My 4 year-old toddler learned about French Fries the past year or so and kindly requests that we add them to our Shake Shack orders, which has become a bi-weekly thing for us on family movie nights. As much as I love fries myself, it pains me watching her devour those delicious, greasy, strips of potato that I can probably make healthier versions of at home. I hesitatingly say yes to her in an attempt to be a cool mom, the one who doesn’t deprive her child of the better things in life, but courageously throw her the N-O when I have time to substitute unhealthy greasy fries with homemade air fried smashed potatoes 😂.
Why Air Frying?
Air frying offers several advantages over deep frying, which is why it has become such a popular choice for healthier cooking nowadays. Here are some of the key reasons why it is often considered the better alternative:
- OIL CONTENT: Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, with some recipes requiring absolutely no oil at all! This reduces fat content and calorie intake, making it a healthier cooking method. You can also enjoy your food without the guilt!
- AIR FRYING RESULTS: Unlike deep frying, which requires submerging food in hot oil, air frying cooks food by circulating hot air around it, still creating a crispy exterior while retaining moisture inside.
- CLEANUP: Cleanup after air frying simply requires washing the air fryer basket and wiping down the interior of the appliance, which is much easier than cleanup after deep frying! I mean, what do you do with all that oil?
If you tried out my recipe, remember to tag me @rackoflam on social media, subscribe to my YouTube channel and/or leave me a comment below!
CRISPY Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe (空氣炸薯仔)
Ingredients
- 1 lb creamer potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 1 tsp sea salt (for boiling)
- 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt (for seasoning)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Several cracks of black pepper
- Cooking oil spray
- Parmesan cheese, optional
- Sliced cilantro or parsley, optional
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water, enough to fit all the potatoes, then bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp of salt.
- Transfer creamer potatoes into the pot and boil for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked. Larger potatoes may take 25-30 minutes.
- Discard the water and rinse the potatoes with cold water. Pour into a colander and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the potatoes onto a tray. Using a masher (or the bottom of a mug) smash the potatoes until flattened, but still in one piece. Thinner potatoes will be crispier. Thicker potatoes will possess crispy edges with a fluffy interior.
- Pour 1 tbsp melted butter onto the potatoes.
- Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and several cracks of black pepper. Adjust according to taste.
- Spray air fryer basket or rack and surface of smashed potatoes with cooking oil. Transfer smashed potatoes onto the basket/rack and air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or until desired crispiness. Keep in mind that times and temperatures may vary depending on your air fryer.
- Top with parmesan cheese and sliced cilantro. Serve immediately!
