Crispy, golden brown, perfectly seasoned smashed potatoes cooked to perfection in the air fryer? Yes, please!
In just minutes, you can have crispy, caramelized spuds bursting with flavor. Smashing them partway through cooking allows more surface area to get ultra crispy while the insides stay nice and fluffy. Then brushing with that garlic herb butter adds so much warmth, aroma, and depth of flavor.
These air fryer smashed potatoes also endlessly adaptable. Keep it simple with basic salt and pepper or kick things up with cajun seasoning. You can also top them so many ways – try bacon and cheddar or salsa and guac for starters.
So gather your ingredients and let’s make these crazy delicious, crispy air fryer smashed potatoes! Once you try them, you’ll be addicted!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect Texture- Crispy yet fluffy texture. Smashing the boiled potatoes before air frying gives them an irresistibly crispy outer layer while keeping the insides pillowy soft. The best of both worlds!
Packed with flavor- Garlic, parsley, butter: this smashed potatoes in air fryer recipe doesn’t skimp on taste. Every bite bursts with herby, garlicky goodness that your tastebuds will adore.
So easy to make- With simple prep and just 10-12 minutes of air frying, these potatoes couldn’t be easier. Even the least experienced cooks can whip them up.
Great for parties and gatherings– Make a big batch for your next backyard bbq or Super Bowl spread. These crispy smashed air fryer potatoes make fantastic finger food.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this air fryer smashed potatoes recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (450g) Small Potatoes
- 3 cloves Garlic (peeled and minced)
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Dried Parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- pinch of Black Pepper
👨🍳 How To Make
Make the perfect crispy smashed air fryer potatoes! Follow these simple steps:
Step 1
Wash the potatoes, and place them in a pot covered with water. Add salt and cook over medium heat until you can pierce them with a fork. They shouldn’t be too soft, or they’ll fall apart.
Step 2
Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, minced garlic, and seasonings. Mix well to combine.
Step 3
Drain the potatoes and let them cook for 10 minutes.
Step 4
Using a fork, smash the potatoes until they are flattened. Avoid over-smashing because they will fall apart.
Step 5
Preheat the air fryer to 400f (200C). Brush the potatoes (from both sides) with the butter mixture.
Step 6
Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket. Leave space between each one. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, until they are crispy. That’s it! Enjoy these tasty air fryer smashed potatoes!
💡Tips
1. Choose the Right Potatoes
When selecting potatoes to make these crispy smashed air fryer potatoes, opt for small, waxy potatoes like baby yellow potatoes or petite red potatoes. The small size allows them to cook quickly all the way through.
Meanwhile, waxy potatoes hold their shape well when boiled and smashed without falling apart too much. Russet or other starchy potatoes can work but may break down more during cooking.
2. Adjust Cook Time as Needed
The 10-12 minute cook time for these smashed potatoes will yield crispy edges with fluffy, tender insides without drying out. But keep watch towards the end to test for your preferred level of doneness.
If you like extra crispy bits, cook up to 15 minutes. Check smaller or thinner potatoes earlier closer to 8-9 minutes. And if reheating leftovers later, they may need only 5-7 minutes.
3. Make Smashed Potato Toppings
Take your crispy, golden air fryer smashed potatoes to the next level by adding tasty toppings! For a meal itself, top with sautéed vegetables like broccoli, peppers, onions, mushrooms and serve with a protein like chicken or steak.
For appetizers, try topping with crumbled bacon, blue cheese, green onions, or salsa and sour cream. The seasoning options are endless depending on your favorites! Add the toppings right after air frying so they stick nicely.
4. Switch Up Seasonings
Don’t limit yourself to just parsley, garlic, salt and pepper on your smashed potatoes! Other great herb options include rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano or Italian seasoning blend.
For bolder flavors, cajun or lemon pepper seasoning are also delicious. Really any of your favorite seasoning will work beautifully with these simple spuds to customize the flavors.
Variations
1. Loaded Baked Potato Style- Add crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives to the basic smashed potatoes for a loaded baked potato twist. Top with extra cheese and bake until melted. The gooey cheese mixed with the crispy potatoes is simply divine.
2. Italian Style with Pesto- For an Italian flair, toss the hot crispy potato chunks with prepared pesto sauce. The basil and garlic really bring out the flavors. Top with Parmesan for a restaurant-worthy side dish. Bellisimo!
3. Indian Style Aloo Tikki- Flavor the potatoes with classic Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder before smashing. Fry and top with tangy tamarind chutney and cooling yogurt raita. Absolutely brilliant blend of tastes.
4. Greek Style with Feta and Olives– Oooh this is marvelous! Toss the crispy spuds with briny kalamata olives, creamy feta cheese, fresh herbs like oregano and mint, lemon juice and zesty olive oil. Opaa!
5. Southwest Style Potatoes– Mix some zippy spices like chili powder, cumin and paprika into the butter mixture for a Southwestern kick. Top the fried potatoes with favorites like salsa, guacamole, cilantro and lime juice. Olé!
