• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Thechowdown

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Condiments and Dressings
  • About
  • Favorites & Reviews
  • How To’s & Guides
  • Contact

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

May 14, 2021 by thechowdown Last Modified: March 13, 2022

FacebookTweetPinYummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I promise these crispy air fryer smashed potatoes will be your new favorite way to eat potatoes. They’re creamy on the inside, extra crispy on the outside and very easy to make!

a plate of crispy air fryer smashed potatoes

This post contains affiliate links.

Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Where are all my potato lovers at?? Potatoes are like eggs in that there are an infinite number of ways to prepare and cook potatoes. All are delicious, but these crispy air fried smashed potatoes take the prize for BEST potatoes ever.

Now that I’ve perfected this recipe, I don’t think I can make potatoes any other way. They are the perfect balance between creamy and extra crispy!

This recipe requires only 7 ingredients and are easy to prepare. They do, however, take some time to prepare. To speed things up, you can boil the potatoes ahead of time.

The best thing about these potatoes is you can serve them with any meal. Check out the FAQ section for some ideas!

Ingredients

ingredients to make crispy air fryer smashed potatoes.

Mini potatoes: any type of potato works great for this recipe. I used mini red potatoes.
Ghee: ghee (or clarified butter) has a high smoke point and adds the perfect buttery flavor.
Garlic powder & onion powder: we use dried seasoning instead of fresh as fresh can tend to burn in the oven.
Rosemary: rosemary pairs so nicely with potatoes.
Flaky sea salt: an absolute must! So delicious on these crispy potatoes.
Parmesan cheese: a sprinkling of parmesan cheese after air frying is optional but adds a nice finishing touch.

Equipment

Large pot
Drinking glass
Small ramekin
Pastry Brush (this is the best pastry brush!)
Air Fryer

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently add potatoes and boil for 20 minutes.

Drain water and allow potatoes to cool for 5 minutes. Use a towel to dry the potatoes well.

melted ghee with garlic powder, onion powder and rosemary.

Transfer potatoes to a cutting board and space them out. Smash potatoes with the bottom of a drinking glass.

In a small ramekin, combine melted ghee, garlic powder, onion powder and rosemary. Brush smashed potatoes with ghee.

brushing smashed potatoes with seasoned ghee

Place smashed potatoes on air fryer basket, ensuring none are touching to ensure they get extra crispy.

Air fry smashed potatoes at 400°F for 10 minutes.

Remove potatoes from air fryer and sprinkle each with flaky sea salt and grated parmesan cheese. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to serve air fryer Smashed Potatoes

Breakfast: serve with your favorite breakfast fix-ins instead of hash browns or home fries.

Lunch: serve with a sandwich or wrap instead of french fries or potato chips.

Appetizer/snack: these would make a great party appetizer with a variety of dipping sauces. Did someone say potato bar??

Dinner: serve as your starch along side a protein, such as chicken or pork, and a vegetable of choice.

smashing the boiled potatoes with the bottom of a glass

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of potato is best?

You can use any kind of potato; however, I highly recommend mini potatoes. The smaller the potato, the crispier they will get.

You can find red or yellow mini potatoes. I find red potatoes have a bit more flavor, but yellow potatoes offer a creamy interior texture. You really can’t go wrong!

Why use ghee?

Ghee has a high smoke point, so it won’t burn in the air fryer but it will still offer a rich, buttery flavor.

If you do not have ghee on hand, you can make some by melting butter in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium low heat.

Once the butter has melted, skim off the milky foam (milk solids) from the top of the butter until only the golden butterfat remains.

Other ways to smash the potatoes?

You can use a potato masher, the bottom of a measuring cup, the back of a large spoon or a sheet pan to smash the potatoes.

What types of sauces can I serve with air fryer smashed potatoes?

Ketchup
Chipotle Mayo
Chimichurri or similar herby sauce
Romesco dip
Garlic Aoili
Ranch dressing
Green Goddess dressing

a plate of crispy air fryer smashed potatoes topped with parmesan cheese.

Substitutions

  • Ghee: in a pinch you can use butter, or vegan butter to keep this recipe vegan!
  • Garlic Powder: I get it, fresh garlic is better! However, it can burn when used in this recipe. An alternative if you want to use fresh garlic: smash garlic cloves and add it to your ghee before melting it. Once melted, allow to sit for 5 minutes to infuse the ghee. Discard smashed garlic before adding remaining spices and brushing on to potatoes.
  • Rosemary: try fresh rosemary or your favorite herb instead.

