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.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- They’re delicious. 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.
- They’re easy to make. Even if you’ve never made them before, this recipe for cooking smashed potatoes in the air fryer ensures foolproof results every time! There is also no need to boil them first.
- They’re fun to make! Smashing the potatoes can be a fun activity to get the kids involved, making this recipe a great option for family cooking.
For some more popular air fryer potato recipes, check out air fryer roast potatoes, air fryer baked potatoes, and 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!
What do you need?
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 potatoes around the size of golf balls at most.
Oil
The recipe below uses 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.
Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking.
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.
Try adding some Italian seasoning or dried herbs, or a dash of chili powder or chili pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
How to make smashed potatoes in the air fryer
- Prepare. Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C. Wash and dry potatoes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Season and oil potatoes. 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.
- Place smashed potatoes in air fryer. 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.
- Air fry smashed potatoes. Cook the smashed potatoes in the air fryer 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. The exact cook time depends on a few factors, so air fry for an extra few minutes if required.
Serving ideas
You can serve these smashed potatoes as a side dish for a main meal, a tasty snack or even an appetizer. Here are some serving ideas:
- Classic smashed potatoes: Serve air fryer smashed potatoes with a sprinkle of salt and pepper for a simple and delicious side dish.
- Garlic and herb smashed potatoes: Toss air fryer smashed potatoes with garlic-infused olive oil and chopped herbs like parsley or basil for a flavorful and fragrant twist.
- Parmesan truffle smashed potatoes: Top air fryer smashed potatoes with grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil for a luxurious and indulgent flavor.
- Loaded smashed potatoes: Top air fryer smashed potatoes with bacon bits, shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives for a hearty and satisfying side dish.
- Smashed potatoes and gravy: Serve air fryer smashed potatoes with a rich and savory gravy made with chicken or beef broth and flour for a comforting and satisfying side dish.
- Smashed potatoes and dip: Serve air fryer smashed potatoes with a dip like hummus, tzatziki, or guacamole for a fun and flavorful side dish.
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. Double air-fried smashed potatoes are insanely crispy and more delicious than the first time you cooked them!
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lb / 900 g baby potatoes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons light olive oil
Directions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C. Wash and dry potatoes. Place them in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender. Air fry for an additional couple of minutes if needed.
- Transfer potatoes to a plate or large bowl. Use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to squash the potatoes [Note 1].
- Mix the oil and seasoning in a small jug, then drizzle the mixture over the potatoes. Gently turn the potatoes to ensure they are fully coated in oil.
- Place the smashed potatoes in the air fryer basket so that they are not touching [Note 2].
- 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 [Note 3].
Notes
- You want them to split so that they are flattened and the fluffy insides are exposed, but not to completely smash them so that they totally fall apart.
- You need 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.
- Exact cook time depends on a few factors, so air fry for an extra few minutes if required.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Hal
Sunday 30th of July 2023
Very good recipe thanks! This is my new favorite way to cook potatos.