Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong with air fryer smashed potatoes. Crispy and golden on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, this smashed potato recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.

How to make smashed potatoes in an air fryer

Smashed potatoes are the perfect crispy potato side dish – all the crispy, tender delicious potato-ness (that’s a word, right?) that you get with fries, yet somehow a little bit fancy. 

If you’ve never made them before, this recipe for cooking smashed potatoes in an air fryer ensures foolproof results every time! There is also no need to boil them first. 

Air frying is a great way to cook potatoes, air fryer roasted potatoes, air fryer baked potato, air fryer baby potatoes, or check out all my recipes for air fryer potatoes. 

Scroll down for the recipe card for these crispy air fryer smashed potatoes, or read on for all the details! 

Ingredients

Potatoes

This recipe calls for whole baby potatoes. Any small type of potato will work for this recipe, though a starchy roasting variety like gold potatoes will give you the best results. Some good varieties to try are: 

• baby russet potatoes
• golden baby potatoes
• baby sweet potatoes
• baby red potatoes 

You want to use small sized potatoes around the size of golf balls at most. 

Oil

I normally use light olive oil for this recipe, but you can use any cooking oil that you usually use in your air fryer. You can vary the amount of oil for healthier or crispier smashed potatoes – use an oil spritz for a healthier version, or add extra if you want to get them really crispy. 

Note: don’t use extra virgin olive oil as this has a much lower smoke point than light olive oil and can lead to your air fryer smoking during cooking. 

Seasoning

The basic ingredients for this recipe only use kosher salt and black pepper for seasoning. However, you can add other seasonings or fresh herbs to really make this dish your own.

Here are some I like to use: 

• chili powder or chili pepper flakes for a kick
• Cajun seasonings
• dry herbs or Italian seasoning
• garlic powder or cloves of garlic
• onion powder
• grated Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Step 1: Prep. Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C. Wash and dry potatoes.

Step 2: Air fry the potatoes. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12-15 minutes. They should be fork tender – stick a fork in the largest one to check. Larger potatoes may need longer, so air fry for an additional couple of minutes if needed.  

Time-saving tip: you can also microwave the potatoes for 5 -10 minutes instead of air frying if you are short on time. However, microwaving releases water from the potatoes, so they won’t get quite as crispy as if you double air fried them.

Step 3: Smash the potatoes. Now the fun bit! Transfer potatoes to a plate or large bowl. Use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to squash the potatoes. You want them to split so that they are flattened and the fluffy insides is exposed, though you don’t want to completely smash them so that they fall apart. 

Step 4: Season. Mix the oil and seasoning in a small jug or bowl, then drizzle the mixture over the smashed potatoes. Gently turn the potatoes to ensure they are fully coated in oil. 

Step 5: Air fry smashed potatoes. Place the smashed potatoes in the air fryer basket. Try to leave space between them so the hot air can get the potato edges really crispy. You may need to use a layer accessory or cook them in batches.

If you are using shredded cheese then it is best to place the potatoes on a baking sheet or cookie sheet. You could also use baking parchment, though please note that this is not recommended for all air fryers, so check your manual before you try that. 

Air fry smashed potatoes for 10-15 minutes. Give the basket a gentle shake halfway through the cooking time. They are done when the potatoes are golden brown with crispy edges. Exact cook time depends on a few factors, so air fry for an extra few minutes if required. 

Serving

I usually serve these as a side dish for a main meal. You can really elevate them by adding some toppings. Here are some fun ideas to try: 

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Bacon bits
• Sliced green onions
• Garlic butter

They also make a great snack or appetizer if served with a dipping sauce. Try: 

• Sour cream
• Hot sauce (or sour cream and hot sauce) 
• Gravy
• Cheese sauce
• BBQ sauce

Storing and reheating

Store any leftover smashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and use within 3 days. 

You can reheat the potatoes in the air fryer, air fry for 3-4 minutes until warmed through.

Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave (1-2 minutes on high). But really, reheat them in the air fryer. Double air fried smashed potatoes are insanely crispy and more delicious than they first time you cooked them!

Air fryer smashed potatoes recipe card

You may also like:

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Carrots
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Parsnips
• Basic Mashed Potato Recipe

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