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The Best Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

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The perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer, these Smashed Potatoes are extra crispy on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside. Topped with tons of cheese, they’re absolute perfection. Serve with your favorite sauce for a crowd-pleasing recipe! 

overehead image of smashed potatoes on a serving platter with a side of white creamy sauce

Why We Love Smashed Potatoes

Just when you thought potatoes couldn’t get any more delicious, we’re bringing you this smashed potatoes recipe! If you’ve never tried them, prepare for your life (and tastebuds) to be changed forever. Seriously, they’re so delicious that our kids ask for them by name. Honestly, there are so many reasons we love this recipe that we lost count! To name a few, these smashed potatoes are: 

  • Made with 5 ingredients and bursting with flavor 
  • Budget-friendly and great for meal prep
  • Super easy to make
  • Versatile and easy to serve as a side, appetizer, or snack 
  • What’s the Difference Between Mashed and Smashed Potatoes? 

    The difference between mashed and smashed potatoes is in the method of preparation. For instance, mashed potatoes are made by cooking potatoes and using a potato masher to create a smooth, creamy texture

    Meanwhile, smashed potatoes are cooked whole and then flattened or smashed. As a result, they maintain a potato-like appearance and crisp exterior. 

overhead image of smashed potatoes on a baking dish

Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

This smashed potatoes recipe is a great option to have on hand because you’re almost guaranteed to have the ingredients you need on hand! 

  • Potatoes – We prefer to use golden potatoes for this recipe because they have a soft texture that is easier to smash and an extra buttery taste. 
  • Seasonings – We use everything but the bagel seasoning, salt, and pepper, for a bold, onion and garlicky taste. However, feel free to experiment with whatever seasonings you like best and have on hand! 
  • Olive Oil – Used to coat the potatoes, this is key to creating the crisp exterior we’re looking to achieve. Plus, it adds a boost of healthy fats and a savory taste. 

How to Make Smashed Potatoes in the Oven 

Smashed potatoes look super fancy, but they’re actually pretty easy to make! Take a look at an overview of the instructions below, and scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for the complete details. 

  1. Preheat the oven. 
  2. Boil the potatoes in a large pot until tender. 
  3. Place the potatoes on a lined baking sheet in an even layer. 
  4. Use the back of a fork to flatten the potatoes
  5. Add a drizzle of olive oil, and sprinkle the seasonings on top. 
  6. Bake for 15 minutes. Then, add the cheese, and bake again until it has melted and the potatoes are golden and crispy.
  7. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Want to enhance the taste and texture of your potatoes even more? Take a look at a few of our favorite tips and tricks below! 

Use Small Potatoes. You can make this smashed potatoes recipe with any type and size of potatoes. However, the extra small varieties will create the crispiest texture. Plus, they make for a great finger food option! 

Brush the Baking Sheet with Oil. It creates a little more to clean up after, but trust us, it’s so worth it! Brushing a thin layer of oil on top of the baking sheet before adding the potatoes will create a richer taste and even crispier texture. 

Keep the Skins On the Potatoes. Without the skins, the potatoes will not be able to be smashed while staying intact, and they definitely won’t have a crunchy exterior! 

close up image of a pile of smashed potatoes

Storage Options

This recipe is best when served fresh from the oven. However, you can also make them ahead of time and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just make sure they’re completely cooled first! 

Or, if you want to freeze them, boil and smash the potatoes. Then, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place them in the freezer for 3-4 hours or until solid. Next, transfer the potatoes to a sealable bag. Store them in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and bake as instructed in the recipe! 

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, we struggle to not eat these potatoes right off the baking sheet. It’s pretty rare they make it to the table! However, if they do, they’re great dipped in your favorite sauces like ketchup or Ranch. Then, pair them with all your favorite main dishes such as: 

More Potato-Filled Side Dishes

Looking for more family-friendly sides? Take a look at more of our favorite ways to prepare potatoes! 

overehead image of smashed potatoes on a serving platter with a side of white creamy sauce

The Best Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Food Dolls
Baked to golden perfect and topped with melty cheese, this Smashed Potatoes Recipe is the perfect family-friendly side dish, snack, or appetizer!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 204 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds baby gold potatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons everything but the bagel seasoning to taste
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 ounces Cheddar cheese
  • 2 teaspoons salt (for boiling potatoes)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400° F. Grase a baking sheet, and set aside.
  • Wash potatoes well.
  • In a large pot, submerge potatoes in water, and add 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Boil for 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
  • Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Using the back of a fork, smash potatoes until flat.
  • Drizzle olive oil on top, and sprinkle with seasonings.
  • Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and add cheese on top of each potato.
  • Bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and potatoes are crispy.
  • Serve warm with a side sauce of choice, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 518mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword appetizer, baked potatoes, easy side dish, gold potatoes, healthy potatoes, holiday side dish, kid-friendly, oven potatoes, side dish, smashed potatoes, smashed potatoes recipe, snack, vegan, vegetarian, yellow potatoes
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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight. So easy and delicious. Even recruited my kids to help because each of the steps were easy and even fun. 10/10!!