Tillie Doyle
Making mashed potatoes in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to create a delicious side dish. With an air fryer, you can skip the traditional steps of peeling, dicing, and boiling potatoes, and instead, use the air fryer to roast them, giving them a great flavor. The air fryer also frees up oven space and doesn't require constant attention, making it a handy kitchen gadget for busy weeknights and holiday meals. In this article, we will explore how to make creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes in an air fryer, including different variations and serving suggestions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Time | 20 to 40 minutes |
| Potato type | Baby, red, russet, golden, Yukon gold, or sweet potatoes |
| Potato texture | Dense and creamy, or light and fluffy |
| Potato preparation | Pierce with a fork, chop, coat with oil, season with salt and pepper |
| Potato wrapping | Foil |
| Potato mashing | With a potato masher, fork, or hand mixer |
| Add-ins | Butter, milk, cream, heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese, chives, cheese, bacon bits, garlic |
| Potato cakes | Form patties, air fry at 375°F/190°C for 8 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Reheating | Place in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, heat at 350°F for 10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
How to make mashed potatoes in an air fryer
Air fryer mashed potatoes are an easy and affordable dish to make. They are rich, indulgent, and delicious. The air fryer ensures the potatoes come out wonderfully fluffy and frees up your stove and oven. You can also make mashed potato cakes or mashed potato balls with leftover mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- Potatoes (baby, red, russet, golden, or Yukon gold potatoes)
- Butter (salted or unsalted)
- Milk
- Cream or heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Optional Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Garlic
Method
First, scrub the potatoes well under cold running water. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Pierce each potato with a fork two or three times. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can also drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle some salt. You don't need to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees F and air fry the potatoes for 20 to 40 minutes. Turn them over so they cook evenly. The potatoes are done when they can be easily pierced with a knife or fork.
Once the potatoes are cooked, remove the skins. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add the butter, cream, and milk. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Stop mashing once everything is combined. If you over-mash the potatoes, they can become sticky. For super-smooth mash, pass the potatoes through a potato ricer into the butter and cream mixture, then gently stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
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How to make mashed potato cakes in an air fryer
If you're looking for a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, then mashed potato cakes in an air fryer are a great option. They're crispy, creamy, and can be served as a side dish or a base for other meals. Here's how to make them:
Ingredients
- Leftover mashed potatoes
- Parsley
- Sour cream
- Bacon crumbles
- Scallions
- Flour (optional)
Method
First, prepare your mashed potatoes. If you're making mashed potatoes from scratch, wash and season the potatoes with a little oil and salt. Pierce each potato with a fork a few times and place them in the air fryer at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, or until fork-tender. Then, remove the skins and mash the potatoes with butter, milk, and/or cream. You can also add in ingredients like cream cheese, chives, and seasonings. If your mashed potatoes are runny, add some extra flour to thicken the mixture.
Next, form the potato mixture into patties. Carefully place the patties into the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray the patties with oil after flipping and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the breading is golden brown and crispy.
Finally, let the potato cakes cool for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish them with chopped parsley, sour cream, bacon crumbles, and scallions.
Tips
- It's recommended to use potatoes that are high in starch and low in moisture, such as Idaho or Yukon gold potatoes.
- If you have time, boil the potatoes in salted water before mashing them for even better results.
- You can store leftover mashed potato cakes in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.
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How to make mashed potato balls in an air fryer
Making mashed potato balls in an air fryer is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious, crispy mashed potato balls:
Step 1: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
Start by preparing your mashed potatoes. Wash and scrub the potatoes, then dry them with a kitchen towel. Pierce each potato with a fork a few times. You can also chop them into smaller pieces to speed up the cooking process. Drizzle or toss the potatoes with a little oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning. If you like garlic, add a whole head of garlic wrapped in foil, or use garlic powder when mashing.
Step 2: Air Fry the Potatoes
Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space around them. You can also wrap the potatoes in foil before placing them in the air fryer. Cook for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Smaller potatoes will cook faster. You can also cook baby potatoes, which are more tender and creamy, reducing the amount of milk and butter needed later.
Step 3: Mash the Potatoes
Once the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a plate or cutting board. If you wish to remove the skins, do so now. Then, place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add your desired liquids and fats, such as milk, cream, butter, or cream cheese, and mash until smooth. You can use a potato masher or a fork for this step. For super smooth mash, use a potato ricer to pass the potatoes through before mashing. Ensure the potatoes, liquids, and fats are warm, as this will help the potatoes absorb the liquids better.
