Roast potatoes are a must-have on Christmas Day – but who says you can’t eat them as a snack too?
Air fryers have become a staple in many households these days, offering a speedy and often healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods like the oven. I only purchased mine earlier this year, but already it’s become an indispensable part of my kitchen.
They’re handy and time-efficient, and I’m constantly on the lookout for new recipes to try with this versatile gadget.
And what screams Christmas more than a scrumptious batch of crispy roast potatoes, the perfect accompaniment to the main meal on the big day. But who said roast potatoes can’t be enjoyed as a snack?
READ MORE: Gordon Ramsay shares time you should serve Christmas dinner
I decided to put a unique twist on the classic side dish by creating mini roasties in my air fryer, with a budget-friendly spin.
I opted to use a tin of potatoes for this recipe, which I snagged for 38p from Tesco. Not only are these kind on your pocket, but they’re also pre-peeled, saving you the hassle and time-consuming task of peeling, reports the Daily Record.
Plus, they have a longer shelf life than fresh potatoes, meaning zero waste, and they were ready in under 30 minutes. I was thoroughly impressed with the crispy texture and will undoubtedly be whipping up these again.
To begin, I drained the tin of new potatoes and halved each one. I then boiled them for about five minutes – since they were canned, they were already quite soft, making slicing easier and reducing the boiling time.
I then drained the pan’s contents into a colander, giving the potatoes a good toss and allowing them to steam for a few minutes. At this point, I was filled with dread that my attempt would be a flop.
Most roast potato recipes call for Maris Piper potatoes due to their fluffier texture, which gives roasties their signature crunch. These new potatoes didn’t seem to fluff up much, but I decided to trust the process.
After they had steamed for a bit, I returned them to the pot and mixed in a tablespoon of oil, along with some salt and pepper for taste. Then it was time to pop them in the air fryer.
My Russell Hobbs SatisFry model is on the smaller side, perfect for a one-person household. If you have a larger one, you could certainly whip up a bigger batch – perhaps even enough to accompany your Christmas dinner.
It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket and ensure the potatoes are spread out for even cooking. I then cooked them at 190C for 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
I wasn’t expecting much when I went to check on them but was pleasantly surprised to find they had crisped up nicely, and I was eager for them to finish.
The crunch was simply out of this world and before I knew it, I’d polished off the lot. I was too eager to tuck in to bother with any toppings – and they were fantastic just as they were – but I reckon they’d pair well with a bit of gravy or perhaps some leftover turkey and cranberry sauce.
Imagine loaded fries, but swap the fries for roasties. These are set to become a festive snack staple in my household and I’m already looking forward to whipping up another batch.
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