This Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Garlic and Herbs Made Easy comes together in about 30 minutes and uses an air fryer for a easy side dish that your family will love! Switch up the herbs or even add a bit of cheese to suit your taste or use it as a fun way to clean out the fridge and use up those leftover herbs! Trust me, this dish is going to be a game-changer for your weeknight dinners!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Baby Potatoes : 1.5 pounds (680g)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil : 2 tablespoons (30ml)
- Fresh Garlic : 3 cloves, minced
- Fresh Rosemary : 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Fresh Thyme : 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Fresh Parsley : 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan Cheese : 1/4 cup (20g)
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Okay, friends, let’s get cooking! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for perfecting these Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes that’ll have your family begging for seconds!
Boil the Potatoes: Place your baby potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Toss in a pinch of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Let them cook until fork-tender, which usually takes about 12-15 minutes. You don’t want them too soft, just tender enough to smash!
Steam Dry: Once the potatoes are fork-tender, drain them and let them sit for about 5 minutes to steam and dry out a bit. This helps prevent them from getting soggy in the air fryer!
Preheat the Air Fryer: While the potatoes are cooling, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. (If you don’t have an air fryer, you can toss these in the oven, but it will take a bit longer!)
Smash Time: On a sturdy surface, gently smash each potato using a fork or the bottom of a glass. You want them to be about 1/2 inch thick don’t worry if they break apart a little; that’s what helps create crispy edges!
Mix with Flavors: In a bowl, toss your smashed potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Make sure to coat them evenly; you’re essentially creating flavor-packed little pillows of goodness!
Air Fry Them: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding (you may have to do this in batches if your air fryer isn’t large). Air fry for about 7-9 minutes, then flip each potato using tongs or a spatula, and cook for another 7-9 minutes until the edges are gorgeous, golden brown, and crispy.
Add Cheese (Optional): As soon as the potatoes come out, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over hot potatoes. The heat will make it melt just a little, which is fabulously indulgent!
Why I Love These Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Honestly, this is my go-to recipe when I want something simple yet satisfying. These crispy smashed potatoes are comfort food at its finest! Plus, they are super versatile. I’m a real sucker for a recipe that lets me play with different herbs or cheese options! The best part is, you can make it entirely with whatever you’ve got on hand, so many times, I’ve just opened the fridge and tossed in whatever leftover herbs I have, and it always turns out amazing! I just can’t get enough of the crispy edges, and neither will you!
If you loved this Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Garlic and Herbs Made Easy, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins, my Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls, or my Crispy Parmesan Salmon Bake! Seriously, all winners.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, which is just perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
Minimal Cleanup Required
Making this dish is a breeze because you only need one pot and your air fryer, say goodbye to a sink full of dishes!
Loaded with Tons of Flavor
With fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, and a sprinkle of cheese, these potatoes are nothing short of delicious, and they will complement just about any meal.
Crowd-Pleaser
What’s great is that the whole family will love it! I’ve made them for family gatherings and dinner parties, and they disappear every time!
Customizable
You can switch up the herbs, go wild with toppings, or even add some heat with chili flakes if that’s your jam! Feel free to use whatever ingredients you have lying around.
Serving Suggestions
So how do you serve these beauties? I love pairing them with some grilled chicken, a fresh salad, or, hey, they’re awesome just as they are! The crispy smashed potatoes can also be the perfect side to some juicy steak or a comforting roast, all those flavors dance together beautifully.
Storage: These potatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions: To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes or until warmed through again, this just crisps them right back to life!
Freezer Friendly: I don’t usually recommend freezing these because the texture changes, but if you must, store them in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Just bear in mind, the crispiness won’t be the same.
And there you have it! Enjoy your crispy air-fried smashed potatoes, and feel free to share your own spin on this recipe! Happy cooking, y’all! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Place your baby potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and let them sit for about 5 minutes to steam and dry.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Gently smash each potato using a fork or the bottom of a glass until they are about 1/2 inch thick.
- In a bowl, toss the smashed potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 7-9 minutes.
- Flip each potato and cook for another 7-9 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- As soon as the potatoes come out, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if using.