Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

These crispy air fryer smashed potatoes are a delicious side dish made with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect for a busy weeknight!

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish, crispy smashed potatoes made in the air fryer are the perfect choice.

With just a few ingredients, this recipe is not only easy to make, but it’s also vegetarian and budget friendly. 

And with just 15-20 minutes of cooking time, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

This easy smashed potatoes recipe is a great option for any occasion. It’s a delicious side dish that can be paired with any main dish, or even served all by themselves.

And with the added bonus of being made in the air fryer, it’s a healthier alternative to traditional potato salad, french fries, or potato skins.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

1. Simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
2. Easy to make and clean up!
3. Versatile! Try with many different seasonings.
4. Healthier than deep frying.
5. Leftovers can be repurposed into a few different dishes.

Ingredients Needed

Potatoes: Baby yellow or red potatoes are best. Use large potatoes if desired, just cut them down to smaller size.

Seasoning: A combination of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Oil: Olive oil or a neutral oil like canola, safflower, or peanut oil.

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How to Make Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

First: In a medium pot, cover the the potatoes with water. Add salt to the water. Boil the potatoes over medium-high heat for 20 minutes or until fork tender.

Second: Drain and cool slightly. Using a flat bottom bowl or glass, smash the potatoes to a 1/2” thick.

Third: Place smashed potatoes in air fryer basket in single layer. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with seasonings.

Fourth: Air fry at 400F for 15-20 minutes, flipping half way through, or until crispy. Remove and serve.

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

What do you serve with air fryer smashed potatoes?

Crispy smashed potatoes are great as a stand alone dish but they also make the perfect side dish. Try these with a rotisserie chicken, a juicy steak, chicken wings, and even sloppy joes!

If you like to dip your potatoes, try these with some spicy aioli, a sour cream dip, or your favorite dipping sauce. I love them with Bang Bang sauce!

How long do they last?

Leftover smashed potatoes will last in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Be sure to store them in an air tight container. 

To reheat them, air fry them at 350°F for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy again.

You can also use a microwave or a 350F oven to until they are warmed through.

Can you freeze smashed potatoes?

Yes, you sure can! Cool the potatoes and place in an airtight freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When ready to eat, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat them in the oven or air fryer until crispy and warmed through.

Can you make them ahead of time?

Yes, you can make air fryer smashed potatoes ahead of time. After cooking and seasoning the potatoes, let them cool to room temperature.  

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days before reheating and serving.

To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again. Or reheat them in the microwave until they are warmed through.

Can you make these in the oven?

Don’t have an air fryer? Try these in the oven!

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and boil the potatoes.
2. Place potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3. With a glass or potato masher, gently press down on each potato until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and your favorite seasonings.
5. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove and cool for a few minutes before serving.

Do I need to boil the potatoes first?

Yes, it’s important to boil potatoes before air frying them.

Boiling the potatoes first ensures that they are cooked through and tender, which makes them easier to smash and helps them become crispy in the air fryer.

You can also, roast the whole potatoes in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes at 400F instead of boiling. After you roast them, proceed with the recipe.

Can you put aluminum foil in the air fryer?

If you want to keep your air fryer basket clean you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper.

• Do no use wax paper. It will melt and cause a mess.
• Do not cover the entire basket or you will stop the flow of the hot air around the potatoes.
• Make small sections or small “trays” and use them for the potatoes. This also helps the oil stay close to the potatoes and not drip to the bottom of the basket.
• Use heavy-duty foil instead of regular to keep holes from being made in the foil.
• This makes for easy clean up!

What potatoes make the best smashed potatoes?

The best potatoes to use for air fryer smashed potatoes are small or baby potatoes, such as baby golden, baby red, or fingerling potatoes.

These types of potatoes are ideal because they are tender and cook quickly.

If you can’t find baby potatoes, you can use larger potatoes, such as red or Yukon gold potatoes, but the cooking time can be longer.

Use potatoes that are similar in size so that they cook evenly. If you have larger and smaller potatoes, you can separate them and cook them in separate batches.

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Toppings

Aside from the Italian seasoning, there are many different ways to season or top these crispy goodies.

1. Garlic Butter: Melt some butter in a small saucepan and add minced garlic. Drizzle over the smashed potatoes.
2. Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes before air frying for extra flavor and crunch.
3. Fresh herbs or spices: Red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, rosemary, and even cilantro.
4. Sour Cream: Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions.
5. Hot Sauce: Drizzle your favorite hot sauce over the potatoes for a spicy kick.
6. Ranch Dressing: Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.
7. Salsa: Red salsa or salsa verde are a delicious topping.
8. Bacon: Sprinkle crispy bacon over the cooked potatoes for a smoky flavor.

Tips for No Leftovers

• Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder if you have it on hand.
• If you’re using larger potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces before boiling them.
• For extra crispy potatoes, brush them with melted butter, garlic butter, or even vegan butter before cooking them in the air fryer.
• To avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, cook the potatoes in batches if needed.
• Use a potato masher or the bottom of a glass to smash the potatoes.
• Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes before seasoning them. This helps them to get extra crispy!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

This easy air fryer smashed potato recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight and can be served with your family’s favorite toppings!

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