Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy edges and fluffy insides every time. The crispy texture and golden color will make your family beg for these potatoes. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe and Creamy Boursin Chicken Recipe Ready in 25 Minutes.
Why This Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Golden crispy edges and fluffy insides
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout – save money and time
- Easy cleanup with air fryer
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.
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or chives)
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crispy bacon bits
- Optional: Sour cream or Greek yogurt
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Baby potatoes: Red or Yukon Gold potatoes work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Air Fryer — Crispy texture without the oil → See on Amazon
- Potato Masher — Effortlessly smash potatoes → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and cut potatoes in half. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 15 minutes.
- Smash Potatoes: Remove potatoes from air fryer. Use a potato masher to gently smash each potato until it's about 1/4-inch thick. Be careful not to mash them too thin.
- Crisp in Air Fryer: Return potatoes to air fryer. Cook for another 5-7 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip halfway through cooking.
- Serve: Transfer potatoes to a serving dish. Top with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispiness, lightly spray or brush potatoes with oil before the final cooking step.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Cook potatoes in batches if needed.
- : For a garlic kick, toss potatoes with minced garlic and a drizzle of olive oil before the final cooking step.
- : To make ahead, air fry potatoes until step 2, then refrigerate. Reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare potatoes up to step 2. Refrigerate and reheat in air fryer as mentioned in pro tips.
Freezing Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Potatoes may lose crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, omit cheese and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute baby potatoes with fingerling potatoes for a similar texture and cooking time.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, increase cooking time or add a light spray of oil before the final cooking step.
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Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or chives)
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crispy bacon bits
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and cut potatoes in half. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 15 minutes.
- Smash Potatoes: Remove potatoes from air fryer. Use a potato masher to gently smash each potato until it's about 1/4-inch thick. Be careful not to mash them too thin.
- Crisp in Air Fryer: Return potatoes to air fryer. Cook for another 5-7 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip halfway through cooking.
- Serve: Transfer potatoes to a serving dish. Top with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, omit cheese and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute baby potatoes with fingerling potatoes for a similar texture and cooking time.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy enough, increase cooking time or add a light spray of oil before the final cooking step.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Potatoes may lose crispiness.
- Make ahead: Prepare potatoes up to step 2. Refrigerate and reheat in air fryer as mentioned in pro tips.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Ensure potatoes are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Yes, prepare potatoes up to step 2. Refrigerate and reheat in air fryer as mentioned in pro tips.
Reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through and crispy.
Overcooking can lead to dry potatoes. Keep an eye on them and remove from air fryer once golden and crispy.
Yes, preheat oven to 425°F. Toss potatoes with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
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!
