Air Fryer Home Fries (Crispy Breakfast Potatoes)

Crispy and golden, these air fryer home fries are everything you could ever want from a breakfast potato. They cook up fast, turn perfectly tender inside, and pair with literally anything you’ve got on the plate. Tofu scramble? Burrito? Breakfast bowl? Yes, yes, and yes.
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Air fryer home fries with fresh herbs and red onion.
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There’s a kind of comfort only crispy breakfast potatoes can deliver—steaming hot, golden-edged, and perfectly seasoned. The kind that shows up next to your tofu scramble like a champ, carries a brunch plate like a pro, and disappears fast. These air fryer home fries do exactly that. They’re crisp without the need for deep-frying, tender that requires no fancy techniques, and built from the simplest ingredients you probably already have on hand.

The real trick with these potatoes is a quick steam before air frying—just enough to soften the center so the edges can develop maximum crunch. Tossed with paprika, garlic, and red onion, these home fries get that savory diner vibe with ease. Just a quick shake during the cook time is all that’s needed to ensure that these spuds shine. These are the kind of home fries that make any breakfast feel like it’s the weekend.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Home Fries

They’re crispy, golden, and wildly snackable—basically everything you want from breakfast potatoes without the fuss or mess. This recipe is quick to prep, easy to tweak, and hard to stop eating. Here are more reasons you’ll love them:

  • That crispy-soft contrast? This recipe nails it. A short steam softens the center, while the air fryer works its magic on the edges. You get that golden crunch outside and a pillowy bite inside. Pretty perfect if you ask us!
  • No oven, no babysitting. Just toss them in an air fryer basket and shake once. It’s the kind of set-it-and-walk-away side dish that turns pantry staples into something quietly impressive.
  • Big flavor that plays well with others. Garlic, paprika, and red onion bring enough flavor to hold their own but still vibe with whatever else is on the plate. Think vegan eggs, vegan chicken and waffles, or this easy breakfast sandwich.
  • Leftovers that don’t disappoint. A quick reheat in the air fryer snaps that crisp right back to perfection (if they make it that far).
  • They make breakfast feel like brunch. Pile them next to your favorite breakfast recipes or wrap them into a burrito—these are the potatoes that pull the whole plate together.
Ultra crispy home fries served on a white plate, golden and seasoned with paprika.

Key Ingredients

These home fries rely on just a handful of basics, but each one pulls its weight. The goal here is simple: crispy edges, tender centers, and built-in basic but bold flavor. Here’s what brings it all together:

Labeled ingredients for air-fried home fries, including baby potatoes, red onion, and seasonings.
  • Baby Potatoes: These cook quickly, steam evenly, and hold their shape better than larger varieties. Their thin skins get crispy in the air fryer, while the centers stay soft and fluffy. Pro Tip: If your baby potatoes are on the larger side, halve or quarter them to keep the texture consistent.
  • Red Onion: Adds sweetness and a little bite that balances the starchiness of the potatoes. As it roasts, it softens and caramelizes slightly—so you get a mix of tender bits and crispy edges in every bite.
  • Olive Oil: Just a touch helps the spices stick and encourages browning in the air fryer. It doesn’t just add flavor—it helps each potato heat more evenly and crisp up better by reducing surface moisture and improving heat transfer.
  • Paprika: Adds color and a subtle smoky-sweet flavor. You can use sweet, smoked, or regular—each type brings its own vibe.
  • Garlic Powder: Boosts that savory note without turning bitter (which raw garlic can sometimes do in the air fryer). It’s a pantry staple that does a lot with a little.
  • Salt & Black Pepper: This basic spice duo teams up to bring balance and brighten the other flavors. Season before cooking, then taste and adjust once they’re crisp.