Step 4: Form the Potato Mixture into Balls
Take the leftover mashed potatoes and roll them into 1-inch balls. You can also form them into patties if you prefer to make mashed potato cakes.
Step 5: Bread the Potato Balls
Dip the mashed potato balls into a beaten egg, then roll them in panko breadcrumbs. This step will give the potato balls a crispy coating when fried.
Step 6: Air Fry the Mashed Potato Balls
Place the breaded potato balls into the air fryer basket, ensuring they have some space around them. Air fry at 350-400°F (175-200°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden and the potatoes are hot. Flip the potato balls halfway through cooking and spray with oil if needed.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the mashed potato balls from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. You can also get creative with toppings and sauces, such as sour cream, bacon crumbles, scallions, or chopped parsley. Enjoy!
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How to reheat mashed potatoes in an air fryer
Reheating mashed potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy this comforting dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving warm and fluffy mashed potatoes:
Preparing the Mashed Potatoes:
Start by preparing the desired amount of mashed potatoes. For best results, it is recommended to use starchy and low-moisture potatoes such as Idaho or Yukon gold potatoes. These potatoes create a light and fluffy texture that browns nicely in the air fryer. You can also use baby potatoes, which cook faster and require less milk and butter due to their natural creaminess.
Seasoning and Add-Ins:
Enhance the flavor of your mashed potatoes by seasoning them with salt, pepper, and other favorite spices. Additionally, you can include add-ins such as butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, milk, or sour cream. For a more indulgent option, consider adding cream cheese and butter to create a rich and creamy dish.
Reheating in the Air Fryer:
To reheat mashed potatoes in the air fryer, first ensure they are at room temperature. Form the mashed potatoes into patties or balls, and if desired, dip them in egg and coat them with breadcrumbs for a crispy texture. Place the mashed potato shapes into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to ensure even cooking.
Set the air fryer temperature between 350°F and 400°F, and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For potato cakes, aim for a golden-brown color, while for potato balls, cook until the breadcrumbs are golden and the potatoes are heated through.
Serving Suggestions:
Once cooked, let the mashed potatoes cool for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish them with toppings such as chopped parsley, sour cream, bacon crumbles, or scallions. Reheated mashed potatoes can be served as a side dish with simple sides like steamed vegetables or a salad. They also pair well with various sauces, including ketchup, mustard, or homemade chipotle sauce.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious and warm mashed potatoes prepared in your air fryer!
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What type of potatoes to use for mashed potatoes in an air fryer
When it comes to making mashed potatoes in an air fryer, not all potatoes are created equal. The best types of potatoes for making mashed potatoes are starchy varieties, with the most popular being Russet potatoes. Their high starch content results in a light and fluffy texture, perfect for whipping. Russet potatoes are often considered the best for their high starch content and creamy texture.
Another excellent option is Yukon Gold potatoes, which offer a slightly buttery flavor and a creamier texture when mashed. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good choice when making mashed potato cakes, as they are high in starch and low in moisture, helping to create a light and fluffy cake that browns nicely in the air fryer.
If you're short on time, it's worth noting that smaller potatoes are preferable, as they cook much quicker. Additionally, if you're making mashed potato cakes, it's worth the extra step of boiling the potatoes in salted water before mashing them.
No matter which type of potato you choose, the air fryer method of making mashed potatoes is a game-changer. Air fryers utilize hot air circulation to cook food more quickly while maintaining a crispy texture. This means no more stodgy or gluey mash, and you'll get restaurant-style results every time!
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Frequently asked questions
First, wash and scrub the potatoes. Pierce each potato with a fork and wrap them in foil. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes. Once they are fork-tender, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool. Peel the skins off and mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Add butter, milk, cream, salt, and pepper to taste.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer. Smaller potatoes will take less time to cook, around 20-25 minutes. Larger potatoes may take up to 30-40 minutes.
It is recommended to use smaller potatoes, also known as baby, new, or early potatoes. These potatoes cook faster and are more tender and creamy. Yukon gold, Russet, red, or golden potatoes are also good options.
Yes, you can make mashed potato cakes or patties in an air fryer. Form the mashed potatoes into patties and place them in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley, sour cream, bacon crumbles, or scallions if desired.
