This easy cheesy potatoes recipe is a classic, but it's one of my favorites by far. Potatoes are so versatile and it's a lot of fun to see how many different ways I can use them in a recipe. These potatoes au gratin can be cooked in the air fryer or baked in the oven.
What Makes This Recipe Different?
- Easy. A super simple air fryer recipe.
- Delicious. Filled with cheese, potatoes, onions, and a fantastic blend of spices.
- Vegetarian. A great meat-free side dish to pair with any meal.
- Gluten Free. An allergy-friendly option your whole family will love.
There are many fancy ways you can use potatoes. I've seen them carved into beautiful shapes like flowers and people's faces, however, you can't beat the classics.
These easy cheesy potatoes are pretty easy to make and always make for a crowd-pleasing dish. Of course, even if you don't have a crowd, the family will love them and be back for seconds.
This delicious side dish is gluten-free, vegetarian, and can be cooked in both the air fryer and the oven. It's super versatile and goes with so many main courses. It's creamy and cheesy and oh so delicious.
What Does Potatoes Au Gratin Mean?
Typically this refers to a French-style casserole where you've created a browned crust on top of a dish. Sometimes this is done with breadcrumbs, sometimes cheese--or if you're craving some good old-fashioned American topping, I've seen this done with crushed, buttered corn flakes.
I will not judge, because by golly that cornflake topping is delicious!
I debated whether this cheesy potato casserole was au gratin or not since I don't use a breadcrumb topping for them. But the simplest way to get a browned crust on these--and also a delicious way to do that--is to top with grated cheese for the final 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Why Are They Called Funeral Potatoes?
These deliciously cheesy potatoes are often referred to as Funeral potatoes because they are easy and affordable to make. They're also the epitome of comfort food.
What better thing to feed a crowd that needs a food hug than some cheesy potatoes?
Ingredients For Easy Cheesy Potatoes
- Milk- Full fat is ideal to create a rich, creamy flavor and texture.
- Onion- Roughly chopped to add extra texture to this dish.
- Garlic- Peel it and slice it as finely as possible.
- Fresh Thyme- Fresh will give a more intense flavor than dried.
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Russet potato- Peeled and very thinly sliced for consistent cooking.
- Sweet potato- These should be peeled and sliced to the same thickness as the russet potatoes.
- Shredded cheese- A mixture of Swiss and Mozzarella is my favorite, but use whatever your preference may be.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese- Helps to create the crispy, brown layer on top of the cheesy potato casserole.
How Do You Make Air Fryer Potatoes From Scratch?
You won't believe how easy it can be! Peel and slice some potatoes and layer them in a pan. Top with cheese and you have a tasty dish that is hard to top.
- Spray a 6 x 3-inch round baking pan or a 6 x 4-inch gratin bowl (the first is better for an air fryer the second for the oven)
- Place a thin layer of sliced potato on the base
- Add a little garlic, thyme, salt pepper, and some of the Swiss or Mozzarella cheese
- Repeat but the next layer will be sweet potato followed by the same toppings
- Then continue until your tin or gratin dish is full
- Push down firmly when you add each potato layer to create a nice compact gratin
- Finish off with a layer of mixed potato and sweet potato
- Pour over the milk
Air Fried Cheesy Potatoes
- If you are cooking in the air fryer cover with foil and cook at 350F for 40 minutes
Oven Baked Cheesy Potatoes
- If you are cooking in the oven cook uncovered at 350F in the middle of the oven for 55 minutes
To Finish
- When the gratin is cooked the potatoes should be able to be pierced easily with a knife.
- Sprinkle over the remaining cheese, Swiss or Mozzarella first then Parmesan.
- Either broil on high or place in the air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes.
What Meat Goes Well With Cheesy Potatoes?
Whether you bake or air fry this easy potato side dish, it is perfect to pair with so many main dishes. It works great with fish, steak, chicken, and veggie dishes.
- Air Fryer Cornish Game Hen- This recipe features the beautiful flavorings of Thai Gai Yang and will be a recipe you'll want to make over and over again.
- Air Fryer Beef Bulgogi Burgers- A fresh spin on a traditional burger recipe.
- Italian Stuffed Steak Rolls- a fancy dish that is stupid simple to make.
- Fish en Papillote - a fancy way of saying fish cooked in parchment paper. It's so easy to make, delicate, flakey fish using this method.
