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
- 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.
- Draining and Cooling: Transfer potatoes to a colander, allowing complete moisture evacuation and brief cooling period to eliminate excess steam.
- Baking Sheet Setup: Lightly lubricate a baking sheet with olive oil, creating a non-stick surface for optimal potato placement.
- 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.
- Seasoning Application: Lavish potatoes with olive oil, ensuring comprehensive coverage, then sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to enhance flavor complexity.
- 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.
- 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