This is a simple recipe for old fashioned potato cakes. With the use of any air fryer, you can control the fat content in the potato cake. You can do so only when you make it at home. Learn to make this easy recipe in simple steps.There are other recipes that you can make with potato in the airfryer such as air fryer Potato skins ,air fried jacket potatoes,baby potatoes in air fryer, accordion potatoes air fryer & homemade hashbrowns in air fryer.
The steps for this simple recipe include boiling the potatoes first and then cooking them in the air fryer . You don't need any flour or corn flour to be added to this recipe
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Why air fryer potato cakes?
This is the simplest of the recipes to make with Potatoes and it goes well with just anything. I like to use this as a patty for my veg burgers as well.
Why make these potato cakes in an air fryer?
Air frying potato cakes is a healthier, quicker, and more efficient way to enjoy this classic dish. Here’s why you’ll love this method:
✅ Less Oil, Same Crispiness – Unlike deep frying, an air fryer requires minimal oil, giving you a crispy texture without excess grease. Great for a lighter, healthier option!
✅ Quick & Even Cooking – The hot air circulation in an air fryer ensures the potato cakes cook evenly and get crispy on the outside while staying soft inside. No flipping multiple times like on a stovetop!
✅ Perfect Every Time – Since air fryers allow precise temperature control, you get consistent results every time—no soggy or undercooked potato cakes!
Ingredients for potato cakes
- potatoes (refer below for the quality of potatoes to choose)
- salt
- oil - Use oil with high smoke point like avocado oil or macadamia oil
- pepper - Use crushed pepper if you like a little spice
Which variety of potatoes do I choose ?
Choosing the correct variety of potato is the most important step in this recipe.The varieties that work well include the following.
- Russet
- Yukon Gold
- Kind Edward
- Idaho
- Royal Dutch cream
- Royal blue / Purple
Depending on where you live, you will find one variety or other. I have tried with Russet,King edward,Dutch cream,Royal blue and all of them were good .The best result was with Russet and Kind edward potatoes.I haven't tried Yukon gold or Idaho, but I hear good reviews for those.
Equipment
- Air fryer (we use the ninja foodi op300 air fryer or the instant pot duo)
- Pastry brush
- Saucepan
- Grater/ food processor
- Parchment paper
Related links
Instructions for air fryer potato cakes
To make potato cakes in airfryer, you need to boil the potatoes ,mash them and then cook in the air fryer.
- In a saucepan of boiling water, cook the potatoes along with salt. Let it cool.
Boil them until they are soft( at least 20 minutes or more in a pot of boiling water) and you can easily pierce a knife across them. If using an instant pot, boil them on high pressure for 10 minutes, release pressure after 5 minutes. Again, this will depend on the size of the potatoes.
2. Peel the potatoes once cooled.
3. Grate potatoes using a grater or food processor. Add oil,salt and pepper,mix the mixture well
4. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer at 190 C| 375 F. Now in a preheated air fryer, optionally line the perforated parchment paper(with holes). Make a patty of desired shape, using a cookie cutter.
5. Ensure they are not overlapping with each other.Air fry for 15 mins at 190 C (375 F) brushing oil once in between the cook
6. Brush oil (especially on edges) and flip in between. Cook at 200C for 7-8 minutes or until crisp.For the last few minutes of the cook, you may remove the parchment paper.
7. Serve immediately.
Refer to recipe card for quantities.
Homemade Air fryer potato cakes recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- pastry brush
- cookie cutter
- saucepan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3 potatoes boiled, large . Refer notes below
- 2 tbsp. oil
- salt and pepper as per taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan of boiling water, boil the potatoes. Let it cool.3 potatoes
- Peel the potatoes once cool.
- To grate the potatoes, you can use either a grater or a food processor. Add oil,salt and pepper,mix the mixture well.salt and pepper
- In the meantime, make sure to preheat the air fryer to 190°C or 375°F.Once your air fryer is preheated, you have the option to line it with parchment paper if desired. To create a patty of your preferred shape, simply use a cookie cutter.
- Make sure that they do not overlap with one another.
