Air-Fried Mashed Potatoes: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Recipe

Air fryer mashed potatoes are a convenient, tasty, and healthy dish that can be made in just a few simple steps. Requiring minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for those looking for a quick, delicious, and indulgent side dish to accompany their meal. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect mash – fluffy, creamy, and buttery, without the hassle of boiling or the risk of overcooking. This guide will take you through the steps to make delicious air fryer mashed potatoes, as well as some variations and tips to ensure your mash is always on point.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Varieties

When it comes to choosing potatoes for mashed potatoes in an air fryer, there are several suitable options available. Here are some recommended varieties:

• Russet potatoes: Russets are often considered the best choice due to their high starch content, which contributes to a creamy texture. They are lighter in texture and whip up beautifully.
• Yukon Gold potatoes: Yukon Golds offer a nice balance between starch and creaminess, making them a versatile option for mashed potatoes.
• Idaho Russets: These potatoes are similar to Russets and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.
• New potatoes: Smaller, waxy potatoes like new potatoes are also a good choice for air fryer mashed potatoes. They cook more quickly and have a denser texture.

Size of Potatoes

It is generally recommended to use smaller potatoes when making mashed potatoes in an air fryer. Smaller potatoes will cook more quickly and evenly in the air fryer, resulting in a more consistent texture. Larger potatoes may take longer to cook and can be more challenging to work with.

Starch Content

The starch content of potatoes plays a crucial role in the final texture of mashed potatoes. For air fryer mashed potatoes, it is generally recommended to retain the starch rather than soaking the potatoes beforehand. The starch helps create a creamy texture, so it is beneficial to choose potato varieties with a higher starch content, such as Russets.

Cooking Time

The cooking time for potatoes in an air fryer can vary depending on their size and the specific model of your air fryer. It is important to select potatoes that are suitable for the cooking time you have available. Smaller potatoes will generally cook more quickly, while larger potatoes may require a longer cooking time.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the choice of potatoes comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a denser, creamier texture, Yukon Gold potatoes might be the best option. If you like your mashed potatoes light and fluffy, Russets could be the way to go. You can also experiment with different varieties to find the one that suits your taste buds the most.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select your potatoes. Russet, Yukon Gold, baby potatoes, or red potatoes are all great options for mashed potatoes. If you want to keep the skins on for a more rustic dish, go for baby, red, or gold potatoes as their skins have a milder flavour.

Next, scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. This removes any dirt or debris. After washing, pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is important as it ensures the potatoes don't steam instead of roast in the air fryer.

Now, it's time to season the potatoes. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle salt and pepper generously. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Creole seasoning, or red chilli powder at this stage if you want to enhance the flavour.

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking. If your potatoes are too big to fit in a single layer, you can cut them into smaller pieces, but this may affect the cooking time.

At this point, you can also add a head of garlic wrapped in foil to the air fryer. Roasted garlic adds a wonderful flavour to mashed potatoes. Cut the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap it tightly in foil before placing it in the air fryer with the potatoes.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the size of your potatoes. Cook the potatoes for 20-40 minutes, depending on their size. Baby potatoes will take around 20-30 minutes, while larger potatoes may need up to 40 minutes.

Keep an eye on the potatoes and check them regularly to ensure they don't overcook. They are done when they can be easily pierced with a knife or fork, or when they reach an internal temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cutting board. If you plan to remove the skins, let the potatoes cool down enough to handle them, then peel the skins off.

Now you're ready to mash! Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add your desired liquids and fats, such as butter, milk, cream, or sour cream. Start mashing with a potato masher or fork, adding more liquid as needed to achieve your desired consistency.

Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste, and add any additional ingredients like cheese, bacon bits, or herbs.

And that's it! You've successfully prepared the potatoes for your mashed potato dish. Now you can enjoy your fluffy, creamy, and delicious air-fried mashed potatoes.

Cooking the potatoes

The first step to making mashed potatoes in an air fryer is to prepare the potatoes. Wash your potatoes and dry them thoroughly. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes.

Next, place the potatoes on a piece of foil in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle or brush olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Creole seasoning, or red chilli powder. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork to allow the heat to penetrate the centre.

Now, it's time to air fry the potatoes. Set the temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 to 40 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. 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.

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down enough to handle. If you don't want to mash the potatoes with the skins on, you can peel them at this stage. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add your desired ingredients, such as butter, cream cheese, milk, or sour cream.

Now, it's time to mash the potatoes. Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. You can add more liquid, such as milk or cream, as needed to achieve your desired consistency. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.

If you're serving the mashed potatoes family-style, you can smooth the top and add a small knob of butter for a nice presentation.

Adding ingredients and mashing

Now that your potatoes are cooked, it's time to add the ingredients and mash them.

First, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cutting board. If you want to remove the skins, now is the time to do so. The skins should come off easily by hand. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add your desired ingredients. For a simple yet delicious mash, add butter, cream cheese, and chives. You can also experiment with other ingredients like sour cream, milk, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.

Once you have added your desired ingredients, it's time to mash! Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. If you prefer a smoother mash, you can use a potato ricer to pass the potatoes through before stirring them into the butter and cream mixture. Be careful not to over-mash, as this can make your potatoes sticky and gluey.

Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you want to add more toppings, go for it! You can also get creative and add your own flair to the mashed potatoes. Some people like to add shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, or other tasty ingredients.

And that's it! You now have delicious, creamy mashed potatoes made in your air fryer. Serve them immediately and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Serving and storing

If you're serving them family-style, smooth out the top of the potatoes with a spoon or spatula before adding any toppings.

If you have any leftovers, mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, you can use a microwave, stovetop, oven, or even the air fryer! Just be sure to stir in a little milk or cream to keep them from drying out.

• Microwave: Cover the leftover potatoes and heat on high power. The time will depend on the amount you're reheating, but it's best to warm them up in parts, stirring and adding a splash of milk or cream as needed.
• Stovetop: Place the potatoes in a pot and heat on low, stirring occasionally and adding milk or cream if needed.
• Oven: Place the potatoes in a casserole or oven-safe dish. Dot with butter if desired, cover with foil, and heat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until hot.
• Air fryer: Place the potatoes in an oven-safe dish, dot with butter, cover with foil, and heat at 320°F. The time will depend on the amount you're reheating, but be sure to check on them and add milk or cream if they're drying out.

You can also get creative with your leftovers and turn them into something new! Try making mashed potato balls, potato cakes, or savoury pancakes. You can even use them as a topping for a dish like shepherd's pie.

Frequently asked questions