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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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 were such a hit at Thanksgiving that I had to make them again at Christmas. I think I’ll add it to my regular cooking rotation, too! So Yummy!
Yay, so great to hear that. I’m glad that you loved this recipe, Jamie!
Great side dish! My family loved it and I will be making it again for sure!
I’m so happy to hear that, Irene! Thank you for that wonderful review!
I made these for the first time last night. While mine did not look as pretty as yours (because they smashed all over the place lol), they were so delicious! I will definitely have again!
I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe, Dianne! They don’t have to be super pretty! Its the flavor that matters 😉
These are actually quite a bit of work and mine did not smash nicely, many broke apart and I felt like it was a hot mess. However everyone loved them, asking for more so that’s the most important part. Perhaps I needed to boil a bit longer for easier mashing. So will try again.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us Paula, I think it may need slightly more time as you said.
used instant pot to “boil” prior to baking and the results were perfect!
Reheated left over smashed potatoes next day and topped with a poached egg. Great breakfast dish!
Would like more recipes using Cuisinart Airfryer Toaster Oven
Great idea! Thank you for sharing that!
I have made these often and love this recipe. Like to serve them with grilled hamburgers or chicken. My husband grills the hamburgers and I smash the potatoes…we make a good team! Thanks for an easy and great tasting recipe.
Hi Connie, I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for this wonderful review!
Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome!
Hi Natasha! I tried these and they were awesome…everyone in my family loved it
That’s just awesome! I love it when the entire family enjoys the meal!
These were fantastic!!! So crispy, with soft and fluffy potato chunks. Full of flavor too, with the garlic salt! The whole family loved these and will definitely be put in the regular rotation.
Sounds like you found a new favorite Katie! That’s so great! Thank you for sharing that awesome review with me!
Hi Natasha, I love your recipes. I have tried these potatoes and they are great. Everything I have tried that you cook is great. I did half of my potatoes exactly like you did them. The other half I put onion on them, (my husband and I love onions) they were so good. We ate everyone of yours and mine. I have tried making, chicken, rice, broccoli and cheese cassarole several times, but for some reason I can’t seem to get it right. I would love to see how you make yours. Thanks again, Deborah Roland
So fantastic to hear that, Deborah. I’m so glad that you’re loving the recipes that you’ve tried so far. Keep it up and thanks!
Hi Natasha, the smashed potatoes look really good. Would you create a recipe for caramel/candy apples? I love them and they are one of my fall favorites, including your pumpkin bread.
Thank you Simone! Thank you for that suggestion! I will add that to my list!
Hello from Romania! I love your recipes.
I’m so inspired and happy to hear that!
Hi Tash,
I made the avocado mango chicken salad. I was absolutely wonderful. I’m going to make for my parents next week. When I made mine i did not use any salt and it was still wonderful and full of flavor.
Great to hear that you love it! I hope you enjoy every recipe that you will try.
Really good. Wow. But Adding a bit off bacon on top makes it even better. Juicer
Yum! Great idea! Thank you for that wonderful review.
Hi Natasha
I have recently come across your site and am loving it.
I have already tried some of your recipes and a big tick from my husband.
Since the air fryers are so popular at the moment maybe you could do some recipes suitable for air frying.
Thanks
Barb
Thank you for your suggestion, have you already tried my Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe?
They went over at the Fire House, could have used another 5 lbs. Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed that!
Tried these potatoes tonight and loved them with grilled steaks and creamed peas and carrots, can’t wait to serve them to company.
I can’t for you to have them taste this too. I hope they all love it!
I see that you start boiling the water first and then put the potatoes in it. I was taught to place the potatoes in cold water first and then boil. Is there any difference in the two ways ?
Hi Frank, that is the method we used here but I think it will work fine both ways.
Can I use regular foil to line the pan
Hi Patty, foil should work – it just tends to stick more so you might spray it with cooking spray to help with that.
These look very good I will be trying
Go for it, Gwen. Hope you love it!
Facile et très bon !!!!
I’m so glad you liked that!
Can I use bigger potatoes and cut into quarters for the smashed potato recipe?
Hi Reina, it’s do-able but not ideal since they won’t smash very pretty with part of the skin missing.