These southern home fries with peppers and onions are the perfect accompaniment to your breakfast spread. Baby potatoes get a flavourful twist, and get perfect crisp in the air fryer. These will remind you of your favourite diner home fries, just like these IHOP copycat ones!

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Why This Recipe Works
- It's an air fryer recipe: Home fries come out great in a skillet or on a griddle, but this air fryer recipe is fuss free. It does not get easier, or more maintenance than that.
- These potatoes are full of flavour: These are among the most flavourful home fries I have ever tried. The seasonings do not skimp on the flavour.
- Little prep required: You do not need to do tons of prep to make these home fries. No soaking, wringing, or drying.
Ingredients
- Baby potatoes: Baby potatoes are perfect in size to cook quickly in the air fryer. They maintain a fluffy interior and crisp exterior, perfect for home fries.
- Peppers and onions: I find that a yellow onion and red pepper work best for this recipe. Yellow onions caramelize in the air fryer while cooking, and the red pepper is perfectly sweet.
- Seasonings: You will need garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, creole seasoning and salt.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Instructions
START WITH...
Collecting all your ingredients - This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Chop your ingredients - Wash and quarter the potatoes. Dice the onions and peppers.
Add the potatoes, diced onions and peppers, olive oil and spices to a large mixing bowl. Mix well so each potato is covered in seasoning.
Transfer the mixture to an air fryer basket. Air fry at 375°F for 35 minutes.
Serve with your favourite dip. Some of mine include homemade ranch, avocado goddess dressing or basil feta dip.
Expert Tip
Shake the air fryer basket while cooking to ensure that all the potatoes have an opportunity to get crispy.
Substitutions
- Baby potatoes: If you do not have baby potatoes on hand, you can use regular yukon gold potatoes, or even red skin potatoes if you have them. Cut them into even-sized pieces so everything cooks uniformly.
- Red pepper: Green bell pepper works well.
- Smoked paprika: You can use regular sweet paprika.
Variations
- Spicy: Add in some chopped jalapeño peppers, and season with some cayenne pepper to add some spice.
- Cheesy: Top with some shredded cheddar cheese for the last couple of minutes of cooking, for cheesy potatoes.
Equipment
This is what I used to make this recipe - Please be mindful that different equipment and cooking utensils may yield varying results. Most of my favourite equipment can be found on my storefront.
- Mixing bowls
- Air fryer
Storage
Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer covered with foil to prevent the potatoes from burning.
Recipe FAQ's
Home fries are generally cubed potatoes that are prepared in a skillet or a griddle. They sometimes include peppers and onions. Their main characteristic is the fluffy interior and crisp exterior.
If making this recipe in a skillet, it may be beneficial to parboil your potatoes to cut down on the cooking time. When making home fries in the air fryer, it is not necessary to parboil your potatoes. The air circulation cooks the potatoes relatively quickly.
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This recipe was originally published in November, 2020. It was updated in March, 2022 to include process shots, detailed instructions and tips for making the best home fries every single time!
Southern Home Fries with Peppers and Onions {Air Fryer}
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Baby potatoes quartered
- ½ Red bell pepper diced
- ½ Yellow onion diced
- 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Season the potatoes: Add the potatoes, diced onions and peppers, olive oil and spices to a large mixing bowl. Mix well so each potato is covered in seasoning.1 ½ lbs Baby potatoes, ½ Red bell pepper, ½ Yellow onion, 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 tablespoon Onion powder, 2 teaspoon Smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, Salt
- Air fry the potatoes: Transfer the mixture to an air fryer basket. Air fry at 375°F for 35 minutes.
Equipment
Notes
- Shake the air fryer basket while cooking to ensure that all the potatoes have an opportunity to get crispy.
Superna
What an easy recipe and they look amazing! Making them tomorrow ??