for some comfort food, I turn to my all time favorite Cracker Barrel Sunday Homestyle chicken recipe, and pair it with these garlicky, cheesy, air fried potatoes. 

Sometimes, I also serve these crispy potatoes as a snack, paired sauces like Fireball BBQ sauce, Copycat Popeye’s tartar sauce, or even just some Mc Donald’s copycat sweet and sour sauce

FAQs

Can I use another kind of potato for this recipe? Yes, you can! Choose from varieties like Yukon Gold, baby potatoes, or even red potatoes, to enjoy a slightly different texture and flavor.

Can I remove the skin on the potatoes? You can! I kept the peels on, because I love their texture after the potatoes are air fried. 

Can I make Parmesan potatoes in the oven? To make these in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. You can then cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes have a crispy skin on the outside, and are fork tender.

Can I double this recipe? Absolutely! All you’ll need to do is adjust the quantities of the ingredients accordingly to serve a larger group.

Close-up of air fryer displaying temperature and cook time for Parmesan Potatoes.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes

Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

CRISPY & EASY with just 5 ingredients! These roasted potatoes are a family favorite because they’re so simple to make, and everyone loves them. The crunchy Parmesan bits add a delicious texture, and they pair well with almost any main dish. Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal prep, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Potatoes are the perfect side! Plus, they’re vegetarian and gluten-free

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups potatoes, Baby potatoes, Russet potatoes, etc.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and scrub the russet potatoes to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes or wedges.
  • Season the Potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, add the potato cubes or wedges. Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, ensuring they are well coated.
  • Add the Seasonings: Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper over the potatoes. Toss the potatoes in the bowl to evenly distribute the seasonings.
  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
  • Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the seasoned potato cubes or wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the potatoes halfway through for even cooking. The potatoes should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
  • Add Parmesan Cheese: Once the potatoes are done, transfer them back to the mixing bowl. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the hot potatoes and toss gently to coat them with the cheese.
  • Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish the Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve immediately as a delectable side dish or appetizer.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 336mgPotassium: 612mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 1mg

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