Simply Potatoes in the Air Fryer (Crispy in 20 Minutes)

Simply Potatoes in the air fryer come out golden and crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, in about 20 minutes — straight from the package, no boiling, no parcooking, and none of the sticking you get in a skillet.

This is the fastest way I know to put real breakfast potatoes on the table on a weekday. Below you’ll find exact temperatures and times for every Simply Potatoes variety, the shake schedule that actually gets them crispy, and the two mistakes that turn them soggy.

Quick Answer: How to Cook Simply Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Toss one 20-ounce package of Simply Potatoes with 1 tablespoon of oil and your seasonings. Air fry at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, shaking the basket at 8 minutes and again at 14 minutes. Cook in a single layer — crowding the basket is what makes them steam instead of crisp.

That’s the whole recipe. Everything below is the detail that makes it work every time.

Can You Air Fry Simply Potatoes?

Yes. Simply Potatoes are refrigerated, pre-peeled, and pre-cut, which means they go from package to basket with zero prep. They’re already partially cooked, so the air fryer’s job is browning and crisping rather than cooking them through — which is exactly what an air fryer does best.

You do not need to thaw them, rinse them, or pat them dry. Open the package, toss with oil, and cook.

What Are Simply Potatoes?

Simply Potatoes is a refrigerated potato brand you’ll find in the dairy case near the eggs, not in the freezer aisle. They’re fresh potatoes that have been peeled and cut, with no freezing involved, which is why they crisp up better than frozen potato products.

The line includes diced potatoes, diced potatoes with onion, shredded hash browns, sliced potatoes, and red potato wedges. Each one behaves a little differently in the air fryer — see the timing chart below.

If you’d rather start with the frozen kind, I have a separate guide for frozen hash browns in the air fryer that covers patties and shredded, and one specifically for frozen shredded hash browns.

Ingredients

Full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Simply Potatoes: Refrigerated diced potatoes, no peeling or chopping required.
• Red Onion: Adds sweetness and color to the finished potatoes.
• Bell Pepper: Any color works, adding crunch and mild sweetness.
• Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and crisps the edges.
• Garlic Powder: Coats evenly and won’t scorch like fresh garlic.
• Smoked Paprika: Brings warm color and a subtle smoky depth.
• Kosher Salt: Seasons the potatoes and draws out surface moisture.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground gives the best bite and aroma.

How to Make Simply Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Step 1; Preheat. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it run for 3 minutes. A hot basket is the difference between crisp edges and pale, soft potatoes.

Step 2: Season. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, onion, and bell pepper with the oil until everything has a light sheen. Add the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and toss again so the seasoning sticks to the oil rather than falling to the bottom of the bowl.

Step 3: Load the basket. Spread the potatoes in a single layer. If they’re piled more than one deep, split them into two batches. This is the single most common reason air fryer potatoes come out soggy.

Step 4: Cook and shake. Air fry at 400°F for 18–20 minutes total. Shake the basket at the 8-minute mark and again at 14 minutes. You’re listening for the sound to change — they’ll rattle differently once they’re crisp.

Step 5: Check and finish. They’re done when the edges are deep golden and a fork slides into a potato piece with no resistance. If you want them crispier, give them 2–3 more minutes and check again.

Step 6: Serve hot. Air fryer potatoes lose their crunch as they cool, so plate them straight out of the basket.

Cooking Times by Simply Potatoes Variety

Different cuts need different times. Use this chart:

Simply Potatoes Variety	Temperature	Time	Shake
Diced Potatoes	400°F	18–20 min	At 8 and 14 min
Diced Potatoes with Onion	400°F	18–20 min	At 8 and 14 min
Sliced Potatoes	400°F	14–16 min	At 7 min
Red Potato Wedges	400°F	20–22 min	At 10 and 16 min
Shredded Hash Browns	375°F	15–18 min	Every 5 min

Air fryers vary more than most appliances, so start checking at the low end of each range. Basket-style air fryers tend to run hotter than oven-style models.

Why 400°F and Not 350°F

You’ll see 350°F recommended for this a lot, and it does work — it just takes longer, usually 28 to 30 minutes, and you get less browning. Because Simply Potatoes are already partially cooked, the higher temperature isn’t a risk of a raw center. It’s simply the faster route to crisp edges.

If your air fryer runs hot or you’re cooking a small batch, drop to 380°F and add 2 minutes.

