Description

These crispy smashed potatoes feature shatteringly crisp edges and a fluffy, cloud-like center, finished with a rich garlic herb butter. It’s an easy, budget-friendly side dish that delivers maximum crunch with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

2–3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
3–4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt (for boiling)
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
4–5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (leaves stripped)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
Flaky sea salt (for finishing)

Instructions

Wash potatoes thoroughly and cut them in half (or quarters if large). Do not peel.
Fill a large pot with cold water, add 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and bring to a boil.
Add potatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender but not falling apart.
Drain potatoes and let them sit in a colander for 5 minutes to dry out and release steam.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place warm potatoes on the baking sheet and smash them flat to about ½ inch thick using a masher or heavy glass.
Drizzle or brush each potato with oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
While potatoes bake, mix softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Parmesan in a small bowl.
Remove potatoes from oven and immediately brush or drizzle with the garlic herb butter.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not skip the drying step after boiling; wet potatoes will steam instead of crisp. Smash potatoes while they are still warm for best results. For extra crispiness, you can flip them halfway through baking. Avoid microwaving leftovers as they will become chewy; reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 smashed potato
Calories: 280
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 320
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 3
Protein: 5

Keywords: crispy smashed potatoes, garlic herb butter, side dish, easy recipe, holiday sides, roasted potatoes, vegetarian side