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 good. I have made them once and making them a second time tonight. Be sure you cool the potatoes at least 15 minutes or they will be too hot and soft and they will break apart. I only have grated parmesan and it works out great. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks for your great feedback and tip, Cindy. That’s awesome!
I will be doing these tonight with grilled steak.
I served your strawberry cake at a dinner party everyone loved it the strawberry sauce so good i put the leftover ice cream so good
Sounds good, Dee. I hope they will enjoy this recipe too!
These are delicious! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes.
You’re welcome, Paola! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
How do you not make hem stick when you smash them!! I got so angry. I am a good cook and nothing worked the potatoes stuck to a pitta toe masher, a glass, a spatula, my hand. I tired water, I tried oil. Nothing helped it not stick
Hi Becky, if you are having a lot of trouble with sticking, you might place a sheet of parchment paper over them and then smash – they will be less likely to get stuck.
What may I use ,instead of Garlic Salt ,to achieve the crunchy texture?
Hi Maria, you could just mix equal parts of salt and garlic powder with a bit of dried parsley to make your own garlic salt, or use a different seasoning salt. This recipe is pretty versatile for seasoning.
today for Easter, I made your garlic-crusted prime rib, your smashed potatoes, and your asparagus alfredo. Everything was excellent we sang your praises during dinner. Every one of your recipes I have made and I have made a lot was delicious. Thank you so much
Wow! That sounds like the perfect Easter Dinner! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I watch you all the time on FB and love your presentation and recipes. Made your smashed potatoes and they are a hit. My husband loved them. Thank you! .When do we get a book?
I’m so happy you’re enjoying our recipes, Dorothy! I don’t have a cookbook out yet, but it’s on my list of life goals.
Prepared last night and they were delicious.
Can you pan fry them if you don’t have enough space in the oven (my oven is small and planning to cook a stuffed boned leg of lamb).
Thank you
Hi Karen, I have only tried this in the oven, so I can’t advise this would work on a pan. If you happen to experiment, I would love to know how you like that.
I made the smashed potatoes for the family last night it was a hit with everyone. Thanks so much.
Glad to hear that, Jim. Thank you for sharing that with us!
These look awesome! I will be making these this summer at out cottage! Our friends always like my new dishes I make!! This will be one for sure!!! Loved your Chicken Pot Pie!!!
I’m so happy to hear that, Karen! Thank you for your wonderful review.
I bet these would be great with real bacon bits with a side of sour cream, YUM!!
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I would love to see you make raspberry chicken breasts!
Thanks for your suggestion!
It turned out great, made them the second time now… love it!
Curious about the nutritional information though, it says “per serving”. How many potatoes to a ‘serving’?
Thank you,
Robin
Hi Robin, it depends on how many potatoes you have and how you are serving them. For the nutrition label, it is about 2 smashed potatoes as a side dish. This calls for 12-16 potatoes so it really depends on how many you have.
Can’t wait to try this recipe these Taters look absolutely
Delicious MMmmmmmmgood
I hope you try this recipe soon, Vinnie!
I tried this recipe and it was amazing, thanks for sharing!
Love to see your work. Don’t miss a one of them. Wondering if we might see you work with a pork belly. Time to see them coming out of storage.
Hello Natasha, I thank you so much for all your amazing recipes and I totally love the videos. I’ve tried many of them, they are so easy to follow and so delicious. One video I’d love to see is a recipe for Shepard’s Pie. I have not made this for a long time, but I don’t really have a good recipe. If you can add this one day I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi Susan, thank you so much for that suggestion! I am adding it to our list.
You are the best! Enjoy so much all of your recipes.
My favorite recipe for smashed potatoes. I think you need a little bit more oil but everything else is perfect – crispy and really good!
Thank you, Kristine! I’m happy that you liked this recipe.
Instead of coarse salt I sprinkled everything bagel topping right before baking and brushed them with butter when they came out. They were just right! Thanks for the recipe!
Yum – that sounds so good with everything bagel seasoning! Thank you for sharing that with us!