Discover this ultimate recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes! They are crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside and make a perfect side dish or snack. Ready in just 35 minutes!
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!)
I’m telling you, these air fryer crispy smashed potatoes are bite-sized pieces of pure heaven!
The irresistible combination of a crispy and crunchy exterior gives way to a soft and fluffy interior.
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 saucepan
Don't worry if you don’t have an air fryer…
(although you need to get one as they are brilliant and you can cook up other dishes such as this air fryer sea bass & crispy pork belly slices)
As I will also provide instructions below on how to cook them in the oven too!
Jump to:
- ❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- 🥘 Ingredients Needed & Substitutions
- ⚡ Variations
- 🤔 Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes Before Smashing & Air Frying Them?
- ✏️ How to Make Smashed Potatoes In The Air Fryer
- 💡 Top Tips
- 🥡 Storage & Reheating
- 🔪Equipment
- 🍴 Serving Suggestions
- 💬 Recipe FAQs
- 📖 More Potato Recipes...
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- ✔️ Allergy Friendly: In fact, these smashed potatoes are vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, making them suitable for people with a range of food allergies or sensitivities.
- ✔️ No Need To Parboil The Potatoes: I mean, you can if you like, but you can also “pre cook” them in the air fryer making this a one-pan dish!
- ✔️ They Are So Moreish: Once you start, you won't be able to stop!
- ✔️ Great As A Side Dish Or Snack: They taste fabulous as a finger food dipped into an aioli, as well as an accompaniment to a main meal.
- ✔️ You Can Mix Up The Flavour: Next time you make them, try one of the variations below for something a little bit different!
- ✔️ Ready in 35 Minutes: So much quicker than making standard roast potatoes!
🥘 Ingredients Needed & Substitutions
This is such a simple recipe that uses only 4 ingredients! (plus some salt & pepper!)
✋ Be sure to double check all packaging for allergens. ✋
- Potatoes: I highly recommend using baby potatoes in this recipe for extra crispiness. Because they are smaller and because you don't peel them, there is more skin, which results in a much crunchier crunch! Yukon Gold baby potatoes work really well. You can substitute with standard sized potatoes & chop them into quarters. Just keep in mind that you 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 in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil: This is mixed with the seasonings to create a crispy potato coating. Any other neutral tasting oil would also work.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
⚡ Variations
There are loads of 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.
- 🥡 Curry Flavoured: Coat the potatoes with a mixture of curry powder, turmeric, and olive oil for a slightly spicy twist.
- 🥔 Make Them Loaded: After air frying, top the potatoes with sour cream (dairy free if needed), crispy bacon bits, chives, and shredded (dairy free) cheese.. delicious!
🤔 Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes Before Smashing & Air Frying Them?
No, you don't have to peel them. In fact, leaving the skins on is better, as the skin is what crisps up & adds extra texture and flavour to the dish.
✏️ How to Make Smashed Potatoes In The Air Fryer
⬇️ Here you will find an overview of how to make the recipe. For full information on ingredients and quantities please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page ⬇️
Step 1: Pre Heat & Prep 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.
Step 2: 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 a 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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. Cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until they are crispy and golden.
I recommend giving the basket a shake or turning 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.
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.
💡 Top Tips
- ✔️ 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 and to crisp on the outside. You can always cook the potatoes in two batches if needed.
- ✔️ Choose the Right Potatoes: Baby potatoes or small-sized potatoes work best for smashing and air frying. Their smaller size ensures they cook evenly and get crispy all around.
- ✔️ Use the bottom of a mug or small bowl to squash the potatoes.
- ✔️ Dry Thoroughly: If you choose to pre-boil the potatoes, make sure to pat them dry with a kitchen towel after draining. Getting rid of excess moisture helps to achieve that crispy exterior.
- ✔️ Shake the air fryer basket a few times while cooking. This helps to make sure the potatoes cook evenly and lets the air circulate so you get that delicious crispy finish on the outside of the potato.
- ✔️ Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. I find fresh garlic 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 the cooked potatoes 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 with some pan fried Brussels sprouts alongside a juicy steak, Greek style roast chicken or fish like this air fryer trout.
For more ideas check out these 21 delicious sides to serve with roast potatoes.
💬 Recipe FAQs
Smashed potatoes are made by partially mashing boiled or roasted potatoes. After cooking, the potatoes are gently pressed with a cup or masher, flattened, and seasoned with olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, and herbs. They're baked until golden and crispy, resembling extra crispy, squashed roast potatoes.
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 as they are made without 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 more potato recipes? Try these:
If you loved this recipe, please leave me a 5🌟 rating or comment below. I really do appreciate it. 😊
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 450 g (1lb) baby potatoes chop any bigger potatoes 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, pat them dry with kitchen towel 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 and to crisp on the outside. You can always cook the potatoes in two batches if needed.
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Baby potatoes or small-sized potatoes work best for smashing and air frying. Their smaller size ensures they cook evenly and get crispy all around.
- Use the bottom of a mug or small bowl to squash the potatoes.
- Dry Thoroughly: If you choose to pre-boil the potatoes, make sure to pat them dry with a kitchen towel after draining. Getting rid of excess moisture helps to achieve that crispy exterior.
- Shake the air fryer basket a few times while cooking. This helps to make sure the potatoes cook evenly and lets the air circulate so you get that delicious crispy finish on the outside of the potato.
- Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. I find fresh garlic 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.
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