Description
These Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are a crispy, flavorful twist on classic boiled potatoes. Perfectly tender on the inside with a crispy, seasoned exterior, they’re easy to prepare and make for a delicious side dish or snack. Using an air fryer ensures a healthier alternative to deep frying, with less oil but all the satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1 pound baby potatoes
Seasoning and Oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes: Scrub the baby potatoes thoroughly to clean them. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water and bring it to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 25 minutes or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Preheat Air Fryer: While the potatoes boil, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes to ensure it’s at the right temperature for cooking.
- Drain and Smash Potatoes: Once cooked, drain the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet or large cutting board. Gently smash each potato using a fork or the bottom of a drinking glass until they are flattened but still in one piece.
- Prepare Seasoning Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well to create a flavorful oil blend.
- Brush Potatoes with Seasoning: Using a brush, coat the smashed potatoes with the oil and spice mixture on one side. Then flip them over and brush the other side as well to ensure even seasoning.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Arrange the seasoned, smashed potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry the potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the crispy smashed potatoes from the air fryer and serve immediately as a side dish or snack, deliciously crispy and flavorful.
Notes
- Ensure all potatoes are roughly the same size for even cooking time.
- Use baby potatoes for the best texture; larger potatoes can be cut into smaller pieces before boiling.
- For extra crispiness, flip the potatoes halfway through air frying.
- Seasoning can be adjusted to taste – try adding rosemary or chili flakes for variations.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the smashed potatoes in an oven at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
