Let’s talk about potatoes. Seriously. Is there any food out there that’s just… better? When you need something comforting and delicious, potatoes are always there for you.
But sometimes you want more than just a plain old baked potato. You want something crispy. Salty. Something so good you can’t stop eating it. That’s where these smashed potatoes come in.
I know, “smashed potatoes” might sound complicated. It’s not. I promise this is one of the easiest recipes ever. If you have an air fryer, you’re about to make the best potatoes of your life.
So let’s do this. Let’s make something awesome that you’ll want to make again and again.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is super simple. You probably have most of this stuff in your kitchen right now. No weird ingredients here.
- Baby Potatoes: About 1.5 pounds. The little yellow or red ones work great.
- Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons. You don’t need a lot.
- Garlic Powder: One teaspoon. Because garlic makes everything better.
- Salt: One teaspoon, or more if you like things salty.
- Black Pepper: Half a teaspoon.
- Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley or chives, chopped up. This just makes it look fancy.
The Tools for the Job
You don’t need a bunch of crazy kitchen gadgets. Just the basics will get you through this one.
| Tool | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Air Fryer | This is what makes the potatoes super crispy. |
| A Large Pot | For boiling the potatoes first. |
| A Glass Cup | For smashing the potatoes. A potato masher works too. |
| Mixing Bowl | To toss the potatoes with oil and spices. |
How to Make These Amazing Potatoes
Alright, here’s the play-by-play. Don’t worry, it’s really hard to mess this up.
Step 1: First, wash your potatoes. Put them in the big pot and cover them with cold water. Add a good pinch of salt to the water.
Step 2: Bring the water to a boil. Let the potatoes cook until they are soft enough to poke with a fork easily. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them sit for a couple of minutes to dry off. You want them to be pretty dry.
Step 4: Lay the potatoes out on a cutting board. Use the bottom of a glass cup to gently press down on each potato until it smashes. Don’t press too hard, or they’ll fall apart. You just want them flattened.
Step 5: Put the smashed potatoes into your mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over them and sprinkle on the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss them gently to coat everything.
Step 6: Place the potatoes in your air fryer basket in a single layer. You might have to do this in two batches. Don’t crowd them!
Step 7: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Flip them halfway through. They’re done when they are golden brown and super crispy on the edges.
Step 8: Take them out, put them on a plate, and sprinkle with that fresh parsley if you’re feeling it. Then eat them while they’re hot!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made these potatoes a million times. Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned that make a big difference.
- Don’t Skip the Boil. Boiling them first is what makes the inside fluffy and creamy. If you just throw raw potatoes in the air fryer, they won’t have that same amazing texture. It’s an extra step, but it’s worth it.
- Dry is Your Friend. I said it before, but it’s important. After you boil and drain the potatoes, let them steam dry for a few minutes. The drier the potato, the crispier it will get in the air fryer. Water creates steam, and steam is the enemy of crispy.
- Give Them Space. The biggest mistake people make with an air fryer is packing it too full. The hot air needs to circulate around each potato to crisp it up. If they’re all piled on top of each other, they’ll just get soggy. Cook in batches if you need to.
Swaps and Fun Variations
Once you get the basic recipe down, you can start playing with it. It’s hard to go wrong.
Different Spices:
- Add a little smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Try some onion powder with the garlic powder.
- A pinch of cayenne pepper will give them a little kick.
- Toss with grated parmesan cheese for the last few minutes of cooking.
Different Fats:
- Melted butter instead of olive oil gives a richer flavor.
- Bacon grease. Yes, I said it. It’s not healthy, but it’s so good.
Herbs:
- Toss with fresh rosemary or thyme before air frying. The heat makes the herbs taste amazing.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes! This is a great thing to prep ahead of time if you’re having people over or just want an easy weeknight side.
You can boil the potatoes a day or two before you need them. Just let them cool completely and store them in a container in the fridge.
When you’re ready to eat, just take them out, smash them, season them, and throw them in the air fryer. It cuts the prep time down to almost nothing.
What About Leftovers?
If you somehow have leftovers, first of all, I’m impressed. But storing them is easy.
Just put them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last for 3-4 days.
To reheat, DO NOT use the microwave. It will make them sad and soggy. Put them back in the air fryer at 375°F for about 3-5 minutes. They’ll crisp right back up, almost as good as new.
Nutrition and What to Serve Them With
Potatoes get a bad rap sometimes, but they’re not all bad. Here’s a rough idea of the nutrition.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Sodium | 450mg |
And what do you eat with these crispy little guys? Anything!
| Main Dish | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Steak | A classic steak and potatoes meal, but way better. |
| Roast Chicken | The crispy potatoes are perfect with juicy chicken. |
| Burgers | A much cooler side dish than regular french fries. |
| Fish | A piece of baked salmon or cod works great. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. My potatoes fell apart when I smashed them. What did I do wrong?
Ans: You probably boiled them for a little too long. Next time, start checking them with a fork a few minutes earlier. You want them soft, but not mushy.
Q2. Can I make these in a regular oven?
Ans: Yep! Just put them on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t get quite as crispy as the air fryer, but they’ll still be really good.
Q3. Do I have to peel the potatoes?
Ans: Nope! Please don’t. The skin gets extra crispy and has lots of good stuff in it. Just make sure you wash them well before you boil them.
Wrapping Up
So that’s it. A super easy way to make potatoes that will blow your mind. It’s simple, doesn’t use a lot of ingredients, and the result is just plain delicious.
Give this a try the next time you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I have a feeling it’s going to become a new favorite in your house.
Now, go make them! And when you do, come back and leave a comment. Let me know how they turned out or if you tried any fun variations. I’d love to hear about it.
