These crispy air fryer fingerling potatoes are golden, cheesy, and perfectly tender inside. Ready in just 20 minutes, they make the ultimate easy side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or anytime you're craving something crunchy and flavorful. Tossed with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan, they're seriously addictive!
Crispy Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes At A Glance
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
- 🕒 Ready In: 20 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories: ~180 per serving
- 🥔 Main Ingredients: Fingerling potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parmesan
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, healthy, vegetarian, nut-free
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Super crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with flavor! Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep-perfect for an easy side dish or weeknight dinner.
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I'm a total sucker for anything crispy, especially potatoes, and this is one of those recipes I make on autopilot. It's quick, fuss-free, and honestly better than any roasted version I've made in the oven. The parmesan gets all golden and crisp, the garlic and paprika give it that cozy, savory flavor, and the texture? Spot-on every time. Crunchy edges with soft, fluffy centers.
What makes them different? They're not just crispy potatoes-they've got that cheesy, savory bite that makes them feel a little fancy, even though they're super simple. I'll drizzle them with pesto, dip them in aioli, or toss leftovers into a lunch bowl the next day. If you love crispy sides like these, definitely try my crispy air fryer smashed potatoes and crispy air fryer chickpeas next-they're just as easy and addictive.
Jump to:
- Crispy Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes At A Glance
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes (Step-by-Step)
- 1 Minute Video Tutorial
- Top Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Crispy Potato Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SO SO SO crispy and so good! I love these potatoes and make them on the regular.
- Hadley
Why This Recipe Works
- Air fryer = crispier results, faster - The hot circulating air crisps up the skin while keeping the inside tender, no flipping needed.
- Parmesan adds flavor + crunch - As it cooks, the cheese melts and forms a golden crust for extra crispiness.
- Minimal ingredients, big flavor - Garlic, onion powder, and paprika pack in tons of flavor with just a few pantry staples.
- Quick and hands-off - Just toss, air fry, and serve-no boiling or oven required! They pair perfectly with these juicy air fryer turkey burgers and my air fryer chicken thighs for an easy, quick dinner.
Ingredients
- Fingerling potatoes: Their thin skin crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, and their small size means no chopping needed. Just halve them and you're good to go.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and promotes even browning. Don't skip it.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a crispy, golden crust and a salty, cheesy bite. Use freshly grated if you can-it melts and crisps better.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, & paprika: A simple trio that brings bold, savory flavor without overpowering the potatoes.
See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and instructions.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Make it vegan and dairy-free: Skip the parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative if you have a dairy allergy. Nutritional yeast is my favorite dairy-free substitute; it adds a nice cheesy flavor.
- Flavor swaps: Try Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, or everything bagel spice instead of the garlic blend.
- Fresh herbs: Sprinkle chopped rosemary, thyme, or parsley on top after air frying for a herby finish. It's simple but adds a ton of flavor.
- Different potatoes: No fingerlings? Baby potatoes, small Yukon Golds, or even red potatoes will work; just cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add pesto: This is one of my go-to variations. A quick drizzle of nut-free pesto sauce right before serving takes them to the next level, especially if you're serving them with grilled chicken or salmon.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Add the halved fingerling potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and parmesan until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Line the bottom with parchment paper-this helps catch the melted cheese so it doesn't stick or burn. Add the seasoned potatoes in a single layer.
- Step 3: Air fry for 14 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket at the 10-minute mark so they cook evenly. Every air fryer is a little different, so check them around 14 minutes and cook longer if you want them extra crispy.
1 Minute Video Tutorial
Top Tips
- Cut them evenly: I always slice the fingerlings in half lengthwise so they crisp up at the same rate. If some are way smaller than others, they'll overcook while the rest are still soft.
- Use parchment paper: This makes a huge difference. I've tested it both ways, and without parchment, the parmesan tends to fall through the basket and burn. With it, you get those golden, cheesy bits stuck right to the potatoes-so good.
- Don't forget to shake: I always shake the basket at the 10-minute mark. It helps every piece get golden and crispy, especially if your air fryer doesn't cook evenly.
- Check at 14 minutes: Depending on your air fryer model, they might be perfect at 14 minutes or need closer to 18. I use a Cosori Air Fryer, and mine are usually done right around 16 minutes for that perfect crispy outside and fluffy inside.
- Best served fresh: These air fryer fingerling potatoes are at their crispiest right out of the basket. If you have leftovers, I recommend tossing them back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to bring back that crunch.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy fingerling potatoes are the kind of side that works with everything-from weeknight dinners to weekend brunch. Here's how I love to serve them:
- Easy weeknight dinner side: Pair them with my Greek Yogurt marinated chicken or balsamic feta stuffed chicken for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Meatless option: Serve alongside this easy dairy-free tomato soup or super crispy tofu bites for a plant-based dinner.
- Brunch-style: Add them to a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs with cottage cheese and avocado for a cozy or this healthy shakshuka, savory brunch.
- Dipping sauces: I love them with healthy homemade ranch dip, classic ketchup, or this nut-free basil pesto.
Storage Tips
Protein mug cakes are best enjoyed right after microwaving, while they're warm and fluffy. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them by covering the mug or baking dish with foil and refrigerating for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to bring back that fresh, soft texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to soak fingerling potatoes in water before air frying. Most oven-roasted fingerling potato recipes call for this step to remove excess starch and ensure they get crispy; however, you do not need to do this since we are air-frying the fingerling potatoes at a higher temperature.
Yes! You can certainly substitute the fingerling potatoes for baby Yukon gold potatoes. I still reccomend cutting them in half before seasoning and air frying.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake fingerling potatoes in the oven. Bake them at 400°F for 30 - 40 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
I do not recommend freezing cooked air fryer fingerling potatoes. The texture will not be the same when you reheat them.
More Crispy Potato Recipes You'll Love
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Did you make this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 - 2 tablespoon olive oil, depending on how crispy you want the potatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
- Garnish: 2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray.
- Then toss the halved fingerling potatoes in a mixing bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
- Carefully line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper so the cheese doesn't fall off into the basket or get stuck on the grate.
- Add seasoned potatoes to the preheated air fryer and air fry at 400°F for a total of 14 - 18 minutes. Shake the basket at the 10-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly. Every air fryer is different, so check at the 14-minute mark, then decide if you want them to be crispier.
- Enjoy immediately, and serve with a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy!
Hadley says
SO SO SO crispy and so good! I love these potatoes and make them on the regular.
Tati Chermayeff says
SO happy to hear that, Hadley! Thank you so much for the kind review.