Air Fryer Danish Caramelised Potatoes
Brunede kartofler, or caramelised potatoes, are a Danish Christmas favourite, served with roast pork or duck and plenty of gravy. Air fryer Danish caramelised potatoes keep the sweet, sticky glaze but need far less stirring and pan scrubbing than the traditional method. You melt a simple caramel, coat small cooked potatoes in it and let the basket do the rest in 8 minutes.
- Total
- 26 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 19 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 225kcal
Choosing the potatoes for air fryer Danish caramelised potatoes
Small waxy potatoes, around the size of a walnut, hold their shape and take the glaze best. Boil them until just tender, which takes 15–20 minutes, then peel and leave them to cool, ideally the day before. Cold potatoes are firmer and less likely to break up when you turn them in the caramel. Whole tinned new potatoes work in a pinch.
Air fryer Danish caramelised potatoes: the method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Get ready Pat the cooked, cooled potatoes completely dry with kitchen paper. Brush the air fryer basket lightly with oil and preheat it to 180°C for .
- Melt the sugar Put the sugar in a small heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Leave it alone until the edges start to melt, then swirl the pan rather than stirring. After it should be a deep golden amber.
- Add the butter Take the pan off the heat and add the butter and water. It will spit, so stand back a little. Stir with a spatula, then return to a low heat for until smooth and glossy.
- Coat the potatoes Tip the potatoes into the caramel and turn them gently for over a low heat until every one is evenly coated.
- Air fry Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the basket and scrape in any caramel left in the pan. Cook at 180°C for , shaking the basket halfway, until the glaze is bubbling and deep golden.
- Rest briefly Leave the potatoes in the basket for . The glaze is extremely hot and needs a moment to set before you serve it.
How many you can cook at once
A standard 4–5 litre basket takes 500g in a single layer. If you double the recipe, cook two batches, as piled-up potatoes steam and the glaze turns sticky rather than golden. No air fryer to hand? Roast the coated potatoes on a lined baking tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for about 12 minutes, turning once.
What to serve with them
For a Danish-style Christmas plate, serve them with roast pork or duck, such as these duck legs with potatoes. On an ordinary weeknight they suit air fryer Danish breaded pork patties. For a crowd, the all-hob version of caramelised potatoes is easier to scale up.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Danish Caramelised Potatoes
- The caramel turns grainy or forms hard lumps.
- Stirring too early is the usual cause. Swirl the pan instead, and if it does crystallise, add a splash of water and warm it gently until it melts again.
- The glaze runs off and the potatoes look pale.
- Wet potatoes dilute the caramel. Dry them thoroughly, and give them a further 1–2 minutes in the basket if the glaze is still thin.
- The caramel welds itself to the basket.
- Grease the basket before loading, and soak it in hot water straight after serving. The sugar softens in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Danish Caramelised Potatoes
How long do you cook caramelised potatoes in the air fryer?
8 minutes at 180°C, shaking the basket halfway, once the potatoes are coated. Allow another 10 minutes or so beforehand to make the caramel on the hob.
Can I use tinned potatoes?
Yes. Drain small tinned new potatoes and dry them very well. They are already soft, so the 8 minutes is mainly to set the glaze.
Can I make them ahead and reheat them?
Yes. Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days, then reheat in the air fryer at 160°C for 3–4 minutes until hot all the way through. The glaze will soften slightly, but the flavour holds up.
What do you serve with Danish caramelised potatoes?
They are traditionally served with roast pork or duck, red cabbage and gravy at Christmas, but they also go well with sausages or a roast chicken.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 60 ratings
