These easy air fryer smashed potatoes are ready in only 25 minutes! We are saving a ton of time by using the microwave, rather than the stovetop, to steam the potatoes first. (Don't want to use the microwave? Air fryer instructions to pre-cook the potatoes are also included!).
Note: this post was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2026 with new photos and improved instructions.
If you want a super quick potato side dish with tons of flavor and crunchy texture, these smashed air fryer potatoes are just the thing! They are drizzled with a delicious herb-seasoned oil before air frying, making them not only crunchy but also super flavorful. Try them dipped in sour cream - so, so good!
Many smashed potato recipes call for par-boiling the potatoes first (because after all, you can't smash a rock-hard potato). But, this easy version calls for using the microwave to steam the potatoes before mashing, saving a ton of time! In fact, you can make this entire smashed potatoes recipe in only 25 minutes total.
(But don't worry, if you don't want to use the microwave, I have also included instructions for how to use the air fryer to pre-cook the potatoes).
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Looking for more quick and easy side dishes using the microwave? Check out my recipes for microwave butternut squash and honey orange carrots!
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- New potatoes: these are also known as baby potatoes. Any variety of new potato will work, and the best size are potatoes from 1 ½ - 2 inches in length.
- Oil: I used olive oil because I like the flavor. But, you can use your favorite type of cooking oil (avocado oil, vegetable oil, etc.).
- Dried herbs/seasonings: I like to use a combination of garlic powder (or onion powder), dried thyme, and dried rosemary. But the seasonings are very flexible, feel free to use what you like!
Step by step photos
Here is a step by step breakdown on how to make crispy smashed potatoes in the air fryer:
Step 1
Steam the potatoes in the microwave in a covered bowl, until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
Step 2
Mix together the oil with the dried herbs and seasonings.
Step 3
When cool enough to handle, mash each potato to a thickness of about ½ inch. You can use a slotted spatula, glass, fork, or potato masher.
Best tool for smashing potatoes?
Not sure what is the best tool to use for smashing the potatoes? I have a whole blog post on the topic, including a video, comparing several different methods, go check it out! (Pssst - my favorite is the slotted spatula!)
Step 4
Drizzle the oil on top of each potato. Sprinkle salt over each potato, to taste. Flaky sea salt works great here, I like Maldon (affiliate link).
Step 5
Place the seasoned smashed potatoes into the air fryer in a single layer (a spatula works well for this!). Air fry for 10 - 12 minutes or until crispy.
Other ways to pre-cook the potatoes
- If you don't want to steam the potatoes in the microwave before smashing, you can also boil them on the stovetop until fork-tender.
- You can also pre-cook the potatoes using the air fryer:
- First, pierce them with a fork.
- Then, place them into a preheated 325 degree F (165 C) air fryer to cook for 18 - 22 minutes, or until fork-tender. (The amount of time will depend on the potato size and your air fryer.)
- Shake the basket halfway through the cook time.
Tips and tricks
- After steaming the potatoes in the microwave, be extra careful when removing the lid because steam and very hot droplets of water will be trapped underneath.
- Aim to smash the potatoes to about ½ inch in thickness. If you go too thin, the potatoes may break apart. If they are too thick, they won't be as crunchy.
- If you don't have new potatoes, you can also use larger potatoes that have been cut into quarters (or in half, if the potatoes are medium-sized). Cut the larger potatoes first before steaming them. Smash them with the flesh side facing up.
Flavor ideas for smashed potatoes
As I mentioned, I like using garlic powder (or onion powder), dried crushed rosemary, and dried thyme to season the potatoes. But, feel free to use your favorite blend of seasonings and dried herbs.
Here are some other seasoning ideas for you to mix and match:
- Cajun seasoning
- lemon herb seasoning
- smoked or regular paprika
- dried chives, dried parsley, dried oregano, or dried dill
- cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for heat.
Tip: if using a seasoning blend that already has salt added, go easy on adding additional salt.
Storage and reheating
- The air fryer smashed potatoes will keep well in a covered container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days. Or, you can freeze the smashed potatoes for up to 3 months!
