Looking for the ultimate side dish that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside? These air fryer smashed potatoes are just what you need. Using just a handful of ingredients and an air fryer, you’ll get golden, garlicky, flavor-packed mini potatoes with less oil and zero fuss. Whether you’re aiming for classic comfort or a savory garlic parmesan twist, this recipe delivers every time. In this article, we’ll explore how to make air fryer smashed potatoes, share pro tips for guaranteed crispiness, and answer common questions like “Do you have to boil potatoes first?” and “Why aren’t they getting crispy?”
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Medium pot
- strainer
- Flat surface or cutting board
- Drinking glass or jar (for smashing)
- Air fryer
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs baby gold or red potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 15–18 minutes.
- Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place potatoes on a flat surface and gently smash with the bottom of a glass.
- Brush with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan on each potato.
- Air fry at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Optional: soak potatoes in cold water for 15 minutes before boiling for extra crispiness.
Nutrition
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Why I Fell in Love With Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Childhood Inspiration Turned Air Fryer Obsession
Back in my Echo Park apartment days, the hallway always smelled like Sunday dinners—especially when someone was roasting potatoes. My mom taught me the beauty of making magic with simple ingredients. We didn’t have a lot, but potatoes were always on hand. Years later, when I first made smashed potatoes in the air fryer, I realized how much flavor could be packed into something so basic. That golden crunch took me right back—but with a modern twist. Since then, air fryer smashed potatoes have become a staple in my kitchen and one of my most requested dishes at dinner parties.
Why the Air Fryer Wins Every Time
If you’ve ever tried roasting smashed potatoes in the oven, you know it takes forever to get them evenly crisp. That’s where the air fryer shines. It blasts high heat around every crevice, creating crispy edges in half the time—with barely any oil. Plus, it keeps your kitchen cool and your cooking stress-free. Whether you’re trying smashed mini potatoes in the air fryer or experimenting with garlic parmesan smashed potatoes air fryer style, it’s the best method for foolproof crispiness. Once I started experimenting, I found the same crunchy satisfaction in recipes like parmesan-crusted onion rings, which inspired me to try bold parmesan blends with potatoes too.
Crispy Results Every Time – How to Make Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Start with the Right Potatoes
For truly crispy air fryer smashed potatoes, size matters. Choose small, waxy varieties like baby gold or red potatoes. Their thin skin crisps beautifully and their insides stay buttery soft. Give them a quick scrub and boil until fork-tender—this step is essential. Yes, you do need to boil your potatoes before air frying them. Boiling softens the interior just enough for that perfect smash. It also makes the skins wrinkle slightly, which translates into more surface area to crisp up in the air fryer.
If you’re a fan of air fryer basics, this prep style is similar to our easy air fryer roasted carrots or herbed baby potatoes, where tenderness is key before crisping.
Smash and Season Like a Pro
Once boiled and slightly cooled, smash the potatoes gently with the bottom of a glass or a fork. Don’t press too hard—you want them to hold together. Now’s the fun part: drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on kosher salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For that viral garlic parmesan smashed potatoes air fryer flavor, toss in grated parmesan and crushed garlic.
Place them in your air fryer basket in a single layer—crowding is the enemy of crispiness. Air fry at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway. Watch those edges turn golden brown and irresistible.
Here’s a quick reference table for timing and temperature:
| Step | Time & Temp |
|---|---|
| Boil Potatoes | 15–18 mins until fork-tender |
| Air Frying | 400°F for 15–18 mins |
They make the perfect pairing for hearty mains like our Texas Roadhouse smothered chicken—you’ll have a restaurant-style dinner in minutes. Want to serve something refreshing on the side? Try our cranberry juice apple cider vinegar drink for a tangy balance.
Flavor Twists to Elevate Your Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
The Best Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Air Fryer Style
If you’re craving bold flavor, garlic parmesan smashed potatoes in the air fryer are the ultimate upgrade. After boiling and smashing your mini potatoes, brush them with a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of Italian herbs. Then sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over each potato. Once these smashed potatoes hit the air fryer, the garlic crisps up, the cheese melts into golden edges, and your kitchen smells absolutely irresistible.
This garlic parmesan combo turns simple air fryer smashed potatoes into a side dish you’ll actually dream about. Want more garlic-forward recipes? You’ll love our air fryer garlic mushrooms for another craveable option.
