Crispy Smashed Potatoes

These smashed potatoes are SUCH a tasty side dish or snack! They're crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and packed with savory garlic flavor.

Smashed potatoes

Crispy smashed potatoes? Two, no, three. …Ok, more like four for me, please!

I’m a huge fan of potato wedges, roasted potatoes, and even French fries, but these crispy smashed potatoes might just be my favorite potatoes yet. They have glorious crispy skins, comforting creamy middles, and a savory garlic-Parmesan flavor that I’m pretty sure no one could ever get enough of.

Conveniently, they’re perfect for a wide variety of occasions. Top them with a drizzle of chipotle sauce, and they’d make a mouthwatering game day snack. Sprinkle them with fresh herbs, and they’d be a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish. The great thing is that you don’t have to pick! Once you try this smashed potatoes recipe, you can come back to it time and time again.

Smashed potato recipe ingredients

Smashed Potatoes Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this smashed potatoes recipe:

  • Potatoes, of course! I love using yellow potatoes for this recipe because they come out especially creamy – almost buttery – in the middle. In order for the potatoes to crisp up in the oven, you’ll need them to be small. Look for ones that are no more than 2 inches in diameter.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – It helps the potatoes become golden brown and crisp as they bake. You’ll drizzle some on the potatoes and brush the rest on the baking sheets so that the potatoes crisp up underneath.
  • Garlic powder and onion powder – For savory, umami flavor.
  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Yellow potatoes in pot with water

How to Make Smashed Potatoes

I like to think of this smashed potatoes recipe in three parts: boil, smash, and bake. Here’s how it goes:

First, boil. Place the potatoes in a large pot, and cover them with one inch of cold water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are just past fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Smashing potato on baking sheet with measuring cup

Next, smash. While you boil the potatoes, brush 2 large rimmed baking sheets with olive oil. That’s right! Using parchment paper is my default, but I don’t recommend that you use it here. Baking the potatoes directly on the oiled sheet pan helps them become especially crispy underneath.

Smashed potatoes on baking sheet

When the potatoes are tender, drain them and arrange them on the oiled baking sheets. Use the back of a measuring cup to carefully press them down until they’re about 1/4-inch thick.

Drizzling oil over potatoes on baking sheet

Drizzle with olive oil…

Sprinkling potato on baking sheet with onion and garlic powder

… and sprinkle with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Finally, bake! Roast the potatoes until they’re golden brown and crisp around the edges, about 25 to 35 minutes, rotating the pans halfway.

That’s it!

Crispy smashed potatoes on a plate

Smashed Potatoes Serving Suggestions

These smashed potatoes are best served hot off the baking sheet, when they’re still nice and crisp from the oven. Before you dig in, garnish them with whatever toppings you like. Here are some of my favorites:

Devour them on their own as an appetizer or snack, or serve them as a side dish with a larger meal. They pair really well with veggie burgers, black bean burgers, or BBQ sandwiches, and they’re also a fantastic holiday side dish. Serve them alongside classics like green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, or any of these 50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

Smashed potatoes recipe

More Favorite Potato Recipes

If you love these crispy smashed potatoes, try one of these yummy potato recipes next:

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Smashed Potatoes

rate this recipe:
5 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
These crispy smashed potatoes are a fun, flavorful side dish or snack! They're best straight off the sheet pan, when they're still crisp and hot from the oven.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds small yellow potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for the pans
  • teaspoons garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, (parsley, chives, and/or dill)
  • Flaky sea salt, optional
  • Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and liberally coat 2 baking sheets with olive oil.
  • Place the potatoes and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft and fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly. Place each potato onto the oiled baking sheet and use the back of a measuring cup to smash them down until they’re about ¼-inch thick. Drizzle with the olive oil, and sprinkle with the garlic powder, onion powder, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Roast 25 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp around the edges, rotating the pans halfway.
  • Season to taste with more sea salt, or flaky sea salt, fresh herbs, and sprinkles of Parmesan, if desired.

17 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Kim
    01.16.2024

    5 stars
    Just made this recipe, eating it now, delicious. Used the little red and white potatoes and vegan mozzarella from Costco. Thank you!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.17.2024

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  2. Tammy Barrett
    12.18.2023

    Can I use baby red potatoes in this recipe?

  3. Jack
    10.20.2023

    5 stars
    Loved these. The eighth time I made these I topped with adobo powder and grated parmesan cheese. and they are great Now a go to side a potato side with dinner or anytime

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      10.20.2023

      Hi Jack, so glad you love them!

  4. Kristin Jones
    10.18.2023

    Can I boil them day before, smash them and refrigerate them and bake them the next day?

    • Abby
      11.18.2023

      I am wondering the same thing….Did you try this? Would at least love to boil/ prep in the morning and roast while my guests are enjoying pre-dinner cocktails

  5. Lee
    09.11.2023

    Just a plug for reducing carbon emissions here! I’ve noticed most recipes instruct turning on ovens far earlier than needed, thus wasting electricity, gas, etc. “Preheating” my oven for about 25 minutes or more before the taters are even boiled, let alone cooled, is a complete waste and unnecessarily heats up my already warm home. I have been changing every recipe I try to heat up my oven after all the other steps, and have had no adverse results so far. Thank you for sharing your recipes!

  6. Susan
    12.29.2022

    5 stars
    So yummy! I love so many of your recipes, including this one. So glad I found your site.

  7. DAWN J MURRAY
    11.21.2022

    Are the potatoes peeled or skin on?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      11.22.2022

      Hi Dawn, they are skin-on – the skin gets crispy and delicious around the edges as they bake.

  8. Trina from Google
    08.07.2022

    5 stars
    A wonderfully easy side dish. We are going to try with smallest sweet potatoes next time.
    Thank you,
    Trina

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.10.2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

  9. Barbara
    07.25.2022

    Can you boil the potatoes the day ahead?

    • Carie
      02.14.2023

      5 stars
      I just made these today with leftover baby potatoes and they were delicious!

  10. Ms. Havisham
    11.25.2021

    5 stars
    Made this delightfully easy and delicious dish last night. I used the smallest potatoes I had on hand and popped them in the toaster oven. I’ll admit I microwaved the potatoes rather than boiling them, so it was even faster and easier!

    I’ll be making these repeatedly and experimenting with all sorts of herbs, both fresh and dried, and even some different spice blends for a change up.

    Thanks for providing a great alternative for those small potatoes!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.