Air Fryer Potato Gratin
Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Betty Davies
Cook up a tasty potato gratin in less time in your air fryer. Thinly sliced potatoes are cooked in a seasoned cream sauce before being topped with panko breadcrumbs and parmesan and broiled to crispy perfection. This indulgent potato side is truly indulgent and delicious!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy here.
When it comes to potato side dishes, a classic potato gratin has to be up there with the best. Cheesy and creamy with a crunch topping, I mean, what’s not to love?!
I love using my air fryer for side dishes as it’s so quick and effortless, so I just HAD to try this favorite recipe in it, and let me tell you, it turned out so good!
This air fryer potato gratin is a wonderful side for a big feast or occasion, and certainly won’t be out of place on a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table.
Be sure to try my Individual Potato Gratin and Air Fryer Baby Potatoes too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick: The air fryer cooks this gratin way quicker than the traditional oven baking method.
- Frees up your oven: One of the main reasons I love my air fryer is that it frees up your oven so you don’t have to juggle timings and temperatures, especially helpful if you are cooking a turkey or beef roast!
- Make ahead: This is a great make ahead side dish and is easily reheated.
- Dietary info: This air fryer potato gratin can easily be made gluten-free and vegetarian. It’s absolutely not healthy but it’s hands down delicious!
Ingredients
- Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes for this recipe. Yukon Gold or Russet work great.
- Onion and garlic: To add flavor to the cream sauce. Dice finely.
- Cream: For the richest flavor and best texture, use whipping or heavy ream that is 35% fat.
- Seasonings: Nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor. Parmesan is mixed into the cream sauce and also added to the topping.
- Panko breadcrumbs: For that perfect crispy topping. You can use
How to make potato gratin in an air fryer
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Soften the onions and garlic (photo 1).
- Stir in the cream, nutmeg and parmesan (photo 2).
- Slice the potatoes and lay in a baking dish (photo 3).
- Pour the cream mixture over the top (photo 4).
- Cover with foil and cook in the air fryer til the potatoes are tender. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs and parmesan on top (photo 5).
- Broil til golden brown (photo 6).
Recipe Variations
This individual potato gratin recipe is pretty delicious as it is, if I do say so myself! Other seasonings like thyme or rosemary will make a welcome addition, instead of the nutmeg, if you prefer. To make it healthier, swap the cream for half and half or milk, though the sauce won’t be as thick and rich.
Use a rennet free parmesan to make this dish vegetarian, and GF panko breadcrumbs if gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This is a great option if you are planning to serve this air fryer potato gartin as part of a big feast. Make the whole recipe, let it cool, then keep covered and refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover the top in foil and place in the air fryer at 360F for 5 to 10 minutes til warmed through.
Don’t slice the potatoes too far ahead of time as they will start to brown once they are cut open.
Yes! Oven baking is the traditional way to make this side dish. Cover the gratin with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 400F / 200c. It will take around an hour for the potatoes to become tender, so a little longer, but, totally worth it!
I used my 6quart basket air fryer and my 7.5 inch Staub casserole dish to make this recipe. You can make this with a larger or smaller air fryer, just make sure that your baking dish will fit in to the basket. Any dish that you use in the oven can be used in the air fryer, ideally it should be heat resistant up to 400F / 200c to be on the safe side.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer potato gratin is great to serve with your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, or any roasted meats, seafood or chicken dishes. Try it with:
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Cut the potatoes as thinly as you can. Use a sharp knife or a madoline if you have one.
- Cover the baking dish tightly in foil when you place it it the air fryer. Wrap a large piece of foil under the baking dish to keep it secure, loose foil can be sucked up by the air fryer fan.
- Take care when removing the foil from the dish, it will be piping hot and steam will escape as you open it.
- Use a fork to check that the potatoes are tender when you’ve baked them. If cut thickly, they may require extra time in the air fryer.
- The gratin will brown quickly under the broiler, so keep your eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
More Air Fryer Side Dishes
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Potato Gratin
Equipment
- Small Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1½ cups heavy or whipping cream (35%) (350ml)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan (4 tablespoons)
- 3 large potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
For the gratin topping
- 3 to 4 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 3 to 4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat the oil and butter in a small pot.
- Add in the finely diced onions and cook til soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an extra couple of minutes.
- Add in the cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Bring to a low simmer and keep on the heat for 5 minutes to let the cream thicken.
- Take off of the heat and stir in the parmesan. Set to one side.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360F.
- Peel the potatoes and slice finely with a knife or mandolin.
- Layer the sliced potatoes in a small casserole dish and pour the cream mixture over the top to coat. Wrap the dish securely in foil.
- Cook in the air fryer for 30 to 35 minutes until the potato slices are tender. Take care when removing the foil as there will be hot steam. Depending on how thickly you sliced the potatoes the timings may vary.
- Once the potatoes are tender, remove from the air fryer and pre heat the broiler.
- Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs on top and broil til golden brown.
Notes
- Cut the potatoes as thinly as you can. Use a sharp knife or a madoline if you have one.
- Cover the baking dish tightly in foil when you place it it the air fryer. Wrap a large piece of foil under the baking dish to keep it secure, loose foil can be sucked up by the air fryer fan.
- Take care when removing the foil from the dish, it will be piping hot and steam will escape as you open it.
- Use a fork to check that the potatoes are tender when you’ve baked them. If cut thickly, they may require extra time in the air fryer.
- The gratin will brown quickly under the broiler, so keep your eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
- I used my 6quart basket air fryer and my 7.5 inch Staub casserole dish to make this recipe.
