Air Fryer Magic: Potatoes, Yams, Veggies
Air frying is a great way to achieve crispy and delicious results with vegetables and potatoes without excessive oil. You can use any air fryer on the market. They are super handy because they heat quickly and efficiently. We like the Ninja because it has two drawers. Some ovens or toaster ovens will even have an air fryer built in.
Here's how to air fry vegetables and potatoes:
Ingredients:
Assorted vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)
Potatoes (russet, sweet potatoes, or any variety suitable for frying)
Olive oil or cooking spray
Salt, pepper, and optional seasonings (such as garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme)
Steps:
1. Prepping the Vegetables:
Wash, peel, and chop the vegetables into even-sized pieces. You can cut potatoes into wedges, cubes, or thin slices, depending on your preference.
2. Prepping the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for the specific vegetable or potato type you're cooking. Generally, for vegetables, it's around 350-400°F (175-200°C), and for potatoes, it's around 375-400°F (190-200°C).
3. Seasoning:
In a mixing bowl, toss the vegetables or potatoes with a small amount of olive oil or spray them with cooking spray. This helps the seasoning adhere and promotes crispiness.
Season the vegetables and potatoes with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Common choices include garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or thyme.
4. Air Frying:
Spread the seasoned vegetables or potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which could result in uneven cooking.
Cook the vegetables or potatoes according to the following general guidelines, adjusting as needed based on your air fryer's settings:
Vegetables: 8-15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the vegetables halfway through for even cooking. Cooking times vary depending on the type and size of vegetables.
Potatoes: 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the potatoes halfway through for even cooking. Cooking times vary based on the size and thickness of the potato pieces.
5. Checking for Doneness:
Test for doneness by inserting a fork into the vegetables or potatoes. They should be tender inside and crispy outside.
6. Serving:
Once cooked, transfer the vegetables or potatoes to a serving dish and enjoy immediately. You can also sprinkle some additional seasoning on top if desired.
Recipe Idea: Air-Fried Seasoned Potato Wedges
Ingredients:
2 large russet potatoes, washed and cut into wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, toss the potato wedges with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Place the seasoned potato wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for about 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the wedges halfway through.
Check for doneness; the potato wedges should be crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside.
Serve the air-fried potato wedges hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Air frying vegetables and potatoes is a healthier alternative to traditional frying while still delivering crispy and flavorful results. It's a versatile cooking method that can be easily customized to your preferences.
