Easy Air Fryer Greek Potatoes with Lemon (Ready in Minutes)
Discover the perfect recipe for deliciously seasoned, golden-brown Greek potatoes that will transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean. Try this easy, healthy, and mouthwatering air fryer Greek potatoes recipe. Its unique flavor is excellent as a great side dish paired with gyro or chicken souvlaki or as a complete main meal alongside a delicious Greek salad.
Crispy air fryer Greek Potatoes
When the cold weather hits, I often like to picture this: a delightful Mediterranean breeze, waves crashing against the shore, and the aroma of tasty Greek cuisine wafting through the air. And, if I go back to when I was an 8-year-old vacationing in Greece, I’d add the fantastic taste of street gyro with fries from small charming eateries. Oh, so yum 🤤!
These savory layers of meat are thinly shaved, tucked into warm, fluffy pita bread, and accompanied with fresh, crisp vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and sometimes lettuce. The finishing touch is a generous drizzle or a side of tzatziki sauce.
But the fries are no ordinary fare. They are often thicker-cut than your typical fast-food variety. They’re crispy on the outside yet wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside. But what truly sets them apart is the seasoning: oregano and a touch of salt.
Since I discovered fresh oregano in Greece, I use it wherever I can in my meals. It truly adds a unique, savory dimension to the meat, especially the fries, making them a delightful complement to the meat dishes, such as pork chops.
Why you should make crispy air fryer Greek Potatoes
In this recipe, I don’t cut my potatoes as for French fries; instead, I cut them into small pieces. But the idea is the same – you’ll end up with equally crispy potatoes with the irresistible taste of Greek seasoning. Add some fresh lemon juice for a beautiful citrusy flavor and a burst of vitamin C—an excellent option for busy weeknights. You can serve these Greek lemon potatoes as a healthy side dish that goes great with gyro or chicken souvlaki, or you can serve it as a main course and a perfect accompaniment to a Greek salad and feta cheese.
But why should you make these flavorful potatoes in an air fryer? Air frying allows you to achieve an outstanding balance of crispy exteriors and tender interiors, precisely what we want in Greek potatoes 😉. The high heat and circulating air ensure the potatoes become golden brown and deliver a satisfying crunch while retaining their rich, savory flavor.
Compared to traditional deep frying, using an air fryer significantly reduces the oil needed to achieve that desirable crispiness. This means you can enjoy the taste and texture of fried potatoes with fewer calories and less fat, making it a healthier choice.
And my personal favorite, it is very time-efficient! Air fryers are known for cooking foods faster than conventional ovens, reducing your time in the kitchen (yay 😀). This is especially handy for busy weeknight dinners or when craving a quick, homemade side dish.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Greek Potatoes
- 5 medium-sized potatoes (or 3 larger potatoes) – I used red potatoes, but you can also use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or russet potatoes. I cut mine into bite-sized pieces, but you can also cut them into potato wedges.
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil – if you want to achieve authentic Greek flavors, stick to the olive oil. If, for some reason, you don’t like using olive oil, then substitute for other types of oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – I found that using dried oregano works great to toss everything well. But if you want fresh oregano, the equivalence is 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
- Freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 lemon.
- Optional: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or any other fresh herbs you choose.
How to make Air Fried Greek Potatoes
- Prepare the Potatoes: Start by peeling and cubing the potatoes into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board with a sharp knife.
- Soak the potatoes: transfer the potato cubes to a large bowl, add water to cover them, and soak for about 30 minutes to remove starch. You can ignore this part completely; however, this step will ensure the better crispiness of the potatoes. Remove the cubes from the water and dry them with a paper towel.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). The temperature depends on the type and size of the air fryer you have. Mine is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature of around 375 degrees f.
- Season the Potatoes: Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes and add the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper (optionally, add garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika). Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Add lemon juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the potatoes for an extra flavor and toss well. The acidity of the lemon complements the Mediterranean taste.
- Air Frying: Place the potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Place the basket or tray in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping the potatoes halfway through the cooking time. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your potato pieces and the specific air fryer model. You’ll want to cook them until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Serve: Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of crispiness and tenderness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Garnish with additional fresh oregano or a sprinkle of salt and pepper if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you peel the potatoes or leave the skin on is a matter of personal preference. Many people enjoy potato skins’ texture and added nutrients, but you can peel them if you prefer a smoother texture. I usually peel the potatoes when making Air Fried Greek potatoes.
Yes, you can use fresh oregano if you have it. The general rule of thumb is that 1 teaspoon of dried oregano is roughly equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano. Adjust to your taste, as fresh herbs have a milder flavor than dried ones.
Yes! Placing potatoes in a single layer ensures that each piece is exposed to the hot air circulating in the air fryer. This promotes even cooking and helps prevent some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
Potatoes contain starch, making them gummy and less crispy when cooked. Soaking the potato slices or wedges in cold water helps to remove some of this excess starch on the surface. As a result, your air-fried potatoes will have a better crispy texture.
In conclusion, air-fried Greek potatoes are a delightful culinary journey to the Mediterranean that you can savor in the comfort of your kitchen. With their irresistibly crispy exterior and flavorful interior, these potatoes encapsulate the essence of Greek cuisine. Using an air fryer ensures a healthier cooking method with less oil and delivers a quick and convenient way to enjoy this Mediterranean delicacy. If you share my view, you’ll agree that there is nothing better than an easy way to prepare delicious Greek potatoes in no time!
You may also like these Air Fryer Recipes
- How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges (with Adobo Seasoning)
- Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Recipe
- Best Quick Air Fryer Corn on the Cob Recipe
- Quick Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes with Cinnamon
- Easy Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Easy Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
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Air Fryer Greek Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 potatoes medium
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp oregano dried
- 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed juice
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Start by peeling and cubing the potatoes into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board with a sharp knife.
- Soak the potatoes: transfer the potato cubes to a large bowl, add water to cover them, and soak for about 30 minutes to remove starch. You can ignore this part completely; however, this step will ensure the better crispiness of the potatoes. Remove the cubes from the water and dry them with a paper towel.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). The temperature depends on the type and size of the air fryer you have. Mine is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature of around 375 degrees f.
- Season the Potatoes: Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes and add the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper (optionally, add garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika). Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Add lemon juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the potatoes for an extra flavor and toss well. The acidity of the lemon complements the Mediterranean taste.
- Air Frying: Place the potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Place the basket or tray in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping the potatoes halfway through the cooking time. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your potato pieces and the specific air fryer model. You'll want to cook them until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Serve: Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of crispiness and tenderness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Garnish with additional fresh oregano or a sprinkle of salt and pepper if desired.
Video
Notes
- Refer to the post above for video instructions and other useful information.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will depend on your specific ingredients.
- Medium-sized potatoes (or 3 larger potatoes) – I used red potatoes, but you can also use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or russet potatoes. I cut mine into bite-sized pieces, but you can also cut them into potato wedges.
- Extra virgin olive oil – if you want to achieve authentic Greek flavors, stick to the olive oil. If, for some reason, you don’t like using olive oil, then substitute for other types of oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Dried oregano – I found that using dried oregano works great to toss everything well. But if you want fresh oregano, the equivalence is 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano.
