1. Wash and peel the potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing the potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. Peel the potatoes using a peeler.

2. Cut the potatoes: Cut the peeled potatoes into evenly sized chunks, roughly 1-2 inches each. This ensures even cooking when preparing potatoes for air fryer.

3. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. Preheating is crucial for even cooking.

4. Wrap the potatoes in foil: Place the potato chunks on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Wrap them tightly in the foil.

5. Cook the potatoes: Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

6. Check for doneness: Pierce the potatoes with a fork to check if they are tender. If not, cook for an additional 5 minutes. Accurate cooking time for potatoes in air fryer is key.

7. Mash the potatoes: Transfer the cooked potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or hand mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth.

8. Add butter and cream: Incorporate butter and milk into the mashed potatoes. Stir until everything is well combined and the texture is creamy.

9. Season to taste: Add more salt and pepper if needed. For extra flavor, you can mix in minced garlic or your favorite herbs.