Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Air fryer smashed potatoes get a fluffy middle from a short boil and craggy, golden edges from 15 minutes at 200°C. Flattening the cooked baby potatoes gives the oil more surface to crisp up, so you need only two tablespoons for the whole batch. Serve them next to steak, fish or a Sunday roast in place of roast potatoes.
- Total
- 48 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 33 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 195kcal
Making air fryer smashed potatoes ahead
You can boil and smash the potatoes up to a day in advance. Lay them on a tray, cover and chill, then oil and air fry them as in the method below, adding 2 minutes because they start cold. Leftover cooked potatoes keep for up to 2 days in the fridge; reheat them in the air fryer at 180°C for 4–5 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
Choose potatoes of about the same size so they all cook at the same rate. If your basket is small, 750g will not fit in one layer, so plan on two rounds.
Method for air fryer smashed potatoes
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Boil the potatoes Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Simmer for , until a knife slides in easily but the potatoes still hold their shape. Drain in a colander.
- Let them steam dry Leave the potatoes in the colander for about so the surface moisture evaporates. Meanwhile, heat the air fryer to 200°C for .
- Smash Space the potatoes out on a board or tray. Press each one gently with a potato masher or the base of a glass until it is about 1cm thick. If one splits at the edges, that is fine, as those ragged bits turn the crispiest.
- Season Mix the olive oil, salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Brush it over the top of each potato, then turn them over and brush the other side.
- Air fry Lay the potatoes in a single layer in the basket, with a little space between them. Cook at 200°C for , turning them over halfway, until deep golden and crisp at the edges. If your basket is under 5 litres, cook them in two batches of each.
- Serve Tip the potatoes onto a warm plate, scatter over the parsley if you like, and eat straight away while they are crunchy.
What to serve with air fryer smashed potatoes
They suit most things you would normally roast potatoes with. Try them with steak with smashed potatoes for a quick dinner or alongside cod with smashed potatoes. For a different shape, air fryer baby potatoes keep the skins on and stay whole.
For more flavour, swap the garlic powder for smoked paprika or add a pinch of chilli flakes to the oil. A dollop of soured cream and chopped chives on top turns them into a snack.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- The smashed potatoes come out pale and soft instead of crisp.
- The basket was probably overcrowded or the potatoes were still wet. Steam them dry for the full 5 minutes, and keep them in one layer with gaps, using a second batch if needed.
- The potatoes fall apart when you press them.
- They were boiled for too long. Start checking at 12 minutes and drain as soon as a knife goes in easily, then press gently rather than flattening them in one go.
- The garlic powder tastes burnt on the edges.
- Powder in a thin film of oil can scorch at 200°C. Keep the oil coating light and, if your air fryer runs hot, lower the temperature to 190°C and add a couple of minutes.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
How long do you cook smashed potatoes in an air fryer?
Cook them for 15 minutes at 200°C, turning halfway, after boiling the potatoes for 12–15 minutes. Add 2–3 minutes if you want them darker.
Do you have to boil the potatoes first?
Yes, boiling first cooks the middle through so it turns fluffy, while the air fryer only has to crisp the outside. Raw potatoes would need much longer and would dry out before they were soft.
Which potatoes are best for smashing?
Small waxy potatoes such as baby potatoes, Charlotte or Jersey Royals work best because they keep their shape when boiled. Larger potatoes can be used if you halve them and boil a few minutes longer.
Can you cook them in the oven instead?
Yes. Spread the oiled potatoes on a lined baking tray and roast at 220°C (200°C fan), gas 7, for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 48 ratings
