Golden Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

The Magic of Ninja Foodi Smashed Potatoes and Beyond

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability across various air fryer models. Whether you’re making Ninja Foodi smashed potatoes, Cosori crispy potatoes, or using another brand entirely, the principles remain the same. The air fryer’s circulating hot air is perfectly suited for creating that desirable crispy exterior while keeping the inside wonderfully soft and fluffy. You can explore cooking all kinds of potatoes this way, from a simple baked potato as a full meal with cheese or chili, to these delightful smashed varieties.

For this recipe, we recommend using petite or baby potatoes, or even fingerlings. Their smaller size makes them ideal for quick cooking and as an easy side dish for any dinner, a step up in size from our homemade air fryer hashbrowns. It’s truly amazing what culinary wonders can be created from this versatile root vegetable! For our particular batch, we opted for a mix of red and Yukon Gold potatoes, which delivered a fantastic balance of creaminess and structure. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties to find your personal favorite.

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes: A Flavor Explosion

The beauty of air fryer smashed potatoes extends to the endless possibilities for customization and flavor additions. While simple seasonings are fantastic for roasting, once mashed, the options truly become limitless. We are big fans of garlic, so a generous dash of garlic powder is always a welcome addition. Think of them as elevated air fryer baked potatoes but with extra crispy texture.

How to Customize Your Smashed Potatoes

Beyond the core recipe, feel free to get creative:

• Herbaceous Touches: Fresh rosemary, thyme, or finely chopped parsley can be mixed with the oil and spices before the final crisping phase.
• Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can add a pleasant warmth.
• Cheesy Variations: While Parmesan is classic, shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or even a crumbling of feta can be delicious.
• Gourmet Additions: Consider a sprinkle of truffle salt, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or some crumbled bacon bits after cooking.
• Rachel Ray Inspired: For those who love Rachel Ray’s famous smashed potatoes, you can easily adapt this air fryer method. First, follow our directions below until the potatoes are tender. Once smashed, incorporate her signature ingredients: a splash of half-and-half or whole milk, pressing down until the creamy insides are exposed. Then, add cream cheese and continue smashing until it melts into a rich, decadent texture. Finish with a generous topping of fresh diced chives and scallions. This method gives you the best of both worlds – the air fryer’s crispiness with Ray’s creamy, herb-infused goodness.

For this specific batch, we used one bag of baby potatoes or fingerlings, roughly 27 small potatoes, which are readily available in most grocery stores.

Ingredients for Perfect Smashed Potatoes

Simple ingredients combine to create an extraordinary dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Baby potatoes (or fingerlings/petite potatoes)
• Chili powder
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes (or red pepper flakes)
• Garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• Olive oil: A must for achieving that perfect balance of moist interior and crispy exterior.
• 1/2 c Parmesan cheese: Optional, but highly recommended for an extra layer of savory flavor and crispiness.

The process of making smashed potatoes involves two distinct, yet simple, steps. First, you cook the potatoes until they are wonderfully tender throughout. This ensures a creamy interior when smashed. The second step involves gently flattening them to expose the soft insides, creating more surface area. This exposed surface is then seasoned and returned to the air fryer to crisp up beautifully, often with added cheeses or other toppings that melt into a delicious crust.

How to Make Smashed Potatoes in Air Fryer

Follow these easy steps to create your own batch of irresistible smashed potatoes in air fryer:

• Thoroughly rinse your baby potatoes and lay them on a towel to dry completely. Moisture inhibits crisping, so ensure they are as dry as possible.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Once preheated, place the dried potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook at 360°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender in the middle. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
• Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer. Using a fork or the bottom of a glass, gently flatten the tops of each potato until they split open, exposing the tender insides. Be careful not to mash them completely.
• In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, chili powder, chili flakes (or red pepper flakes), garlic powder, and salt.
• Drizzle this flavorful oil mixture generously over the flattened potatoes, ensuring each potato is coated.
• Return the seasoned air fryer red potatoes (or whichever variety you chose) to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the seasonings to bake in and the exposed surfaces to begin crisping.
• Remove the basket and sprinkle the potatoes with Parmesan or shredded cheddar cheese.
• Cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted, become bubbly, and the potato skins are golden brown and perfectly crispy. Serve immediately and enjoy!

What is the Difference Between Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Potatoes?

