Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

These air fryer smashed potatoes are seriously crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Plus, they have a savory kick from rosemary and garlic that makes them truly irresistible. Best of all, no oven or pan is required, so cleanup is a breeze, and they're done in less than 30 minutes!

 

The Best Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes 

These air fryer smashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for your next dinner party, family gathering, or just a regular ol' Tuesday night. 

And along with being delicious, they're pretty darn easy to make, too!

Unlike a typical smashed potatoes recipe, this recipe doesn't require pan-frying or baking the potatoes in a hot oven. That means you still get that crispy texture without all the extra oil and/or a hot kitchen!

Also, I think making smashed potatoes air fryer style is even better than oven-baked or pan-fried methods of making them. They get just as crispy and crunchy without the added fat, and they're done in under 30 minutes!

The result? Perfectly crispy little bites with a creamy, tender center and no hassle! And you can eat these as is, or dip them in ketchup, ranch dressing, or chipotle mayo. 

They're also great alongside this huli huli chicken and stuffed chicken breast for a complete dinner. 

And you can even eat them as breakfast potatoes with this air fryer turkey bacon and McDonald's biscuits!

Ingredients

Another thing to love about these air fried smashed potatoes is you only need basic ingredients to make them. And you probably already have most of these ingredients on hand and ready to go!

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 lb small potatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt, adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• More herbs to serve

Now, for best results, use small potatoes that have thin skin, like red or Yukon gold. You can also use slightly larger potatoes and cut them into halves or quarters first.

Also, if you don't have rosemary on hand, any fresh or dried herb will do—try thyme, oregano, dill, or your favorite mix. You can also skip them altogether and stick to salt and pepper if you wish.

By the way, this recipe will also work for sweet potatoes, and it's definitely delicious, too!

How to Make Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Ok, so the process of making these air fried smashed potatoes is super easy! In fact, it might be the easiest way to make delicious and crispy potatoes.

So, get out the ingredients you need, and let's get to the recipe.

Step 1: Prep Work

First, wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. 

Then, mix the olive oil, rosemary, salt, herbs, and spices in a bowl and set it aside for later.

Step 2: Boil and smash the potatoes

Next, add salted water to a pot, and bring it to a boil.

Now, add the potatoes, and let them boil for 15-20 minutes until soft all the way through. You should be able to stick a knife through the thickest part easily.

Once they reach this doneness, drain the water and let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before smashing them. You can use a fork, a potato masher, a mug, or even the bottom of a skillet!

Don't let them break apart completely, though - let the skin will hold them together.

Step 3: Season and air fry

Now, pour the spices and oil mixture over the potatoes and transfer them to the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. 

Next, air fry at 390°F (200ºC) for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Sprinkle more herbs on top and enjoy hot!

Tips For Making These Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—you want plenty of room for the hot air to circulate around the potatoes.
• Don't forget to season your boiling water to bring out the flavor of the spuds.
• You want the potatoes to be tender enough to eat, but not so soft that they fall apart when you smash them, so check them from time to time.
• Smash them just enough that they break and go flat, not so much that they actually break apart.
• Check them in the air fryer halfway through to make sure they don't burn. Add or subtract cooking time as needed.
• For more crunch, let the smashed potatoes cool down a little bit before air-frying. The drier the surface, the better and faster they'll crisp up!

How To Store Smashed Potatoes

To store air fryer smashed potatoes in the fridge, place them in an airtight container or plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.

They will last up to 4 days in the fridge, and they taste even better reheated!

If you want to keep them longer than that, go ahead and freeze them! Pop the potatoes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (to keep them from sticking together) and put them into the freezer until they're frozen solid.

Then, you can pop them into an airtight storage container or freezer bag and store them for about 10 months, or until you're ready to eat.

How to Reheat Smashed Potatoes

It's super easy to reheat and re-crisp these air fryer smashed potatoes!

The first thing to know is that microwaving them is not the best option. It'll leave these taters soggy, soft, and not tasty. So instead, follow these directions:

If you want to use the air fryer (the best option), turn the temperature up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook them for 8 minutes until they're heated through and crispy.

If you want to reheat them in a pan, turn the stovetop onto medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil, and heat until the oil is simmering. Place the potatoes in the pan and let them cook for 5-7 minutes or until they're hot all the way through.

If you want to heat them up in the oven, preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then add a tablespoon of olive oil over each potato and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

Wrapping it All Up

And that is how to make air fryer smashed potatoes! 

Crispy, crunchy, and flavorful smashed potatoes that can be enjoyed with breakfast, lunch, or dinner! 

Anyway, I hope you're able to use this air fryer smashed potatoes recipe as a base for as many meals as I have!

If you give them a try, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you liked this air fryer recipe, we have a ton of other recipes that you can try next! 

Here are some more air fryer recipes:

• Tortilla Chips 
• Pierogies
• Baked Potatoes
• Tuna Steak
• Quesadillas
• French Toast

By the way, for even more tasty recipes like this check out our YouTube channel. We post new recipes there almost every day.

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