The first time I made these air fryer bacon-wrapped potatoes, I was looking for something crispy, hearty, and easy enough to prepare without turning on the oven. After one batch, they immediately became one of my favorite side dishes and party snacks. The combination of tender potatoes and smoky bacon creates the perfect balance of texture and flavor in every bite.
I also love how simple this recipe is to customize. Sometimes I sprinkle them with garlic powder and paprika for extra flavor, while other times I serve them with ranch, sour cream, or spicy dipping sauces. Using the air fryer gives the bacon a beautifully crisp finish while keeping the potatoes soft and fluffy inside. They come out golden, savory, and incredibly satisfying every single time.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Baby potatoes: Small baby potatoes work best because they cook faster and fit perfectly inside a strip of bacon. I prefer using Yukon Gold or red potatoes since they stay creamy and tender after air frying.
Bacon: Thin-cut bacon wraps around the potatoes more easily and crisps up better in the air fryer. Thick-cut bacon can work too, but it may require additional cooking time to fully crisp.
Olive oil: A small amount of olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes while encouraging a golden exterior during cooking.
Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a rich savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon and roasted potatoes.
Paprika: Paprika brings mild warmth and extra color to the potatoes. Smoked paprika can also be used for deeper flavor.
Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle kick and balances the richness of the bacon.
Salt: A light sprinkle of salt enhances all the flavors. Since bacon already contains salt, use it sparingly.
Toothpicks: Toothpicks help secure the bacon around each potato while they cook in the air fryer.
Ingredients List
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Toothpicks for securing
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes
Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and dry the baby potatoes thoroughly. If some potatoes are larger than others, cut them in half so they cook evenly. Place them in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt until fully coated.
Partially Cook the Potatoes
Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook them at 400°F for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. This step helps soften the potatoes before wrapping them with bacon.
Wrap the Potatoes with Bacon
Cut each bacon slice in half if needed, depending on the size of the potatoes. Wrap one piece of bacon tightly around each potato and secure it with a toothpick to keep it from unraveling during cooking.
Air Fry Until Crispy
Return the bacon-wrapped potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking so the bacon crisps evenly on all sides.
Serve Warm
Once the bacon is crispy and the potatoes are fork-tender, carefully remove the toothpicks and serve immediately. They taste amazing on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips for Making this Recipe
- Choose potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the bacon may steam instead of crisp.
- Pre-cooking the potatoes is important because bacon cooks faster than raw potatoes.
- Secure the bacon tightly with toothpicks to prevent it from loosening during cooking.
- For extra crispiness, spray the bacon lightly with cooking spray before air frying.
- Smoked paprika adds deeper smoky flavor if you want a richer taste.
- Serve with ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, sour cream, or cheese sauce for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Add grated Parmesan or chopped parsley before serving for extra flavor and presentation.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Yes, but you will need to cut them into smaller bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and wrap easily with bacon.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No, partially cooking them in the air fryer before wrapping with bacon is enough to make them tender.
How do I keep the bacon crispy?
Avoid overcrowding the basket and cook the potatoes in a single layer. Turning them halfway through cooking also helps the bacon crisp evenly.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can partially cook the potatoes and wrap them with bacon ahead of time, then refrigerate until ready to air fry.
What dipping sauces go well with this recipe?
Ranch dressing, garlic aioli, spicy mayo, honey mustard, and sour cream all pair wonderfully with these potatoes.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes, although turkey bacon may not become as crispy as traditional pork bacon. Cooking times may also vary slightly.
What temperature should I cook them at?
Cooking them at 400°F gives the bacon a crispy texture while keeping the potatoes soft inside.
Can I freeze bacon-wrapped potatoes?
Yes. Let them cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. Reheat directly in the air fryer until heated through and crispy again.
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