Smashed potatoes are a delicious and versatile side dish that combines the best aspects of baked and mashed potatoes. Just boil or steam new potatoes, then gently smash them flat and roast until crispy.
This recipe creates a delightfully crunchy exterior, a soft, creamy interior and a flavour explosion, all while being incredibly easy to prepare in just 10 minutes.
Why use new potatoes for smashed potatoes?
New potatoes are ideal for this recipe due to their thin skins, tender texture and small size, which makes them easy to work with and perfect for getting crispy without falling apart. They also have a slightly sweet, nutty flavour that pairs wonderfully with cheese and herbs.
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Ingredients for smashed potatoes
- new potatoes
- parmesan
- unsalted butter (softened)
- parsley (chopped)
- garlic (minced)
- salt
- pepper
- FOR THE DIP
- soured cream
- spring onions (scallions)
- salt
- pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: First, in a bowl, combine your softened butter, parmesan, parsley, garlic and salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Next, combine your ingredients together.
- Step 3: After that, place your parboiled potatoes on a parchment lined baking tray. Using the bottom of a glass, carefully smash the potatoes into flattened disks.
- Step 4: Then, take a spoonful of the parmesan garlic butter and carefully spread it on top of your smashed potatoes.
- Step 5: Ensure that your potatoes are spread out evenly on the baking tray with a generous amount of butter on each smashed potato. Place in the oven for 30 minutes at 200C/400F.
- Step 6: Finally, dip your crispy and cheesy smashed potatoes into your sour cream dip. Enjoy!
Variations of smashed potato
To elevate your smashed potatoes even more, you should try adding this cowboy butter to the top instead! It's Garlicy with extra spices to make them even more delicious!
Potato: While new potatoes provide all the components for the perfect, crispy smashed potato, they're not the only perfect potato for this recipe.
- Baby potatoes are similar to new potatoes in size and texture, making them a great alternative. They are easy to cook and smash, providing a fluffy interior with a crispy crust.
- Red potatoes have a firm texture that stays intact when smashed. They are also visually appealing with their red skins, adding a pop of colour to the dish.
- Fingerling potatoes have a unique shape that can create interesting textures when smashed. They are also quite flavourful and visually distinctive.
- Russet potatoes can become quite crispy due to their higher starch content, though they may not hold their shape as well as waxy potatoes. Their fluffy interior contrasts nicely with a crispy exterior.
What about cheese?
Yes! If you're looking for an extra level of crisp on top of your potato, then parmesan is the way to go. However, there are plenty of other cheeses that will add a melty, gooey element to your smashed potatoes that you might be looking for.
Cheddar's melting properties make it a great choice for a gooey, cheesy topping. Gruyère will give you a sophisticated flavour and creamy texture that adds depth and richness, making it ideal for a more gourmet touch. Mozzarella will provide a gooey, melted topping and will give you that classic cheesy texture with a mild flavour that complements the other ingredients.
How to store smashed potatoes
If you think there might be leftovers of these smashed potatoes, you might be wrong—because they're that delicious, you’ll be fighting over the last bite!
If by some miracle you do have any left, they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To restore that crispy, golden goodness, reheat them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes or in a pan with a touch of oil for a few minutes on each side.
You could also air fry the smashed potatoes to reheat or cook them. You'll see details and photos of air frying the potatoes below.
Top Tip
Tossing them in hot oil or ghee before baking ensures an ultra-crispy exterior.
FAQ
Yes! You can boil and smash them in advance, then refrigerate until ready to roast. When you're ready to serve, toss them in hot oil or ghee and bake until crispy. This makes them perfect for meal prep or entertaining!
Absolutely, yes! An air fryer is an excellent choice for cooking smashed potatoes because it achieves a crispy, golden texture in just 10 minutes, compared to the 30 minutes needed in a conventional oven. I have outlined how below...
This smashed potato recipe can be easily converted to air fryer.
Simply prepare the smashed potatoes as shown in the photos and instructions below, then place them in a preheated air fryer set to 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer, as doing so can prevent the potatoes from crisping evenly and may result in a less satisfying texture.
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Recipe
Smashed Potatoes
These Smashed Potatoes are topped with parmesan and garlic butter. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re an irresistible side dish that’s easy to prepare and impossible to resist.
Ingredients
- 1lb (500g) new potatoes
- 1 cup (100g) parmesan
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- FOR THE DIP
- 1 cup (250 ml) soured cream
- 3 spring onions (scallions)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In a bowl, combine softened butter, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
- Bring a pan of water to a boil and add the potatoes. Parboil for approximately 7 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- For extra stability and structure, let the potatoes cool. Alternatively, once drained, place them back in the pot and cover with a lid to allow them to steam dry.
- In a separate bowl, mix together your dipping ingredients and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the parboiled potatoes on the prepared baking tray. Use the bottom of a water glass to carefully smash each potato into flattened disks.
- Spoon a generous amount of the Parmesan garlic butter onto each smashed potato.
- Ensure the potatoes are spread out evenly on the baking tray. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 1260mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g