Crispy Smashed Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe

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crispy smashed golden potatoes

This crispy smashed potatoes air fryer recipe is simple, easy, and completely worth it. The smashed potatoes are lightly brushed with avocado oil, and seasoned with garlic salt and smoked paprika before being put into the air fryer to get nice and crispy. I served this tasty snack with homemade vegan chipotle mayo and finished with grated vegan parmesan cheese, chives, and a wedge of lemon. This side dish is healthy, comforting, and fun to eat!

For the smashed potatoes sauce, I made an egg-free vegan homemade chipotle mayo. This recipe is SO good and can be found HERE.

Smashed potatoes are one of those trendy foods that have popped up on Pinterest a lot in the last few years. My take on them is to get them crispy in the air fryer and avoid copious amounts of oil. I have done them in the oven and although that method is sufficient, I thought the result was better from the air-fryer. I lightly brush on avocado oil but you can omit this entirely if you want to go oil-free.

Potatoes are an amazing superfood. In college, I learned about a book called ‘Potatoes Over Prozac’ which claims that potatoes are so amazing for your brain that they can be more beneficial than pharmacotherapies. Whether or not that is entirely true doesn’t change the benefits of the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that they hold and how that can impact your mood and cognition.

I find this recipe to be perfect for game days, girls nights and brunch on Sundays.

Read on to learn how to this crispy smashed potatoes air fryer recipe.

Ingredients for easy smashed potatoes:

• Small gold potatoes
• Avocado oil
• Garlic aalt
• Smoked paprika
• Chives
• Lemon
• Homemade vegan chipotle mayo (recipe found here)

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes for 15-25 minutes depending on the size, check with fork and remove when fork tender. Use the underneath of a measuring cup and smash the potato flat, about 1/2 inch thick.
2. Brush with avocado oil and season with garlic salt and smoked paprika.
3. Cook in the air fryer until golden brown and crispy. Time will depend on your individual machine.  Cook temperature should be between 425° F and 450°F.  Remove five minutes before completion to grate parmesan cheese over the top.
4. Remove and garnish with chopped chives and serve hot with a side of homemade chipotle mayonnaise and a wedge of lemon.

Notes:

-Smashed potatoes oven method: Lightly brush with oil and cook in the oven at 450°F for 25 minutes.  I stuck mine under the broiler for a minute to get the top nice and crispy. 

-Smashed potatoes with cheese: Use a hard grated cheese such as parmesan. 

-Here are some suggestions for alternative seasoning: sea salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, lavender, crushed red pepper flakes, cumin, oregano, parsley or a grilling mix for meat. 

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Variations of smashed potatoes:

1. Garlic and herb smashed potatoes: After boiling or roasting the potatoes, mix them with minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary, and a little bit of olive oil. Then, smash the potatoes until they are slightly flattened but still chunky. Serve hot.
2. Loaded smashed potatoes: Top the smashed potatoes with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. You can also add chopped green onions or chives for extra flavor.
3. Smashed sweet potatoes with maple glaze: Boil or roast sweet potatoes until tender, then smash them and drizzle with a mixture of maple syrup, butter, and a pinch of salt. Broil in the oven for a few minutes until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
4. Smashed potatoes with pesto: Toss the smashed potatoes with a homemade or store-bought pesto sauce. You can also sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top for extra crunch.
5. Smashed potatoes with roasted garlic: Roast a head of garlic in the oven until it’s soft and caramelized. Mash the garlic cloves and mix them with the smashed potatoes, along with some butter and a pinch of salt. Serve hot.

Nutritional benefits of potatoes:

Potatoes are a good source of several important nutrients, including carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6.

Carbohydrates are the primary nutrient found in potatoes, providing energy to the body. Potatoes also contain dietary fiber, which can help regulate digestion and promote feelings of fullness.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps support immune function, wound healing, and the absorption of iron. A medium-sized potato contains about 30% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Potatoes are also a good source of potassium, an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and supports healthy muscle function. A medium-sized potato contains about 20% of the recommended daily intake of potassium.

Finally, potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6, which is important for brain function and the production of red blood cells. A medium-sized potato contains about 10% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.

It’s important to note that the nutritional content of potatoes can vary depending on factors such as cooking method and preparation. For example, frying potatoes can add a significant amount of fat and calories, while boiling or baking potatoes can help retain their nutritional content.

I’m excited to share my favorite garlic parm air fryer potatoes recipe.  I’d love to hear about your favorite smashed potatoes recipe, so please leave a comment below. If you try out my recipe and make any changes or additions, feel free to share those as well! You can also find more of my food journey on Pinterest at Molé in the Wall, where I share my favorite recipes.

If you enjoyed this warm broccolini salad recipe, I think you’ll also love my other snack recipes, such as my buffalo cauliflower wings, tamales, or crispy tortilla pizza. 

I hope you give this crispy smashed potatoes air fryer recipe a try and enjoy it as much as my family and I do. I have a feeling it will become a staple in your household too! Don’t forget to rate and share the recipe if you love it.

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