Easy Roasted Smashed Potatoes

Crispy Smashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish. It’s easy and irresistible, and it will elevate your meal to the next level. This dish turns ordinary potatoes into a delightful sensation that will have everyone asking for another serving. Say goodbye to ordinary potatoes and create an extraordinary crispy and golden brown dish bursting with flavor.

Easy Roasted Smashed Potatoes- baby potatoes roasted until crispy and then topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onions-So Delicious! Such an easy side dish that’s perfect with chicken, pork, steak, and hamburgers. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Potatoes are a favorite in my house. My husband is a meat and potatoes guy, and my daughter could live off a meal of potatoes daily. Cheesy Ranch Au Gratin Potatoes and Skillet Fried Potatoes and Onions are two of our favorite dishes. 

What Are Smashed Potatoes?

These easy smashed potatoes are simply potatoes prepared with skins on. They are boiled and then pressed with a hand-held potato masher, fork, or bottom of a glass, resulting in a lumpy but intact potato. It has a rough surface perfect for coating with oil and roasting in the oven.

Why Smashed Potatoes Are Fabulous

The best part about this recipe– they are super easy to make. Just boil, smash, and bake. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a holiday dinner. You can add whatever toppings you like to make them fancy, family-friendly, or for football appetizers.

Potatoes usually appear on our weekly menu in some form. This simple potato recipe takes an ordinary ingredient and turns it into something a little tastier. This is my new favorite way of eating potatoes. They are great for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday tables.

Crispy Edges: The crispy skin is my favorite part of this dish.

Versatile: Smashed potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be seasoned with various herbs and toppings. They can be added as a side dish, served as finger food, or topped with some pulled pork or chicken and have a complete meal.

Easy to Make: This is a great recipe for cooking smaller potatoes. They boil quickly and are ready to be smashed and baked in no time. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs and your favorite toppings, and you are ready for a fantastic bite.

Ingredients Needed 

This recipe requires only a few ingredients for the best smashed potatoes. You will love these crispy potatoes, and they might become your new favorite potatoes and they make a great side dish.

The ingredients for this dish are simple and easily found in most grocery stores. This side dish is sure to steal the show the next time you serve it to family or guests. Make this recipe instead of traditional french fries for a tasty twist.

Baby Potatoes—  These baby potatoes are the star of this delightful dish. They have a creamy texture and flavor. Choose baby red potatoes, Yukon Gold, white, or yellow potatoes. Any of these varieties will work.

Oil—  Oil helps to provide that crispy exterior. I use vegetable oil most of the time, but olive oil, canola, or any neutral oil will work for this recipe.

Seasonings—Salt and black pepper are always my go-to seasonings. You can also use garlic powder or your favorite seasonings from your cabinet.

Toppings—Choose from an assortment of toppings, such as melted butter, sour cream, green onions, bacon, and cheese. The toppings are completely up to you and what you desire on your potato.

How to Make the Best Smashed Potatoes

1. Boil Potatoes. Boil until fork tender, drain, and pat dry.

2. Place potatoes on a lightly greased large baking sheet (or two)-depending on the number of potatoes you are cooking.

3. Smash potatoes with a potato masher, fork, or the bottom of a glass. 

4. Brush the top of the potatoes well with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Bake until crispy around the edges. Add your favorite toppings- cheese, crumbled bacon, sour cream, and green onions.

Smashed Potato Toppings

Here are some additional toppings for your smashed potatoes recipe to add more flavor. Feel free to mix and match these toppings to create your own combination to suit your taste preferences. The combinations are quite endless, and you can certainly create savory and sweet potatoes that are sure to please everyone around your table.

Caramelized Onions: This is one of my favorite potato toppings. They add a depth of richness to the smashed potatoes.

Crumbled Cheese:  Blue Cheese, Parmesan Cheese,  Feta, or Goat Cheese adds a nice flavor profile to each bite. Crumble over the top of the potatoes before baking. The cheese compliments the crispy exterior nicely.

Salsa: Add salsa and cilantro to the top for a Southwestern twist. Add some lime juice for a zesty twist.

Recipe Tips

These are a few tips I have found to be helpful when preparing this mouthwatering dish. This crispy smashed potato recipe is the perfect side dish for any occasion or weeknight meal for the family.

Choose the Right Potatoes: I opt for smaller potatoes. Small potatoes such as Yukon Golds or Baby Red Potatoes have thin skin and tend to have the best texture and flavor for crispy smashed potatoes.

Boil Until Fork Tender: Test potatoes to ensure they are cooked until fork tender but not overly soft. This is the perfect consistency for smashing.

Smash The Potatoes: My favorite way of smashing potatoes is with the bottom of a glass. I choose a smooth-bottomed glass and get to work. You may use a potato masher or a fork to get the desired effect. You are looking for about half an inch of thickness.

Season Generously: This is what makes this dish fabulous. Add toppings and season with your heart. Use toppings you love, and don’t skimp.  Add onion powder, kosher salt, some minced fresh garlic, or any of your favorite seasonings.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations to change up this dish. Although I am a fan of the classic smashed potato recipe, these suggestions are quite tasty.

Cheesy Smashed Potatoes: Use your favorite cheeses to make a cheesy potato. Add a layer before baking and another layer after baking.

Spicy Potato: Add a few sprinkles of spices such as cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chili powder.

Sweet Potato Smash:

1. Swap out regular baby potatoes for sweet potatoes.
2. Choose small sweet potatoes over the larger potatoes and boil until fork tender.
3. Smash and then top with butter, cinnamon, and sugar or toppings of your choice. 

When To Serve This Dish

This recipe is versatile and can be served in various ways and for many occasions. Here are some ideas and suggestions for serving.

Serve at Family Dinners: Serve this dish at family dinners with grilled chicken, pulled pork, for fried fish.

Holiday Gatherings: Add smashed potatoes to your holiday menu and serve with roasted turkey or ham.

Game Day: Serve these baby potatoes for game day gatherings. They are perfect for grabbing and devouring while watching your favorite team.

Brunch: Set out these small smashed potatoes for a brunch buffet. They go nicely with bacon, eggs, and fruit.

How to Store and Serve Leftover Smashed Potatoes

These potatoes are great served as leftovers. Place them on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 400 degrees until warm. Serve with eggs and bacon for breakfast or top as desired for lunch. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely to room temperature, store them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3-4 days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave until warm throughout. Reheating them in the oven will help revive their crispy texture.

For More Popular Potato Recipes, check out these side dishes.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Cheesy Ranch Potato Casserole

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Baked Potato Wedges

Recipe FAQs

 

What To Serve with Roasted Smashed Potatoes

These potatoes pair nicely with hamburger steak, fried pork chops, chicken, or appetizers for game day or holiday.