- Basil Pesto Chicken - This low carb Basil Pesto Chicken recipe is a creamy, delicious and simple dish you can make in your air fryer or oven.
More About This Potato Casserole
Both mealy and waxy potatoes work well in this recipe, don't be afraid to experiment.
It's a lot easier to slice the potatoes for this dish by using a mandolin slicer. Be careful though, don't go for a cheaper mandolin slicer as it's easy to cut yourself on those. Be sure you get one with a guard so your fingers will stay intact. it's well worth it though and you can use it for many more of my recipes outside of these cheesy potatoes.
Yes! These potatoes are a great make-ahead side dish. You can prep the whole dish, up to the point of cooking, and keep it covered in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
You can also cook the cheesy potatoes ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat them in an oven at 350F, with the top covered with foil for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also reheat them in air fryer for 4 minutes.
Tips and Tricks for Making Scalloped Cheesy Potatoes
- For the perfect Au Gratin cheesy potatoes, make sure you slice all of the potatoes the same size. A mandolin slicer makes this easier.
- Add cheese to the top of the potatoes in the final 2-3 minutes of cooking for a cheesy crust.
- If you cannot be bothered with layering just place all of the ingredients in a large bowl with the exception of the cheese for topping. Then mix well and pour into the cooking bowl and cook as per instructions.
Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?
- Easy Baked Apples- Several variations to make the most delicious baked apples.
- Spiced Butternut Squash- Packed full of flavor and done in 15 minutes!
- Air Fryer Fennel Chicken- Pair chicken and fennel for the perfect flavor combination.
If you're looking for more delicious potato recipes, check out my Irish Colcannon. It's a wonderful twist on mashed potatoes. Be sure to check out my air fried baked potatoes and rosemary roasted potatoes too.
Finding a quick and easy side dish to pair with your meal doesn't have to be a chore. If you've been looking for the perfect potato side, this is the one for you. A savory, creamy, and cheesy accompaniment to your dinner.
I absolutely love side dishes containing potatoes. These cheesy potatoes are only one of my favorites but, they're always at the top of my list. They're quick to toss together, and they always come out with the perfect texture and flavor. I guarantee the entire family will be in love with this dish. I know mine was!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup (238g) Full Fat Milk
- 1/4 cup (40g) Onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, peeled and sliced as finely as possible
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 medium russet potato, peeled and very thinly sliced, (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and very thinly sliced, (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 cup + 1/4 cup (100 g + 25 g) shredded cheese, Swiss or Mozzarella
- 1/4 cup (25g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Spray a 6 x 3-inch round baking pan or a 6 x 4-inch gratin bowl (the first is better for an air fryer the second for the oven)
- Place a thin layer of sliced potato on the base
- Add a little garlic, thyme, salt pepper and some of the Swiss or Mozzarella cheese
- Repeat but the next layer will be sweet potato followed by the same toppings
- Then continue until your tin or gratin dish is full
- Push down firmly when you add each potato layer to create a nice compact gratin
- Finish off with a layer of mixed potato and sweet potato
- Pour over the milk
- If you are cooking in the air fryer cover with foil and cook at 350F for 40 minutes
- If you are cooking in the oven cook uncovered at 350F in the middle of the oven for 55 minutes
- When the gratin are cooked the potatoes should be able to be pierced easily with a knife.
- Sprinkle over the remaining cheese, Swiss or Mozzarella first then Parmesan.
- Either broil on high or place in the air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes.
Watch The Video
- For the perfect Au Gratin potatoes, make sure you slice all of the potatoes the same size. A mandolin slicer makes this easier.
- Add cheese to the top of the potatoes in the final 2-3 minutes of cooking for a cheesy crust.
- If you cannot be bother with layering just place all of the ingredients in a large bowl with the exception of the cheese for topping. Then mix well and pour into the cooking bowl and cook as per instructions.
- Both mealy and waxy potatoes work well in this recipe, don't be afraid to experiment.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Originally published July 21, 2019
Katie
I opted for the airfryer method followed the directions exactly. After the 40 minutes at 350 they were still raw. I added another 25 minutes, still raw. I put them in the oven for 25 minutes at 375, still raw. I put them back in for an additional 25 minutes and they are still very firm, and definitely not soft and cooked.
Matthew
Delicious!
Shreya
Do the onions go with the layer of garlic/thyme etc?