Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions are a great side dish made with just a few ingredients, including russet or red potatoes and sweet onions. They get the perfect amount of crispy and caramelized in the air fryer.
>> You might like this Air Fryer Sausage & Peppers recipe or Peppers and Onions too.
There are many things the air fryer does well, but I’ve always thought that potatoes and onions are two of the best. We make potato wedges all the time, and then I realized I should branch out and make steak and potatoes as well. Now these potatoes and onions are a favorite. Ready for a side dish that’ll steal the spotlight? Whip up some air fryer potatoes and onions
Why You’ll Love It
- You’ll get caramelized onions and perfectly cooked potatoes, all with a little crunch. Say goodbye to tedious oven roasting and hello to effortless deliciousness.
- They’re great for a side dish or even for breakfast.
- It’s a quick way to make a breakfast hash or filling for a breakfast burrito.
Ingredients You Need
- Potatoes: I use russet potatoes for this recipe most often because they crisp up on the outside while staying moist on the inside. Red or yellow potatoes work well too.
- Onion: Onion has a unique sweet and savory flavor. You can use either red or white onion for this recipe. Cut the onion in chunks as well.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is rich in healthy fats. You can use any other vegetable oil as well.
- Garlic powder: Garlic salt adds a great garlic flavor while seasoning the veggies with salt.
- Onion powder: For a more savory flavor, use onion powder. If you are looking for more depth, add garlic powder as well.
- Rosemary: Herbs like rosemary (or thyme) don’t just add aroma but also a distinct flavor to the dish. You can choose either fresh or dried herbs.
- Salt & pepper: No dish is complete without adding salt and black pepper at the end, to taste.
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit a meal for 4-6. But some things need more space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
- Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
Ninja® Foodi®XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
- 2 independent XL air fryer baskets
- Integrated Foodi® Smart Thermometer
- Cook 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time
How to Make Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Step 1: Peel the potatoes and cut them into uniform cubes. Put the potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the olive oil. Sprinkle with half the seasonings. Toss to coat.
Step 2: Pour the potatoes into the air fryer basket. Cook on 390°F (200°C) for 18 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking.
Step 3: Meanwhile, add the onions to the bowl and toss with the remaining oil and seasonings.
Step 4: After 18 minutes, add the onions to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes, until the potatoes and onions are golden and crispy.
Note: If you want your potatoes and onions more crispy continue cooking for a minute or two to your desired doneness.
Can I Use Different Types Of Potatoes or Onions?
There are several types of both potatoes and onions that you could use in this recipe. The best type depends on your personal preference. Here are some popular options:
Potatoes:
- Russet Potatoes: Known for their starchy content, they air fry into a crispy exterior and fluffy interior—ideal for fries or wedges.
- Yukon Gold: These golden beauties have a buttery flavor that turns downright irresistible when air-fried. They’re excellent for both fries and roasted potato chunks.
- Sweet Potatoes: Air-frying brings out the natural sweetness and creates a fantastic texture—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
- Red Potatoes: These are great for air-fried roasted potatoes. Their waxy texture helps them hold shape and offers a creamy interior.
- Fingerling Potatoes: Small, elongated, and quick to cook, these make for a rustic air-fried side dish.
- New Potatoes: These are baby potatoes that have a thin skin and high moisture content, making them ideal for air frying as whole spuds or halves.
Onions:
- Yellow Onions:
- Flavor: Strong and spicy when raw, sweetens when cooked.
- Best for: A traditional, robust onion flavor.
- Red Onions:
- Flavor: Sweet and mild, with a beautiful purple color.
- Best for: Adding color and a softer onion taste.
- Sweet Onions (such as Vidalia or Walla Walla):
- Flavor: Extra sweet and juicy.
- Best for: A mild, sweet addition to the dish.
How To Store Leftovers
To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover potatoes and onions in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to keep the aroma from permeating other things in your refrigerator. If you have a large batch leftover, consider separating them into individual portions before storing them.
You can reheat the potatoes and onions in the air fryer basket, just as you did the first time. It will take about 5 minutes on 400° F.
Questions About the Recipe
Can I add peppers to the mix?
Yes of course! This recipe can be made with any additional vegetables you like. I’ve added green or red bell peppers to the mix and it’s fantastic.
Does it matter what potatoes I use?
Nope. Just like with the onion, you can use whatever potatoes you want. I think that russets are the best type because they have a balanced starch level that helps to crisp them without losing their softness inside, but I’ve made it with all different types of potatoes.
Do potatoes and onions cook at the same time?
You can cook both potatoes and onions at the same time in the air fryer, but it takes longer for the potatoes to cook than the onions, so we recommend putting the potatoes in first for 8 minutes before adding the onions.
How to Change It Up A Bit
If you’re looking for different ways to spice this dish up, we’ve got a few great ideas here.
- Add mushrooms and/or peppers.
- Sprinkle on Cajun seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning.
- Add Spicy Italian sausage or include a few jalapeno peppers in the mix.
What Side Dishes to Serve?
You can serve some really easy side dishes with your main dish cooked in the Air Fryer. Sometimes, you can cook them together in the air fryer to make it even faster.
Some of our favorite side dishes to serve include:
- Air fryer cauliflower
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Corn on the cob
- Crispy smashed potatoes
- Cottage fries
Here are 28 more air fryer side dishes to try
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it with your friends on social media. For more great recipes, follow us on Pinterest and Facebook, where we share our recipes daily.
Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1 small onion cubed
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.8 g) garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.03 g) rosemary
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the olive oil. Sprinkle with half the seasonings. Toss to coat.
- Pour the potatoes into the air fryer basket. Cook on 390°F (200°C) for 18 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking.
- Meanwhile, add the onions to the bowl and toss with the remaining oil and seasonings.
- After 18 minutes, add the onions to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for another 6 minutes, until the potatoes and onions are golden and crispy.
Notes
- If you want your potatoes and onions more crispy continue cooking for a minute or two to your desired doneness.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.