Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with the most delicious buttery garlic flavor! Serve these as a side dish or appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.

Delicious Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are the potato side dish of your dreams! They have perfectly golden edges and a simple seasoning that flavors them wonderfully. They’re so easy to make, too! Boil them, then smash and season them before roasting them in the air fryer for the most irresistible potatoes seasoned with butter, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.

Even better than French fries, you won’t be able to stop snacking on them! Consider this your warning, they’re absolutely addicting!

Reasons you will love this recipe

So easy to make: To make this smashed potatoes recipe, you just need to boil, smash, season, then roast to perfection! This is a great recipe for beginner cooks because the instructions are straightforward and simple.
They’re incredibly delicious: These potatoes are made with a tasty seasoning, and bake up perfectly golden crispy on the outside and fluffy and creamy in the center. One bite and you will be obsessed!
Versatile: Pair these with almost any main dish or enjoy them as an appetizer with ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, spicy mayo or yum yum sauce.

Ingredients needed

Just a few simple ingredients for this air fryer smashed potatoes recipe! You’re never going to want to go back to deep-frying. If you don’t have an air fryer, I would almost recommend buying one just for these taters! Here’s what you’ll need:

Potatoes: For smashed potatoes, Yukon potatoes or baby gold potatoes work best. Baby red potatoes are great too!
Butter: Melted butter gives the potatoes a rich buttery flavor.
Oil: Helps the exterior get golden and crisp as the potatoes air fry.
Garlic: Minced garlic is a major flavor booster!
Fresh parsley: For freshness and a pop of color!
Salt & pepper: A must for seasoning potatoes, and bringing out the deliciousness!

How to make this recipe

With just a fraction of the oil used in deep-frying, these are such a great snack or side dish option for anyone trying to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor! This recipe is so easy too, but the result is super tasty and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s the simple process for making them:

Prep: Clean the potatoes and place the potatoes in a pot of salted water, covering about 1 inch above. Cook potatoes until soft, about 20-25 minutes.

Smash: Drain the potatoes and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board or large sheet pan and gently smash the potatoes using a potato masher, or the bottom of a cup, until flattened to about 1/2 inch thick.
Make the seasoning mix: In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush the potatoes with the garlic butter mixture. Generous sprinkle with salt & pepper.
Cook: Preheat air fryer to 400ºF. Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are crispy and golden.

Expert tips

Make ahead: Get a head start by prepping the potatoes in advance! Boil the potatoes, smash them on your baking sheet, cover lightly with foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, the next day you can season and air fry.
Work in batches: To get the perfect crispiness, you don’t want to overcrowd the potatoes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, it may be necessary to work in small batches. You want the potatoes to have enough space, so the air can circulate them.
Different seasonings: Want to change things up and experiment with different flavors? Season these with any favorites like chili powder, cumin, onion powder, ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, dried basil or smoked paprika. Choose one or use a combination of several. Seasoning blends are great too! You can even add a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you like spicy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between smashed and mashed potatoes?

Mashed potatoes are made with the skin off, fully cooked and then, typically with the addition of butter and milk, mashed until creamy. Smashed potatoes are boiled until soft, then smashed until they split, and cooked either in an oven or air fryer.

What potatos are best for smashed potatos?

For smashed potatoes, it’s best to use small gold or red potatoes. Smaller potatoes get nice and crispy as they bake, and they will be easier to smash. It’s also a good idea to choose potatoes that are even in size, so they cook at about the same rate.

How does an air fryer make smashed potatoes crispy?

Using an air fryer is similar to a convection oven. The hot air is circulated around the food to cook it. This process yields crispiness without added oil or extra calories of deep fat frying. An air fryer also cooks faster than a regular oven, and doesn’t heat up your whole kitchen. Plus, this method of cooking won’t sacrifice flavor – a total win!

Serving suggestions

These are great served with ketchup, Yum Yum Sauce, Spicy Mayo, Honey Mustard Sauce, Skinny Chipotle Sauce, or a dollop of sour cream, or just straight off the pan! If you’re looking for some tasty pairing options, here are some favs:

Storage recommendations

Storing leftovers: These smashed potatoes might not be quite as crispy as when they are freshly made, they will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and 3 months in the freezer. Once completely cool, store them in a sealed, airtight container or bag.

To reheat: Bring refrigerated or frozen potatoes close to room temperature. Reheat at 425ºF in the oven or in the air fryer for about 5 minutes, or until they are the texture and temperature you want.

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