Batatas a Murro in the Air Fryer (Punched Potatoes)

"A murro" means "with a punch." These are small potatoes roasted in their skins, punched open, and drowned in olive oil and garlic. They're the classic side for bacalhau assado (roast salt cod), but they're just as good with grilled sardines, piri-piri chicken or a steak.

Traditionally they're roasted on a bed of coarse salt in the oven for about 45 minutes. The air fryer cuts that down and makes the skins even crisper.

The recipe

Batatas a Murro in the Air Fryer (Punched Potatoes)

Portuguese punched potatoes made in the air fryer: salt-crusted skins, a fluffy middle and plenty of garlic olive oil. The classic partner for bacalhau.

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Prep5 min

Cook35 min

Total40 min

Serves4

Ingredients

MetricUS

Serves

4

½×1×2×3×

• 800 g small potatoes, about the size of an egg, unpeeled
• 1 tbsp olive oil for roasting
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt
• 6 tbsp good olive oil for finishing
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• A small handful of parsley or a few sprigs of thyme (optional)

Method

1. Wash and dry the potatoes well. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and the coarse salt so the salt sticks to the skins.
2. Air fry at 200 °C for 25–30 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until a knife slides in easily.
3. Put each potato on a board and press down hard with the base of a mug or the heel of your hand (protected with a tea towel) so it splits open but stays in one piece.
4. Return them to the basket, split side up, for 5 more minutes at 200 °C to crisp the edges.
5. Meanwhile, warm the finishing olive oil and garlic in a small pan over low heat for 3–4 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant but not brown.
6. Arrange the potatoes on a serving dish, pour the garlic oil over and scatter with herbs.

Notes

Clear ticks

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Make it a full meal

Serve with roast salt cod, a few grilled peppers and a sprinkle of black olives, and you have bacalhau assado com batatas a murro, a Christmas Eve and Sunday lunch favourite. If you have a dual-basket air fryer, cook the potatoes in one drawer while the fish roasts in the other.

From the shop

What you’ll need

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Ninja Foodi 8 Qt DualZone Air Fryer

Two drawers that finish together: bacalhau in one, batatas a murro in the other. Ideal for Portuguese meals, which are usually a main plus a side.

Tip: Use the sync-finish button so both drawers are ready at the same moment.

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Portuguese

Algarve sea salt

Sea salt from the Algarve salt pans, for coarse-salt roasting batatas a murro and for finishing grilled fish.

Tip: A little goes a long way. Use it for finishing, not boiling water.

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Portuguese

Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage serving bowl

The famous cabbage-leaf ceramics from Caldas da Rainha, made since the 1800s. Perfect for salads and batatas a murro.

Tip: Large bowl for the table, or the set of four for individual portions.

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