Air fryer Bombay potatoes are a crispy, spicy, and deeply flavourful side dish inspired by the bold street food flavours of Mumbai. This dish takes humble baby potatoes and transforms them into something seriously moreish, thanks to a vibrant mix of Indian spices and the magic of the air fryer.
To make them, start by parboiling or steaming baby potatoes until just fork-tender. This ensures they cook evenly and crisp up beautifully later on. Once drained and slightly cooled, the potatoes are either halved or lightly crushed for more surface area and texture. They’re then tossed in a bold spice mix, typically featuring turmeric for colour, cumin and coriander for warmth, garam masala for depth, and a pinch of chili powder for heat. Toasted mustard seeds and a little oil (or spray oil) can also be added to help the spices cling and develop flavour during cooking.
Once coated, the potatoes are transferred to the air fryer basket and cooked until the outsides are golden, crisp, and slightly blistered, while the insides stay soft and fluffy. The air fryer not only speeds up the cooking process but also uses far less oil than traditional frying, making this a lighter but still satisfying option.
Bombay potatoes are perfect as a side with curry, grilled meats, or paneer, but they’re just as good on their own with a dollop of yogurt or chutney. You can also scatter over some fresh coriander or finely sliced red onion before serving to brighten things up. Whether you’re serving them as part of a feast or snacking straight from the tray, these air fryer Bombay potatoes are guaranteed to go down a treat.
PREP 5 minute
COOK 18 – 20 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need an air fryer and mixing bowls
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bombay Potatoes
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
A teaspoon of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of garam masala
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (adjust to taste)
Sea salt, to taste
A handful of fresh coriander (for garnish)
1 tablespoons of lemon juice (optional)
Method
So Start by peeling your potatoes, then chop them into evenly sized cubes. Aim for around 2–3cm pieces so they cook evenly and crisp up nicely. Place the cubes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle over a little olive oil, just enough to lightly coat them. This helps the spices stick and encourages a golden, crispy finish in the air fryer.
In a separate small bowl, combine the spices: cumin seeds for crunch and aroma, turmeric for its golden hue, coriander and garam masala for depth of flavour, a pinch of chili powder for gentle heat, and salt to bring everything together. Stir the spices well, then sprinkle them over the oiled potatoes. Toss thoroughly to make sure each cube is well coated in the spice mix.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 3–5 minutes. Preheating helps the potatoes start crisping up the moment they go in, giving you that perfect golden texture.
Place the seasoned potato cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them if possible. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 18–20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the potatoes halfway through to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
Once the potatoes are crisp, golden, and cooked through, carefully remove them from the basket. If you like, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness and a scattering of chopped fresh coriander for a hit of freshness and colour.
Serve straight away while they’re hot and crunchy. So delicious with curry, grilled meats, or on their own as a snack with chutney or yogurt on the side.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bombay Potatoes
1. Parboiling for extra crispiness (optional but effective):
If you have a little more time, try parboiling the potato cubes for 5–7 minutes before seasoning. This softens the insides just enough so the air fryer can focus on crisping the outside. Drain well and let them steam dry before adding oil and spices. Dry potatoes = extra crispy edges!
2. Use baby potatoes or waxy varieties:
Baby potatoes or salad potatoes work brilliantly in this recipe because they hold their shape and have a naturally creamy texture inside. If you’re using a floury variety like Maris Piper or King Edward, just be a bit gentler when tossing to avoid them breaking apart.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket:
For the best results, cook the potatoes in a single layer with a little space between each cube. If your air-fryer is small, it’s better to cook in two batches than to overload it. As overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and steaming instead of crisping.
4. Spice it your way:
This recipe is super flexible. Like more heat? Add a pinch of crushed chilli flakes or a dash of hot paprika. Fancy a garlic twist? Add a little garlic granules or fresh minced garlic. You can also finish with chaat masala for a tangy, street food-style kick.
5. Make it a meal:
These potatoes pair beautifully with dal, paneer, or even fried eggs for brunch. For a simple midweek dinner, serve them in a wrap with yogurt and salad or alongside grilled meats or roasted veg.
6. Storage & leftovers:
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the air-fryer for 5–6 minutes at 180°C to bring back that crispiness.
With these few tweaks, this simple recipe can become a regular star in your weekly rotation.
Related Recipes
If you loved these Air Fryer Bombay Potatoes, here are five more potato-packed recipes from the blog that are equally comforting, crispy, and full of flavour:
Air Fryer Potato Skins
These are a total crowd-pleaser. Crispy potato halves filled with gooey cheese, crispy bacon (or veggie alternative), and finished with sour cream and chives. Perfect for party food, snacks, or even a fun weekend lunch.
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Golden and fluffy, these are a must-have for any roast dinner. A touch of garlic and rosemary takes them to the next level, and they come out beautifully crisp without needing a pan of hot oil.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Chunky, seasoned wedges that are crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. They’re perfect with dips or as a side to anything from burgers to grilled halloumi.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Crisp skins, fluffy middles, and ready in less time than the oven. These baked potatoes are a weeknight staple. Load them up with your favourite toppings or keep it simple with butter and sea salt.
Air Fryer Crisps
Yes, you can make crisps from scratch in the air fryer! Thin slices of potato, lightly oiled and seasoned, turn into crunchy snacks with no deep frying in sight.
Whether you’re after something spicy, crunchy, or comfortingly familiar, these potato recipes have you covered. Each one made easier (and crispier!) in the air fryer.
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