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My air fryer home fries are crisp and golden on the outside and light and fluffy in the center. Now you can have diner-style home fries in 20 minutes!
Love making side dishes in the air fryer? Try my air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer cauliflower, and air fryer asparagus next.
One of my treats has always been grabbing breakfast at my local diner. Over the years, my order has never changed: two over-medium eggs, toast, bacon, and home fries.
While I still look forward to visiting my favorite diner, I have been craving home fries for a WHILE. So, I started making them in the air fryer, and now I can have them whenever I want!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- They’re healthier. For an entire basket of home fries, we use only two tablespoons of oil.
- Easy to customize. I stuck with my tried-and-true seasoning blend, but of course, you can customize your home fries however you like. Keep reading for some suggestions!
- Fast and quick. From prep to plate, they’re done in just over 20 minutes.
- The perfect texture. Like regular home fries, they’re super crispy on the outside but surprisingly tender on the inside.
Ingredients needed
- Russet potatoes. These are the best potatoes for any kind of fries because they’re moist yet starchy, giving them a gorgeous crispy texture.
- Olive oil. Just a dash to get them extra crispy. Butter or ghee also works.
- Italian seasoning. My preferred seasoning blend.
- Smoked paprika. For smokiness.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
How to make air fryer home fries
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep the potatoes. Peel the potatoes, then dice them into 1/2-inch cubes.
Step 2- Season. Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, add the seasonings, and mix well.
Step 3- Air fry. Add a single layer to the air fryer basket and air fry at 200C/400F for 20-22 minutes, shaking the basket periodically. Repeat until all of the potatoes are cooked.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Air fry in batches. My #1 tip for any air fryer recipe is to cook in batches. Each potato slice must have equal access to the heat so it gets maximum crispiness.
- Use different potatoes. While I prefer the texture of russets, I’ve also been known to use Yukon gold potatoes, baby potatoes, red potatoes, or even sweet potatoes in a pinch.
- Don’t forget the sauce. Try my sugar-free ketchup, sugar-free BBQ sauce, or spicy mayo!
Variations
- Add peppers and onions. Every diner has its own style, but mine always serves home fries with finely chopped onions and bell peppers. If you go this route, toss them in with the potatoes and seasonings before air frying.
- Switch up the spices. Swap the Italian seasonings for garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Garnish. Top the potatoes with fresh chives or parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover breakfast potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze: Let the potatoes cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to three months.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in an air fryer, preheated oven, or microwave until warm.
Frequently asked questions
Potatoes can be soaked in cold water before air-frying to remove excess starch and help them crisp up, though I’ve never found that necessary for this recipe.
Your fries might not get crispy if they’re too moist, overlap in the basket, or are undercooked. To remedy this, pat dry the potatoes with a kitchen towel, add them in a single layer, and continue cooking until they’re crispy.
Yes, frozen potatoes can be used, but you’ll want to increase the air frying time by at least 5 minutes.
More air fryer potato recipes
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Air fryer French fries
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Air fryer smashed potatoes
- Air fryer potato wedges
- Air fryer baked sweet potato
- Air fryer potato chips
- Air fryer hash browns
Air Fryer Home Fries
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes then dice them into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, add the seasonings, and mix well.
- Add a single layer to the air fryer basket and at 200C/400F for 15 minutes, shaking a couple of times throughout.
I really like sweet-savoury foods. What do you think if I put cinnamon on potatoes?
Okay, Arman- these are TOO delicious for words. So ultra crispy.
Thanks, Hosaanah!
These are SO yummy and easy to make- they taste even better than my local diner!!
Thanks, Orlinda!
Easy to make. I was making fries in air fryer very often.
Do you ever leave the skin on the potatoes?
Thank you for all.of your amazing recipes and ideas!
Yes! I often do that when I am lazy haha!
Friends! My air fryer home fries recipe tastes EXACTLY like the ones you’d find at a diner 🙂 I tested this recipe countless times to make sure it was just as good.