Crispy Smashed Potatoes: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Golden, Flavorful Perfection

Prepare to discover your new favorite side dish: these incredibly simple yet profoundly delicious Crispy Smashed Potatoes. Far from your average potato side, these beauties boast an irresistible golden-brown crust and a tender, fluffy interior, making them an instant crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re seeking a stellar accompaniment for a gourmet meal or just a satisfying snack to dip into creamy sour cream, these smashed potatoes deliver on every front. Their versatility knows no bounds, making them a staple in any home cook’s repertoire.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with one being dipped in some chive sour cream.

Beyond being a fantastic standalone snack, crispy smashed potatoes effortlessly elevate a wide range of main courses. Imagine pairing their satisfying crunch with hearty dishes like succulent Instant Pot BBQ Ribs or the elegant richness of a Roasted Rack of Lamb. They’re also exceptional when served beneath a saucy dish, such as my Irish Chicken with Whiskey Cream Sauce, where they eagerly soak up every last drop of the decadent sauce, transforming each bite into a symphony of flavors and textures. This recipe isn’t just about cooking potatoes; it’s about unlocking their full potential to enhance your dining experience.

Why You Will Love This Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

There are countless reasons why these crispy smashed potatoes will become a regular fixture in your kitchen. First and foremost, the textural contrast is unparalleled – a crunchy, almost chip-like exterior gives way to a creamy, soft interior. This isn’t achieved by deep-frying but through a simple par-boiling and high-heat roasting method, making them feel indulgent without being overly greasy. Secondly, the ingredient list is remarkably short and sweet, relying on the inherent deliciousness of potatoes, butter, olive oil, and basic seasonings. This simplicity means even novice cooks can achieve fantastic results.

Furthermore, these potatoes are incredibly versatile. They can be dressed up with various herbs and spices, making them suitable for any palate or dietary preference. Whether you serve them as an appetizer with a selection of dips, a hearty side for a family dinner, or even as part of a brunch spread, they always impress. The process is straightforward, breaking down into a few manageable steps: boil, smash, season, and roast. It’s a rewarding cooking experience that yields maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Plus, who can resist the comforting aroma of roasted potatoes filling the kitchen?

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Ingredients for Perfect Crispy Smashed Potatoes

The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimalist approach to ingredients. You’ll be amazed at the depth of flavor and incredible texture achieved with just a few staple items. At the heart of it all, of course, are the humble potatoes, transformed into golden, crispy perfection. And what could be more classic and comforting than the pairing of potatoes and butter? They truly are a match made in culinary heaven, providing richness and a beautiful caramelization that enhances every bite.

Ingredients needed to make Crispy Smashed Potatoes.

For this particular recipe, I favor using delicate fingerling potatoes. Their elongated shape and thin skin are ideal for smashing, creating more surface area for crisping. However, the good news is that almost any smaller-sized potato will work wonderfully. Varieties like baby Yukon Golds, new red potatoes, or even small Russets are excellent choices. The key is to select potatoes that are all roughly the same size. This uniformity ensures that they cook evenly during the initial boiling stage, reaching that perfect fork-tender consistency at the same time, which is crucial for achieving consistent crispiness across your entire batch.

Beyond the potatoes, you’ll need melted unsalted butter and extra virgin olive oil for that perfect golden crust. The butter adds richness and a nutty flavor as it browns, while the olive oil helps achieve a higher crisping temperature and a wonderfully crunchy texture. A generous sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper is essential for seasoning, bringing out the potatoes’ natural sweetness. Finally, fresh minced chives are an optional but highly recommended garnish, adding a bright, oniony freshness that complements the rich potatoes beautifully. And for serving, a dollop of cool sour cream provides a delightful contrast.

Method: Step-by-Step to Crispy Perfection

Crafting these crispy smashed potatoes is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. The magic lies in the technique, which ensures every potato achieves that coveted golden crust and fluffy interior. Follow these instructions carefully, and you’ll be enjoying perfectly crispy smashed potatoes in no time.

