Ultra crispy and addicting air fryer smashed potatoes infused with dill pickle juice! Oven method is also included, and make sure not to skip out on the dill pickle aioli to dip these in.
After french fries, ultra crispy smashed potatoes are my favorite way to enjoy potatoes. If you’ve never had them, they are a must. Baby potatoes are cooked until tender then smashed into a thin layer, and then cooked again until they are browned and crispy. So addicting and delicious, especially with a good dipping sauce.
Crispy Dill Pickle Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe
These Whole30 smashed potatoes are amazing, especially if you like dill pickles. They are infused with dill pickle juice, then fried in the air fryer for a short time until they are super crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make them in the oven as well (both instructions included in the recipe box below!).
How To Make Dill Pickle Air Fried Baby Potatoes
Making fried smashed potatoes in the air fryer is really easy and simple. Using the air fryer is quicker than using the oven and I personally like it better. Here’s how to cook baby potatoes in the air fryer to make this easy smashed potatoes recipe:
- First, boil the baby potatoes until they are fork tender. For these dill pickle Whole30 smashed potatoes, the potatoes are boiled in pickle juice, salt, and water for 15-20 minutes so they soak up all the dill pickle flavor.
- Place the boiled potatoes on a baking sheet and flatten them to about 1/2 inch thick. You can use the bottom of a mug, but I like to use a potato masher.
- Generously coat the potatoes with ghee on all sides and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place in the air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes until ultra crispy and browned.
Oven Method
Don’t have an air fryer? These dill pickle smashed potatoes can be made in the oven as well. Repeat the above steps through step 3. You can then bake them on the baking sheet for 20-25 minutes in the oven.
For both oven roasted and air fried baby potatoes, sprinkle with pickle juice, chopped fresh dill, salt, and pepper just before serving.
Serve Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Dill Pickle Aioli
I highly recommend making the dill pickle aioli to serve with the air fried smashed potatoes. It’s an extra step that’s SO worth taking. You’ll be intensifying the tangy and flavorful pickle juice flavor of the potatoes in the best way. The dill pickle aioli truly makes these potatoes even more addicting than they already are.
Plus, it’s just so easy to make with these simple ingredients:
- mayonnaise
- dill
- chopped pickles
- pickle juice
That’s it! Just mix all these ingredients together and serve with the potatoes.
Tips For Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Here are some simple tips for making these air fryer smashed potatoes ultra crispy:
- Be generous when coating them with ghee. The oil really helps the potatoes crisp up as they cook.
- After the baby potatoes are boiled then flattened, use a metal spoon to gently scratch up the outside of the potatoes while tossing them with ghee. These scratches create ridges that will crisp up better while cooking.
- If using the oven, place the smashed potatoes on a well-greased baking sheet without parchment paper. I’ve found that parchment paper keeps the potatoes from crisping up to their maximum potential.
- For both oven roasted and air fryer smashed potatoes, make sure the potatoes are cooked in a single layer without overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this may mean cooking them in 2 batches.
- Check on the potatoes at the minimum cooking time to determine if they need to be cooked longer. The longer they are left in the air fryer or the oven, the crispier they’ll be. However, you don’t want them to burn!
If you enjoyed this easy smashed potatoes recipe, you might also love…
- Paleo & Whole30 Scalloped Potatoes (Vegan Option)
- Paleo Air Fryer Tostones
- Keto Zucchini Fries in the Air Fryer (Paleo, Whole30)
- Keto Air Fryer Fried Pickles (Paleo, Whole30)
- Whole30 Dill Pickle Potato Salad (Instant Pot or Stove Top)
- Pickle Deviled Eggs (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Crispy Dill Pickle Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes (Whole30)
Ingredients
- 2 lb baby potatoes
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tbsp sea salt plus more to taste
- Water
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tbsp fresh dill minced
- Ground black pepper to taste
Dill Pickle Aioli
- 1/2 cup paleo mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh dill minced
- 2 tbsp chopped pickles
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add potatoes, 1 cup of pickle juice, and sea salt. Add enough water to cover the potatoes.
- Heat over high heat to boil, then reduce to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- While the potatoes are simmering, make the dill pickle aioli by mixing all ingredients together. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
- Once the potatoes are fork tender, remove from heat, drain, then place the potatoes on a baking sheet.
- Using a potato masher or the bottom of a mug, flatten each potato to about 1/2 inch. It's okay if they fall apart a bit.
- Add ghee to the potatoes and gently coat on all sides, using a metal spoon to lightly scratch the surface of the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to cook in 2 batches.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are crispy enough to your liking.
- Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of pickle juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately with prepared dill pickle aioli.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Leave the potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy with browned bits.
- Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of pickle juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately with prepared dill pickle aioli.
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Mareika says
THE AIOLI🥰🥰🥰 so, so easy and so, so good!!
Jean Choi says
Thank you!! So glad you liked it!
Joni says
Do we cover the pot while we are bringing the potatoes to boil or later while simmering for 15-20 min?
Jean Choi says
I usually cover while it comes to a boil because it speeds up the process. And then leave it uncovered while simmering. But either way works!
Amanda says
Do you think I could freeze these?
Jean Choi says
Yes! You can prep ahead and freeze after the potatoes are boiled and smashed. Just freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight zipper bag or container. You can freeze for up to 1 month, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can then finish cooking it in the air fryer.
Renee Song says
When I found out today is National Tater Day, I knew right away where to go to find the perfect potato recipe: HERE! My family and I’ve been enjoying every recipe of Jean’s that I’ve cooked. The Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks were such a HUGE hit but so were these air fried dill pickle smashed potatoes! I was a bit worried that our two pickle-hating boys would not enjoy these potatoes as much, I was so happy that I was wrong. 2 pounds of these crispy air-fried dill pickle potatoes were devoured by everyone. They loved it so much our boys asked me to make them again today! One of the things that makes me happy and warms my soul is when my family loves the food that I make for them. Thank you, Jean, for creating and sharing such yummy recipes with us! I even shared this recipe with my FASTer Way clients!
Jean Choi says
Thank you so much for a great review, Renee! I looove hearing when my readers’ family members also enjoyed the recipes so this makes me so happy. So appreciate it!!
Jenny says
Made these for dinner tonight with cubing a regular Potato and it turned out sooooo good! I was looking for a way to use up fresh dill and it just so happened I had a container of fresh pickles. This is a definite win and I’ll make them again soon. They do really well in the air fryer. If you like pickles, you’ll love this!
Jean Choi says
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
Becca says
These were so good! Had a skeptical husband who ended up loving them too!
Jean Choi says
Ah, that’s always the best feeling. Thank you so much!