Cody Casey
Air fryer smashed potatoes are a quick and easy dish to make, requiring only a few ingredients and around half an hour to cook. The potatoes are boiled, smashed, and cooked in the air fryer, resulting in a delicious and crispy snack or side dish. The cooking time for air fryer smashed potatoes can vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of crispiness, but generally, they are cooked in the air fryer for around 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F or 200°C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 400°F (200°C) or 425°F |
| Cooking time | 15-20 minutes |
| Potato type | Baby potatoes, red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes |
| Potato size | 8-10 small potatoes (or 1 pound) |
| Potato thickness | 1/2-inch thick |
| Potato shape | Flattened, cracked open, mostly intact |
| Potato spacing | Even layer, single layer, not overlapping |
| Basket type | Air fryer basket or baking sheet |
| Basket size | Large enough for a single layer of potatoes |
| Basket spacing | Sufficient room between potatoes |
| Basket shaking | Yes, for smaller baskets |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, parsley, olive oil, butter |
| Garnish | Salt, pepper, fresh herbs, grated cheese |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect level of crispiness
The key to achieving the perfect level of crispiness for your smashed potatoes in an air fryer is to ensure that they are flattened as thinly as possible. The thinner the potatoes, the crispier they will become during the air-frying process. To achieve this, use a flat-bottomed cup, serving fork, or potato masher to gently press down on and flatten each potato until it is about 1/2-inch thick. Be careful not to break the potatoes apart completely; they should still remain mostly intact.
Another crucial factor in attaining the desired crispiness is to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Potatoes that are touching or overlapping during cooking tend to cook unevenly and may not achieve the desired crispiness. If your air fryer basket is small, cook the potatoes in batches to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
Additionally, the cooking time and temperature play a significant role in achieving the perfect crispiness. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the smashed potatoes for around 15 to 20 minutes. However, it is important to keep a close eye on the potatoes during the cooking process and adjust the timing accordingly. Check on them at 5-minute intervals to ensure they are cooking evenly and to prevent overcooking.
Finally, the addition of certain ingredients can enhance the crispiness of your smashed potatoes. Before air-frying, dip each smashed potato into a mixture of melted butter and olive oil, ensuring they are well-coated. You can also sprinkle chickpea flour on the potatoes before cooking for an extra crispy texture.
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The best types of potatoes to use
Russet potatoes: These potatoes are ideal for achieving a crispy texture with a pale golden colour. Their insides become soft and fluffy, with a mild flavour.
Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes: These potatoes are a popular choice for air frying due to their ability to crisp up perfectly. They develop a deeper golden colour compared to Russets because of their lower starch and higher sugar content. While their crisp may be slightly softer, their insides remain creamy and flavourful.
Red potatoes: When roasted, red potatoes turn an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They emerge crispy but quickly soften on the outside, offering creamy and soft insides.
Baby potatoes or new potatoes: These are not specific varieties of potatoes but are commonly used for air frying.
Additionally, it is worth noting that leaving the potato skins on results in a crispier texture, as the skins crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
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How to season your smashed potatoes
While the cooking time for smashed potatoes in an air fryer is relatively short, the seasoning process can be just as quick and easy. Here are some tips on how to season your smashed potatoes to perfection:
Choose Your Base Seasonings
Start with a base of salt and pepper to taste. You can also boil your potatoes in salted water before smashing them to ensure the seasoning penetrates the potatoes. Additionally, consider adding butter to your potatoes for a rich, creamy flavour.
Add Aromatics
Enhance the flavour of your smashed potatoes by incorporating aromatic ingredients like garlic, rosemary, or parsley. For a more subtle flavour, you can infuse the boiling water with rosemary or add garlic powder to your potatoes. Alternatively, you can use fresh garlic cloves or rosemary sprigs for a more intense flavour.
Get Creative with Spices
If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with different spices and seasonings. Try Italian seasoning, curry powder, smoked paprika, thyme, dill, or even a chicken ramen seasoning packet. You can also play with different types of pepper, such as white pepper or black pepper.
Include Dairy
For a creamy and tangy twist, mix in some cream cheese or sour cream. You can also try browning your butter before adding it to the potatoes for a unique, savoury flavour. Additionally, a sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese on top of your smashed potatoes can take them to the next level.
Load Them Up
Treat your smashed potatoes like a baked potato and load them up with your favourite toppings. Try adding bacon bits, chives, green onions, or sweet corn. You can even get creative with ingredients like goat cheese, pancetta, or parmesan. Don't be afraid to mix and match to create a loaded smashed potato masterpiece.
Remember, when it comes to seasoning, it's essential to taste as you go and adjust the flavours to your preference. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and flavourful smashed potatoes in your air fryer.
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Step-by-step instructions for making smashed potatoes
Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need baby gold potatoes (about 8-10 small potatoes or 1 pound), 1 tablespoon of butter, olive oil, garlic powder, salt and black pepper, and fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary for garnish.
Next, prepare the potatoes. Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly, as you will be eating the skin. If you are using medium-sized potatoes, quarter them. If using small potatoes (golf ball-sized or smaller), you can leave them whole.
Now, it's time to cook the potatoes. There are two methods you can use: parboiling or air frying. For parboiling, cover the potatoes with salted water in a large pot and add a teaspoon of turmeric for extra colour and flavour. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Alternatively, you can skip the parboiling step and just place the raw potatoes directly into the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
Once the potatoes are cooked, it's time to smash them. Place the potatoes on a cutting board and use a flat-bottomed cup, serving fork, or potato masher to gently press down on each potato until it is flattened to about 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you smash them, the crispier they will be. Be careful not to smash them too much, as you want them to remain mostly intact.
Now, it's time to season your potatoes. In a bowl, mix together melted butter and olive oil. Dip each smashed potato into the butter-oil mixture, ensuring they are well-coated on all sides. You can also brush the butter directly onto the potatoes.
After that, it's time to air fry. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip them during cooking.
Finally, serve and enjoy! Your smashed potatoes are now ready to be devoured. For an extra indulgent touch, top them with sour cream, chopped bacon, chives, or grated cheese.
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How long to cook smashed potatoes in an air fryer
Cooking smashed potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The first step is to boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they are fork-tender, which should take around 15 to 20 minutes. Then, drain the potatoes and let them cool before smashing them with a fork, cup, or potato masher to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. The potatoes should be flattened but still mostly intact.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and coat the basket with non-stick spray or line it with foil for easy cleanup. You can also use a baking sheet if your air fryer doesn't have a basket. Drizzle melted butter and olive oil over the potatoes, ensuring they are well-coated. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, or other herbs and spices of your choice.
Finally, place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving sufficient space between them to ensure even cooking. Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip the potatoes during cooking, but you can shake the basket to prevent them from sticking. The total cooking time will depend on your air fryer, so it is recommended to check on the potatoes regularly to ensure they don't overcook.
With just a few simple steps and a short cooking time, you can enjoy delicious, crispy smashed potatoes as a side dish or snack.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook smashed potatoes in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be set to 400°F or 200°C.
To make the potatoes crispy, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. You can also flatten the potatoes to about 1/2-inch thick.
You can use baby potatoes or quarter larger potatoes. Yukon gold or red potatoes are recommended.
Yes, you can make smashed potatoes in the oven. Place the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast them at 425°F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.