- Cook in an air fryer at 190 C (375 F) for 15 minutes, brushing with oil once.Apply another coat of oil and then turn it over. Cook at 200C | 390 F for 7-8 minutes or until crispy. You can remove the parchment paper during the last few minutes of cooking.2 tbsp. oil
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Variations
If you like your meal spicy, you may coat them in peri peri. You can also brush any spice mix + 1tbsp oil to give it a new flavor like Moroccan, Sriracha or Cajun.
Top tip
Always keep your chimney on when using air fryer so that any fumes emitted are removed from the kitchen.
FAQ
The top 3 variety of potatoes that we recommend include Russet,Yukon Gold and king edward.
It takes around 20 minutes in a preheated air fryer to cook these potato cakes.
You can store these potao cakes in aan air tight container for 2-3 days.In a preheated airfryer, reheat these for 3-4 minutes.
Yes,that will allow you to store them for a long time. If you cook and freeze them, then cook for 10 minutes in a preheated air fryer.
Have you tried making potato cakes in an air fryer? What toppings or dips do you pair them with? Let me know in the comments!"
hilda says
En el récipe dice petróleo y luego no lo mencionan, será un error de traducción??
bhavana bhatia says
Hi Hilda
We have mentioned 2 tbsp. oil in the recipe card as well as ingredients & instructions. Hope it resolves your query.
Thanks
Bhavana
Gilbert Longoria says
I followed the recipe exactly. These potato patties came out excellent. I'm going to try adding a little crumbled bacon to the recipe.
bhavana bhatia says
Thank you so much for your feedback, happy that this worked for you so well.
Sarah says
Do you recommend any toppings or sauce to accompany the potato pancakes?
bhavana bhatia says
hi Sarah
Sour cream goes well. I also like a plum chutney/mango chutney with this.
Thanks
Nina says
How long do you boil the potatoes for? 10 minutes? 30 minutes? I know this will vary depending on size of potatoes used but could you indicate what they should feel/look like? Hard? Soft? In between?
Thank you
bhavana bhatia says
Thanks for asking this. I have updated the recipe. In a pot with boiling water it takes at least 20 minutes , To confirm if they are boiled or not, I would use a knife to pierce through the potatoes.If it goes across easily, then they are done.
Terrsa says
What toppings besides sour cream do you recommend
bhavana bhatia says
You can serve it with barbeque sauce or avocado mint dip.
Carol says
I travel on a boat for the summer and buy can potatoes. I'm thinking of draining a can of them and mashing up with seasoning and forming a patty and air fry. It's worth a try?
bhavana bhatia says
Interesting idea but try that once at home before you travel. This will help you hit the sweet spot with temperature and texture and have no surprises later!
Pearly says
Can this be done with sweet potatoes?
bhavana bhatia says
Yes it can be made with sweet potatoes also.
Midsynd says
I will try this recipe, how many patties fonu get out of 3 big potatoes?
I have a plan for mixture, hope it holds together ….
Will add: crushed garlic, ginger, Kashmiri Mitch, cumin n coriander, garam masala, salt crushed green chilies, chopped cilantro, n if I have bit of chicken left would grind it n add it too for protein, or cooed ground beef, black pepper, may b some Sambal Oelek too n then cook patties in air fryer. Like Aloo Tikki.
What do u think?
Could use leftover cooked salmon or crushed sardines (from can) too.
I would serve it with a spicy red tomato chutney for dipping.
Sorry it’s long text, m a foodie!!!
bhavana bhatia says
hi there, apologies for the late reply, been away on holidays. I can that each patty is close to 150 gm. So you can get 6-7 patties in 1 kg of Potato.(only if you are using just plain potatoes)
while its fine to add additional items to the mix like aloo tikki, please avoid adding ingredients like chopped cilantro as they will impact the binding of the mix.
You can also add some breadcrumbs to allow the mix to bind better. Another tip is to freeze the raw tikki and cook them straight into the hot airfryer.
Hope this helps
Judy says
Can you use instant mashed potatoes?
bhavana bhatia says
hi Judy,
The instant mashed potatoes won't be able to get the same result. I believe it will need something to bind like cornflour.
Thanks