Golden Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes Recipe: Your New Favorite Side

Crispy edges and a golden smashed potatoes technique create the ultimate side dish that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Potatoes packed with flavor burst through a simple yet ingenious cooking method.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch that contrasts with a soft, creamy interior.

The secret lies in carefully crushing boiled potatoes before roasting them to golden perfection.

Salt, herbs, and a generous drizzle of olive oil work magic on these humble spuds.

Seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike will fall in love with this irresistible potato preparation.

This recipe transforms a basic ingredient into a restaurant-worthy side that steals the spotlight on your dinner plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Crispy Smashed Potatoes Ingredient Checklist

For Boiling and Seasoning:
  • Salt: Enhances the potato's natural flavor and helps season the water for boiling.
  • Baby Potatoes: Creamy, small potatoes with thin skins that create a perfect crispy exterior when smashed; choose firm, unblemished potatoes with smooth skin.
For Smashing and Crisping:
  • Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crunchy exterior and adds rich, smooth flavor to the potatoes.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, aromatic kick that complements the potatoes' natural earthiness.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall seasoning.
For Finishing and Garnishing:
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings a bright, fresh herb flavor and adds a vibrant green color to the dish.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Provides a delicate crunch and intense saltiness to elevate the potato's texture and taste.
  • Rosemary (Optional): Introduces a woody, pine-like herb flavor that pairs beautifully with potatoes.

Tools That Help You Smash, Roast, and Crisp

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling potatoes to perfect tenderness.
  • Colander: Helps drain potatoes quickly and efficiently.
  • Baking Sheet: Provides flat surface for smashing and roasting potatoes.
  • Potato Masher or Bottom of Glass: Creates crispy, textured potato surface.
  • Olive Oil Brush or Pastry Brush: Ensures even oil coating for maximum crispiness.
  • Spatula: Helps transfer and flip potatoes during roasting.
  • Kitchen Towel: Useful for handling hot potatoes and drying after boiling.

How to Make Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Flavor

  • Boil Potatoes

Place baby potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Cook for 15-20 minutes until they’re soft enough to easily pierce with a fork.

  • Prepare Baking Surface

Carefully drain potatoes and let them cool slightly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

  • Smash and Season

Gently press each potato with a potato masher or the bottom of a glass until it’s flattened but still holds together. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and your favorite herbs.

  • Crisp in the Oven

Bake potatoes in a preheated oven at 425°F for 25-30 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning. The edges should be golden and crispy, with a crunchy exterior and creamy interior.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Remove potatoes from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Top with fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives. Serve immediately while they’re hot and crispy, perfect as a side dish or appetizer.

Seasoning Blends to Try for a New Twist

  • Boiling Brilliance: Ensure potatoes are uniformly sized for even cooking, preventing some from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
  • Crispy Technique: Use a flat-bottomed glass or potato masher to gently smash each potato, creating maximum surface area for a golden, crunchy exterior.
  • Herb Heaven: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to add exciting flavor profiles to your smashed potatoes.
  • Dietary Flexibility: For a vegan version, replace butter with olive oil. Gluten-free diets can enjoy this recipe as-is. Those watching sodium can reduce salt and use herb blends for added flavor.
  • Topping Playground: Elevate the dish with grated parmesan, crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for extra indulgence.

Serve With Dips or Right Off the Pan

  • Rustic Potato Plating: Arrange these golden, crispy smashed potatoes on a large wooden board for a rustic, family-style presentation that invites everyone to dig in together.
  • Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill over the potatoes to add a burst of green color and a bright, fresh flavor that complements the crispy texture.
  • Dipping Delight: Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like garlic aioli, herb-infused sour cream, or spicy sriracha mayo to give guests different flavor options and make the dish interactive.
  • Protein Pairing: Complement these potatoes as a side dish with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a juicy steak to create a complete and satisfying meal that balances crispy potatoes with protein.

Store Without Losing the Crunch

  • Potato Perfection Planner: Carefully pat potatoes completely dry before smashing to ensure maximum crispiness.
  • Advance Prep Magic: Boil potatoes up to 2 days ahead and store in sealed container in refrigerator, ready to smash and bake when needed.
  • Freshness Keeper: Store leftover crispy smashed potatoes in airtight container for 3-4 days, reheating in oven at 400°F to restore crunchiness.
  • Freezer-Friendly Tip: Freeze pre-boiled potatoes for up to 1 month before final baking, allowing quick meal preparation on busy days.
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Golden Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Golden Smashed Potatoes Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crispy smashed potatoes bring rustic charm to classic side dishes with their golden-brown exterior and creamy interior. Potato enthusiasts will savor each crisp bite of this simple yet irresistible recipe that elevates humble ingredients into a crowd-pleasing sensation.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)
  • 3 tbsps olive oil or melted butter
  • 2 tbsps salt (for boiling water)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Potato Preparation: Submerge baby potatoes in a salt-seasoned water bath, bringing to a rolling boil and simmering until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  2. Draining and Cooling: Transfer potatoes to a colander, allowing complete moisture evacuation and brief cooling period to eliminate excess steam.
  3. Baking Sheet Setup: Lightly lubricate a baking sheet with olive oil, creating a non-stick surface for optimal potato placement.
  4. Smashing Technique: Distribute potatoes across the sheet with adequate spacing, then employ a flat-bottomed tool to gently flatten each potato, creating textured surfaces designed for maximum crispiness.
  5. Seasoning Application: Lavish potatoes with olive oil, ensuring comprehensive coverage, then sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to enhance flavor complexity.
  6. Roasting Process: Position the baking sheet in a preheated oven, roasting at high temperature until potatoes transform into a golden-brown, crunchy delicacy with irresistibly crisp edges.
  7. Herb Finalization: Extract from oven and embellish with freshly chopped rosemary or thyme, elevating the dish’s aromatic dimension and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Choose Waxy Potatoes: Select small, firm varieties like baby potatoes or fingerlings to ensure perfect smashing and crispy texture without falling apart.
  • Dry Potatoes Thoroughly: After boiling, let potatoes air dry completely or pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating crispier edges during roasting.
  • Space Potatoes Strategically: Leave generous room between potatoes on the baking sheet to allow hot air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms and ensuring even browning.
  • Maximize Crispiness Technique: Use a heavy-bottomed glass or potato masher with firm, consistent pressure when smashing to create uneven surfaces that crisp up beautifully in the oven.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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