I have lost count of how many of these Smashed Potatoes I have “taste-tested” while plating dinner. They are simply too good to resist.

Crispy and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, every bite is savory, perfectly seasoned, and wonderfully satisfying. Be warned, they tend to disappear the moment they are cool enough to handle. If you love easy potato sides, my Garlic Potatoes and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are two more favorites to add to your dinner rotation.

Smashed Potatoes served on a white rectangular serving dish

Recipe Overview: Smashed Potatoes Recipe

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Servings: 4 people
  • Cook Method: Boiled, smashed, and oven-roasted
  • Flavor & Texture: Crispy and golden on the outside, tender and fluffy inside, with savory rosemary, garlic, and olive oil in every bite
  • Difficulty: Easy. The potatoes are boiled until tender, gently smashed, seasoned, and roasted until beautifully crisp.
  • Why this Recipe? These smashed potatoes give you the best of both worlds: a creamy, tender center with irresistible crispy edges. They are simple to make, use everyday ingredients, and pair beautifully with chicken, steak, lamb, pork, or fish.
Key Takeaways
Make a Checklist
Apply this to Me
Add as a Google Trusted Source

These smashed potatoes are exactly why I love simple cooking. With just a few ingredients, they turn beautifully crisp on the outside and soft and tender inside.

They are perfect as a side dish or appetizer, but I must warn you: a few may disappear before they ever reach the table.

In this Article

This recipe can be enjoyed all year round as a side dish or simply as an appetizer with our favorite Champagne Cocktail or Lychee Martini.

A Note From Giangi

Four ingredients are all you need most of all, and they are pantry staples.

This recipe is super quick to make and will leave no extra cleaning to do.

Potatoes are healthy and contain vitamins, fiber, and nutrients, and extra virgin oil boosts their fat.

You can pair them with your favorite main dishes for a complete meal.

From oven to table, those hot and sizzling potatoes will grab you.

Giangi

Key Ingredients For Smashed Potatoes Recipe

ingredients for smashed potatoes

Small yellow golden potatoes – are the best; however, fingerling or small red potatoes will work, too. When selecting them, ensure they are all similar in size so they cook at the same rate. There should be no visible bruising on the outside, and the potatoes should be firm.

Olive oil – I always use light olive oil when baking, as I like its neutral flavor better than a heavier extra virgin olive oil.

Flaky Sea Salt – they give so much flavor, and I must admit I love biting into a small flake. Do be generous with your seasoning.

Fresh rosemary – it marries well, and it tastes incredible with any potatoes. The richness of natural oils is a game changer.

How to make smashed potatoes

Step 1: Once selected, brush off any excess dirt. Wash your potatoes, place them in a large pot, and cover them with cold water. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the potatoes to a boil.

    potatoes in pan filled with water to be boiled

    Step 2: Boil until you can pierce them with a sharp blade knife, and you will feel no resistance. The fork-tender method, my grandmother’s favorite, can also be used.

    Step 3: Drain them and place them on your sheet pan covered with parchment paper.

    Step 4: Press down on your potatoes with the back of a measuring cup or anything flat until they separate.

    Step 5: Generously drizzle olive oil and sprinkle sea salt and fresh rosemary. Place in the hot oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes. The time depends on the size of your potatoes, your oven, and your altitude.

    Smashed Potatoes in a cookie sheet ready to be entering the oven.

      Giangi’s Pro Tips

      • Boil all the golden potatoes, but be careful not to overcook them.
      • When ready to bake them, make sure your oven is nice and hot and the rack is positioned in the middle of the oven.
      • Do use parchment paper on your baking sheet. This will prevent the golden nuggets from sticking to the sheet pan and breaking.
      • Bake your potatoes spaced and on a single layer on your baking sheet. The space will allow the heat to circulate, giving them that beautiful, edgy crispiness.
      • Be very generous with the olive oil coating on the potatoes, as this will prevent them from sticking to the pan. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper to avoid any sticking.
      • Let the potatoes dry a bit before smashing them. This will ensure the best crispiness.
      • I do not recommend squashing the potatoes with a glass, as it can break and cause severe damage. Please use metal or plastic items to press down your potatoes.

