delicious Southern-style home fries recipe with peppers and onions made in the air fryer! 🍳 This recipe combines the crispy texture of home fries with the bold flavors of peppers and onions, giving you that ultimate Southern comfort food with a healthy twist. The air fryer makes these home fries crispy without all the oil! 😋
Southern Home Fries with Peppers and Onions (Air Fryer)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 medium russet potatoes 🥔, peeled and diced into small cubes (about 1-inch pieces)
- 1 bell pepper 🫑, diced (use any color: red, green, yellow)
- 1 medium onion 🧅, diced (yellow or red onion works great)
- 1 tbsp olive oil 🍶
- 1 tsp paprika 🌶️
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder 🧄
- 1/2 tsp onion powder 🧅
- 1/4 tsp black pepper 🧂
- 1/2 tsp salt 🧂
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme 🌿 (optional but adds great flavor)
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary 🌱 (optional for extra earthy flavor)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley 🌿, chopped (optional for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 🌶️ (optional for a spicy kick)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
Begin by washing, peeling (optional), and dicing your russet potatoes into small, uniform cubes. 🍟 The uniform size ensures the potatoes cook evenly, giving you the perfect crispy edges.
Place the diced potatoes into a bowl of cold water and let them sit for about 5 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch and ensures they crisp up perfectly in the air fryer. After 5 minutes, drain the water, pat the potatoes dry with a towel, and set them aside. 💦
Step 2: Prepare the Seasoning
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes. 🌶️ Stir until everything is well mixed.
Toss your dried, diced potatoes into the seasoning mix. 🌱 Ensure every potato cube is coated with the seasoning blend. This step is important for making sure your potatoes have a burst of flavor with every bite! 😋
Step 3: Add the Peppers and Onions
Dice your bell pepper 🫑 and onion 🧅 into small pieces. These veggies will cook alongside the potatoes, adding both flavor and texture. Once the potatoes are well-seasoned, add the diced bell pepper and onion to the bowl. Toss everything together until the peppers and onions are evenly distributed throughout the potato mixture. 🥔🌶️
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before adding the potatoes to the air fryer, preheat it to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. ⏱️ Preheating the air fryer ensures that your potatoes cook at the perfect temperature right from the start, leading to crispy golden edges.
Step 5: Air Fry the Home Fries
Now it’s time to cook the potatoes in the air fryer! Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with a little more olive oil if needed. 🧴 Carefully transfer the seasoned potato mixture into the air fryer basket. Spread the potatoes out in a single layer for optimal crispiness. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket so that the hot air circulates properly around the potatoes, ensuring even cooking. 🌀
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the potatoes cook evenly. 🕰️ If you like your potatoes extra crispy, feel free to add an additional 5 minutes of cooking time. You can also toss the potatoes every 5 minutes to check on their crispiness.
After 15 minutes, the potatoes should be golden brown and crispy on the outside while tender on the inside. 🥔 If you prefer them a bit more crispy, cook for a few extra minutes.
Step 6: Final Touches
Once your Southern home fries are perfectly crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer. 🌟 Garnish with freshly chopped parsley 🌿 for a burst of color and a hint of fresh flavor.
Serve them immediately as a side dish or enjoy them on their own. These crispy home fries pair perfectly with breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs 🍳, sausages 🍖, or even a runny egg 🥚 on top for a satisfying brunch. You can also add a side of hot sauce 🌶️ or ketchup 🍅 for dipping!
Why Make Southern Home Fries in the Air Fryer?
The air fryer is a game-changer when it comes to making crispy dishes like home fries without all the oil. Traditionally, home fries are deep-fried in oil, but using the air fryer helps you achieve the same crispy texture while cutting down on calories and fat. 💪 Plus, it’s much faster and less messy than deep frying, making clean-up a breeze! 🧼
Healthier Comfort Food
Home fries with peppers and onions are a fantastic way to enjoy comfort food in a healthier way. Air frying eliminates the need for excessive oil, making these crispy potatoes a guilt-free snack or side dish! 🍴
Potatoes themselves are a great source of potassium and vitamin C. 🌟 Combined with the nutrient-packed bell peppers and onions, these air fryer home fries are a great addition to any balanced meal. Whether you’re enjoying them as a side with eggs 🥚 or pairing them with grilled chicken 🍗, they’re an excellent choice for a healthy, flavorful dish!
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Home Fries
- Cut uniform potato pieces: This ensures even cooking, giving you perfectly crispy fries.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: If you’re making a larger batch, cook in batches. Overcrowding can prevent the potatoes from getting crispy.
- Shake the basket halfway: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure the potatoes cook evenly.
- Customize your seasoning: Feel free to get creative with your spices! Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or sprinkle in some Cajun seasoning for a little heat. 🌶️
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 35 minutes! ⏱️
- Crispy & golden: The air fryer makes these home fries wonderfully crispy without the need for deep frying.
- Full of flavor: The combination of sweet bell peppers 🫑 and savory onions 🧅 adds extra flavor and texture to the dish.
- Versatile: Serve as a side, a snack, or top with an egg for a satisfying breakfast 🍽️.
Conclusion:
These Southern home fries with peppers and onions made in the air fryer are the perfect balance of crispy, savory, and flavorful. 🥔🌶️ They’re quick to prepare, healthier than traditional fried potatoes, and full of delicious flavors. Whether you’re enjoying them with eggs, as a side to a hearty dinner, or even on their own, this recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen. Happy cooking! 🍴💫