Smashed potatoes in the air fryer are such an easy way to cook potatoes, and they come out crispy and delicious! This recipe uses baby potatoes. You cook them, smash them, and then cook them again, smothered in butter, salt, and pepper. Smashed potatoes complement almost any dinner, and you can even whip them up for a light lunch. Hot and fluffy potato insides with crispy outsides that are bursting with flavor? Yes, please!
I love making side dishes in the air fryer because it frees up your oven for main courses – or more yummy sides! Here are a few of my favorites: Frozen Sweet Potato Fries, Wonton Mozzarella Sticks, Homefries in the Air Fryer, and Curly Fries in the Air Fryer.
What are Smashed Potatoes?
Smashed potatoes are baked baby potatoes that are pressed down to flatten, then seasoned and baked again until they retain their flattened
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 24 ounces small potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the potatoes onto the air fryer tray.
STEP TWO: Air Fry. Air fry the potatoes for 20 minutes.
STEP THREE: Smash the potatoes. Use the potato masher or fork to smash the potatoes. Place a small amount of butter on each potato and season with salt and pepper.
STEP FOUR: Air Fry Again. Place the tray back into the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.
STEP FIVE: Serve. Serve hot.
What Can I Serve Smashed Potatoes With?
Smashed potatoes are awesome with almost any kind of dinner (or they even make a light dinner or lunch on their own!). For a vegetarian option:
- Broccoli or cauliflower (also with cheese if you prefer!)
- Asparagus
- Any roasted veggies
- Serve on top of a salad
For a classic dinner:
- Grilled or baked chicken
- Fried chicken
- Grilled steak
- Salmon
- Fish
- Ribs
- Any grilled or roasted meat
Serve with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and toast!
We like to cook over easy eggs and set them right on top of a pile of smashed potatoes. They’re also very yummy with a scoop of guacamole or fresh avocado on top.
What Seasonings Are Good on Smashed Potatoes?
This recipe for smashed potatoes in the air fryer calls for a simple seasoning of butter, salt, and pepper. But you can also try seasonings from your spice cupboard. Here are some yummy options:
- Garlic and rosemary
- Thyme and parmesan cheese
- Smoked paprika and chili powder
- Lemon and parsley
Tips and Helpful Hints:
- Don’t overcook your potatoes. They can get overcooked, and be too soft. Then, they’ll fall apart when you cook them.
- Put parchment in your air fryer basket to help the smashed potatoes not to stick. This also makes clean up a breeze.
- For extra crispy potatoes, place them under the broiler for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.
FAQs
Yes, you can use larger potatoes, but they will take longer to cook. They’ll also look much different and may fall apart when scooping. I recommend baby potatoes for this recipe.
Yes, you can! It does take longer. Just boil the potatoes until fork tender (but not falling apart). Smash them on a baking tray, then bake them at 400 with butter and salt and pepper, for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
Yes, you can use other types of potatoes. Red potatoes work well for this recipe, and so do Yukon golds. But small potatoes are going to work best for this recipe, so choose a bag that has smaller ones in it.
Yes! Adding cheese to your smashed potatoes adds plenty of extra flavor and texture. What’s the best cheese? That’s totally up to you (or whatever’s in your fridge)! Just add a bit before the final cooking step and it will melt down beautifully on the potatoes: Try any of these:
Cheddar
Parmesan
Mexican blend
Goat cheese
Feta
Velveeta (melted, add after cooking instead of before)
Spicy queso
If you have a potato masher, you can easily use it to press down your potatoes. However, if you don’t have one, you don’t have to rush out and buy one. You can use a large fork to press them down instead. You can also use a flat-bottomed cup. Just push down slowly. You may have to roll the cup around a bit as you press.
How to Store Smashed Potatoes
If you somehow have leftovers (we’ve been known to sit around the table and eat these until every one is gone!), you can store them in the fridge in a Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to three days.
You can also freeze smashed potatoes. Let them cool completely, then place them to a freezer-safe Ziploc or container. Store for up to 3 months.
To reheat your smashed potatoes, place them back in the air fryer at 350 until fully heated through, about 7-8 minutes. You can also reheat them the same way in the oven, or microwave in 45 second bursts.
Smashed Potatoes Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounces small potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the potatoes onto the air fryer tray.
- Air Fry. Air fry the potatoes for 20 minutes. Use the potato masher or fork to smash the potatoes. Place a small amount of butter on each potato and season with salt and pepper. Place the tray back into the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve. Serve hot.
Notes
- Don’t overcook your potatoes. They can get overcooked, and be too soft. Then, they’ll fall apart when you cook them.
- Put parchment in your air fryer basket to help the smashed potatoes not to stick. This also makes clean up a breeze.
- For extra crispy potatoes, place them under the broiler for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.
Thank you for this. The recipe as well as instructions. I have owned a beautiful air fryer for 2 years, and failed one time trying to uses it. Nobody ever talked about preheating.
I will try these smashed potatoes. We love them!