Dipping Sauces
1. Ranch Dressing– The cool, tangy flavor of the ranch balances beautifully with the crispy, garlicky potatoes. Dunking those smashed spuds into a ramekin filled with creamy, herby ranch is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
2. Chimichurri Sauce– This fresh, herbaceous green sauce originating from Argentina makes a fantastic match with these potatoes. The brightness of the parsley, oregano, garlic and vinegar cuts through the starchiness in such a pleasant way.
3. Chili oil– is a spicy, umami-packed condiment that brings some heat to the potatoes. As your mouth tingles from the peppers and warms from the oil, you’ll appreciate the creamy potatoes even more. The contrast of temperatures and flavors makes for an exciting dynamic.
4. Maple Syrup Caramel Sauce – combines salty and sweet in drool-worthy harmony. As that glistening glaze drizzles over the crispy wedges, both the potatoes and sauce shine. Sticky fingers, for sure!
5. Ketchup– This sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce proves that simple really is best. Each bite of pillowy potato gets elevated by everyone’s favorite burger and fry topping. Comfort food magic!
Storage
These air fryer smashed potatoes are best enjoyed fresh and hot right after cooking. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer or oven before serving again.
For longer term storage of up to 1 month, place the smashed potatoes in a freezer bag or airtight container. Remove as much air as possible and store in the freezer. When ready to eat, reheat the potatoes directly from frozen using the air fryer or oven until hot and crispy again.
Main Dishes Ideas
These crispy, garlic-infused Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes would pair wonderfully with a wide variety of main dishes:
1. Air Fryer Ribeye– The rich, beefy flavors of the steak contrast nicely with the herbs and garlic in the potatoes. As the steak juices mingle with the butter, a delightful harmony of tastes is achieved. The crispy potato exterior provides a pleasing textural contrast as well. Truly a match made in heaven!
2. Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken– The sweet and tangy notes of the chicken glaze dance playfully with the savory garlic and parsley potatoes. With each bite, new depths of flavor are revealed. The crispy chicken skin also complements the crispy spud exterior. A tasty combination, indeed!
3. Air Fryer Country Style Ribs -Their sweet yet smoky flavors blend seamlessly with the airfryer smashed potatoes. As you enjoy tender rib meat alongside crispy, garlicky spuds, you’ll achieve ribsticking bliss. Yes, this pairing provides complex flavors and textures sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
4. Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel – makes for a winning combo. The crispy schnitzel exterior offers a pleasing crunch against the smashed potatoes. Meanwhile, the herbs and spices in the breading sing in harmony with the potato seasonings. It’s a duo that manages to be comforting yet fresh at the same time.
5. Air Fryer New York Strip– The rich flavors of the steak contrast against the cream, garlic and herbs of the potatoes. With each alternating bite, new discoveries await – the ultimate food adventure. This may be the most exciting pairing of all!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of potatoes work best for this air fryer smashed potatoes recipe?
Small potatoes like baby potatoes or petite yellow potatoes work very well in this smashed potatoes air fryer recipe. Their small size makes them easy to smash and get crispy in the air fryer. Larger potatoes can be used too but may need a longer cook time.
2. Do the potatoes need to be peeled?
No, leaving the skins on the potatoes adds texture, color and nutrients. Just give them a good scrub while washing. The skins will get nice and crispy in the air fryer.
3. Why is it important not to over-smash the potatoes?
Smashing helps release moisture from the potatoes which aids browning and crisping in the air fryer. However, if smashed too much or too roughly, they can fall apart while cooking (it happened the first time I tried this garlic smashed potatoes air fryer recipe). Gently smash just until flattened slightly.
4. What dipping sauces go well with these smashed air fryer potatoes?
These crispy potatoes pair deliciously with all kinds of dips and condiments. Great options include salsa, guacamole, ranch dressing, sour cream, cheese sauce, gravy or spicy mayo.
These crispy, flavorful air fryer smashed potatoes are sure to become an instant favorite! With just a few simple ingredients and minutes in the air fryer, you can enjoy these tasty garlic parmesan spuds. I hope you’ll give this easy recipe a try soon. A
nd be sure to visit the site for even more quick and delicious air fryer recipes to feed your family and friends. Let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions in the comments below!
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- 1 pound Small Potatoes (450g)
- 3 cloves Garlic (peeled and minced)
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Dried Parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- pinch Black Pepper
- Wash the potatoes, and place them in a pot covered with water. Add salt and cook over medium heat until you can pierce them with a fork. They shouldn’t be too soft (otheriwse they’ll fall apart).
- Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, minced garlic, and seasonings. Mix them well until combined.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cook for 10 minutes.
- Using a fork, smash the potatoes until they are flattened. Avoid over-smashing because they will fall apart.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400f (200C). Brush the potatoes from both sides with the butter mixture we made.
- Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket. Leave space between each one. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, until they are crispy.
Great recipe!