The distinction between mashed and smashed potatoes is quite significant, primarily revolving around texture and preparation. Mashed potatoes aim for a creamy, uniform consistency, often requiring the removal of most or all skins to achieve that smoothness. Typically, potatoes are boiled, sometimes in an Instant Pot for efficiency, to ensure they are as soft as possible before mashing. Our Ninja Foodi mashed potatoes recipe, utilizing a pressure cooker, has been our go-to for years due to its superb results in achieving that desired creamy texture. This method often boasts the quickest overall cooking time, culminating in a dish where creamy ingredients are incorporated to create a smooth, indulgent side.

Conversely, if you desire crispy smashed potatoes, the key is to retain the potato skins. This added texture is paramount to the dish’s appeal. While the insides should be tender and fluffy, they are not smoothed into a completely uniform paste. Smashed potatoes are more akin to mini baked potatoes, where the skin provides a delightful crunch and robust flavor, while the lightly broken interior absorbs seasonings and toppings. The goal is to maximize the surface area for crisping, much like with air fryer potato skins, but with the whole potato intact, offering a satisfying contrast between the crispy exterior and tender, somewhat chunky, interior.

How Long to Cook Smashed Fingerling Potatoes in Air Fryer

The cooking time for smashed potatoes largely depends on their size. Whether you choose baby potatoes or longer, thinner fingerling varieties, the general cooking rate remains similar. For small potatoes, the initial cooking phase to achieve tenderness typically takes about 15 minutes at 360°F (180°C). After smashing and re-seasoning, another 10-15 minutes is usually sufficient to achieve that beautiful crispy exterior and melt any added cheese. Keep an eye on them, as air fryer models can vary slightly in cooking intensity. I particularly enjoy finding bags that contain a mix of Yukon Golds, reds, and even purple potato varieties, as they add an extra element of visual appeal and subtle flavor differences to the dish.

Dairy-Free Smashed Potatoes and Batch Cooking

Accommodating dietary needs, such as a dairy-free requirement (as we often do in our home), is quite straightforward with this recipe. While Parmesan is included as an optional ingredient, it’s worth noting that hard cheeses like Parmesan typically have lower lactose levels, which might be tolerated by some. However, for a truly dairy-free smashed potatoes experience, you have excellent alternatives. Lactose-free sour cream and various dairy-free cheese brands, such as Daiya, offer delicious substitutes that work remarkably well without compromising on flavor or texture. It’s a simple tweak that ensures everyone can enjoy these crispy delights.

If you’re hosting a gathering or simply want to prepare a larger quantity, making a double or triple batch is easy. Once your first batch of crispy smashed potatoes is done, use a spatula to transfer them onto a baking sheet. Cover them loosely with foil and place them in a warm oven (around 200°F or 95°C) to keep them warm while you cook subsequent batches. As each new batch finishes, add it to the baking sheet. This method ensures all your glorious smashed potatoes are warm and ready to serve simultaneously, making entertaining a breeze!

Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan and Beyond

These savory smashed potatoes with Parmesan are fantastic on their own, but they also serve as a versatile base for many culinary creations. If you’re looking for other ways to use russets or other potato varieties in your air fryer, we have plenty of ideas. Consider trying our air fryer latkes for a delightful breakfast or brunch option, or whip up some air fryer potato pancakes for another savory treat. We encourage you to start with this smashed potato recipe, then branch out to explore other potato-centric air fryer dishes. We’d love to hear what you think!

FAQs About Smashed Potatoes

How do you reheat already cooked potatoes?

We believe in minimizing food waste, and these smashed potatoes save beautifully for a second meal a day or two later. First, ensure they cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer them into a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

What is the best way to reheat leftover potatoes?

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, the air fryer is by far the best method for reheating! Unlike a microwave, which heats but often leaves potatoes soggy, the air fryer brings back their crispy texture. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes. Arrange the leftover smashed potatoes in a single layer in the basket. Lightly spray them with olive oil and sprinkle with a touch of salt. Heat for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until they are hot throughout and have regained their desired crispiness.

For a hearty and budget-friendly meal, spoon some of our delicious Crockpot 5-ingredient chili over your smashed potatoes. This combination, rich with beans and ground beef, makes for an incredibly satisfying dish. Alternatively, you can layer the potatoes in a bowl, top with chili and cheese, and heat in the microwave for about 1 minute until warmed through and the cheese is melted.