Get ready for your new favorite side dish – perfectly crispy smashed potatoes! Garlicky, buttery, and super crispy on the outside with a fluffy inside, these potatoes are so easy to make in the air fryer. And the best part? This smashed potato recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients!

If you are new to the smashed potato scene, WELCOME! I only started making smashed potatoes recently and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to eating potatoes any other way. Not only are these perfectly crispy potatoes absolutely delicious, they are so incredibly easy to make.

If you’ve been following along, then you know how much I love my air fryer! It’s such a beautiful thing. An air fryer saves you time, requires minimal cleanup, and (in my opinion) produces the perfect crisp!

These smashed potatoes have become my right hand man when entertaining. Everyone loves them and I can focus on the other things that require oven or stovetop time while simply plopping these delicious bites into the air fryer.

why your whole family will love this air fryer smashed potatoes recipe

  • Easy to Make
  • Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer or Side Dish
  • Kid Friendly
  • Minimal Clean-up
  • Irresistible Flavor

Ingredients

To make these easy and delicious smashed potatoes you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

  • potatoes – small potatoes work best for smashed potatoes. I used a mixture of baby Yukon and red potatoes.
  • fresh thyme
  • garlic
  • grated parmesan cheese
  • melted butter

how to make smashed potatoes in the air fryer

Place potatoes into a pot and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes; bring to a boil and cook 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender.

While the potatoes cook, in a small mixing bowl combine the melted butter, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan cheese.

Drain the potatoes and transfer to a cutting board; let rest for a few minutes to cool. Using the bottom of a glass, potato masher or the back of a fork, gently smash the potatoes until slightly flattened; about ½-inch to 1-inch thickness

Spoon the garlic butter mixture all over the potatoes; transfer potatoes to the air fryer basket, leaving about an inch of space between each one.

Cook at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked to a desired crispiness. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves, if desired and serve.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet dish on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this delicious, family approved side dish recipe

If you have any questions or comments, feel free leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

air fried smashed baby red and yellow potatoes with fresh thyme leaves

Perfectly Crispy Smashed Potatoes (Easy Air Fryer Recipe!)

  • GFGluten-Free
  • SFSugar Free
  • VGVegetarian
Get ready for your new favorite side dish – perfectly crispy smashed potatoes! Garlicky, buttery, and super crispy on the outside with a fluffy inside, these potatoes are so easy to make in the air fryer. And the best part? This smashed potato recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients!
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb small potatoes, I used a mixture of baby Yukon and red potatoes
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish

Instructions 

  • Place potatoes into a pot and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes; bring to a boil and cook 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender.
  • While the potatoes cook, in a small mixing bowl combine the melted butter, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan cheese.
  • Drain the potatoes and transfer to a cutting board; let rest for a few minutes to cool. Using the bottom of a glass, potato masher or the back of a fork, gently smash the potatoes until slightly flattened; about ½-inch to 1-inch thickness
  • Spoon the garlic butter mixture all over the potatoes; transfer potatoes to the air fryer basket, leaving about an inch of space between each one.
  • Cook at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes in air fryer (see notes for oven roasted timing and temperature), or until cooked to a desired crispiness. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves, if desired and serve.

Equipment

Notes

  • If you do not have an air fryer, simply roast smashed potatoes in the oven at 420 degree F for 30-35 minutes, or until desired crispness. 

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this easy air fryer smashed potatoes recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!