These crispy Smashed Potatoes are easy and loved by all. They taste like little campfire potatoes with their super crispy, salty skins and roasted golden edges.
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See that crisp skin? Imagine it’s salty wonderfulness teasing your taste buds! This Smashed Potato recipe is a must-try. Like our Baked Potato Wedges, these have soft centers and an irresistible cheesy crust.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes Video Recipe:
I hope these smashed potatoes become a smashing hit in your home! Watch the video tutorial and you’ll be a pro in no time. P.S. Don’t miss the fun outtakes at the end.
What are Smashed Potatoes?
Smashed Potatoes are small red or yellow potatoes (baby potatoes) that are simmered until tender then smashed flat, drizzled with olive oil and baked until crispy at the edges. We add parmesan because we can’t resist a cheesy crust.
The kids love these as a snack, dipping their crispy potatoes in ketchup or Avocado Ranch just like a giant French fry; only much healthier because they are baked, not fried!
Simple Ingredients:
We love that this uses basic pantry and refrigerator staples. Often the simplest recipes are the best and this one is budget-friendly also for the win.
- Baby potatoes – we use a combination of red and yellow potatoes. They should be 1 1/2″ to 2″ in diameter and equal in size.
- Olive oil – a light drizzle is all you need to help potatoes crisp up while roasting
- Garlic salt – the dried garlic and parsley add great flavor without scorching in the oven
- Black Pepper – Freshly cracked is best
- Parmesan Cheese – shredded parmesan creates a perfect cheesy crust
- Parsley – add finely chopped herbs at the end for color and flavor
How to Make Roasted Smashed Potatoes:
This process is so simple but produces the most irresistible potatoes side dish. They are creamy on the inside and so crispy on the outside. Get the full print-friendly recipe below.
- Boil potatoes in a pot of water with 2 tsp salt. Simmer 20-30 minutes (depending on the thickness of potatoes), until tender.
- Drain potatoes and transfer to a silpat lined baking sheet and cool for 10-15 minutes. Using a potato masher or the bottom of a drinking glass, gently press down on each potato, pressing to about 1/2″ thickness and being careful not to break potatoes apart.
- Season and Bake: Drizzle half of the olive oil over one side of potatoes and sprinkle with half of the seasonings. Bake, uncovered, for 12 to 15 min or until bottoms are lightly golden.
- Turn potatoes with a spatula, drizzle with remaining oil and sprinkle with remaining seasonings. Bake 12 to 15 min or until potatoes are golden brown and crisp.
- Sprinkle parmesan on potatoes and broil 2 to 3 min to melt the cheese.
Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Smashed Potatoes:
Follow these tips for making the crispiest and best tasting roasted baby potatoes!
- The Right Potatoes – small potatoes have the best ratio of skin to potato and are easier to flatten and crisp in the oven.
- Flatter is Better – the more you can flatten (we aim for 1/2″ thick), the crispier they will be.
- Season Generously – There’s nothing like a crisp and salty potato skin. Don’t skimp on the garlic salt and cheese.
- Broil at the End – Once the cheese is on, we broil for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese and also to get those potatoes extra crispy.
How to Serve Smashed Potatoes?
If you are serving them as a side dish, you should know they are in great danger of becoming an appetizer as folks breeze through your kitchen and “sample”. Smashed potatoes pair well with:
- Cucumber Tomato Salad – so fresh and you’ll love the dressing
- Caesar Salad – or any fresh green salad really
- Avocado Corn Salad – always a crowd-pleasing salad
- Corn on the Cob – our go-to method for boiled corn
Can I Make These Potatoes Ahead?
You can boil the potatoes a day ahead, cool to room temp then cover and refrigerate overnight. Smash, season and bake the following day. Since you are starting with cold potatoes, add 2 minutes to the initial baking time to ensure a crisp exterior.
P.S. You can easily double this recipe to serve a crowd (highly recommended!).
Our Best Potato Recipes:
Roasted smashed potatoes are one of my favorite ways to enjoy potatoes. My children aren’t usually keen on potatoes, but they sure love these! These are the potato recipes that always get rave reviews:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes – our most decadent potatoes
- Potato Soup – creamy and comforting
- Breakfast Potatoes – we love serving these to company
- Oven Roasted Baby Red Potatoes – an easy, excellent side
- Baked Potato Wedges – with parmesan cheese
Smashed Potatoes Recipe (VIDEO)

Ingredients
- 2 lbs small potatoes (12-16 count) , 1 1/2 to 2" diameter*
- 2 tsp salt for water
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil to drizzle
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic salt, (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and add 2 tsp salt (Note: 8 cups water for 5Qt pot). Once water has boiled, carefully add potatoes then reduce heat to a low boil and cook until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork then drain (total boiling time is 25-30 minutes depending on potato size).
- Meanwhile preheat the oven to 450˚F. Transfer drained potatoes to a lined rimmed baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Use a potato masher or the flat bottom of a drinking glass to smash the potatoes to about 1/2" thickness. Press gently so you don’t break the potatoes apart.
- Drizzle the tops with olive oil then sprinkle generously with garlic salt and black pepper to taste. Bake at 450˚F for 15 min. Flip potatoes over with a spatula, drizzle the second side with oil and season with more garlic salt and pepper. Bake another 12-15 min or until potatoes are crisp with golden brown edges.
- Sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese then return to the oven another 2-3 minutes or just until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
These are so delicious. I’ve made them several times and they are always a big hit. You can easily mix up the spices to change things up a bit. I used sliced garlic and rosemary…yum!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Such a fun way to make potatoes! Turns out great every time.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Natasha, can you please share the link for the pot you used to cook the potatoes in? Thank you, Linda
Hi Linda, We used this Le Creuset Cast Iron (French) Dutch Oven here. I hope that helps.
These potatoes are the best! Easy to make, simple ingredients, this ones a keeper 🙂 Thanks Natasha!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Colleen!
How about some rhubarb recipes for spring, especially low calorie
Thank you for that suggestion, Lillian!
I have made these potatoes several times since you posted the recipe. First as a side with roasted chicken breasts. Second, with fried eggs for breakfast. Last as appetizers with Ranch Dip. I use baby Dutch Gold potatoes . They’re the perfect size and, boy, does everyone love them! Thank you so much for another fabulous recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Sherry!
I made these tonight to go with dinner and they were so good! Nice and crunchy on the outside! Will be making these again!
That’s wonderful Debbie! Thank you for that great review!
Served this with baked rosemary and lemon chicken and was a great side dish
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made some today, my family liked it lots! Thank you 🙂
That’s so great! Sounds like you found a new favorite, Nina! 🙂
Love love love this recipe!!!! The only thing I did different was boiling the potatoes in vegetable broth instead of just water. I’m making it again next week! 🙂
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I think the potatoes I used were too big. When I “smashed” them they broke up completely and I had bits all over the place. I followed the rest of the recipe anyway and they tasted good but had to be eaten with a fork and were a bit messy.
Hi Patricia, that does happen when using larger potatoes (but that has never stopped us from enjoying them!) I’m so glad you liked the flavor 🙂
Can’t wait to try something new and different with potatoes!
I’d love to hear how you like this one!
Can I cook these in my air-fryer oven?
Hi Marian! I haven’t tried these in an air fryer so I can’t say. If you experiment I would love to know the outcome!
I don’t know why you couldn’t cook these in the air fryer. You might have to use the mesh insert. If you don’t want to drizzle oil over them, you can always spray the tops with avocado or olive oil.
Great suggestion, Ken! Thank you for sharing that with us!
Ca-n i use corn oil instead of Olive oil?
Hi Natasha, any high heat cooking oil will work.
Those were absolutely fantastic. My picky-eater husband loved them; he loves every one of your recipes that I’ve made so far. Where do you get those mats for the cookie sheets?
Hi Carol, I’m so happy you and your husband loved the recipe!! 🙂 We used our favorite silpat baking liner (affiliate link). It is wonderfully non-stick!
Can you add different/extra cheese to these potatoes? I was thinking cheddar and serve with ranch.
I bet that would work Melissa. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
I Make these all the time. Recipe is forgiving and can be changed up for variety. Sometimes I use a mixture of melted butter/evoo, mainly use parsley – fresh or dried but Italian seasoning gives a little zing. Also I just microwave my potatoes instead of boiling as I can walk away as they cook! Then I reheat in the am to eat with eggs!!
I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy this simple recipe. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review with other readers Kathy!
Can you please tell me the brand of olive oil you use, I don’t like the flavor of the ones I have bought.
Hi Kathy, we use an extra LIGHT (not extra virgin) olive oil from Costco by Bel Olio
Thank you so much for your answer about the olive oil. Not that you couldn’t but, I am so glad you haven’t gone all T.V. You seem much to real and true to how and what you cook. Not a lot of glitz and glam, just honest down home cooking.Everything is is easy to understand and cook.I hope you never let any one change you, yes it would mean more money but somethings are not for sale.
My pleasure Kathy, glad I can help! 🙂
Really good way to make (delayed) potatoes. Especially when you have to share the oven with the roast and bread. I don’t usually get comments on the side dishes but everyone liked the potatoes…especially with the cheese.
I’m glad to hear the recipe is a HIT! Thanks for sharing your great review!
You are amazing! And the recipe too 🙂 Thanks!
My pleasure Cristian, I’m glad you love the recipe! 🙂
HELP!!! I made 32 of these for a family gathering tonight …which was just cancelled because of illness. Will they freeze well for a later use?
Hi Jody, oh bummer! I haven’t tried freezing them but I imagine it would work. They do refrigerate really well and then you can reheat them in the oven to crisp them up.
Hey Natasha! I wanted to make these potatoes tonight with a roast chicken. I don’t have two ovens and I will mostly be cooking the chicken on 350. If I put the potatoes in the oven with the chicken in there at 350, would I just anticipate a longer cooking time like 20min each side?
Hi Lauren, I think that would still work. The higher temperature helps these to crisp up. They are already fully cooked since they are pre-boiled but they may not crisp up quite as much roasting together with the chicken.
Yeah I figured as much. I think I’ll wait to put the potatoes in towards the end and crank up the heat when I take the chicken out to rest. At least one side will hopefully be crispy! Thanks for your reply!
You’re welcome Lauren! Please let me know how they turn out!