Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Why We Love This Recipe

• Our favorite way to make potatoes: We think smashed potatoes are one of the best ways to enjoy a potato, since they're super crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Normally, smashed potatoes would take more than an hour and a half, but thanks to the air fryer, we can make them in under an hour!
• So much flavor: With a simple blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper, these potatoes are so simple to make but absolutely packed with flavor. We also added some parmesan to create a crispy, cheesy crust.
• Filling side: These potatoes are a great way to complete a dinner. We think of them as a more sophisticated version of french fries!
• Vegan option: We used olive oil instead of butter, and you can use vegan parmesan in place of regular to make this recipe totally dairy free.
• No boiling required: A lot of smashed potato recipes will have you boil the potatoes first, but that adds extra dishes, time, and cleanup. Our recipe takes place entirely in the air fryer, which makes it super easy!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make these air fryer smashed potatoes:

Ingredient Notes

• Potatoes: We used Yukon Gold potatoes in this recipe. We think Yukon Golds are the best potato you can get for roasting (or air frying), since they achieve a really fluffy interior without becoming crumbly. They're what's known as an "all purpose potato", meaning they're not super starchy, nor are they super waxy. You could also use white potatoes or purple potatoes in this recipe.
• Dried herbs: We used an Italian seasoning mix in this recipe. If you don't have one on hand, use equal parts of dried rosemary, parsley, and thyme.
• Parmesan: We love topping these smashed potatoes with some grated parmesan. This gives them a nice salty and nutty crunch. You can also sub with vegan parmesan.
• Garlic powder: We opted for garlic powder to give these potatoes a nice garlicky punch. You could also chop up some fresh garlic and sprinkle atop the potatoes after smashing them.

How to Make Crispy Smashed Potatoes in an Air Fryer

Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F / 205˚C.

(1) Stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning,

(2) Wash and dry the potatoes, then place in a single layer in air fryer and roast for 17-20 minutes. After 10 minutes of cooking, use tongs to rotate the potatoes to ensure even cooking.

(3) Remove potatoes from the air fryer and place them on a sheet pan. Smash each potato gently with the back of measuring cup or the bottom of a large glass.

(4) Brush one side of the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Flip them over and brush the other side with olive oil and sprinkle with the spice mixture. If you're using parmesan, sprinkle it on top of the potatoes now.

(5) Return the potatoes to the air fryer and cook for another 15-20 minutes, until they're golden brown and crispy.

Tips and FAQs

• How to serve: We often eat these potato bites with aioli, vegan tzatziki, homemade guacamole, and/or this amazing vegan queso dip! They're honestly so good that you'll probably just end up eating them straight off the pan. (Is that just us?)
• Turn while roasting: During the first cook, make sure to turn the potatoes at least once to prevent overcooking them on one side. If they become overcooked, they can fall apart while smashing.
• Smash!: When smashing with the measuring cup, try not to over smash the potatoes. Otherwise they can break apart too much. We want to try to get an even thickness of about ¼" or .6 cm. You can also use the bottom of a sturdy drinking glass to smash the potatoes. Just make sure it's a sturdy glass so it doesn't shatter with pressure!
• Change up the seasoning: Feel free to change up the seasoning to your desired tastes. We love using chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cajun seasoning and more!
• Storage: You can store these potatoes in an airtight container and place in the fridge for about 3-5 days. To reheat, brush with a little more olive oil and add them back the air fryer for 5-10 minutes, or until they're warmed through.
• Freezing: You can freeze these in an airtight container, where they'll keep for 3-6 months. To reheat, brush with olive oil and place back in a 400˚F air fryer for about 10 minutes.

More Potato Recipes to Enjoy

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