Crispy and Delicious The secret to perfecting these smashed potatoes is getting the thickness right. Too thin and they are too crispy, too thick and they are not crispy enough. Smashing the potatoes to about ¼" thick allows the edges to get nice and crispy while the inside remains fluffy. Ditch that bag of frozen french fries and try these air fryer smashed potatoes instead!
Ingredients – 1 pound baby potatoes *see notes – 1 tablespoon kosher salt – 3 tablespoons butter, melted – 1 teaspoons lemon-pepper – 1 teaspoon garlic powder – ¼ teaspoon salt – ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Clean and dry the potatoes. Place the whole baby potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt. Place them in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until they are fork tender.
In a small dish, combine the butter, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Zap the mixture in the microwave until melted. Mix the butter mixture until well combined.
Place the potatoes in a single layer on a cutting board. Use the bottom of a glass to press down on the potatoes. Smash them to ¼" to ½" thickness.
Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer in a single layer. If you have a small air fryer, work in batches. Baste the butter mixture over the potatoes and cook at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy and brown. Transfer to a serving dish and top with finely chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
– Small potatoes work best. I prefer gold baby potatoes for their creamy consistency, but you can also use red potatoes or Russet potatoes. – Use potatoes that are about the size of a golf ball. If you have larger potatoes, cook them for a couple more minutes in the air fryer before smashing them. – If you use large Russet potatoes, cut them into smaller golf ball-sized pieces before boiling them. – If you prefer to use fresh garlic, substitute the teaspoon of garlic powder with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
These air fryer smashed potatoes are a quick and easy way to spice up your appetizer table (or supplement a meaty main!). With its glorious parmesan, herb, and butter coating, this carb-filled recipe is bound to be a hit with the whole family.