My Favorite Little Potato Recipe
Let’s talk about my easy air fryer rosemary garlic baby potatoes. They are my go-to side dish. I make them almost every week. They are so simple and always taste great.
I love using little new potatoes for this. Their skins are so tender. You just cut them in half and toss them. Doesn’t that sound easy? What is your favorite potato to cook with?
Why This Recipe Works So Well
This is one of my top easy air fryer recipes. The air fryer makes the potatoes crispy outside and fluffy inside. You use very little oil. That makes it a healthy potato side dish.
This matters because you can feed your family something tasty. And it’s good for them too. The rosemary and garlic smell amazing while they cook. It makes your whole kitchen feel cozy.
A Little Story About Rosemary
I grow rosemary in a pot by my back door. One time, my grandson called it a “prickly pine tree.” I still laugh at that. Now, every time I make these rosemary garlic potatoes, I think of him.
Fresh herbs make food special. But dried rosemary works just fine here too. *Fun fact: Rosemary is a symbol of remembrance. People have thought that for hundreds of years!* Do you have an herb you love to cook with?
The Magic of Lemon Zest
Do not skip the lemon zest on these air fryer potatoes! It is the secret. The hot potatoes wake up the lemon oil. It adds a bright little sparkle at the very end.
These lemon zest potatoes are not sour. They are just perfectly fresh. This little step matters. It turns a simple side into something you remember. It shows you care about the details.
Your Turn to Try It
This baby potatoes recipe is perfect for busy nights. It is a quick air fryer meal. You can have it on the table in under 30 minutes. It goes with almost anything.
New potatoes in the air fryer are a game-changer. They get so golden. Will you try this recipe this week? Tell me what you plan to serve it with. I love hearing your ideas!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-colored new potatoes, halved | 1 ½ pounds | Quarter if large |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves | |
| Fresh rosemary, finely chopped | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | |
| Lemon zest, minced | ½ teaspoon | For sprinkling after cooking |

Instructions
Step 1: First, get your air fryer nice and hot. Set it to 400 degrees. This is key for crispy air fryer potatoes. I always do this first. It reminds me of preheating my old oven. (A hot start means crispier edges!)
Step 2: Now, toss everything in a big bowl. Use your baby potatoes, oil, garlic, and rosemary. Mix until each potato is shiny. Doesn’t that smell amazing? This creates the best rosemary garlic potatoes. What’s your favorite herb? Share below!
Step 3: Lay the potatoes in the basket. Do not crowd them! They need space to breathe. This is the secret for perfect new potatoes air fryer style. I still laugh at my first messy batch. (Work in batches for the crispiest results.)
Step 4: Cook them for about 20 minutes. Shake the basket halfway. You want golden, tender baby potatoes. This quick air fryer meal is almost ready. The smell fills my whole kitchen.
Step 5: Finally, sprinkle on the lemon zest. This brightens up your healthy potato side dish. Those lemon zest potatoes are now done. Serve your air fryer side dish warm. What a simple baby potatoes recipe!
Creative Twists
Cheesy Finish: Add grated parmesan right after cooking. It makes a yummy, crispy coat.
Spicy Kick: Toss with a pinch of chili flakes. It gives a fun, warm zing.
Herb Swap: Try fresh thyme instead of rosemary. It’s a lovely, different flavor.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
These easy air fryer recipes go with everything. For a cozy meal, pair with roasted chicken. The juices are so good together. Or, serve alongside a simple burger. It’s the best air fryer side dish. You could also add a dollop of cool sour cream. A fresh green salad completes the plate. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Tasty Potatoes Fresh
Let’s talk about storing these lovely potatoes. They are best fresh from the air fryer. But leftovers are a treat too. Cool them completely first. Then tuck them into a sealed container in the fridge. They will be happy there for three days.
You can also freeze them for a future meal. Spread the cooled potatoes on a baking sheet. Freeze them solid for an hour. Then pop them into a freezer bag. This stops them from sticking together. I once froze a whole batch for my grandson’s visit. He was so pleased to have a quick, homemade snack!
Reheating is simple. Use your air fryer or oven. A few minutes at 375 degrees brings back the crisp. This matters because good food should never be wasted. Batch cooking these potatoes saves busy weeknights. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups
We all face little kitchen troubles. Here are three common ones with our potatoes. First, soggy potatoes. This happens if the basket is too crowded. Give your potatoes room to breathe. Cook in batches if you need to.
Second, uneven cooking. I remember when my potatoes were half burnt, half raw. Halve them so they are all the same size. This makes everything cook evenly. Third, bland flavor. Be generous with your seasoning. Toss everything in the bowl very well.
Fixing these issues matters. It builds your cooking confidence. You learn what works. It also makes the flavor perfect every time. Your rosemary garlic potatoes will shine. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make crispy potatoes in an air fryer
The secret is dry potatoes and space. Pat your halved baby potatoes very dry with a towel. Toss them well with oil so each piece is coated. Most important, do not crowd the basket. The hot air needs to flow all around them to make them perfectly crispy. This is the key for any air fryer side dish.
What temperature for air fryer potatoes
A hot 400 degrees F is just right. This high heat is perfect for new potatoes air fryer style. It cooks them quickly inside. It also makes the outside beautifully golden and crisp. Always let your air fryer preheat fully. This gives you reliable results for all your easy air fryer recipes.
Best oil for crispy air fryer potatoes
I always use olive oil. It adds a nice flavor that goes with the rosemary and garlic. You only need a little. Two tablespoons for our recipe is plenty. A light coating helps the heat work its magic. It turns your baby potatoes recipe into a crispy, healthy potato side dish.
How long to cook potatoes in air fryer
For this air fryer potatoes recipe, plan for about 20 minutes. Check them at the 15-minute mark. Shake the basket gently. Your potatoes are done when they are tender inside and brown outside. *Fun fact: Smaller pieces will cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on them! This makes it a truly quick air fryer meal.
Can you use dried rosemary for air fryer potatoes
You absolutely can. If you use dried rosemary, use a little less. Try about half a teaspoon. Crush it between your fingers as you add it. This releases its oils and flavor. It will still make delicious air fryer rosemary garlic baby potatoes. Fresh is lovely, but dried works in a pinch.
How to prevent garlic from burning in air fryer
Minced garlic can burn quickly. The trick is to keep it coated in oil and on the potatoes. Mix everything very well in the bowl. The oil helps protect it. If you are worried, you can add the minced garlic halfway through cooking. This keeps your lemon zest potatoes tasting sweet, not bitter. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making these potatoes as much as I do. They remind me of sunny Sunday dinners. My kitchen always smells wonderful when they are cooking. It is a simple joy to share.
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it went for you. Did your family enjoy them? Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know. Your stories make my day.
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.

Crispy Rosemary Garlic Air Fryer Potatoes
Description
Crispy, golden air fryer potatoes infused with aromatic rosemary and garlic, finished with a bright hint of lemon zest.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Toss potatoes, oil, garlic, rosemary, and salt together in a large bowl; arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding (work in batches, if necessary).
- Air fry until potatoes are golden brown and tender, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon zest before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to quarter the potatoes if they’re large.