Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. After making these many times, I discovered the trick to getting them perfectly crispy every time. The warm, golden color and crispy edges will make your family beg for these as a side dish. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Dipping Sauce and Easy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna for a Cozy Dinner.
Why This Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy edges
- Soft, fluffy centers
- Healthier than deep-frying
- Easy and quick
What You'll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Chives
- Optional: Bacon bits
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used as well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Air fryer — Crispy texture without the oil → See on Amazon
- Potato masher — Easily smash potatoes to the right consistency → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Boil until tender.
- Step 2: Drain and return to pot. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mash until mostly smooth.
- Step 3: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add seasonings and mix.
- Step 4: Scoop potato mixture into air fryer basket. Flatten slightly with a spatula. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Step 5: Serve hot with desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispiness, add a sprinkle of cornstarch to the mashed potatoes before air frying.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- : For a faster cooking time, use an instant pot or pressure cooker to cook the potatoes before smashing.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the mashed potatoes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to air fry.
Freezing Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked potatoes for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to keep them from drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a twist, try adding shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes before air frying for cheesy smashed potatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, try cooking them for a few more minutes or increasing the temperature to 425°F.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Pot — Pressure cook potatoes in half the time → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Parsley
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Bacon bits
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Boil until tender.
- Step 2: Drain and return to pot. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mash until mostly smooth.
- Step 3: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add seasonings and mix.
- Step 4: Scoop potato mixture into air fryer basket. Flatten slightly with a spatula. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Step 5: Serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a twist, try adding shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes before air frying for cheesy smashed potatoes.
- Best substitution: Substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, try cooking them for a few more minutes or increasing the temperature to 425°F.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked potatoes for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to keep them from drying out.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the mashed potatoes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to air fry.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the mashed potatoes up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to air fry.
Ensure you're not overcrowding the air fryer basket and that the potatoes are cooked until tender before mashing.
Yes, you can bake the smashed potatoes on a baking sheet at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces for even cooking and easier mashing.
Use less oil and add more seasonings for flavor. You can also try using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter topping.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
