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Smashed red potatoes (air fryer recipe)

Smashed red potatoes (air fryer recipe)

Get your taste buds ready for a tantalizing treat!  This smashed red potatoes recipe didn’t last long in my house when I made it today. 

If you want to know how to make air fryer smashed potatoes that will rock your world, you have come to the right place. 

Don’t let the simplistic list of ingredients fool you. This crispy smashed potatoes recipe is jam-packed with flavor. 

To be honest with you, it kind of caught me off guard how tasty these smashed red potatoes really are. I think I went into this recipe with low expectations. I don’t know why because I love all things baked potatoes and twice baked potatoes

Interestingly, I failed making this recipe at first. I had to start over a few times. The first attempt I wound up with mashed potatoes. Though it was a mess, they still ended up as part of my lunch. So it all worked out. 

So without further ado, let’s talk all things smashed red potatoes in the air fryer!

Smashed potatoes are essentially baked potatoes that have been smashed and then cooked again to make them crispy on the outside. These potatoes are soft on the inside and have crispy edges on the outside. 

They generally have the skin on and made with smaller potatoes such as small red potatoes. Smashed potatoes are an ideal mix between a baked potato and skin-on mashed potatoes.

Why cook smashed potatoes in the air fryer?

There are a few advantages to cooking smashed potatoes in the air fryer. The first advantage is the speed. It only takes about 30 minutes to cook these crispy smashed potatoes in an air fryer. It would take about an hour for the same recipe in the oven. Second, air fryers are a bit better than the oven at making foods crispy. Finally, a bonus reason for using an air fryer over an oven is that it doesn’t heat up the entire house like an oven does. 

What kind of potatoes for smashed potatoes?

The best potatoes for smashed potatoes are red potatoes. They’re a perfect size and the skin of the red potato is thin enough to provide a great texture that isn’t too chewy. However, you can use any small size potato that you prefer. The best size of potato for smashed potatoes is one that is about two to three inch in diameter. 

How to serve smashed potatoes

You can serve smashed potatoes as an appetizer or as a side dish. If you serve them as an appetizer, I recommend that you serve them with a lemon aioli sauce. Keep in mind that these air fryer smashed potatoes are best served hot.

How to reheat smashed potatoes?

The best way to reheat smashed potatoes is in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for four to five minutes. If you don’t have an air fryer you can reheat them in the oven. Place them in a hot oven at 350 degrees for eight minutes.

How to store smashed potatoes

Leftover smashed potatoes will be fragile so you want to handle them with care. Use a spatula to scoop up the smashed potatoes and place them in a flat container with a lid. They will last up to four days in the fridge. When you’re ready to warm up the crispy smashed potatoes use the spatula to place them on the baking pan for reheating. 

Tips and tricks

    • Tongs are your friend in this recipe. Smashed potatoes can be a bit challenging to handle. They can easily fall apart. Also, consider using a spatula to move these crispy potatoes around. They can easily fall apart.
    • Don’t over smash the potatoes. There is a fine line between smashed potatoes and mashed potatoes. I learned this the hard way.
    • Used my handy kitchen scale to weigh the potatoes that I could get the ingredients vs potatoes right for this recipe. You don’t have to be so precise of course. It came out to be five small potatoes for me. I bring this up because if you are cooking for a crowd you will want to multiply the amount and ingredients accordingly.
    • Feel comfortable experimenting with spices and flavors on this recipe. You can also mix and match the kind of potato used. Just use whatever you have on hand.
    • Size matters in this recipe. Small potatoes are required for this recipe to be proper finger food.
    • Warming up an air fryer doesn’t take long at all. I usually let the air fryer run for about three minutes and then I start cooking.

How to make smashed red potatoes in the air fryer

Step 1: Gather your ingredients and tools. Getting everything together will make life a bit easier.

Tools:

    • Air fryer
    • Tongs
    • Spatula
    • Basting brush
    • Kitchen towels
    • Fork
    • Small glass
    • Baking sheet

Ingredients:

    • Small red potatoes
    • Olive oil
    • Minced garlic
    • Lemon pepper
    • Salt and pepper

Step 2: Wash and dry the potatoes. Be sure to scrub them because you won’t be peeling these potatoes.

Step 3: Poke the potatoes all over with a fork. You want several holes poked in these so that they cook properly.

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes.
Step 5: 
While the air fryer is preheating, coat the potatoes in olive oil.
Step 6: 
Pause the air fryer and remove the basket. Then place the oiled up potatoes in the basket.

Step 7: Cook the potatoes for 20 minutes. They are done when they are fork tender.
Step 8: 
While the potatoes are cooking, mix the spices and olive oil together.
Step 9: 
When potatoes are fork tender remove them from the air fryer. Use tongs because the potatoes will be hot. Place them on a baking sheet. Allow them to cool briefly.

Step 10: Use a glass to lightly smash the potatoes.

Step 11: Using a basting brush, coat the potatoes on both sides with the spice mix.

Step 12: Return the potatoes back to the air fryer basket. Cook the potatoes for an additional 6 minutes or until they are crispy.

Step 13: Serve the smashed potatoes hot.

Smashed red potatoes (air fryer recipe)

Smashed red potatoes (air fryer recipe)

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes

This smashed potatoes recipe is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients that are already in your pantry.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb small red potatoes
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 3/4 t lemon pepper
  • 2 1/2 T olive oil, divided
  • 1 T minced garlic
  • 1/4 t pepper

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the potatoes
  2. Poke the potatoes with a fork
  3. Coat the potatoes with  1/2 T of the olive oil
  4. Bake potatoes for 20 minutes at 350 degrees
  5. While the potatoes are cooking, in a large bowl mix together the olive oil and spices. 
  6. Open the air fryer and verify that they are fork tender. If they aren't cook them in 5 minute increments until they are.
  7. Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and place them on a baking sheet. Allow them to cool to the touch.
  8. Use a spatula or the bottom of a small glass to smash the potatoes.
  9. Add the potatoes to the bowl and toss them to coat.
  10. Place the potatoes back in the air fryer set at 400 degrees. Cook them for 6 minutes. 
  11. Turn them and cook them for another 6 minutes or until they are crispy.
  12. Serve hot
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 328mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

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The bottom line

If you’ve never had smashed red potatoes carefully made crisp in an air fryer, you’re missing out! Fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, these modern French fries are just about the ideal potatoes on the table if you want to feel better, or simply planning to impress upon semi-serious air fryer prowess!

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