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes to Fork-Tender Perfection

The first crucial step is to par-cook your potatoes. Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Adding salt to the water not only seasons the potatoes from the inside out but also helps to prevent them from becoming waterlogged. Once the water is boiling vigorously, carefully add your selected potatoes. Cook them until they are fork-tender – this is a critical stage. You want them soft enough that a fork can easily pierce them without resistance, but not so soft that they become mushy. They should smash easily when pressed, but still retain their shape somewhat and not fall apart completely. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size and type of potato. As soon as they reach this ideal tenderness, promptly remove them from the boiling water using a slotted spoon or spider, and transfer them to a rimmed baking tray to cool slightly.

Potatoes placed in boiling water to be par cooked before smashing.

Step 2: The Art of Smashing

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, it’s time for the “smash” part of smashed potatoes! Using the bottom of a sturdy drinking glass, a potato masher, or even a heavy mug, gently but firmly press down on each par-cooked potato until it flattens to about half an inch thick. You don’t want to pulverize them; the goal is to create plenty of craggy edges and increased surface area for maximum crispiness, while keeping the potato largely intact. As you smash them, ensure they are spaced out generously on your baking tray or trays, making sure they don’t quite touch. Overcrowding the pan will cause the potatoes to steam instead of roast, preventing them from achieving that desired crispy texture. If necessary, use two baking sheets to give them ample room.

In a small bowl, melt the butter and combine it with the extra virgin olive oil. This mixture will be drizzled over the smashed potatoes, providing a rich, flavorful coating that promotes beautiful browning and crispness. Then, generously sprinkle them with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; potatoes love salt! This step is where much of the final flavor develops.

Smashing the potatoes on a tray with a sturdy glass.

All potatoes smashed on a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 3: Roasting to Golden Crispiness

Preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 475°F (245°C). A hot oven is key to achieving that deep golden color and shattering crispness. Carefully transfer the seasoned, smashed potatoes into the preheated oven. Roast them for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and incredibly crisp on the bottom and sides. You’ll know they’re perfectly done when they are stiff enough to pick up easily with tongs or a spatula, without flopping. The edges should be delightfully crunchy, and the aroma filling your kitchen will be irresistible.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, immediately garnish your hot crispy smashed potatoes with the fresh minced chives. There’s nothing quite like the way the warmth of the potatoes releases the aromatic oils from the chives; it smells absolutely divine! The vibrant green of the chives also adds a beautiful visual contrast to the golden potatoes. These irresistible potatoes are now ready to be enjoyed. Serve them as a fantastic snack with a side of cool sour cream for dipping, or arrange them alongside your favorite dinner entrée. Their glorious crispiness and flavorful warmth will surely be a highlight of your meal.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes just out of the oven ready to be enjoyed with some chive sour cream on the side.

Notes & Tips for the Best Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Achieving consistently crispy and delicious smashed potatoes is simple with a few helpful tips:

Potato Selection is Key: Always choose potatoes that are mostly uniform in size. This ensures they all cook at the same rate during the boiling stage, preventing some from being undercooked while others turn to mush. Consistency in texture is essential for consistent crispiness.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is perhaps the most critical tip for crispiness. If the potatoes are too close together, they will steam rather than roast, resulting in soggy instead of crispy results. If needed, spread them out among two sheet pans, leaving plenty of space between each potato. There should be no overlap or stacking.
Smashing Tools: While I prefer a sturdy drinking glass for smashing, almost anything with a flat bottom will do the trick – a heavy mug, a small ramekin, or even a dedicated potato masher. Just ensure your chosen tool is robust enough to handle the pressure without breaking. No need to use Grandma’s delicate crystal!
Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to season generously with salt and pepper before roasting. A good amount of salt enhances the flavor and contributes to the crisp exterior. You can also experiment with garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of paprika for extra flavor.
Hot Oven is Essential: A high oven temperature (around 475°F / 245°C) is crucial for flash-roasting the potatoes and achieving that golden, crispy crust quickly.
Serving Versatility: These potatoes are incredibly versatile. They make a fantastic appetizer or snack, perfect for a Super Bowl spread or any gathering. They also hold up beautifully as a hearty dinner side dish. There are truly endless ways to enjoy this delicious and adaptable recipe!
Reheating Leftovers: To re-crisp leftover smashed potatoes, spread them on a baking sheet and reheat in a hot oven (around 400°F / 200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, which will make them soft.