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Chowder
  • Burger Bowls with Special Sauce
  • Copycat Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers

If you make these crispy air fryer smashed potatoes, be sure to leave a comment below and rate this recipe! If you snap a pic, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thechowdown! I love seeing your creations!

a plate of crispy smashed potatoes
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

I promise these crispy air fryer smashed potatoes will be your new favorite way to eat potatoes. They're creamy on the inside, extra crispy on the outside and very easy to make!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried smashed potatoes, air fryer smashed potatoes, crispy potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, smashed potatoes air fryer
Servings: 4 servings
Cost: -

Ingredients

  • 16 mini potatoes
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp rosemary
  • 4 tbsp ghee melted
  • 1-2 tsp flaky sea salt
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously salt water and add potatoes. Boil potatoes for 20 minutes, or until fork tender.
  • Drain water and allow potatoes to cool for 5 minutes. Dry potatoes well with a towel. Place potatoes on a cutting board. Smash potatoes with the bottom of a glass.
  • Combine melted ghee, onion powder, garlic powder and rosemary in a small ramekin. Brush seasoned ghee onto each potato.
  • Place smashed potatoes on air fryer basket. Air fry smashed potatoes at 400°F for 10 minutes.
  • Remove potatoes from air fryer. Sprinkle potatoes with flaky sea salt and parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Notes

  1. When checking for doneness of boiled potatoes, ensure they easily pierce with a fork. Do not over cook as they will fall apart when smashed.
  2. Dry the potatoes well before smashing to help ensure they get crispy in the oven. 
FacebookTweetPinYummly
Previous Post: « Spicy Fish Taco Bowls
Next Post: Caramelized Onion and Everything Bagel Biscuits »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Formicola

    May 19, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    Crispy potatoes are the BEST potatoes in my book! I love how simple this recipe is and I can’t wait to make them with dinner this week!

    Reply
  2. Amy

    May 20, 2021 at 1:30 am

    5 stars
    I had to use ghee for a recipe the other day so I thought I’d try your recipe to use it up. O.M.G. You are so right. I am never going to make potatoes any other way again! Can’t believe how crispy they were on the outside yet so fluffy on the inside. Winner recipe!

    Reply
  3. Sondra

    May 21, 2021 at 4:54 am

    I would love to try these along with burgers!

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      June 9, 2021 at 10:42 pm

      I hope you get a chance to try it!

      Reply
  4. Ramona

    May 21, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    Great and super simple recipe. Always a winner over here.

    Reply
    • thechowdown

      June 9, 2021 at 10:42 pm

      Thank you so much, Ramona!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the Thechowdown!

My name is Kasey and I love to cook. On my site, you will find a variety of delicious and wholesome recipes, as well as cooking tips, 'how-to' guides and 'favorites' lists. I hope to spread the passion for cooking to you! Read More…

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
30% Off Mega Holiday Snack Box Promo!

Holiday Recipes

Thanksgiving pizza on a round wooden cutting board.

Thanksgiving Pizza

Maple bacon Brussels sprouts.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

White chocolate peppermint martini.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

A hand holding a pesto puff pastry Christmas tree up in front of a platter of more puff pastry Christmas trees.

Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

See More

Fall Recipes

The finished butternut squash sausage orzo in the pan with a small bowl of parmesan cheese next to it.

Butternut Squash Sausage Orzo

A close up of a muffin with a bite taken out to show inside texture.

Oat Flour Pumpkin Muffins

Roasted honeynut squash on a plate.

Roasted Honeynut Squash

a close up shot of a piece of pumpkin coffee cake on a plate.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

See More

Popular Recipes

Stack of healthy fudgy turtle brownies with caramel drizzle

Healthy Fudgy Turtle Brownies

chocolate chip cookie dough baked oats

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal

a sugar cookie truffle cut open to see the inside texture

Vegan Sugar Cookie Truffles

a batch of key lime pie bars cut into squares

Healthy Key Lime Pie Bars

See More

Appetizers

Dunking a homemade pizza roll into marinara sauce.

Homemade Pizza Rolls (Oven or Air Fryer)

Fig Panzanella Salad in a big serving bowl with serving utensils.

Fig Panzanella Salad

Two caprese flatbreads on a baking sheet.

Caprese Flatbread

The 4 ricotta toasts on a piece of parchment paper with various ingredients surrounding them.

Ricotta Toast (4 Ways)

See More

Shop the WÜSTHOF Classic Series

Categories

Copyright © 2023 Thechowdown on the Foodie Pro Theme