Air Fryer Masala Smashed Potatoes

A perfect snack or appetizer, these Air Fryer masala smashed potatoes are easy to make and delicious. 

Serve them with some chutney or turn them into a chaat; these are addictive for sure! 

Do you find yourself looking for new appetizers for a party or a quick snack with your afternoon tea or coffee?

This recipe of spiced smashed potatoes should be your recipe then!

Using the Instant Pot and the Air Fryer makes the recipe in a jiffy and is super easy too. This is now my FAVORITE way to make any kind of smashed potatoes for sure.

What are Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes are potatoes that are cooked twice with some spice and flavoring. I like to use mini potatoes to make the recipe. They do not need any chopping and fare better than the big ones.  However, the big ones work too. I half them and use them the same way as the baby ones.

We first boil the potatoes in the Instant Pot, then smash with a potato masher and spice them with seasoned oil. Finally we air fry the potatoes till they are crisp and cooked well. 

These masala smashed potatoes are great as a snack. Moreover, I like to serve them with Indian style peas (ragda) for an easy 'LAZY ragda pattice'. Get the recipe for Instant Pot Ragda here.

Smashed potatoes are popular in many cuisines, this version has Indian spices to flavor them and add some zing top boring spuds.  However, the same recipe can be used with a variety of spices from different cuisines.

This recipe of Smashed Potatoes

• Is super easy to make with only a handful of ingredients. Except potatoes and oil, one can add any kinds of spices they like. Or skip the spices and make a plain version.
• These masala smashed potatoes make a great recipe for snack or appetizer. They are amazing with some spicy cilantro chutney or Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.
• Works well instead of pattice in ragda pattice. Plus, it's a whole new way to enjoy them!
• Can be prepared in advance and served at a party. These stay well for a long time.

If making for more people, it is best to boil the potatoes before hand and just air fry them before serving.

If you are in a rush, make them and store them in an air tight container once cooled. Air fry for a couple minutes before serving.

I use these potatoes in place of any recipe that calls for tikkis. From chaat to ragda pattice, these work easily and perfectly. Super easy to scale and easy to customize for kids and adults.

Video Recipe

Ingredients to make Smashed Potatoes

Baby Potatoes: Commonly used for any smashed potato recipe, yellow potatoes work the best here. Try and use potatoes of similar size to ensure they cook in the same time.

Aromatics: I like to season the oil with garlic, ginger and jalapeño. Skip the jalapeño if you like a milder version. However, a little chili or jalapeño is awesome in the recipe.

Use a food processor or a microplane to grate them. However, keep the garlic in slightly bigger chunks if you like roasted garlic.

Spices:We use Indian spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder and garam masala. Make your own garam masala or use store bought one. Both work equally well.

Moreover, oil and salt are used in this recipe. Any neutral oil is great for the recipe. Butter is an option too.

Step by Step Instructions

Wash and clean the potatoes thoroughly. 

1- Add 1 cup water in the instant pot. Place a steamer rack on a raised rack and arrange the potatoes on it.

2- Close the lid and set mode to 'Pressure cook' and time to 5 minutes. Once cooked, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and open the lid on releasing the remaining pressure.

3- Meanwhile; add oil, jalapeño, garlic and ginger in a bowl. 

4- Next add turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, garam masala; and mix everything well. Set aside.

5- Then drain and remove the potatoes on a plate.

6- Lightly mash them using a potato smasher or a glass.

7- Mash all of them till thin. Ensure they do not break away when pressing.

8- Drizzle the flavored oil on the potatoes till the oil is used up.

9- Place the potatoes in a single layer (I placed half of them) in an air fryer heated to 400 F.

10- Air fry for 10 minutes. If you like them super crispy, air fry for another 5 minutes.

11- Remove the potatoes and serve topped with some chaat masala and sliced onions.  

Tips and Notes

• Clean the potatoes thoroughly as we consume the skins too.
• Skip or reduce the jalapeño for a milder version of the recipe.
• The thinner the potatoes are smashed, the crispier they get. But make sure they do not break apart while smashing.
• Air Fry the potatoes in batches, making sure they do not overlap or touch each other. 

This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in 2021.