Substitutions to Customize Your Smashed Potatoes

One of the best aspects of this recipe is how easily it can be adapted to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative with these substitutions:

Potato Varieties: While fingerling potatoes offer a great texture and shape, you can absolutely use other types. Small Russet potatoes will give you a fluffier interior, while Yukon Golds will result in a creamier texture. New red potatoes also work well, offering a slightly waxier consistency. The key, as mentioned, is uniform size for even cooking.
Fats: The butter and olive oil combination provides optimal flavor and crispiness. However, if you’re looking to keep this recipe dairy-free or vegan, simply omit the butter and use all olive oil. For an extra boost of flavor, you could even try a neutral-flavored plant-based butter alternative. Coconut oil can also be used for crisping, though it will impart a subtle flavor.
Herbs & Seasonings: Chives are a classic pairing with potatoes and sour cream, lending a fresh, oniony note. But don’t let that limit you! Potatoes are incredibly friendly with a wide array of herbs. If you’re not a fan of chives or want to try something different, consider fresh rosemary (especially lovely with garlic), thyme, dill, or even finely chopped parsley. A sprinkle of smoked paprika or a touch of cayenne pepper can add a pleasant warmth or kick.
Dips: Sour cream is the traditional and delicious choice for dipping, but it’s entirely optional. For dairy-free or vegan diets, there are many excellent plant-based sour cream alternatives available. Beyond sour cream, consider serving these with a homemade aioli, spicy mayo, a tangy ketchup, or even a creamy herb dressing.

More Dipable Recipes

If you love a good dip, check out some of these other fantastic recipes that are perfect for snacking or entertaining:

Artichoke Three Cheese Dip

White Queso Dip

Black Bean Dip

Joanna Gaines French Onion Dip

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip

Pepperjack Cheese Dip

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review or comment below. Your feedback helps others discover delicious recipes. And for more culinary inspiration, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 2 pounds

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

These Crispy Smashed Potatoes make a great side dish for an array of meals. But they are also a great snack dipped in sour cream too.

Ingredients

2 pounds Fingerling Potatoes
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt, Morton’s
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 tablespoons Chives, minced
Sour Cream, for serving

Instructions

Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil and preheat the oven to 475˚F.

When the water is at a rolling boil, season the water with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt.

Place the potatoes in the salted water and cook them until fork tender 10-15 minutes.

Remove the potatoes from the water and lay them out amongst 2 rimmed baking sheets.

Smash the potatoes with the bottom of a sturdy glass or a potato masher. Anything with a flat bottom will do the job.

Melt the butter and olive oil together in a small bowl then spoon it over the smashed potatoes.

Season them with salt and pepper and roast in the preheated oven until golden and crispy, 25-30 minutes.

Serve sprinkled with chives and sour cream on the side for dipping if desired. They are also great served under a creamy or cheesy saucy meal too.

Notes

Notes & Tips

Choose potatoes that are all mostly the same size so when you boil them they will all become soft at the same time.

Spread the potatoes out among two sheet pans if needed, you don’t want to have overlap or stacking, they won’t get crisp that way.

I use a drinking glass to smash my potatoes, but you can use pretty much anything with a flat bottom. Just make sure it is sturdy, don’t go using grandmas crystal to smash potatoes.

These make a great snack or add to let’s say, a Super Bowl Spread, but they also hold up great to being a dinner side dish. There are plenty of ways to use this great recipe!

Substitutions

I choose fingerling potatoes for my recipe, you could also use small russets, Yukon golds, or new red potatoes too. You can make this recipe with ANY potato you fancy.

The butter is there to help the potatoes caramelize and give some flavor. But if you’d like to keep this recipe dairy-free or vegan, simply use all olive oil and leave the butter out.

Chives just go with potatoes and sour cream in my opinion, but just like with the potatoes, pretty much any herb goes with them. Don’t like oniony\garilcy chives, use thyme, rosemary, or basil. Potatoes are friends with almost all herbs.

And again, if you are keeping dairy-free or vegan, leave the sour cream out, it is just an optional dipper. There are also some great plant-based sour creams out there you could also use.

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Crispy Smashed Potato Perfection