      Smashed Potatoes Oven Variations

      • You can add your favorite flavorings, like garlic powder and even bacon bits. In all honesty, those are so tasty as they are; they do not need anything more, in my personal opinion.
      • Use any fresh herbs you have on hand. I have three rosemary plants, chives and thyme, and I interchange them often. Rosemary is still our favorite.
      • After you take them out of the oven, chopped parsley is another excellent presentation and rich in flavor.
      • The most tempting variation is to sprinkle parmesan cheese over it and add a tab of butter. Bake as the recipe below describes and serve with a dollop of sour cream once it has slightly cooled off. Amazing!

      What to serve with this smashed potato recipe

      Through my website, you will notice that those potatoes are showcased with a few recipes.

      You can enjoy these easy smashed potatoes with most lamb dishes. Rack of Lamb with Parsley is the top favorite in our house.

      These crispy potatoes are also wonderful alongside my pan-fried lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, especially since both recipes share that rosemary flavor.

      For a steak dinner, serve them with my pan-seared New York steak with whiskey cream sauce. Those crispy potatoes are perfect for catching every bit of the creamy sauce.

      Sole Meuniere if you want to play outside the box between a classic recipe and a fun side spin.

      Staying classic with this delicious Roasted Chicken, and the best part is you can bake them together. Check your timing to ensure both will be ready to come out of the oven at the same time.

      For something a little more elegant, pair them with my Cornish game hen with whiskey cream sauce

      Smashed Potatoes served in a white rectangular serving dish.

      Storing smashed potatoes

      Store: These smashed potatoes are best served immediately for maximum crispiness. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

      Reheat: In the oven, add a splash of olive oil if needed.

      Smashed Potatoes FAQs

      What is the difference between smashed potatoes and mashed potatoes?

      Mashed potatoes are peeled potatoes that have been simmering in water until tender. Once drained, they are mashed down with a potato ricer or masher. Butter, milk and some seasoning are added to it. Smashed potatoes are boiled skin on, smashed with a flat object, and baked in the oven to render them crispy outside.

      What are the benefits of eating smashed potatoes?

      Potatoes in itself have excellent nutrients and those nutrients do not go away once you smash them.

      Does soaking potatoes in cold water make them crispier?

      Yes, soaking them in cold water before cooking can help them crisp up. Soaking sliced potatoes in ice-cold water will not only prevent them from turning brown but also draw out the extra starch. Dry them well once you are ready to use them, mainly if you decide to fry or deep fry them, such as French fries. You do not want the water accumulated around your potatoes to come in contact with the hot oil and over-splash.

      Can I reheat smashed potatoes?

      Yes, you can. Please bring them back to room temperature and then place them in a warm oven to reheat to crispiness.

      Smashed Potatoes in a serving plate

      More Potato Recipes You Will Love

      If you tried this Smashed Potatoes Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

      VIDEO: COOK ALONG WITH ME

      Smash Potatoes Recipe

      5 from 9 votes
      Smashed Potatoes
      Prep Time: 5 minutes
      Cook Time: 45 minutes
      Total Time: 50 minutes
      Servings: 4 people
      Author: Giangi Townsend
      Your new favorite potato recipe: Smashed Potatoes! These incredible bites of savory are crazy crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside
      Print Pin

      Ingredients 

      Instructions

      • Preheat the oven to 375F and place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
      • Place the potatoes in a pot filled with enough water to cover them by 1 inch and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are soft and you can insert a knife through and there will be no resistance, 15 to 20 minutes.
      • Drain the potatoes and let them cool off slightly. Place them over the parchment paper and, using the back of a measuring cup, flatten them out.
      • Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, and sprinkle a generous amount of salt and fresh rosemary over each potato.
      • Roast for 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and crisp around the edges.

      Equipment

      Notes

       

      Let the potatoes dry a bit before smashing them. This will ensure the best crispiness.

      When ready to bake them, have your oven nice and hot and the oven rack positioned in the middle of the oven.
      Do use parchment paper on your baking sheet. This will prevent the golden nuggets from sticking to the sheet pan and breaking.
      I will not recommend using a glass to squash the potatoes, As it can break and cause severe damage. Please use metal or plastic items to press down your potatoes.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 955mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

      Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

      Did you make this?

      Leave a comment below and tag @giangiskitchen on Instagram

      Visit my Amazon Storefront for my selection of favorite kitchen essentials. I only recommend equipment that I use and love.

      Giangi's Kitchen Amazon Storefront