If you’re craving a crispy, flavorful start to your day, this Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine bite-sized chunks of russet potatoes, perfectly golden and seasoned with a delightful blend of garlic, paprika, and onion powder, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer. It’s not only an absolute treat for your taste buds but also a quick and easy way to make any breakfast feel a little more special. Whether you’re hosting weekend brunch or just want a simple, energizing side, these potatoes bring home that irresistible combination of crispy edges and tender insides that everyone loves.

Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a handful of simple ingredients, each chosen to bring out the best in your potatoes. They’re staples you likely already have, and together they create a perfect balance of crispiness, flavor, and aroma that’s hard to resist.
- 4 medium russet potatoes: The ideal potato for frying thanks to their starchy texture, ensuring fluffy insides and crispy outsides.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds the perfect amount of moisture and helps the seasonings stick while contributing subtle richness.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Offers a warm, savory fragrance that pairs beautifully with potatoes.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Gives a mild smoky sweetness and a lovely golden color.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures each bite is perfectly seasoned.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Adds a gentle depth of flavor reminiscent of caramelized onions without the fuss.
How to Make Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Air Fryer Basket
Start by giving your air fryer basket a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray. This simple step ensures your potatoes won’t stick, allowing them to crisp up beautifully without any hassle when you’re ready to toss or remove them.
Step 2: Chop Your Potatoes
Peel the russet potatoes and chop them into evenly sized ¾-inch pieces. Consistent size is key here to achieve uniform cooking, so every piece gets that perfect crispy edge and soft center.
Step 3: Coat Potatoes With Olive Oil
Place your potato chunks in a large mixing bowl, then drizzle with olive oil. Give them a good toss so every bite has that lovely light coating, which helps with even browning and flavor absorption during cooking.
Step 4: Season the Potatoes
Sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and onion powder over the potatoes. Stir well until all the potatoes are generously covered in the seasoning blend. This step is where you build that crave-worthy flavor, so don’t be shy with your stirring to ensure every piece is seasoned well.
Step 5: Arrange in Air Fryer Basket
Pour the seasoned potatoes into the prepared air fryer basket, spreading them out evenly to give the hot air plenty of room to circulate. Overcrowding can lead to soggy spots, so make sure they’re in a single layer as much as possible.
Step 6: Cook at 400°F
Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the potatoes for a total of 20 minutes. To get that perfect golden crisp, pause at the halfway mark to stir the potatoes—this encourages even cooking and browning on all sides.
Step 7: Test for Doneness
Once the timer goes off, pierce a few potato chunks with a fork to check tenderness. They should be soft on the inside but still hold their shape, with a satisfyingly crispy exterior. If you feel they need a bit more time, pop them back in for a few extra minutes.
Step 8: Serve Hot and Enjoy
The final step is the best part: serving these warm, golden bites fresh from the fryer. Their irresistible aroma and texture make them perfect right off the air fryer, ready to complement your favorite breakfast.
How to Serve Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes
Top your crispy potatoes with chopped fresh parsley or chives for a pop of bright green color and fresh flavor. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or a dollop of sour cream also adds a creamy richness that pairs beautifully with the smoky, savory seasoning.
Side Dishes
This Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe naturally pairs with classic breakfast staples like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or fluffy pancakes. They also serve as an excellent side for a hearty avocado toast or alongside a fresh vegetable omelet to round out your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Shake things up by serving these potatoes in rustic cast iron skillets right at the table for a cozy breakfast vibe. Or use them as a crunchy base for breakfast bowls topped with sautéed greens, eggs, and a drizzle of hot sauce. They’re even great wrapped in a warm tortilla with eggs and cheese for a breakfast burrito twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover breakfast potatoes, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for up to 3 days, making them a great option for quick breakfasts later in the week.
Freezing
While freezing these potatoes is possible, it’s best to freeze them after cooking and cooling. Spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. This prevents clumping and makes it easier to reheat just the amount you need.
Reheating
To bring your breakfast potatoes back to life, use the air fryer again or an oven set to 350°F, reheating them for about 5–7 minutes until crispy and warm inside. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that desirable crisp texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While russet potatoes are great for their texture, Yukon golds or red potatoes can also work well. Just keep in mind that the cooking time might vary slightly based on the potato type and size of the pieces.
Do I need to soak the potatoes before cooking?
Soaking can reduce starch and help with crispiness, but for this Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe, it’s optional. Simply drying the potatoes well after peeling and chopping will give you a nice crunch.
Can I add other spices or herbs?
Definitely! Feel free to mix things up with rosemary, thyme, chili powder, or even a pinch of cayenne for some heat. Experimenting with seasoning is part of the fun.
Is it necessary to stir the potatoes halfway through cooking?
Yes, stirring is important to ensure the potatoes cook evenly and develop that uniform golden brown texture all around. It only takes a moment and makes a big difference.
What size should I chop the potatoes?
Chopping into uniform ¾-inch pieces helps the potatoes cook evenly and achieve the perfect balance of crispy outside and tender inside. Larger chunks might require longer cooking times.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe is the kind of dish that brings joy to your morning plate with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Crispy, well-seasoned, and quick to prepare, it’s a breakfast side that everyone will ask for again and again. Give it a try and watch how these golden little bites transform your breakfast routine into something spectacular.
Print
Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes are a perfect side dish to start your day. Tossed in a blend of garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder, then air fried to golden perfection, they make a quick and delicious addition to any breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 medium russet potatoes
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the basket of an air fryer with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Chop Potatoes: Peel the russet potatoes and chop them into ¾-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Coat Potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss them with olive oil to coat all pieces evenly.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, and onion powder over the potatoes and stir to ensure each piece is well seasoned.
- Load Air Fryer: Pour the seasoned potatoes into the greased air fryer basket in a single layer for optimal crispiness.
- Cook Potatoes: Air fry the potatoes at 400°F for 20 minutes. Halfway through cooking, stir the potatoes to promote even browning and crispiness.
- Check Doneness: Test the potatoes with a fork to ensure they are tender and cooked through before removing.
- Serve: Serve the potatoes hot as a delicious side dish to your breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- You can customize the seasoning to your taste by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- Russet potatoes work best due to their starchy texture, but Yukon Gold potatoes can be used as an alternative.
- Make sure to stir halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning.