- To reheat the potatoes from the fridge, air fry them in a 350 degree F (180 C) preheated air fryer for 3 - 4 minutes, or until heated through.
- To reheat frozen smashed potatoes, straight from the freezer works best! Air fry them in a 350 degree F (180 C) preheated air fryer for 5 - 6 minutes, or until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
In my opinion, the best type of potatoes for smashed potatoes are new (aka "baby") potatoes, that are around 1 ½ - 2 inches in length. You can use any variety of baby potatoes, such as yellow, red, or blue potatoes.
I would avoid using the very tiny baby potatoes (under 1 inch in length), because in my experience they can get kind of tough after air frying since there isn't much creamy interior to these itty bitty potatoes.
In order to actually create the "smash" in the smashed potato, you need to pre-cook the potatoes so they are soft. You can do this in a variety of ways, including steaming, boiling, or even air-frying. In this recipe, I chose to steam the potatoes in the microwave, because it's very quick and super easy!
If the potatoes don't all fit into the air fryer at one time, you can cook them in two batches. It's better to cook them in two batches, rather than crowding them in the air fryer. They should all fit in a single layer without overlap. Having enough space for air to circulate around the potatoes will ensure they get nice and crispy!
What to serve with smashed potatoes:
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Print📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Use your air fryer to make the most perfectly crispy and brown smashed potatoes! By steaming the potatoes in the microwave first, you can make these smashed potatoes in only about 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: air fry, microwave
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound new (aka "baby") potatoes (see note 1), scrubbed with water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other cooking oil)
- ½ teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste (recommended: flaky sea salt)
Instructions
Precook the potatoes:
- Pierce each potato with a fork and add to a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Add about 3 - 4 tablespoons of water to the bowl. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving at least a 1 inch (2.5 cm) gap between the top of the potatoes and the plastic. Leave a 1 inch (2.5 cm) space uncovered to serve as a vent. (Or, cover the bowl with a vented lid designed for microwave use.)
- Microwave the potatoes on high for 5 - 8 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Then remove the lid (be careful of trapped steam and hot water clinging to the lid!) and let the potatoes sit for a minute or two, until they are cool enough to handle.
Season and smash the potatoes:
- Stir together the oil, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Right before you are ready to smash the potatoes, pre-heat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
- Place the potatoes onto a clean work surface. Dry each potato with a paper towel. Using either a spatula, potato masher, or glass with flat bottom, smash each potato to about ½ inch (1.3 cm) in thickness.
- Drizzle the seasoned oil onto the surface of each potato. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt to taste.
Air fry the potatoes:
- Using a spatula, place the smashed potatoes into the pre-heated air fryer, evenly spaced and in a single layer (see note 3).
- Air fry for 10 - 12 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and browned to your liking!
Notes
(1) You can use any type of new (aka "baby") potato. For best results, look for baby potatoes that are on the medium to large size (for baby potatoes!) - about 1 ½ - 2 inches in length. Or, use larger potatoes cut into halves or quarters (depending on size). Cut the larger potatoes before pre-cooking and smash flesh-side up.
(2) You can substitute your favorite seasonings for those listed in the recipe. Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, dried chives, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried dill, cayenne pepper, and/or red pepper flakes would all be great. If you're using a seasoning blend with salt added, go easy on adding additional salt to the potatoes.
(3) If the smashed potatoes don't all fit in a single layer, you can air fry them in two batches.
(4) Cook times are given in ranges; the exact times needed will vary based on your own appliances (microwave and air fryer), and how large the potatoes are. Adjust the cook times as needed.
(5) You can use the air fryer to pre-cook the potatoes instead of the microwave. Pierce the potatoes with a fork and cook them in a pre-heated 325 degree F air fryer for 18 - 22 minutes, or until fork-tender. Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cook time.
The nutrition information below includes ½ teaspoon salt. This nutrition information is only an estimate by an online nutrition calculator; the nutrition counts of your dish may vary. This estimate should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See full disclosure policy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 126
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 302 mg
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.1 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Protein: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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