Name: Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 head garlic; 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil; 4 pounds potatoes (peeled and quartered); 2 cups heavy cream; 2 cups whole milk; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 6 tablespoons salted butter (at room temperature); Salt and black pepper; 3 tablespoons butter (for the brown butter)

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Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes are the hack to the side dish everyone loves because—let’s be honest—boiling a pot of potatoes can be a hassle. With the air fryer and simple ingredients, you can cook the potatoes to fork-tender perfection without having to do extra steps or sacrificing the flavor.

A green bowl brimming with creamy air fryer mashed potatoes, seasoned with butter, herbs, and pepper, sits gracefully on a wooden board. In the background, a bottle of oil and various seasonings await their turn. — Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

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I love air-fried mashed potatoes because they’re not just creamy and comforting, but they’re also quick to make, great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family dinners and this delicious side dish can be made ahead without any fuss. Leftovers store perfectly in the fridge, and you can even freeze them to enjoy later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients for air fryer mashed potatoes are arranged on a surface, featuring creamy potatoes, fragrant garlic, fresh thyme, butter, rich heavy cream, whole milk, olive oil, and a sprinkle of pepper—all neatly labeled for easy prep. — Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes Ingredients. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Make Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Follow my simple steps, and you’ll have the creamiest, most delicious mashed potatoes with barely any work.

Roast the Garlic

Slice the head of garlic in half, drizzle it with olive oil, and bake it in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C).

Two halves of a garlic head rest in a small rectangular metal dish inside an air fryer basket, perfect for infusing savory flavors into your next batch of air fryer mashed potatoes. Ingredients like butter and sugar are scattered around the edge, ready to enhance the dish. — Slice the head of garlic in half, drizzle it with olive oil.

Roasted garlic bulbs nestle in a small tray inside an air fryer basket, with various kitchen items nearby, ready to create the perfect Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes. — Roast it for 5 minutes.

Let the fresh garlic roast for about 5 minutes until soft and golden brown to bring out the garlic’s natural sweetness and add extra depth to the mashed potatoes.

Cook the Potatoes

Peel and quarter the potatoes, then spread them out in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may have to work in batches). Let them air fry for 20 minutes or until a fork easily slides through them.

Chopped potatoes in an air fryer basket on parchment paper, with surrounding ingredients like salt, butter, herbs, and the promise of turning into creamy Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes. — Peel and quarter the potatoes, then spread them out in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Potato wedges, soon to become crispy delights, are arranged on parchment paper in an air fryer basket, poised for cooking perfection. A pepper mill and olive oil bottle stand in the background, hinting at flavors to come. Ideal companions to air fryer mashed potatoes!. — Air fry for 20 minutes.

Unlike boiling, using an air fryer locks in the natural flavor of the potatoes while keeping them light and fluffy.

Mash and Mix

Transfer to a large bowl, and mash the cooked potatoes and roasted garlic using a potato ricer for an ultra-smooth texture. If you don’t want it super smooth, you can use a potato masher.

Once mashed, add the heavy cream, milk, thyme, butter, salt, and pepper until everything is well combined and creamy. Adjust the seasoning to taste and mix until you get the consistency you like.

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes is being prepared with a black masher on a wooden board, surrounded by a salt shaker and oil. — Mash the cooked potatoes and roasted garlic.

A creamy bowl of mashed potatoes, seasoned with milk and pepper, sits invitingly on a wooden board. A wooden spoon rests inside, ready to serve up comfort in every bite. — Add the heavy cream, milk, thyme, butter, salt, and pepper until well combined and creamy.

A coffee drink with frothy bubbles sits in a saucepan on a wooden board, resembling the creamy texture of mashed potatoes when viewed from above. — Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

Make the Brown Butter

Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma.

As soon as it browns, remove the melted butter from the heat to keep it from burning.

Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle the warm brown butter over the mashed potatoes and garnish with extra thyme and black pepper. Serve and enjoy!

A bowl of air fryer mashed potatoes with gravy on top, garnished with herbs, sits on a wooden board beside a small bottle of oil and a container. — Drizzle the butter over the mashed potatoes and garnish with thyme and black pepper.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

I’ve made these air-fried mashed potatoes many times, and a few simple tricks will make all the difference.

Pick the right spuds: Yukon Golds are the best choice for that buttery, creamy texture. Russet potatoes also work, especially if you prefer your mashed potatoes fluffy.
Roasting the garlic is worth it: It deepens the flavor and mellows out the sharpness, making the mashed potatoes extra delicious.
Warm the cream and milk before adding: Cold dairy can cool down the potatoes and make them harder to mix smoothly. Warm it slightly for the best texture.
Use a ricer for ultra-smooth potatoes: If you prefer super fluffy mashed potatoes, a ricer will keep them lump-free.
Avoid over-mashing: If you overwork the potatoes, they release too much starch and you risk them becoming gluey.
Watch the butter closely: Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor, but it can go from golden to burnt quickly, so take it off the heat as soon as it turns brown.
Taste and adjust the seasoning: Mashed potatoes need a good amount of salt to bring out their best flavor, so don’t be afraid to adjust to your liking.
Cheesy: If you like cheesy mashed potatoes, melt in cheddar cheese, cream cheese, or Parmesan.

A bowl of creamy Air Fryer mashed potatoes topped with melted butter, black pepper, and fresh thyme. — Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes

Storage is easy; Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

To reheat, add a splash of milk or butter to retain their fluff, moisture, and creaminess, then warm them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep them creamy.

You can freeze them for up to 3 months, but keep in mind that the texture may change slightly once thawed. To preserve their creamy texture, add some extra fat such as cream or butter before freezing.

Let them thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat once you’re ready to enjoy.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes

These air-fried mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish and go with just about everything. They’re the perfect match for meats like beef Wellington, turkey, or pork chops, and they soak up gravy beautifully.

If you’re making a big meal, serve them with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a well-balanced plate.

A bowl of air fryer mashed potatoes with brown gravy swirls, garnished with herbs, sits on a wooden board. Nearby are a jug of cream, a small bottle of oil, and a pepper grinder. — Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

There’s so much more we can cook in the air fryer, so here are more of my easy, delicious, yet affordable air-fried recipes for you to try.