Air fryer smashed potatoes are the ultimate combination of crispy edges and fluffy insides, making them a perfect side dish or snack. They’re quick, easy, and healthier than traditional versions—the air fryer creates that irresistible crispiness without needing extra oil.
Crispy Garlic Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
I first made air fryer smashed potatoes on a whim during a Sunday meal prep session. I had a bag of baby potatoes that were starting to sprout and figured I’d try something new. After boiling and smashing them, I popped them in the air fryer with olive oil, minced garlic, and rosemary. The result? Crispy, golden bites of perfection that quickly became a family favorite.
These garlicky, crispy smashed potatoes are now my go-to for weeknight dinners or when hosting friends—they’re easy to customize with different seasonings and pair beautifully with almost any meal. They’re especially delicious alongside my favorite cilantro lime chicken! If you’re craving something crispy yet light, this recipe will be a winner for you too.
Why This Recipe Is a “Must-Try”
- 100% Vegetarian and Gluten-free healthy side dish
- Easy to make and with simple ingredients
- Best dish for game day, movie nights, and busy family dinners
- Deliciously flavored with garlic and fresh herbs
- Quick and easy air fryer recipe // ready in 30 minutes
- Customizable & Adjustable
- A healthy side dish for holidays!
Difference Between Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Potatoes?
Mashed potatoes and smashed potatoes both start with boiling potatoes, but they have key differences in texture and prep. Mashed potatoes are boiled, then mashed with butter, milk, and seasonings, giving you a smooth, creamy dish.
Smashed potatoes, however, are boiled until tender, drizzled with oil or butter, then smashed with a masher or glass and baked. This gives you a chunkier, crispy texture that’s perfect for a savory treat.
Ingredients
The crispy air-fried smashed potatoes recipe is so easy that it’s hard to mess it up! They are seriously a wholesome side dish made with really simple ingredients you can find in your pantry easily. Let’s talk about the ingredients-
- Potatoes: You can use any potato, but my favorite is Yukon gold potatoes for the smashed potato recipe. But if you don’t have any on hand, red potatoes or baby potatoes also work well.
- Butter: You may use cooking oil or butter anything is fine. But if you are using salted butter for this recipe then make sure to use less salt in the dish.
- Garlic: freshly minced garlic really works great – but you can also use garlic powder.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley or coriander leaves for the butter and for garnishing.
- Salt and pepper: To get the best flavor out of the potatoes, you may use two kinds of salt: sea salt to boil the potatoes with some seasoning, and flaky salt to sprinkle on top at the end.
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Boil the potatoes: Clean and scrub your potatoes and place them in a pot, fill the pot with water enough to cover the potatoes just by one inch. Bring it to a boil and cook for about 18 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. If you are using baby potatoes for this recipe the boiling time may vary a little bit.
- Prep the garlic butter: drain the potatoes and place them over a tray and let them rest for a few minutes. Next, take a bowl and combine butter, minced garlic, and freshly chopped parsley.
- Prep the potatoes for the air fryer: Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and use a potato masher or the bottom of a glass to gently press down on each potato until it’s slightly flattened. Do not press too hard they can break apart.
- Brush the potatoes with the garlic butter mixture: brush a generous amount of garlic butter to the potatoes and place them in the air fryer basket with sufficient spacing.
- Air fry the smashed potatoes: air fry the potatoes at 200˚C or 400˚F for about 10 to 12 minutes or until crispy golden brown.
What To Serve With Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Loaded Smashed Potatoes: Add some shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt on top of your air fryer smashed potatoes for an indulgent side dish.
- Smashed Potatoes with Roasted Vegetables: Roast some veggies like carrots, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers in the air fryer and serve them alongside your smashed potatoes for a wholesome and colorful meal.
- Smashed Potatoes with Fried Chicken: Pair your air-fried smashed potatoes with some air fryer-crispy fried chicken for a classic comfort food meal.
Tips to Make Truly Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Choose even-sized potatoes: Look for small or medium-sized potatoes, such as baby or fingerling potatoes. These types of potatoes are best for air frying because they cook evenly and quickly.
- Remember to boil the potatoes first. Boil the potatoes until they are fork-tender before air-frying them. This will help ensure that they are fully cooked and tender on the inside.
- Smash the potatoes gently: Place the boiled potatoes on a flat surface or a baking tray and gently smash them with a potato masher or the bottom of a glass until they are flattened but still intact.
- Season the potatoes: Drizzle some olive oil over the smashed potatoes and sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings of your liking.
- Cook in batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer and leave some space between them to allow for proper hot air circulation.
- Flip halfway through cooking: After about 6 to 8 minutes, flip the potatoes over using tongs or a spatula to ensure that both sides get crispy and golden brown.
Storage and Reheating
To store your leftover air fryer smashed potatoes, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
You can reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to bring back that crispy texture. Enjoy!
Other Air Fryer Potato Recipes You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potato
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
For more Air fryer recipes, check my Air Fryer Recipe Collection.