Discover the ultimate recipe for crispy garlic smashed potatoes made in the air fryer. Crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside, they make a perfect side dish or snack!
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Move over slow cooker roast potatoes, because these crispy, garlic-smashed delights may just have taken the crown in the competition for the most delicious and unique way to cook a potato! (I still love the slow cooker version though - you really should try these too!)
Prepare to experience bite-sized pieces of pure heaven as you devour the irresistible combination of a crispy and crunchy exterior giving way to a soft and fluffy interior. In my opinion, these may just be the best air fryer smashed potatoes you will have ever tasted!
You have the option to prepare these smashed potatoes in two ways: fully cooking them in the air fryer or pre-boiling them in a pan before smashing them. Don't worry if you don't have an air fryer, as I'll also provide instructions on how to cook them in the oven.
Jump to:
🤔 What Are Smashed Potatoes?
Smashed potatoes are a type of potato dish where boiled or roasted potatoes are partially mashed, then cooked in oil until crispy.
They are made by taking cooked potatoes and gently pressing down on them with a fork, potato masher or the bottom of a cup to flatten and break them apart. The potatoes are then typically drizzled with olive oil or melted butter, seasoned with salt, pepper, and other desired herbs or spices, and baked in the oven until they turn golden and crispy.
The result is like an extra crispy, squashed roast potato. They are so moreish & the taste so irresistible you’ll find it hard to resist devouring the whole lot!
🥘 Ingredients Needed
✋ Be sure to double check all packaging for allergens. ✋
- Potatoes: I highly recommend using baby potatoes in this recipe for extra crispiness. Their smaller size tends to result in a much crunchier crunch! However, if you prefer to use standard-sized potatoes, you can chop them into quarters. Just keep in mind that they may not achieve the same level of crispiness due to a smaller surface area of skin. If you opt for larger potatoes, varieties like Maris Piper, Red or Yukon Gold work well.
- Seasonings: A mixture of sea salt, ground black pepper, dried rosemary and garlic powder make up the seasonings. I would recommend using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, as I found that fresh garlic tends to burn when cooked with potatoes in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil: This is mixed with the seasonings to create a crispy potato coating.
⚡ Variations
Air fryer smashed potatoes offer endless possibilities when it comes to flavour variations. Here are a few alternative ideas you may also like to try!
- 🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add some heat to your smashed potatoes by adding spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or chilli powder.
- 🌿 Herbs: Experiment with different fresh or dried herbs such as basil, oregano, dill, or parsley.
- 🧀 Cheese: If dairy isn’t a problem for you, you can sprinkle shredded cheddar, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or feta cheese over the smashed potatoes before air frying. As the cheese melts and gets crispy, it adds the most fantastic texture & flavour to the dish.
✏️ How to Make Smashed Potatoes In The Air Fryer
⬇️ For the full printable recipe, along with ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post ⬇️
To start, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Then thoroughly wash the baby potatoes to remove any dirt. Once cleaned, if you are using the air fryer method to pre-cook the potatoes you will need to gently pat them dry with a kitchen towel. The potato skin needs to be dry to achieve a crispy finish on the outside of the potato.
Pre Cook / Boil The Potatoes
There are two methods to pre-cook the potatoes before smashing them. The first method is boiling the potatoes on the hob.
To do this, place the baby potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover them. Sprinkle a pinch of salt into the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and then reduce it to a simmer. Allow the potatoes to cook for approximately 15 minutes or until they are fork-tender but still firm. Once cooked, drain the water and let the potatoes cool for a few minutes to stream dry.
Alternatively, if you prefer using the air fryer for pre-cooking, arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook them for around 15-20 minutes until they can be easily pierced with a fork. This method adds an extra layer of crispiness to the potatoes before smashing.
Preparing The Seasoning
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, dried rosemary, sea salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly mix the ingredients until they are fully combined. Once the seasoning is ready, add the pre-cooked potatoes to the bowl and mix them well, making sure that each potato is coated evenly with the seasoning.
Cooking The Smashed Potatoes In The Air Fryer
Now that the potatoes are pre-cooked and seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Use the bottom of a mug to gently flatten each potato until it is about ½ inch thick. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until they are crispy and golden.
