Crispy Air Fryer Cheddar Stuffed Smashed Potatoes

These crispy smashed potatoes are stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese, brushed with garlic butter, and air-fried until golden and crunchy. They make an irresistible appetizer, snack, or side dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1½ lb (700 g) baby potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup (115 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garlic Butter

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Optional Toppings

2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Grated Parmesan cheese
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Place the baby potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Place the potatoes on a cutting board and gently smash each one to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick using the bottom of a glass or a potato masher.
Make a small slit in the center of each smashed potato and tuck about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar inside. Gently press the potato back together to keep the cheese in place.
Mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush or drizzle over the potatoes.
Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Brush with the garlic butter, then air fry for another 3–5 minutes, until deeply golden and crispy.
Garnish with parsley and your favorite toppings such as bacon, sour cream, green onions, or Parmesan.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

Ranch dressing
Garlic aioli
Sour cream
Chipotle mayo
Buffalo sauce
Grilled steak
Roast chicken
Burgers

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 minutes until hot and crispy.

Tips

Choose small potatoes of similar size so they cook evenly.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
Freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
For a spicy version, stuff the potatoes with pepper jack cheese and add sliced jalapeños.