If you’re looking for an easy potato side dish that’s crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and full of delicious flavour, these Rosemary Garlic Air Fryer Potatoes are a must-try! Made with tender baby potatoes, fresh garlic, fragrant rosemary, olive oil, and a few simple seasonings, they’re the perfect addition to almost any meal.
The air fryer makes these potatoes wonderfully golden and crispy without needing lots of oil or a hot oven. Fresh rosemary adds a lovely earthy aroma, while garlic gives every bite a savoury flavour that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of roasted potatoes.
One of the best things about this recipe is how simple it is to prepare. Just cut the potatoes, toss them with olive oil and seasonings, and let the air fryer do the work. In around 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious homemade side dish ready to serve.
These crispy rosemary garlic potatoes are perfect for busy weeknight dinners, Sunday roasts, holiday meals, or weekend gatherings. Serve them with roast chicken, steak, pork chops, fish, or your favourite vegetables for a satisfying meal.
How to Make Rosemary Garlic Air Fryer Potatoes
Making these rosemary garlic potatoes in the air fryer is incredibly easy. The key is to cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, dry them well, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 25–30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds baby potatoes: Baby Yukon Gold or red potatoes are excellent choices because they have a creamy texture and hold their shape well. You can also use larger potatoes cut into chunks.
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil: Helps the potatoes brown and become crispy. Avocado oil is another good option.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Adds a delicious savoury flavour. Garlic powder can be used as an alternative.
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped: Gives the potatoes their wonderful earthy, aromatic flavour. Use dried rosemary if fresh isn’t available.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavour of the potatoes.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a little warmth.
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional): Adds colour and a mild smoky flavour.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional): Perfect for garnishing before serving.
Step 1: Prepare the potatoes
Wash and scrub the baby potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt.
Pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Cut the potatoes in half or into quarters, depending on their size. Try to keep all the pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the rosemary garlic seasoning
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, black pepper, and paprika if using.
Add the prepared potatoes and toss until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Make sure the garlic and rosemary are distributed throughout the potatoes so every bite is flavourful.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for approximately 3–5 minutes if your appliance recommends preheating.
A preheated air fryer helps the potatoes start browning as soon as they enter the basket.
Step 4: Arrange the potatoes in the basket
Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer as much as possible.
For extra browning, arrange the cut sides facing down. Leave a little space between the pieces to allow hot air to circulate.
If you’re making a large batch, cook the potatoes in two batches rather than overcrowding the basket.
Step 5: Air fry the potatoes
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Shake the basket every 5–7 minutes to help the potatoes brown evenly on all sides.
Check the potatoes by inserting a fork into one of the larger pieces. It should slide through easily, while the outside should look golden and crisp.
Larger potato chunks may need a few extra minutes, depending on your air fryer.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving bowl.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and a little extra rosemary if desired.
Serve immediately while they’re hot, crispy, and fragrant!
How to Reheat Potatoes
These rosemary garlic potatoes are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer, but leftovers are easy to store and reheat.
The air fryer is the best way to bring back their crispy exterior without making the inside too dry.
How to store leftover potatoes
Allow the cooked potatoes to cool slightly, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking and store at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
Keep them in a single container without adding extra moisture, as this can make the potatoes softer.
How to reheat potatoes in the air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover potatoes in the basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for approximately 3–6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check that the potatoes are heated all the way through.
- Add a little fresh rosemary or parsley before serving.
If the potatoes are not crispy enough, cook for another 1–2 minutes, keeping an eye on them.
Can I freeze rosemary garlic potatoes?
Yes! You can freeze cooked potatoes, although their texture may become slightly softer after thawing.
For the best results:
- Allow the potatoes to cool completely.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Freeze until firm.
- Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
- Label with the date and freeze for approximately 2–3 months for the best quality.
You can reheat them directly from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C), adding extra time as needed until they are hot throughout.
Substitutions for This Recipe
One of the best things about these rosemary garlic potatoes is how easy they are to customise. You can change the herbs, seasonings, or oil depending on what you have available.
1. Fresh rosemary or dried rosemary
Fresh rosemary provides a lovely fragrant flavour, but dried rosemary works too.
Use approximately 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary in place of 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary. Crush it slightly between your fingers before adding it to release more aroma.
2. Fresh garlic or garlic powder
Fresh minced garlic gives the potatoes a stronger, more authentic garlic flavour.
If you prefer a quicker option, use approximately 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. Garlic powder is also less likely to burn during air frying.
3. Olive oil or avocado oil
Olive oil is a classic choice for roasted potatoes because it adds a mild, fruity flavour.
Avocado oil or another suitable cooking oil can be used instead.
4. Baby potatoes or regular potatoes
Baby potatoes are convenient because they only need to be halved or quartered.
You can also use Yukon Gold, red potatoes, Russet, Maris Piper, or King Edward potatoes. Simply cut them into evenly sized chunks and adjust the cooking time as needed.
5. Rosemary and thyme
If you don’t have rosemary, dried or fresh thyme makes a wonderful alternative.
You can also combine rosemary and thyme for a more complex herbal flavour.
6. Add Parmesan cheese
For a cheesy variation, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the potatoes during the final 2–3 minutes of cooking or toss it with the potatoes immediately after air frying.
The cheese adds a delicious savoury finish.
7. Make them spicy
If you enjoy a little heat, add cayenne pepper, chilli flakes, or smoked paprika to the seasoning mixture.
8. Use lemon for freshness
Add a little lemon zest before cooking or squeeze fresh lemon juice over the potatoes just before serving. It gives them a bright flavour that balances the garlic and rosemary.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Potatoes
These rosemary garlic potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any main course. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or a special family meal, there are plenty of delicious ways to serve them.
Here are some of my favourite combinations:
1. Roast Chicken
Serve the potatoes alongside roast chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, or crispy chicken legs. The rosemary and garlic complement the chicken perfectly.
2. Steak
Pair them with grilled sirloin, ribeye, or air fryer steak for a delicious steakhouse-style dinner. Add a little garlic butter for extra flavour.
3. Pork Chops
These potatoes are wonderful with grilled or air-fried pork chops. Serve with green beans or roasted carrots for a complete meal.
4. Air Fryer Salmon
Enjoy them with air fryer salmon or baked fish. Add a fresh green salad and lemon wedges for a lighter dinner.
5. Grilled Sausages
Serve with grilled sausages, caramelised onions, and your favourite mustard for a simple and satisfying meal.
6. Burgers
Swap regular French fries for these crispy rosemary garlic potatoes when serving homemade beef burgers, cheeseburgers, or chicken burgers.
7. Roasted Vegetables
Pair the potatoes with carrots, broccoli, courgettes, Brussels sprouts, or green beans for a colourful vegetable side.
8. Dipping Sauces
These potatoes are also delicious served with:
- Garlic mayonnaise
- Ranch dressing
- Sour cream and chive dip
- Honey mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Spicy ketchup
Rosemary Garlic Air Fryer Potatoes
Potatoes crisped to perfection in the air fryer in minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients and mix well to combine.
- Add potatoes to your air fryer basket, close the drawer, and set to 400 degrees for 30* minutes. About halfway through, pause and remove basket. Shake well to mix up the potatoes (it’s best to do this over the sink). Place basket back in the air fryer and resume cooking. Once done, sprinkle with more rosemary and salt for serving. Make sure to open the drawer of the air fryer once done or they can steam in there if left too long. Enjoy!