Flavor Variations

Once you’ve got the base recipe down, these home fries are easy to adapt. Add a little heat, swap in some herbs, or toss in extras based on what’s in your fridge. Here are a few ways to mix it up:

  • Smoky Paprika Home Fries: Swap sweet paprika for smoked, then add a pinch of cumin or chipotle powder for extra depth. Finish with lime juice and chopped cilantro if you want a southwest-style twist.
  • Garlic Herb Home Fries: Add ½ teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme to the spice mix. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or chives after cooking for a fresh, brunchy vibe.
  • Spicy Breakfast Potatoes: Add a pinch of cayenne, chili powder, or red pepper flakes before air frying. Serve with hot sauce, sriracha, or your favorite spicy ketchup.
  • Cheesy Vegan Home Fries: Toss the cooked home fries with 1–2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast or this homemade vegan parm for a savory, cheesy flavor that clings to every crisp edge.
  • Loaded Veggie Home Fries: Add chopped bell peppers or sliced mushrooms halfway through air frying (once the potatoes have started to crisp up). They’ll roast alongside the potatoes, adding a little sweetness and depth while keeping everything golden and flavorful.

How to Make These Air Fryer Home Fries

This recipe keeps things simple, but delivers serious texture. A quick steam gives the potatoes that soft, fluffy center. The air fryer takes care of the edges—turning them golden, crisp, and irresistible in minutes. Here’s what you’ll do:

Step 1: Steam the Potatoes – Steam your baby potatoes until fork-tender—about 10 minutes on the stovetop or 5 minutes in the Instant Pot (manual high pressure + natural release). Let them cool just enough to handle. No need to peel—those skins are flavor gold.

Chopped baby potatoes and red onion in a mixing bowl, prepped for seasoning and air frying.

Step 2: Chop and Season – Cut the steamed potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Add them to a large bowl with chopped red onion, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Potatoes and red onions tossed with olive oil and spices, ready to go into the air fryer.

Toss gently until everything’s evenly coated and looking delicious.

An air fryer on a counter top.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer – While you’re seasoning, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. A hot basket gives the potatoes a head start on crisping—no soggy edges here.

Step 4: Air Fry Until Crisp – Add the potatoes and onions to the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, give the basket a shake, then air fry for another 6–8 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are tender.

Step 5: Serve and Devour – Serve with any breakfast favorite for a savory and comforting breakfast!

Quick Tips

Want crisp edges and tender centers every time? These quick tips take the guesswork out of air fryer home fries—just a few small tweaks = perfect texture and flavor:

  • Don’t skip the steam. It’s the secret to that soft-in-the-middle texture. Skip it and you’ll have undercooked centers and uneven crisping. Sad.
  • Cut size matters. Keep the chunks uniform so everything cooks evenly. Think “small but hearty”—about ¾ inch across.
  • Prep ahead to save time. Steam the potatoes 1–2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook. Let them sit at room temp before chopping so they brown more evenly.

Can I Make These in the Oven Instead?

Absolutely. The air fryer gives you fast, crispy results—but the oven works just as well if you have a little more time. Here’s what you’ll do:

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  • While it heats, steam the potatoes until fork-tender, then let them cool slightly and cut into chunks. (You can also steam the night before.)
  • Toss with oil, red onion, and seasonings, then spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined or silicone baking sheet.
  • Roast for 35–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are crisp and golden. The steam step helps the centers stay soft while the oven builds that golden crust.

How To Serve Air Fryer Home Fries

These home fries are endlessly versatile—crispy, savory, and the kind of side that quietly steals the spotlight. Serve them as-is, pile them high, or fold them into something to add a little extra carby goodness. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Stack them next to a vegan egg scramble. It’s the classic diner duo—crispy potatoes, soft scramble, and maybe a splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling bold.
  • Tuck them into a breakfast burrito. Wrap them up with sautéed veggies, hash brown waffles, vegan egg, or last night’s leftover beans. They work with whatever you’ve got.
  • Layer them into a breakfast bowl. Add avocado, greens, and a drizzle of tahini or green goddess dressing. Bonus points for pickled onions or tomatillo salsa to make it pop.
  • Use them as the base for loaded fries. Think vegan cheese, smoky tempeh, and a dollop of guac and plant-based sour cream. It’s perfect for brunch, but even better for brinner.
  • Keep it simple with toast and coffee. These shine on even the slowest mornings. Just you, a cozy plate, maybe some fresh fruit, and zero need to overthink it.

FAQs

Why soak potatoes in water before air frying?

Soaking raw potatoes helps remove surface starch, which can improve crispiness. But in this recipe, we skip the soak and steam them instead—softening the centers first so the air fryer can focus on crisping the edges.

