These air fryer smashed potatoes with Dijon mustard and thyme are the perfect amount of crispy outsides and soft insides. These no-boil smashed potatoes are mostly hands-off, require 5 ingredients, and are ready in half an hour.
We all know that potatoes are one of the top 5 foods right? I mean, come on, they’re tasty and versatile. We couldn’t have Parmesan garlic fries, Greek fries, or breakfast poutine without them, and as a Canadian, I am outraged at the thought.
Plus you can mash them and drown them in browned butter, or boil them and make a salad (I love salads that aren’t salads.) And don’t forget about potato rostis.
Now let’s combine these beautiful root vegetables with my new best friend, the air fryer.
When I want something crispy, like seriously crispy, the air fryer is the automatic choice for me. Crispy-coated Halloumi? Check. Crispy coated avocado? Also, check. And yes, I have been living on breaded air fried food lately. It’s fun.
An air fryer also cooks potatoes fast. Sweet potato wedges take a fraction of the time that a conventional oven would.
Using the air fryer in combination with baby potatoes for crispy smashed potatoes means we don’t have to boil potatoes first, and it won’t take hours to cook.
Just 20-25 minutes of cooking time and 5 simple ingredients for the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners. Or a weekend brunch!
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- potatoes: Use baby potatoes for this recipe. I use red potatoes called ruby little gems.
- Extra virgin olive oil: for fat and to help crisp the potatoes.
- Dijon mustard: for a tangy kick.
- dried thyme: for savory herby flavors.
- rose wine vinegar: for a bit of acidity.
- fresh garlic: for a bit of zing.
Substitutions
- Dried thyme: try dried rosemary instead or Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Vinegar: try white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
- Fresh garlic: Try about 1/2 a teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley
Instructions
Prep Tips
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer smashed potatoes with photos. The recipe card will also have a video tutorial for this recipe.
Skip straight to the recipe card if you don’t need a visual walk through and just need basic instructions.
- Place the potatoes in a single layer on the air fryer tray or in the air fryer basket.
- Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Air fry for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Smaller potatoes will take closer to 12-15 minutes and larger potatoes will take closer to 15 minutes. Check by pushing a fork through the center. If it goes in easily, the potatoes are ‘fork-tender’ and ready.
- Remove the potatoes and place them on a cutting board.
- Smash the potatoes.
How to smash potatoes
You can use several methods to smash potatoes, including a potato masher, the bottom of a cup, a plate, or in my case a wooden spatula.
Press down on the potato and it should give way and smash into a flattened shape that looks like a potato cookie. Keep them about a half-inch thick so they don’t overcook once you put them back in the air fryer with the sauce.
- Place potatoes back on the tray or basket.
- Use a spoon or pastry brush to coat the top of each potato with the sauce.
Air fry the potatoes again for 5-10 minutes or until crispy golden brown on the outside.
Tips for making crispy air fryer potatoes
Note: I have made this recipe in the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer which is a tray-style air fryer. You can place the potatoes in two batches on the trays and rotate the top and bottom halfway. You can line the trays (which have holes in them) with aluminum foil to prevent the sauce from dripping down.
I have also used the Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Air fryer for this recipe, which comes with a basket, rack, and baking sheet for cooking. For this recipe, you can use the baking sheet covered with foil or put the potatoes in the basket on top of the baking sheet and cover the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
What to serve with smashed potatoes
Serve these crispy potatoes as a side dish in place of French fries with burgers. Try a turkey burger, crispy chicken burger, chicken piccata, or black bean burger. Serve the potatoes as an appetizer for game day with sour cream for dipping.
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Try these air fryer sweet potato wedges next and browse my air fryer category for more recipes.
Storage
Store leftover smashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave, in a skillet, or at a low temperature in the air fryer, just until heated through.
FAQs
When cooking baby potatoes in the air fryer, it takes 12-15 minutes for them to be fork-tender.
When smashing potatoes aim for about a 1/2 inch thickness to allow for the outside to get crispy while the inside stays soft.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer or similar
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb baby potatoes I used Ruby Little Gems
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard I use horseradish Dijon
- 2 cloves garlic or one extra large clove
- 1 teaspoon rose vinegar or white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 400°F (200°C)
- Place the potatoes in the basket of the air fryer (or sheet) and cook for 15 minutes or until fork tender.
- Remove the potatoes and set them on a cutting board or heatproof surface. Smash each potato to about a half-inch thick. I use a wooden spatula and press down. You can use a glass or measuring cup, whatever works.
- Add the potatoes back to the air fryer basket (or sheet).
- Mix the oil, mustard, garlic, vinegar, thyme, and salt and pepper.
- Brush the sauce on the potatoes.
- Air fry again for 5-10 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown on the outside.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
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