Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

In this Instructable, I show you how to make air fryer smashed potatoes. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and are super yummy. A great way to use those small petite potatoes. One of my all-time favorite potato recipes. And air fryer smashed potatoes are super easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let's get started!

Don't forget to follow me and check out my other Instructables. :)

Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both!

Ingredients:

• 5 to 6 petite potatoes (Yukon gold, red, purple) The size of a golf ball is a perfect size.
• Cooking oil or butter, only need a little bit
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Water for boiling

Tools:

• Medium to a large pot
• Air Fryer
• Spatula
• Cooking oil spray or use a basting brush

*The above link is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases.

For this recipe, you need petite potatoes. You can use the Yukon Golds, Red, and Purple potatoes, or any small potato. The best size to use is right around the size of a golf ball, although slightly larger will work fine too.

The kind I buy come pre-rinsed. But if you don't buy them pre-rinsed you will want to rinse them well first.

Next, time to boil those potatoes. Take a medium to a large pot and fill it a little over halfway with water. Then add some salt to the water.

Add the potatoes then take them over to the stovetop burner. Set the heat to medium-high and once it starts to boil allow the potatoes to boil for 16 to 18 minutes, until fork-tender. They should be soft but not super soft.

Boiling them allows the center to be soft when we fry them and helps to remove the starch making them taste better.

NOTE: There are a couple of ways you can cook the potatoes. The first way is boiling them like I am showing. Another way which is the fastest is to just microwave them for a few minutes, which isn't the best in my option. The other option is to bake them in the oven at 375F/192 C for 30 to 45 minutes until fork tender.

Once the potatoes are mostly cooked, remove them from the boiling water and smash them! You can use a potato masher, or the bottom of a glass, or even a plate and just firmly press them down. They may split but the skin should keep them together for the most part.

Don't worry if some of them or a piece of it falls apart, just air fry that small piece as well, and it will still turn out amazing.

Then spray or baste a little bit of oil on the tops. This will give it some flavor as well as help it crisp up nicer.

Sprinkle on some seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Now use a spatula and place them in the air fryer basket.

Cook at 400F/205 C for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the basket and then flip the smashed potatoes over. Add a bit more oil and seasonings to that side and then cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until browned and crispy.

Easy as that!

TIP: If you would like to add some cheese, let it cook for a few minutes on the second side, then pull out the basket and put some shredded cheese on top, then slide the basket back in and cook for another 4 minutes or so to melt the cheese.

Serve with ketchup, fry sauce, sour cream, etc. It works well as a snack or a side dish with bacon and eggs, or with a sandwich or burger.

Enjoy!

NOTE: If you don't want to air fry them you can brown them in a skillet with a bit of oil using medium heat.

**You can print the air fryer smashed potato recipe here if you want.

Now watch those steps in action with this video tutorial. :)