How to Make Air Fryer Home Fries Three Ways
I love my air fryer and as a family we use it probably 5 out of 7 days a week. Most of that is making toast (yes, it's the bomb for buttered toast) or warming up leftovers in an actual oven environment instead of a microwave. BUT this week, after seeing an Instagram of perfectly golden home fries made in an Air Fryer, I instantly thought of one of my favorite Spanish tapas, Patatas Bravas which are basically Spain's answer to home fries. Once I got that idea into my head though, other ideas starting rushing in until I decided that I must do Air Fryer Home Fries three ways rather than just the basic way.
How to Make Air Fryer Home Fries
The most basic method for making air fryer potatoes is to cut potatoes into 1" chunks, toss with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Arrange in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer and set the temp to 400 degrees then the time to 7 minutes (this allows 2 minutes of warmup time and 5 minutes of roasting). After that, remove the basket and shake the potatoes around until they have all been turned. Feeling OCD? Use a fork or tongs to intentionally turn them all. I am way to flighty to do that and just shake away. Set the time for another 5 minutes and return the basket to the air fryer. Shake again then cook for another 5 minutes. At this point, you should have perfectly golden brown home fries ready to eat as they are or make into any of the three creations below.
Tex-Mex Home Fries
Air Fryer Home Fries Three Ways
Ranch Style Home Fries - During the last 5 minute air fryer sesh add chopped peppers and onion. Top the home fries with homemade ranch dressing, green onions and if you're feeling really extra, add some crumbled bacon and cheese. (Sidebar...if you want the cheese melted, add it just after they come out of air fryer.)
Patatas Bravas - This is what got me to write this post. In Spain they come with a red sauce that is redolent with smoked paprika and sometimes a second sauce of garlic aioli (mayo) but I combined the two into a smoked paprika and pepper sauce mayo. Whether the sauce is drizzled over the top or served with a dish for dunking as you go, these Patatas Bravas are the easiest and most inexpensive appetizer you can make for a party. (Call them by this name and people will forget they are eating home fries for a snack.)
Tex-Mex Home Fries - I could eat this almost every day. When I'm doing a Whole30, these are a good sub for nachos while watching a movie or game. Top the home fries with ground meat seasoned with my Homemade Taco Seasoning, (amped up veggie note...add finely chopped mushrooms and onions when cooking the meat) salsa, pickled veggies, and more of that homemade ranch dressing. I added a side salad to counterbalance the meat on fries situation and of course avocado, too. You can definitely add cheese and sour cream if you're really wanting to get your Tex-Mex on.
Air Fryer Home Fries Three Ways
Ingredients
- 1 lb russet potatoes, cut into 1" chunks
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
- black pepper
- 1/2 cup red and/or green bell pepper, chopped about 1/2" pieces
- 1/2 cup red or yellow onion, chopped about 1/2" pieces
- Cheese, optional
- Homemade Ranch Dressing (or your favorite real food version)
- Green onions, thinly sliced
- Bacon pieces, optional
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 tbsp hot sauce (I used Valentina, but Cholula or Franks would work, too)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Green Onions, thinly sliced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 lb cremini mushrooms, finely chopped, optional
- 1/2 cup yellow or red onion, finely chopped, optional
- 1/4 cup Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- Toppings of choice: salsa, pickled jalapenos or veggies, homemade ranch dressing, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, green onions, cilantro
Instructions
- Toss the potatoes with a tablespoon or two of EVOO. Toss again with sea salt and black pepper.
- Place in air fryer basket in an even layer and turn air fryer to 400 degrees and set timer for 7 minutes.
- When timer goes off, shake the basket to turn the potatoes then return the basket to the air fryer for 5 more minutes.
- Repeat the shaking and baking for another 5 minutes then they are ready to serve.
- During the last 5 minute cook time, add the peppers and onions. If using cheese, add just after removing potatoes from air fryer and transferring to a serving dish.
- Top with homemade ranch, green onions and bacon.
- Mix the mayonnaise with smoked paprika and hot sauce to taste.
- When home fries are done cooking, drizzle over hot fries and sprinkle with green onions. Alternatively, serve the patatas bravas with the sauce on the side.
- While fries are cooking, brown ground meat with mushrooms and onions if using. When all the meat is ground and most of the liquid has cooked off if you added the veggies, add the taco seasoning and toss to coat. Add the water and turn heat to low to keep warm and cook off the water.
- When home fries are done, top with taco meat and cheese if using then add all your favorite taco toppings.