How long do fries cook in the air fryer?

Fries typically cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 14–16 minutes. For this recipe, start with 8 minutes, shake the basket, then cook another 6–8 minutes until the potatoes are golden and crisp.

Should you boil potatoes before air frying them?

Boiling is one option, but steaming is quicker and just as effective. A short steam softens the centers, so the air fryer can crisp the edges without drying them out. No need to pre-boil—just steam, season, and cook.

If you make this air fryer home fries recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!

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Air Fryer Home Fries (Crispy Breakfast Potatoes)

5 from 10 votes
These crispy air fryer home fries are golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and wildly easy to love. Made with baby potatoes, red onion, and a simple seasoning blend, they crisp up beautifully in under 20 minutes. Serve them with a tofu scramble or pile them into a breakfast burrito—either way, they give weekend brunch energy, anytime.
Air fryer home fries with fresh herbs and red onion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • pounds baby potatoes, or 2 large potatoes
  • 1 small red onion
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, sweet, smoked, or regular
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Wash and scrub the potatoes. 
  • Steam potatoes in the microwave (all baby ones together or 1 large on high for 5 minutes), in a pot with a steamer basket (add 1 inch of water, add potatoes to basket, cover, bring to a boil, and let steam for about 10 minutes) or in the Instant Pot (5 minutes on high pressure followed by a natural release). 
  • Let the potatoes cool for about 5 minutes before cutting. 
  • While you’re waiting for the potatoes to cool down, remove the outside onion skin and roughly dice the onions. Place into a mixing bowl. 
  • Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. 
  • While the air fryer is heating up and when potatoes are cooled, cut the potatoes into medium-sized chunks. 
  • Add the potatoes to the onions in the mixing bowl, mix in the olive oil and spices. 
  • Add the potatoes and onions to the air fryer basket in a single layer, if possible, and cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. 
  • Stir the potatoes and onions and cook at the same temperature for another 6-8 minutes, or until desired crispiness.

Notes

Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge or freezer? These store beautifully. Pop leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days, or freeze in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container or silicone bag for up to 3 months.
  • How to reheat: Skip the microwave—just toss them straight into a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 5–8 minutes. They’ll crisp right back up like magic.

Recipe Swaps & Shortcuts

  • Oil-free option: You can skip the oil or use a quick spritz before air frying. They’ll still crisp around the edges, but expect a lighter texture and less browning overall. For best results, keep the pieces small and don’t skip the steam step—it helps the inside stay soft without drying out.
  • Sensitive to spice? Stick with salt, pepper, and garlic powder—or go totally plain and season after cooking.
  • Make-ahead tip: Steam your potatoes 1–2 days in advance and stash them in the fridge. Let them come to room temp before chopping so they brown evenly in the air fryer.
  • No onions? No problem. Swap in chopped bell pepper or mushrooms, or sprinkle with fresh herbs like rosemary after cooking.
  • Small air fryer? Cook in batches. If the basket’s too full, the potatoes will steam instead of crisp. Give them space to breathe.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 778mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg
Course — Side
Cuisine — American
Love this Recipe? Leave a Rating!And follow @Vegan on Instagram for more.

Thank you to our recipe testers for these homestyle fries, Kristen Sinch, Anandee Seshradi and Melanie Swanson!

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5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




9 comments
  1. 5 stars
    I’ve never made home fries in the air fryer before, but this recipe has me excited to give it a try!!

  2. 5 stars
    potatoes always hit the spot for me. love how easy these yummy fries are to make in the air fryer!!

  3. 5 stars
    You had me at the photos definitely got to try these out

  4. 5 stars
    I’ll be making these for my husband often since he’s a huge potato fanatic! Pairs so well with the World of Vegan tofu scramble.

  5. 5 stars
    Simple and delicious, and healthier! Perfect!

  6. 5 stars
    Thrilled to be able to share this recipe with the WOV family! It’s a staple recipe in our house, especially on a lazy weekend morning. Enjoy!

  7. 5 stars
    These are perfect! Crispy and so delicious 🙂

  8. 5 stars
    love a good potato air fryer dish! so crisp and easy to make!

  9. 5 stars
    These home fries came out perfectly crispy in the air fryer! And I love how fast they are to make!

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