Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes (Paleo, Whole30)

Smashed potatoes in the air fryer are my new favorite thing since well, regular crispy air fryer potatoes. These air fryer smashed potatoes are crispy, delicious and full of flavor. And cooking them in the air fryer makes this process super quick and easy! This recipe is paleo friendly and Whole30 compliant.  It’s a healthy real food option that the whole family will love! And if you don’t have an air fryer – fear not! I have also added instructions on how to get crispy smashed potatoes in the oven as well!

Preparing Your Potatoes

I find the best potatoes to start with for the perfect air fryer smashed potatoes are Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes.  In order to get them ready to “smash”, I place them in a microwave safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel.  I nuke them for about seven minutes until they are tender enough to smash.

I find it is best to smash your potatoes on parchment paper.  I use the bottom of a glass cup or a measuring cup to gently push down. I press until the potato is about three quarters of the way smashed.

Once your potatoes are good and smashed, it’s time to season them. I used ghee in the recipe to keep things dairy free and Whole30 compliant but feel free to use some grass-fed butter if that’s your jam!  I brush on a little melted ghee to each potato before adding my seasonings.  Once your potatoes are seasoned they are ready to be “fried”.  A little time in the air fryer and you are left with delicious crispy smashed potatoes.

Variations

You can keep this recipe super basic with just ghee and salt and pepper but my favorite way to make these is by adding a little dried dill. The flavor is perfect when served with your favorite ranch! I love Tessemae’s or Primal Kitchen Ranch. You can also use paprika or chili powder to spice these smashed potatoes up.  Throwing a little chipotle powder into your ranch dressing makes a delicious chipotle ranch as a dipping sauce.  Really the possibilities are endless.  Feel free to top your air fryer smashed potatoes with your preferred seasoning blend!

Air Fryer Vs. Oven

I LOVE my air fryer.  Personally, it’s the kitchen gadget I use the most often.  I use it for veggies like crispy brussel sprouts and buffalo cauliflower as well as for buffalo chicken tenders or fish sticks.  The air fryer is also great for crisping up some baked chicken wings. It’s really such a useful tool.  The air fryer I am currently using is this one from Gourmia.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you will still follow the same steps for this recipe. But instead of crisping your smashed potatoes in the air fryer you will roast them in the oven. You get a very similar result,  the only major difference is that the air fryer is faster. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your potatoes in 2 batches.

This recipe for air fryer smashed potatoes can also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table as an alternative to mashed potatoes!  Or serve both because potatoes are life.  I won’t judge!

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