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Learn how to make Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, a fun, fast, and flavorful side dish that your kids will love! They take almost half the time of baked potatoes, making them perfect for busy nights.
Meggan’s notes
These cute little smashed spuds are a quick, and deliciously fun “finger food” that have become a little bit of an obsession in our house! My husband and I love them as a side for a juicy filet and my kids ask for them all the time because they’re so fun to eat with your hands.
As a classically-trained chef and busy mom, I can confidently say the air fryer delivers a texture that rivals traditional baked potatoes in a lot less the time, especially if you boil the potatoes first.
My secret for transforming raw potatoes into a golden-brown, crispy side dish everyone will love is to let the potatoes dry out for 10 minutes before coating them with oil and homemade seasoned salt.
Whether you’re catering to picky eaters or rushing to get dinner on the table, this recipe is sure to become a regular on your weeknight rotation! Try them with a filet mignon to really impress at the table!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Potatoes: This recipe calls for Yukon Gold potatoes because they aren’t as waxy as baby potatoes, plus they look cool when they’re smashed! You can use whatever variety of potato you prefer like Russets, just cut them into bite-sized chunks. Leave the skins on for a rustic side dish.
- Oil: Brushing the outside of the potato with oil is optional but recommended. It helps spices adhere to the potato skin and ensures a crispy exterior.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Set aside a baking sheet. Add potatoes to air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook until tender and a fork can be easily slipped into the center, about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway through cooking.
- Transfer potatoes to baking sheet. Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup, press down on each potato to flatten to 1/2-inch thick.
- Brush potatoes with olive oil, and sprinkle with seasoned salt.
- Place potatoes back into air fryer basket and cook until potatoes are crisp and well browned, 15 to 20 minutes more, shaking halfway through cooking.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 servings of smashed potatoes (about 4 potatoes each serving).
- Storage: Store leftover smashed potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Slice up leftover smashed potatoes and fry in bacon fat, add to scrambled eggs, or make a small batch of potato salad.
- Make ahead: You can make these in advance, though they are best when they are fresh out of the air fryer. To make them ahead, allow them to completely cool after cooking and store them in an airtight container for 2-3 days. When ready to serve, reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes.
- Thin vs thick: Smashed potatoes produce crispier results, whereas thick-cut potatoes come out fluffier.
- Boil vs. baking: Boiled potatoes have a consistent, well-done inside with a soft texture. Baking can produce uneven insides and less fluffy potatoes, especially if the heat isn’t distributed evenly.
- More potato recipes: Love spuds? Try my Best Mashed Potatoes recipe, Twice Baked Potatoes, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, and Potato Pancakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can put raw potatoes in the air fryer, as long as they are washed or peeled.
If you overcrowd your air fryer with potatoes the hot air won’t circulate to crisp up all the sides. When in doubt, work in batches.
The drier your food is when it goes in, the crispier it’ll be when it comes out. Give your potatoes an extra pat with a paper towel before coating them with oil and seasonings.
More air fryer recipes
Main Dishes
Air Fryer Meatballs
Appetizer Recipes
Air Fried Chicken Wings
Side Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Broccoli
Side Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
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Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes or other small potato, about 1 1/2- to 2-inches in diameter (see note 1)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (see note 2)
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Set aside a baking sheet.
- Add potatoes to air fryer basket and cook until tender and a fork can be easily slipped into the center, about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway through cooking.
- Transfer potatoes to baking sheet. Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup, press down on each potato to flatten to 1/2-inch thick.
- Brush potatoes with olive oil, and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Place potatoes back into air fryer basket and cook until potatoes are crisp and well browned, 15 to 20 minutes more, shaking halfway through cooking.
Notes
- Potatoes: This recipe calls for Yukon Gold potatoes because they aren’t as waxy as baby potatoes, plus they look cool when they’re smashed! You can use whatever variety of potato you prefer like Russets, just cut them into bite-sized chunks. Leave the skins on for a rustic side dish.
- Oil: Brushing the outside of the potato with oil is optional but recommended. It helps spices adhere to the potato skin and ensures a crispy exterior.
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 servings of smashed potatoes (about 4 potatoes each serving).
- Storage: Store leftover smashed potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.