How To Reheat Mashed Potatoes In An Air Fryer: Quick & Crispy Method

Originally posted on 18 September 2023 @ 19:39

How To Reheat Mashed Potatoes In An Air Fryer

Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comforting side dish. When you have leftovers, they can quickly dry out and get glued in the fridge. Not a good look. But don’t toss them out! Your trusty air fryer can reheat those leftovers so they taste freshly made again.

An air fryer is genius for reheating mashed potatoes to crispy, creamy perfection. The hot circulating air brings them back to life in minutes without drying them out like an oven would. Let me walk you through how to do it right.

Why an Air Fryer Makes the Best Reheated Spuds

There are a few reasons why an air fryer is my go-to for reheating mashed potatoes:

It brings back that lovely, fluffy, creamy texture we love in good mashed potatoes. No more gluey potatoes here!

The air fryer stops them from drying out. You know when mashed potatoes go all gummy and weird? An air fryer prevents that.

You get crispy, golden surfaces. The high heat makes the top of the mashed potatoes crispy and browned. Yum!

It’s so fast and easy. We’re talking just 5-10 minutes here. Pop them in while you finish up the rest of dinner.

Uses less electricity than firing up the oven. An air fryer reheats food fast, so less energy is wasted.

How to Get the Best Results

To successfully reheat leftover mashed potatoes in an air fryer, follow these tips:

Use fresh leftovers straight from the fridge, not ones left out overnight. Fridge potatoes reheat better.

• Keep the potatoes out of the basket tightly. Leave space for airflow.
• Brush potatoes with butter or oil before air frying for extra flavor and browning. Yum.
• Preheat the air fryer first, then add potatoes. I preheat to 350°F.
• Stir the potatoes gently midway through for even cooking.
• Keep an eye on them; remove them once hot and just starting to brown.
• Easy enough? Now for the step-by-step method so you can try it yourself.

Reheating Mashed Potato Perfection in Your Air Fryer

You’ll Need:

• Leftover mashed potatoes, chilled in the fridge
• Air fryer (my fave kitchen gadget!)
• Air fryer-safe container or aluminum foil

Here’s How to Do It:

• Take those leftover mashed potatoes out of the fridge and let them come closer to room temp for 15 mins.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Put the potatoes in a safe container or shape them into balls/patties in a foil-lined basket. Don’t overcrowd them.
• Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 mins until heated through. Stir gently halfway.
• Bump up the heat to 400°F. Cook 3-5 mins more until hot with crispy brown surfaces.
• Enjoy your freshly reheated, crispy spuds while they’re hot!

Tips for Making Them Extra Delish:

• Stir in a blob of butter or splash of cream after reheating. Rich and creamy!
• Add extras like garlic, rosemary, cheese, etc., before serving.
• Cook smaller batches, so they reheat evenly.
• Brush patties or balls with oil before air frying for mega crispiness.

So that’s my easy method for reheating leftover mashed potatoes to crispy perfection in an air fryer. Give it a try next time you have leftover spuds!

FAQs:

How long does it take in an air fryer?

About 8-12 minutes usually. 5-7 mins at 350°F then 3-5 mins at 400°F.

Can you reheat them from frozen?

Yep! Add 1-2 extra mins to the cooking time if reheating frozen ones.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them.

What temperature should you reheat them to?

Reheat to 165°F or higher to ensure they’re piping hot in the middle. Use a food thermometer to check.

Can you reheat them more than once?

Best to reheat only once in the air fryer. Doing it over and over will dry them out.

Tips for Making Amazing Mashed Potatoes

Here are my tips for making genuinely awesome mashed potatoes that reheat perfectly:

• Use medium starch potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russets. Nice and fluffy.
• Let the cooked potatoes steam off excess moisture before mashing.
• Mash them with butter and warm milk or cream. So silky and smooth.
• Season well with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
• Gently mash them – don’t overmix, or they get gluey.
• Let them cool for 5 minutes before eating or storing.

More Yummy Air Fryer Mashed Potato Ideas

Your leftover spuds don’t have to be plain ole mashed potatoes. Get creative with air fryer reheating!

• Mashed Potato Patties – Form into patties, coat in breadcrumbs, and air fry til crispy.
• Cheesy Potato Croquettes – Mix in cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs, then shape into balls or logs to air fry.
• Mashed Potato Bites – Make bite-sized potato balls, roll them in spices, and air fry. Perfect appetizer.
• Crispy Potato Cakes – Mash potatoes with egg, flour, and seasonings, then shape into cakes and air fry.

The possibilities are endless! Try out different add-ins and flavors.

Let Me Sum It All Up…

An air fryer is the perfect way to reheat leftover mashed potatoes and restore their fluffy, creamy texture while adding crispy browned edges. Reheat chilled leftovers at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, then at 400°F for 3-5 more minutes. Add a splash of milk or butter after reheating and season as desired. In just minutes, you can enjoy your revived leftover spuds. Your air fryer makes it so easy!

So next time you’ve leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge, don’t let them go to waste. Revive them in your air fryer for a quick and delicious side dish. This is one of my favorite air fryer tricks. Enjoy those crispy, creamy spuds!