Smashed potatoes are a delicious, easy-to-make, and versatile dish that can be served as a snack, side, or appetiser. They are made using mini potatoes, such as golden baby potatoes or red skin potatoes, and seasoned with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and garlic powder. The potatoes are boiled, smashed, and then air-fried to create a crispy and fluffy texture. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and can be customised with various spices and herbs to suit your taste.
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right potatoes
For the best flavour and colour, Yukon Gold potatoes are a great choice. They tend to have a smooth texture and a neutral flavour, making them a versatile option. Red potatoes, on the other hand, have a stronger flavour and more "meaty" skins, which can add a nice bite to your dish. If you want to get creative, you can even use tri-coloured potato medleys to give your dish a vibrant look. Just be sure to keep an eye on the darker potatoes towards the end of cooking to prevent burning.
When it comes to size, smaller potatoes are generally preferable. Baby potatoes, aka mini potatoes or new potatoes, are ideal as they require less cooking time and result in a crispier dish due to their smaller surface area. If you can't find baby potatoes, simply halve or quarter larger potatoes to achieve the desired thickness. This will ensure even cooking and make it easier to smash them during preparation.
Overall, the key to choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer smashed potatoes is to consider the flavour, texture, and size that will best suit your taste preferences and cooking needs.
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How to parboil potatoes
Parboiling is a cooking technique that involves partially boiling potatoes. It is often used as a preliminary step before cooking potatoes using another method, such as roasting or frying. Parboiling helps to create potatoes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The process also removes excess starch and simple sugars, which can improve the texture and taste of the final dish.
To parboil potatoes, start by placing your potatoes in a large pot and covering them with clean, cold water. You can leave the potatoes whole or cut them into smaller pieces. Cutting the potatoes will reduce the cooking time. Add a pinch of salt to the water, cover the pot, and place it on high heat. Once the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-high to prevent boiling over. Continue boiling for 3-10 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Whole potatoes will take longer to cook than diced or sliced potatoes.
To check if the potatoes are done, remove one from the pot and test it with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife. The potatoes are ready when the utensil can be inserted with only slight resistance. Once they are done, remove the potatoes from the heat, drain the excess water, and let them cool before moving on to the next step. Parboiled potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days before the next step in your cooking process.
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Preparing the seasoning
Once you have gathered your desired ingredients, simply mix them together in a small bowl. You can then brush this seasoning mixture onto your smashed potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. It is recommended to add the seasoning during the second round of air frying, as adding it too early may cause the seasoning to burn.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs, spices, and seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile for these crispy smashed potatoes.
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Smashing the potatoes
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your potatoes are cooked adequately before smashing. You can determine this by inserting a fork into the potatoes; if the fork goes through easily, they are ready. It is essential not to overcook the potatoes, as they will fall apart when you try to smash them. You can cook the potatoes in an air fryer, boil them, or use a microwave or pressure cooker.
Once your potatoes are cooked, it's time to smash them! Place the potatoes on a sheet pan or cutting board. You can use various tools to smash them, such as a potato masher, a fork, the bottom of a cup or mug, or even a glass. Gently press down on each potato until it flattens to a thickness of about 1/4" to 1/2". Be careful not to press too hard, as you don't want to end up with mashed potatoes.
After smashing, the potatoes should be coated with a delicious seasoning mixture. You can make this mixture by combining olive oil with various spices such as garlic powder, dried rosemary, red chilli powder, black pepper, salt, or Italian seasoning. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. Simply brush or drizzle the seasoned oil over the smashed potatoes, making sure they are evenly coated.
Now you have perfectly smashed and seasoned potatoes! The next step is to place them back into the air fryer for that crispy, golden finish.
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Air-frying the potatoes
Once your potatoes are cooked, it's time to smash them! Place them on a sheet pan and use the bottom of a cup or mug to smash them into thin coins, about 1/4" each. Be careful not to over-smash, or you'll end up with mashed potatoes.
Now it's time to season your potatoes. You can use a variety of different spices and herbs, such as olive oil, garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of dried herbs and spices. Once you've chosen your seasonings, drizzle them over the potatoes and gently toss to coat them evenly.
Finally, it's time to air-fry your smashed potatoes. Place them back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes at 400°F, or until they're crispy and golden brown. Make sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. And that's it! Your air-fried smashed potatoes are now ready to be enjoyed!
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Frequently asked questions
Air fry the potatoes for 15-20 minutes at 400°F or until they are crispy and golden brown.
You can use baby gold potatoes, red potatoes, or a tricolour medley.
Air fryer smashed potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with almost anything. Some suggestions include grilled cheese, pasta, mac and cheese, pizza, soups, or grilled meats like steak or chicken.
Allow the potatoes to cool down completely, then place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until crispy again.