Smashed Mini Potatoes Air Fryer Flavors You’ll Want to Try Tonight
Once you’ve mastered basic air fryer smashed potatoes, it’s time to have some fun with flavors. These smashed mini potatoes in the air fryer take on spices, cheese, and sauces beautifully. Here are some flavor-packed ideas:
Craving even more flavor? Try seasoning with sea salt from our pink salt trick recipe to boost flavor naturally. It’s the same ingredient we love in our refreshing pink salt diet drink recipe, which also makes a great pairing on the side.
other flavors:
- Cheddar & Chive Loaded: Add shredded cheddar in the last 5 minutes of air frying. Top with chopped chives and a small spoonful of sour cream.
- Spicy Cajun Kick: Toss smashed potatoes with Cajun seasoning and a hint of smoked paprika before air frying.
- Lemon Garlic Herb: Mix olive oil with lemon zest, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary for a fresh twist.
The beauty of air fryer smashed potatoes is how easily they can be customized. Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all-out with toppings, these crispy gems are a hit every single time.
Solving Common Problems with Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Why Your Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Aren’t Crispy (And How to Fix It)
One of the most common frustrations when making air fryer smashed potatoes is when they don’t turn out crispy. If yours are too soft or lack that satisfying crunch, here’s what’s going wrong:
- Potatoes not boiled long enough: To make perfect smashed mini potatoes in the air fryer, your potatoes must be fully fork-tender before smashing. Undercooked potatoes won’t flatten properly, and they won’t crisp.
- Overcrowding the air fryer basket: Crispiness requires airflow. If your smashed potatoes are stacked or too close, the air can’t circulate, and they’ll steam instead of crisp.
- Insufficient oil or no preheat: Even a small amount of oil helps the skin blister and brown. And always preheat your air fryer—especially for garlic parmesan smashed potatoes air fryer style, where crisp texture is everything.
How to Cook Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Perfectly Every Time
To get golden, crunchy air fryer smashed potatoes every single time, stick with these pro tips:
- Smash evenly: Use the bottom of a sturdy glass or jar to gently press down on each boiled potato. Don’t crush them into crumbs—you’re creating crispy edges, not mashed potatoes.
- Try soaking before boiling (optional but effective): For even crispier smashed mini potatoes air fryer results, soak them in cold water for 15–30 minutes. This removes excess starch, just like we do in our crispy air fryer French fries recipe.
- Cook in a single layer, in batches if needed: Air flow is crucial. For best results, don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket—even if it means doing two rounds.
Try soaking potatoes in cold water before boiling—this reduces starch and gives you results like our ultra-satisfying lemon chia pudding with yogurt, which also benefits from texture contrast. Want something light to follow your crispy dish? Our chia seeds in yogurt make the perfect, protein-packed finish.
FAQ Section: Everything You Need to Know About Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
How to make smashed potatoes in the air fryer?
Boil mini potatoes until tender, smash gently, season, and air fry at 400°F for 15–18 minutes. Flip halfway for maximum crispiness.
How long to cook smashed potatoes in air fryer?
Cook air fryer smashed potatoes at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and potato size.
How to cook smashed potatoes in air fryer?
After boiling and smashing, spray or brush with oil, season well, and place in a preheated air fryer. Cook until crispy.
How do you smash potatoes in the air fryer?
You don’t actually smash them inside the air fryer. Smash boiled potatoes on a flat surface, then transfer them into the air fryer basket.
Should you boil potatoes before air frying them?
Yes. Boiling is essential for tender interiors and ensures your smashed mini potatoes in air fryer won’t fall apart when smashed.
Why soak potatoes in water before air frying?
Soaking helps draw out surface starch, making your air fryer smashed potatoes even crispier. It’s optional but effective.
Why are my smashed potatoes not crispy?
The likely reasons: undercooked potatoes, overcrowded air fryer, not enough oil, or skipping the preheat. Always air fry in a single layer.
Conclusion: Why Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Deserve a Spot at Your Table
If you’ve been searching for a side dish that’s quick, crispy, and endlessly customizable, air fryer smashed potatoes are it. From the irresistible garlic parmesan flavor to the satisfying crunch of smashed mini potatoes straight from the air fryer, this recipe is a foolproof win. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing guests, you’ll never go back to oven-roasted after this. So grab those baby potatoes, fire up your air fryer, and bring the crunch to your table—no deep fryer needed.
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