What type of potatoes should I use?

In my opinion, the best type of potatoes for smashed potatoes are new (aka "baby") potatoes, that are around 1 1/2 - 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.

What is the best technique to use for smashing the potatoes?

There are many different techniques you can use to actually do the smashing, spanning from using a potato masher, flat-bottomed glass, spatula, or even your hand! I made an entire post comparing potato smashing techniques . After doing the testing on the various potato smashing techniques, I found that my favorite technique is using a slotted spatula! It gives nice crispy edges and a good surface texture, and it's easy to execute.

Do I have to boil the potatoes first before smashing?

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!

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Name: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound new (aka "baby") potatoes (see note 1); 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other cooking oil); 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary (see note 2); 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; kosher or table salt, to taste

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

smashed potatoes on white plate with sour cream on the side.

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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.

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: side dish
Method: microwave, air fry
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound new (aka "baby") potatoes (see note 1)
2 tablespoons olive oil (or other cooking oil)
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary (see note 2)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
kosher or table salt, to taste

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Instructions

If needed, scrub the potatoes with water. Place the potatoes in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Pierce each potato with a fork. 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. Also 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.
Meanwhile, stir together the oil, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and onion powder.
Right before you are ready to smash the potatoes, pre-heat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
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 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in thickness.
Gently brush or drizzle the seasoned oil onto the surface of each potato. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt to taste.
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 1/2 - 2 inches in length.

(2) If you have whole leaf dried rosemary, crush it in your hands before adding to the oil.

(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 1/2 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: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 126
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 302 mg
Fat: 6.9 f
Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
Carbohydrates: 14.1 g
Fiber: 2.8 g
Protein: 2.9 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/air-fryer-smashed-potatoes/