A great breakfast potato is a thing of beauty. It should be deeply golden brown, with rough, jagged edges that shatter when you bite them, giving way to a steaming hot, fluffy interior.
Unfortunately, trying to achieve this in a skillet usually results in one of two things: potatoes that are burnt on the outside and raw in the middle, or potatoes swimming in grease that turn into mush.
Welcome back to The Crispy Basket. Today, we are perfecting the breakfast side hustle.
The air fryer is hands-down the best way to make home fries. The intense circulating heat crisps every side of the potato cube simultaneously without needing half a cup of oil. We are using a quick microwave hack to ensure the inside is perfectly cooked before the outside burns.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Maximum Crunch Surface Area: By cutting the potatoes into small cubes, we create more edges to crisp up.
- Hands-Off Cooking: No standing over a hot stove flipping potatoes constantly. Just shake the basket once and you’re done.
- The Bacon Fat Option: If you just cooked bacon, save that grease! Tossing these potatoes in bacon fat instead of oil takes them to a whole new stratosphere of flavor.
“The Crispy Basket” Secret: The Microwave Par-Cook
If you put raw potato cubes directly into a 400°F air fryer, the outside will be black before the inside is tender. You have to pre-cook the inside. Boilng takes too long.
The Hack: We microwave the potato cubes for 3–4 minutes first. This steams them from the inside out, making them just barely fork-tender. It also roughens up the edges of the cubes, creating the perfect texture for the oil to cling to and crisp up.
Ingredients Needed
The Potatoes:
- 1.5 lbs Potatoes: Yukon Golds are my favorite for a creamy interior and crispy skin, but Russets work well too for a fluffier inside. No need to peel them!
The Flavor:
- 2 Tbsp Fat: Avocado oil, olive oil, or (highly recommended) bacon grease.
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika: Gives color and smoky flavor.
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder.
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder.
- 3/4 tsp Salt & 1/2 tsp Black Pepper.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: The Cut
Wash your potatoes well. Leave the skin on for rustic texture (and less work). Cut them into uniform 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch cubes. Try to keep them the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 2: The Par-Cook Hack
Place the potato cubes in a large microwave-safe bowl. Do not add water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on HIGH for 3–5 minutes. Check them: They should be slightly softened but still firm, not falling apart. Careful when removing the lid—steam is hot!
Step 3: The Seasoning Toss
Drain any small amount of liquid remaining in the bowl. While the potatoes are still steaming hot, drizzle over your oil or melted bacon grease. Add all the spices. Toss vigorously with a spoon. The vigorous tossing helps roughen up the cooked edges of the potatoes—this is good! Rough edges = crispy bits.
Step 4: The Air Fry
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Dump the seasoned potatoes into the basket. Spread them into a single layer as best you can. A little overlapping is okay here, unlike fries.
- Air fry at 400°F for 12–15 minutes.
- The Shake: Shake the basket vigorously halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Cook until they are deep golden brown and crunchy to your liking.
Step 5: Serve
Taste and add a final sprinkle of salt if needed. Serve hot with ketchup, hot sauce, or alongside sunny-side-up eggs.
“The Crispy Basket” Pro-Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: If you fill the basket more than halfway, the potatoes in the middle will steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if feeding a crowd.
- The Veggie Add-In: Want peppers and onions? Air fry the potatoes for the first 8 minutes alone, then toss in diced bell peppers and onions for the remaining cook time. If you put them in at the beginning, they will burn.
- Prep Ahead: You can cube and par-cook the potatoes the night before. Store them in the fridge, then just toss with oil and spices and air fry in the morning.
FAQ
Why are my potatoes soggy? You likely overcrowded the basket or didn’t use enough oil/fat to coat them thoroughly.
Can I skip the microwave step? If you skip it, you’ll need to air fry them at a lower temperature (350°F) for 15 minutes first to cook the inside, then crank it to 400°F to crisp the outside. The microwave hack is faster.
Enjoy your diner-quality breakfast at home!