I recommend giving the basket a shake or turn the potatoes every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and achieve a crispy golden brown exterior.
Once the potatoes are crisp and golden, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley over the potatoes for a tasty garnish.
Cooking The Smashed Potatoes In The Oven
For those using the oven, preheat it to 200°C / 400°F. Place the pre-cooked potatoes in a single layer on a non-stick baking tray. Again, use the bottom of a mug to gently flatten each potato until it is about ½ inch thick. Roast the potatoes in the oven for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until they have turned a beautiful golden brown colour. To ensure even cooking, flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. This allows the air to circulate which helps the food cook evenly. You can always cook the potatoes in two batches if needed.
- I have used garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, as the latter tends to burn in the air fryer.
- This recipe has been tested using an Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook air fryer and the specified temperatures and timings are specifically tailored for this model. It is important to note that various air fryer brands may cook differently, so it is advisable to regularly check the food's cooking progress to ensure the best results.
🥡 Storage & Reheating
Storage
If you have leftovers (I’m sure you won’t as these are so moreish!) they will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating
To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer on the reheat function at 175˚C/350˚F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
I wouldn’t recommend reheating the potatoes in the microwave as they will lose their crispiness and become soggy.
🔪Equipment
Air Fryer: As always, all of my air fryer recipes are tested in the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear-Cook I absolutely love this air fryer! It cooks really quickly and evenly and I love that it has a see-through cooking drawer with a light, so you can see how the food is cooking without having to open the air fryer basket.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
These crispy smashed potatoes make the perfect snack, either on their own or dipped into a variety of dips!
I love alioli as it really enhances the garlic flavour on the potatoes. If you need an egg and dairy free version this Hellmans Vegan Garlic Mayo is delicious!
They also taste great as a side dish alongside a juicy steak, grilled chicken or fish.
💬 FAQ
Smashed potatoes and mashed potatoes differ in their texture and how they are prepared. Smashed potatoes are only partially mashed, leaving some chunks intact, while mashed potatoes are typically fully mashed into a smooth and creamy consistency.
Smashed potatoes can be a healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes since they often require less butter or cream. However, their overall healthiness depends on the ingredients and preparation method you choose. Cooking the potatoes in the air fryer instead of roasting them in the oven allows you to use less oil, making them lower in fat.
Smashed potatoes are best enjoyed immediately after baking for the crispiest texture. However, you can partially boil or roast the potatoes ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and then smash and bake them just before serving.
📖 More Potato Recipes...
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 450 g (1lb) baby potatoes chopped in half
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Thoroughly wash the baby potatoes and if using the air fryer method to pre-cook the potatoes, pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
To Pre Cook The Potatoes By Boiling On Hob
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the potatoes for about 15 minutes or until they are fork-tender but still firm.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool for a few minutes.
To Pre Cook The Potatoes Using The Air Fryer
- Add the potatoes in a single layer to the air fryer basket and cook for around 15-20 minutes until you can easily pierce the potato with a fork.
Preparing The Seasoning
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, dried rosemary, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
- Add the pre-cooked potatoes to the bowl and mix well, ensuring that all the potatoes are coated in the oily seasoning.
Cooking The Smashed Potatoes In The Air Fryer
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Use the bottom of a mug to gently flatten each potato until it is about ½ inch thick.
- Air fry the potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, giving the basket a shake or turning the potatoes every 5 minutes. This will help them cook evenly and achieve a crispy golden brown exterior.
- Once the potatoes are crisp and golden, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Cooking The Smashed Potatoes In The Oven
- Pre-heat the oven to 200˚C / 400˚F.
- Place the pre-cooked potatoes in a single layer on a non-stick baking tray.
- Using the bottom of a mug, gently flatten each potato until it is about ½ inch thick.
- Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until the potatoes have turned a golden brown colour. Flip the potatoes halfway through to ensure even cooking. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. This allows the air to circulate which helps the food cook evenly. You can always cook the potatoes in two batches if needed.
- I have used garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, as the latter tends to burn in the air fryer.
- This recipe has been tested using an Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook air fryer and the specified temperatures and timings are specifically tailored for this model. It is important to note that various air fryer brands may cook differently, so it is advisable to regularly check the food's cooking progress to ensure the best results.
Let me know what you think of this recipe!