How to Get Simply Potatoes Extra Crispy

Don’t crowd the basket. Two batches at 18 minutes beats one crowded batch at 30. Overlapping potatoes trap steam, and steam is the enemy of crisp.

Use less oil than you think. One tablespoon per 20-ounce package is plenty. Too much oil pools in the basket and makes the bottom layer greasy rather than crunchy.

Preheat every time. Potatoes dropped into a cold basket spend the first several minutes sweating instead of searing.

Add fresh herbs after cooking, not before. Parsley, chives, and fresh rosemary burn at 400°F. Chop them and scatter them over the finished potatoes.

Give them one extra shake if you’re unsure. More contact with the basket surface means more browning. It’s very hard to over-shake these.

Seasoning Ideas

The garlic-and-paprika blend above is my default, but these potatoes take almost any direction:

• Ranch — 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning, added after cooking
• Cajun — 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, reduce the added salt
• Everything bagel — sprinkle on during the last 3 minutes so the seeds don’t scorch
• Parmesan and herb — 1/4 cup grated Parmesan tossed on in the final 2 minutes
• Southwest — 1/2 teaspoon each cumin and chili powder, finished with lime

What to Serve With Air Fryer Simply Potatoes

These are a breakfast side first and a dinner side second. A few pairings that work:

• Air fryer breakfast sausage links — same appliance, cook them first and hold them warm
• Air fryer soft boiled eggs — the runny yolk is made for crispy potatoes
• Air fryer breakfast casserole — for a full sit-down breakfast
• Air fryer sheet pan breakfast bake — feeds a crowd
• Air fryer sausage, bacon, and egg sandwich — potatoes on the side make it a diner plate
• Bob Evans copycat sausage and egg breakfast bowls — or fold these potatoes right into the bowl
• Starbucks copycat bacon, sausage, and egg wrap — for a grab-and-go morning

For dinner, they work alongside anything you’d serve with home fries — roast chicken, pork chops, or a simple fried egg on top.

Storing and Reheating

Cooled potatoes keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, put them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes. They come back crisp. Do not microwave them — the texture goes soft and rubbery and doesn’t recover.

I don’t recommend freezing cooked Simply Potatoes. They’re already a fresh product, and freezing after cooking makes them watery on the reheat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook Simply Potatoes straight from the package? Yes. No thawing, rinsing, or drying. Open the package, toss with oil and seasoning, and go straight into a preheated basket.

Do I need to add oil? A light coating — about 1 tablespoon per 20-ounce package — makes a real difference in browning. You can cook them dry, but they’ll be paler and less crisp.

What temperature should I air fry Simply Potatoes at? 400°F for most varieties. Shredded hash browns do better at 375°F because they’re thin and scorch at higher heat.

How long do Simply Potatoes take in the air fryer? 18–20 minutes for diced, 14–16 for sliced, 20–22 for red potato wedges, and 15–18 for shredded. Shake at least once partway through.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Yes, for these. Three minutes at 400°F. It’s the easiest way to improve the result with no extra effort.

Can I cook Simply Potatoes from frozen? Simply Potatoes are a refrigerated product, not a frozen one. If you’ve frozen them yourself, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first. Cooking them from frozen adds roughly 8–10 minutes and gives you a softer texture.

Why are my air fryer potatoes soggy? Almost always crowding. If the potatoes overlap in the basket, they steam. Cook in two batches instead.

Can I use a different brand? Yes. Any refrigerated diced potato product cooks the same way. Frozen diced potatoes also work but need about 5 extra minutes.

Do I have to use bell peppers and onions? No — they’re optional. Plain seasoned potatoes cook in exactly the same time.

More Air Fryer Potato Recipes

If these worked for you, these are the potato recipes I make most:

• Air fryer canned potatoes — the other pantry shortcut
• Denny’s copycat breakfast potatoes — from scratch, diner-style
• Air fryer jacket potatoes — crisp skin, fluffy inside
• KFC copycat potato wedges — seasoned coating, no deep fryer
• Homemade McDonald’s hash brown patties — worth the extra step
• Mexican air fryer sweet potatoes — for something different
• Air fryer potato peels — zero waste and genuinely good

You can browse every recipe I’ve tested by appliance on the air fryer recipes page, or find more morning ideas in breakfast recipes and side dishes. If you’re new to the appliance, my air fryer charts and cooking tips has time-and-temperature references for most common foods.