Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. After making this recipe dozens of times, I discovered the trick to getting them perfectly crispy every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup and Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo.
Why This Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than oven-baked potatoes
- Easy to make and so delicious
What You'll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Parsley
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Chives
- Optional: Bacon bits
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used as well.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Air fryer — Gives perfectly crispy potatoes every time → See on Amazon
- Potato masher — Mashes potatoes evenly for perfect texture → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
- Step 1: Scrub potatoes clean, cut into 1-inch pieces, and soak in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Step 2: Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Step 3: Remove potatoes from the air fryer, place in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Season with salt, pepper, and more garlic powder if needed.
- Step 4: Return potatoes to the air fryer, spray with cooking oil, and air fry for another 5-10 minutes until crispy. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook potatoes in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
- Pro tip: Soaking potatoes in cold water helps remove excess starch, preventing them from sticking together and becoming gluey.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, toss potatoes with a bit of cornstarch before air frying.
- Pro tip: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili powder for a spicy twist.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Potatoes can be mashed and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
Freezing Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, toss potatoes with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute garlic powder with 1 minced garlic clove for a fresh garlic flavor.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be mashed and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, air fry them for a few more minutes or toss with a bit of cornstarch before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Air fryer — Pays for itself vs takeout – healthier and cheaper than deep-frying → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Garlic powder
Seasonings
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Parsley
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Bacon bits
Instructions
- Step 1: Scrub potatoes clean, cut into 1-inch pieces, and soak in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Step 2: Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Step 3: Remove potatoes from the air fryer, place in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Season with salt, pepper, and more garlic powder if needed.
- Step 4: Return potatoes to the air fryer, spray with cooking oil, and air fry for another 5-10 minutes until crispy. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, toss potatoes with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute garlic powder with 1 minced garlic clove for a fresh garlic flavor.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be mashed and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, air fry them for a few more minutes or toss with a bit of cornstarch before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Potatoes can be mashed and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy FAQs
Yes, you can mash the potatoes and refrigerate them up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
Overcooking can make potatoes dry. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
Yes, you can bake the potatoes at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, then mash and broil for 5-10 minutes for a crispy top.
No, the Instant Pot is not suitable for this recipe as it requires high heat and air circulation for crispiness.
Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer before serving.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes | Quick & Easy and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
