Air-Fried Mashed Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making mashed potatoes in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and tasty way to prepare this classic side dish. The air fryer method is simple to prepare, affordable, and adaptable, making it a great option for a weeknight family meal or a special occasion. The air fryer also helps to create a light and fluffy mash with a unique roasted flavour.

Choosing the right potatoes

First, consider the type of potatoes that work best for mashing. Yukon Gold, Russet, Idaho Russets, and new potatoes are excellent choices for their starch content and creamy texture. Russet potatoes, in particular, are often considered the best option due to their high starch content. If you want to add a unique colour and flavour to your mashed potatoes, you can also use red potatoes.

When shopping for potatoes, look for those that are firm and smooth-skinned, without any wrinkles, sprouts, or cracks. Avoid potatoes that feel lightweight for their size, as this may indicate that they are drying out. Also, check the variety of potatoes you are buying, as different types have distinct characteristics. For example, Yukon Gold potatoes are known for their creamy texture and sweet flavour, while Russet potatoes are fluffier and more absorbent, making them perfect for mashing.

The size of the potatoes also matters. Smaller potatoes are ideal for air frying because they cook faster and more evenly. If you opt for larger potatoes, you may need to increase the cooking time, and they might not cook as uniformly.

Finally, when preparing your potatoes for the air fryer, make sure to scrub them well under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can leave the skin on, as it adds a rustic touch to your mashed potatoes, but if you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel them before cooking.

Preparing the potatoes

Wash and Dry the Potatoes:

Start by selecting the type of potatoes you want to use. Russet, Yukon Gold, and red potatoes are all great options for mashed potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue. Then, use a kitchen towel or paper towels to pat them dry.

Poke Holes in the Potatoes (Optional):

Some recipes suggest poking holes in the potatoes with a fork before placing them in the air fryer. This step is optional but can help the potatoes cook more evenly. Pierce each potato two or three times with a fork.

Wrap in Foil (Optional):

Wrapping the potatoes in foil is another optional step. It helps trap the heat and prevents the potato skins from getting crispy. If you want to keep the skins soft, wrap each potato in foil before placing them in the air fryer.

Place Potatoes in the Air Fryer:

Place the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket or on a piece of foil if you prefer. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This will ensure even cooking.

Cook the Potatoes:

Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time based on your potato size and air fryer model. For fork-tender potatoes, cooking times can range from 20 to 40 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. For smaller potatoes, 20-25 minutes at 400°F should be sufficient. Remember to turn the potatoes over halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

Check for Doneness:

To check if the potatoes are done, insert a knife or fork into the centre of the potato. If it slides in easily, the potatoes are ready. You can also check the internal temperature, which should reach 185°F when they are fully cooked.

Remove from the Air Fryer:

Once the potatoes are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cutting board. If you wrapped them in foil, carefully open the foil packets and remove the potatoes.

Peel the Skins (Optional):

At this stage, you can choose to peel the potato skins if you prefer a smoother texture. The skins should come off easily by hand, and you don't need to worry about peeling them perfectly.

Mash the Potatoes:

Place the potatoes in a large bowl and use a potato masher or fork to mash them. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a potato ricer to pass the potatoes through before mashing. Add butter, cream, milk, or other desired ingredients to the potatoes as you mash them. Continue mashing and mixing until you achieve your desired consistency.

Remember to taste the potatoes as you season them, and adjust the amounts of butter, cream, or milk to suit your preferences. With these steps, you'll have perfectly prepared potatoes ready for mashing and serving!

Air-frying the potatoes

To air-fry the potatoes, first, wash and scrub the potatoes. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork and season them with a little oil and salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can also wrap the potatoes in foil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps to trap the heat and prevent the potato skins from becoming crispy.

Preheat the air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes and your air fryer model, but on average, the potatoes will take between 20 and 40 minutes to cook.

The potatoes are done when they can be easily pierced with a knife or fork, or when they reach an internal temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit. If your potatoes are not done after the initial cooking time, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until they are tender.

Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before peeling off the skins. Place the peeled potatoes in a large bowl and add your desired ingredients, such as butter, cream, milk, or sour cream. Mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency.

You can also add various ingredients to your mashed potatoes to suit your taste. Some popular additions include cheese, bacon, herbs, garlic, and various seasonings.

Adding ingredients and mashing

Once your potatoes are cooked, it's time to add the other ingredients and mash them all together. Transfer the cooked potatoes from the air fryer to a plate or cutting board. If you want to remove the skins, you can do so now. It should be easy to remove the skins by hand, and you don't need to worry about making it perfect.

Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add your butter, cream cheese, and/or sour cream. Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher until they reach your desired consistency. If you prefer your mashed potatoes on the smoother side, you can use a hand mixer or pass the potatoes through a potato ricer before adding them to the bowl.

Now, you can add your desired seasonings. For a classic flavour profile, add salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add some herbs, you can stir in some chopped chives, rosemary, thyme, or parsley. If you want to add some extra indulgence, you can include some shredded cheddar cheese and/or bacon bits.

If your potatoes are looking a little dry, you can add some milk or cream to adjust the consistency. A splash of milk or cream will also help to fluff up any leftovers when you're ready to reheat them.

Serving and storing

Once you've made your creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes, it's time to serve them! These potatoes go well with a variety of mains, such as steak, salmon, or chicken. You can also get creative with the toppings and add cheese, bacon bits, or fresh herbs for a pop of color and extra flavor.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. When it comes to reheating, you have a few options:

• Microwave: Cover the leftover potatoes and heat in 30-second increments, adding a splash of milk or cream if they start to dry out.
• Stovetop: Place the potatoes in a pot and heat on low, stirring occasionally and adding milk or cream as needed.
• Instant Pot: Place a rack at the bottom along with a cup of water, then put a pressure cooker-safe bowl of potatoes on the rack and pressure cook for 5 minutes.
• Oven: Put the potatoes in a casserole or oven-safe dish, dot with butter, cover with foil, and heat at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
• Air Fryer: Place the potatoes in an oven-safe dish, dot with butter, cover with foil, and heat at 320 degrees F; cooking time will vary depending on the amount.

No matter which reheating method you choose, always make sure to stir the potatoes occasionally and add milk or cream as needed to maintain moisture.

So, whether you're making these air fryer mashed potatoes for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, they are sure to be a delicious and easy-to-make side dish!

Frequently asked questions