Easy Crispy Garlic Potato Pops
Introduction
There’s nothing quite like a bite-sized, crispy snack to steal the show at any table, and these Easy Crispy Garlic Potato Pops deliver just that. With a golden, crunchy exterior and a soft, garlicky interior, these potato pops are irresistible as party appetizers, game-day snacks, or a fun side dish. Their simplicity and bold flavor promise to make everyone reach for seconds—no fancy ingredients required!
The Secret to Super Crispy Potato Pops
The key to achieving shatteringly crispy potato pops lies in two things: evenly sized pieces and the right cooking method. By dicing potatoes uniformly, each pop fries (or air-fries) to perfection with edges that stay crunchy long after they’re out of the pan. Plus, using garlic in both the coating and the butter drizzle ensures a double hit of savory, aromatic flavor.
Prepping Your Potatoes for Perfect Pops
Start with starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. Peel and cut them into even, bite-sized cubes for uniform cooking. To speed up the prep, try a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper—it makes it easy to achieve consistent, perfect cubes in seconds.
After dicing, soak the potatoes in cold water for 15–20 minutes to remove excess starch. This step helps them crisp better. Drain and pat completely dry with a towel before proceeding.
Crisping Up: Best Cooking Methods
For the ultimate crunch with less oil, use a COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1. Simply toss the dry potato cubes in a garlic-infused oil mixture and spread them in a single layer. The air fryer circulates hot air around the potatoes, ensuring they get golden brown and crispy without deep-frying. For traditionalists, pan-frying in a quality skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch works beautifully too.
Want mess-free cleanup? Line your air fryer basket or baking tray with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll to keep your crispy garlic potato pops from sticking.
Finishing Touches & Serving Suggestions
Once your potato pops are piping hot and crisped to perfection, toss them in a mixture of melted butter and minced garlic. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, flaky salt, or a sprinkle of parmesan for a savory finish. Serve them skewered with toothpicks as party nibbles, or tuck them into a salad container like the Bentgo Salad Container for an easy, portable lunch upgrade.
They also make a fun, dippable side for burgers, grilled meats, or hearty veggie dishes. Pair with ketchup, garlic aioli, or your favorite spicy hot sauce.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 6 servings as an appetizer. Each serving contains approximately 150–200 calories, with most of the fat coming from the minimal oil used in the air fryer coating and finishing butter. These potato pops are gluten-free and vegetarian, making them a crowd-friendly option.
Easy Crispy Garlic Potato Pops (Recap)
These crispy garlic potato pops are fast, family-friendly, and packed with bold flavor. Their crowd-pleasing crunch and ease of preparation make them a standout choice for parties, snacks, or side dishes—all year round.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes into even 1-inch cubes. Use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quick, uniform cuts.
- Soak diced potatoes in cold water for 15–20 minutes to draw out extra starch. Drain and pat completely dry with a clean towel.
- Preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 to 400°F. If using a baking tray, line it with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, toss dry potato cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Make sure every piece is well coated.
- Spread potatoes evenly in the air fryer basket or on the lined baking tray. Cook for 20–25 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy. (If pan-frying, use a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning as needed, about 15–20 minutes.)
- Meanwhile, combine melted butter and minced fresh garlic in a small bowl.
- Remove potato pops from the air fryer or skillet. Immediately toss with the garlic butter mixture and fresh parsley, if using. Sprinkle with parmesan, extra salt, or your favorite garnish.
- Serve hot, skewered with toothpicks or alongside your favorite dip. For easy transport, pack into a Bentgo Salad Container.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 20 minutes soak, optional but recommended)
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Enjoy your crunchy, garlicky potato pops—an easy, irresistible snack perfect for any occasion!