Incredibly delicious, quick, and easy, it’s no wonder that everyone is making air fryer smashed potatoes! Crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside. This easy-to-follow potato recipe uses simple ingredients and requires minimal effort, but it produces maximum flavor!
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When you first get your air fryer, you probably start with easy wins and easy air fryer recipes.
You learn how to reheat pizza in an air fryer, cook air fryer baked potatoes, and maybe throw a few frozen onion rings in the air fryer to see how they turn out.
Once you get your confidence, it’s good to start making different recipes, and smashed potatoes in the air fryer are perfect to practice!
Why you’ll love to air fry smashed potatoes
- There’s no need to turn your kitchen oven on, making this a cost-efficient recipe.
- Easy to make and great crowd pleasers on game days, movie nights, and family dinners.
- You can serve them as a perfect side dish or a tasty snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
- All the ingredients for crispy smashed potatoes are 100% vegetarian and vegan.
Ingredients you’ll need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
As soon as you bite into a crispy smashed potato, you’ll know what all the fuss is about; bursting with flavor, you’ll never want to cook them any other way.
How to make smashed potatoes in an air fryer with step-by-step instructions
Making smashed potatoes is easy if you follow our simple instructions.
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Wash and scrub your yellow or red potatoes, then remove any sprouting.
Place the clean potatoes in a pan and submerge them in salted water.
Bring to a boil and cook the potatoes until fork tender, approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/205°C.
Drain the potatoes and let them cool for a couple of minutes. Place the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet or chopping board and, using a potato masher, the back of a fork, or the end of a measuring cup, gently smash the potatoes until they are approximately ¼ – ½ inch thick.
Drizzle olive oil evenly over the smashed potatoes, sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, and toss gently to ensure all the potatoes are evenly coated.
Add the potatoes to your air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them, or they won’t crisp up.
Air fry for approximately 8 – 12 minutes until golden brown on the edges.
Using tongs, remove the smashed potatoes from the air fryer basket, and sprinkle them with chives, fresh parsley, and optional vegetarian Parmesan cheese.
You may have to cook in batches, so repeat until all the potatoes are cooked.
Serve hot, and enjoy!
From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!
Recipe notes and expert tips
- Potatoes
Use baby potatoes; baby gold potatoes are excellent or red potatoes; note larger potatoes may take longer to cook. - Storage
Store your air fried smashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Watch closely
Air fryers cook differently; different brands and capacities can mean that your food will need a longer or shorter cooking time, so keep a close eye on them.
How to store leftover smashed potatoes
Air fryer smashed potatoes keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe variations
Mix melted butter with fresh garlic and pour over the smashed potatoes for a buttery flavor. If cooking for a vegan, use vegan butter.
Spice them up! Mix olive oil with red pepper flakes and minced garlic, and drizzle the olive oil mixture over the smashed potatoes.
Sprinkle Italian seasoning mix over the smashed potatoes before air frying.
Do I need to boil potatoes before smashing them?
Yes, you do need to boil the potatoes. The potatoes need to be soft for you to be able to flatten and smash them.
What to serve with air fried smashed potatoes
Serve them as a side to a great veggie chili, lentil loaf, or veggie stew.
If you’re eating them as a snack, then dip them in garlic aioli, sriracha mayo, or in sour cream dip.
More easy air fryer recipes for you to try at home
If you love air-frying potatoes, you should check out these recipes!
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Air fryer fingerling potatoes
- Air fryer frozen French fries
- Air fryer baked sweet potato
- Air fryer roasted baby potatoes
- Air fryer masala fries
- Air fryer potato skins
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Easy Recipe
Utensils
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red or yellow potatoes small to medium size
- 1¼ teaspoons salt divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chives, and or dill or green onions
- Vegetarian Parmesan cheese finely grated (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and scrub your potatoes, then remove any sprouting. Place the clean potatoes in a pan, submerge them in water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil and cook until fork tender, approximately 15 – 20 minutes.2 pounds red or yellow potatoes, 1¼ teaspoons salt
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/205°C.
- When cooked, drain the potatoes and let them cool for a couple of minutes. Now, place the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, and, using a potato masher, the back of a fork, or the end of a measuring cup, gently mash the potatoes until they are approximately ¼ – ½ inch thick.
- Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the smashed potatoes, sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and toss gently to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated. Place them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and be careful not to overcrowd them. Bake for approximately 8 – 12 minutes, until they are golden brown on the edges.1¼ teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, Black pepper
- Using tongs, remove them from the air fryer, and sprinkle chives and parsley over the potatoes and optional vegetarian Parmesan cheese. You may have to cook in batches, so repeat the process until you have used all the potatoes. Serve immediately and enjoy!2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chives, and or dill or green onions, Vegetarian Parmesan cheese
Notes
- Potatoes:
Use baby potatoes; baby gold potatoes are excellent or red potatoes; note larger potatoes may take longer to cook. - Storage:
Store your air-fried smashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Watch closely:
Every air fryer cooks differently; different brands and capacities can mean that your food will need a longer or shorter cooking time, so make sure you keep a close eye on them.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Brooke says
So, my air fryer doesn’t get used often. I made a promise to myself since we are empty nesters now, to try it out more. So I have been on the search for recipes that are clear and easy for me to understand. I am so glad I found this recipe and your site, it was fabulous! Thanks so much!!!
Sonia says
I usually cook for two and this recipe is easy to make and perfect for a small batch. My daughter loves smashed potatoes and these were perfect. Thanks for sharing!
GRETA says
So tasty and crispy with this seasoning. It was my family’s perfect lunch today because of these delicious smashed potatoes.
Gen says
These were so good! Perfectly crispy and browned, and the fresh chives really made it for me. Definitely making again!
Ksenia says
These were perfectly seasoned! I love the smashing effect, my kids thought it was the coolest thing.
Sal says
I love potatoes as much as the next person but they’re not the quickest food to cook. I was so happy to find this recipe because I can enjoy potatoes but still keep my kitchen time to a minimum. These things pair perfectly with everything.
Mandy says
I’m happy you enjoyed this potato recipe, Sal. Just like you, I am a potato lover, too!
hanna says
I am a new owner of the air fryer and was looking for the crispy potato recipe…………..they were fantastic! Potatoes were perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior and a creamy interior! YUM
Mandy says
Congratulations on becoming an air fryer owner Hannah! I’m glad you liked this recipe!
Kate says
So glad I came across this recipe! We served ours with some coleslaw, and everyone was asking for second and third helpings. Definitely making them again!
Mandy says
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe Kate! Coleslaw sounds like a perfect pairing.
Jessica says
These had just the right amount of crispiness and the flavors were perfect. I loved using my air fryer to make them so I could cook my main dish in the oven at the same time at a different temperature. I will definitely make these again!
Mandy says
I’m so happy your potatoes turned out perfect Jessica! Enjoy cooking them again!