Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Some nights I just want a crispy side dish that is irresistibly crispy and fuss-free. On those nights I use an air fryer! As you already know, an air fryer makes everything better and crispier. 

This recipe starts with baby potatoes that are pre-cooked in water, drained, smashed, and seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Once they are prepared, the potatoes are finished in the air fryer, resulting in crispy, golden potatoes with a creamy center.

Best of all, these potatoes are ready in no time and are easy to pair with just about anything you are cooking for dinner!

Which Potatoes Are Best For Air-Frying?

Baby Yukon potatoes are perfect for air frying! Choose potatoes that are about one inch in diameter.

Besides baby Yukon potatoes, you can also go with red potatoes. These are the two best potatoes.

If you cannot find baby Yukon potatoes or red potatoes, go with plain potatoes! Cut them into thick slices, pre-cook, and smash — then finish the cooking process with an air fryer. 

Do I Need To Boil The Potatoes Before Air-Frying Them?

You can, but you don’t have to. It all depends on how you are feeling or how much time you want to spend preparing this! I went with the boiling method, but you can absolutely cook these just in an air fryer.

Cook them for one cycle, smash them with the bottom of a glass, then cook them in the air fryer until they’ve reached perfection. I’ll share more instructions just below!

How To Air-Fry Smashed Potatoes Without Boiling Them First

With smashed potatoes, you have to pre-cook them before the final roasting. Now, you could boil them first, or just use an air fryer.

If you want to use the air fryer only, here is what to do:

1. Wash your potatoes, drain them, and dry them.
2. Place the baby potatoes (with skin on!) into the air fryer basket. Cook the potatoes at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, then remove the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
3. Use the bottom of a cup or glass and smash the potatoes. Season the potatoes with minced garlic, salt, and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil. You can also combine all the seasonings and use the mixture to brush the smashed potatoes.
4. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, then air-fry the potatoes for another 15 minutes at 400°F or until crispy.
5. Serve the potatoes as desired or enjoy them as a snack!

Can I Change Something In This Recipe?

When it comes to the preparation method, there isn’t much space to work with, but you can easily mix up the seasonings!

I went with salt, pepper, and fresh garlic for this recipe, but you could also toss in some dried Italian herbs, chili powder, or red pepper flakes. 

The seasoning combination is completely up to you, but if you are using herbs, make sure they are dried — fresh herbs tend to burn in the air fryer! 

How To Serve Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

These mouth-watering air fryer potatoes can be paired with anything, such as your casseroles and stews, but also with simple sauces like tzatziki or a variety of delicious and complex chutneys. 

How To Store Any Leftovers

Your leftover potatoes can stay good in the refrigerator for up to five days. Just cover them up with a foil or store them in an airtight container.

When you want to serve them, just reheat them in the oven for 5–7 minutes. 

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