You’re going to love making smashed potatoes in the air fryer! Crispy and golden on the outside, fluffy and tender on the inside, and irresistibly delicious.
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Looking for a side dish that’s impressive enough for entertaining but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight? You have to try making smashed potatoes in the air fryer!
These delicious baby potatoes are brushed with a mixture of olive oil and garlic, then air fried to crispy perfection. And did I mention the entire dish can be ready in less than an hour?
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- How to make the easiest, most delicious air fryer smashed potatoes
- The best kind of potatoes to use for this recipe
- Tips for getting super crispy smashed potatoes in the air fryer
- How to store and reheat your leftovers, so they taste just as good as when you first made them
I sometimes refer to this dish as my “secret weapon.” Whether I want to make something amazing for my dinner guests or just need a side I know my whole family will eat, air fryer smashed baby potatoes never fails.
How to Make Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Wash and scrub your potatoes, then place them in a pot filled with cold water.
STEP TWO: Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
STEP THREE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Combine the olive oil and garlic.
STEP FOUR: Drain the potatoes, then use a fork to smash them slightly.
STEP FIVE: Brush the potatoes with the olive oil and garlic mixture, then sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
STEP FIVE: Gently place the smashed potatoes in the air fryer, leaving a little room around each one.
STEP SIX: Air fry for 10-13 minutes until the potatoes are nice and crispy.
STEP SEVEN: Top with parsley if desired and serve.
What is the Best Kind of Potato to Use for Smashed Potatoes?
I recommend using baby potatoes, which are sometimes also referred to as new potatoes. But you could certainly use fingerling or small red potatoes if you prefer!
You just want the potatoes to be small enough that they can be easily smashed and fried.
What to Serve with Crispy Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Cornish Hen
- Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Frozen Ham in the Instant Pot
- London Broil in the Instant Pot
Other Seasonings to Try on These Smashed Baby Potatoes
I love this simple blend of garlic and olive oil with a pop of fresh parsley. But if you’re looking for a more immense, bolder flavor, feel free to have some fun with this recipe!
It’s hard to go wrong sprinkling a little smoked paprika or Italian seasoning on your potatoes. Fresh rosemary or sage would be delightful if you’re looking for some earthy herbs.
You could also sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top right after they come out of the air fryer. After all, you can never go wrong with cheese.
Tips for Getting Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Use a smaller variety of potatoes so they will be easier to cook throughout. If you use larger potatoes, you may need to air fry them for longer to get the outsides crispy.
- Ensure the smashed potatoes are well-coated with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer. This is what allows the outside of the potatoes to achieve that irresistible crust.
- Leave space between each potato in the air fryer so the hot air can properly circulate and crisp them up on all sides.
Should You Microwave Potatoes Before Air Frying?
If you would rather microwave than boil your potatoes, that’s no problem! Poke a hole or two in each one with a sharp knife, place them in the microwave, then cook on high until fork tender.
This should take around 10 minutes.
How to Store Leftover Smashed Baby Potatoes
If you have any extra air fryer smashed potatoes, make sure you let them cool completely to room temperature.
After that, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator, and they will stay fresh for about five days.
How to Reheat Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Place the leftover smashed baby potatoes in the air fryer in a single layer
- Cook at 370 degrees F for 4 minutes or until heated through
Other Air Fryer Potato Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
- Sliced Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Easy Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
- Mexican Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
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Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 24 ounces bag of baby red potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and scrub your potatoes. Place them in a pot filled with cold water. Bring the water to a boil. Boil the potatoes till they are tender enough to be poked with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
- Combine your olive oil and garlic. Then preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Drain your potatoes and then using a fork, smash them slightly. Brush them with the olive oil and garlic and sprinkle salt and pepper on top of them. Gently place them in your air fryer allowing a little room around each of them to allow full crispiness.
- Cook for 10-13 minutes until they are nice and crispy. Top with parsley if desired and serve. Adjust time for larger potatoes or different air fryers.
Is the garlic supposed to burn?? Only 4 min into cooking
Hi Cindy, no the garlic should not burn. I would recommend turning your air fryer down about 30 degrees and cooking from there. Please make sure you’re using the middle or bottom rack in an air fryer oven as well. The top rack will cause foods to burn more easily.
These tender smashed new potatoes were so good! I used freshly mashed garlic instead of minced garlic. Also added a little bit of parmesan. They were tender on the inside and crispy on the outside!