Hey there, friends! Today we are fixing to whip up a comforting, golden treat that will turn any ordinary weeknight dinner into an absolute celebration. Now, we all love a good mashed potato, but sometimes you just crave that perfect, satisfying crunch. That is exactly why you need to try these incredible garlic butter smashed potatoes at your next family gathering.
Next, let me tell you that we are combining two cooking worlds to achieve the ultimate texture profile today. We are creating boiled and baked baby potatoes that are fluffy on the inside but boasts an unbelievably crunchy outer shell. Then, you get a beautiful plate of food that works perfectly as a casual weekday treat or shines brightly among your favorite holiday potato side recipes.
Also, my kitchen is all about honest, delicious meals that do not require fancy, complicated tools to taste spectacular. Grab yourself a cold glass of sweet tea, and let us throw down in the kitchen with this foolproof, crowd-pleasing easy potato side dish!
What You Need For Parmesan Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Before we get to cooking, let us gather up our simple ingredients right on the counter. Next, make sure your baking sheet is nice and large so your potatoes have plenty of room to spread out and crisp up properly.
The Wholesome Ingredients
- The Spuds: Two pounds of small, uniform Yukon Gold or red cocktail potatoes, which are the absolute best potatoes for smashing.
- The Rich Coating: One stick of unsalted butter, melted down and mixed with plenty of extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic & Seasoning: Four cloves of fresh garlic, minced fine, along with coarse kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and dried parsley.
- The Cheesy Finish: Half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for creating perfect parmesan garlic smashed potatoes.
Recommended Tools
Then, you simply need a large boiling pot, a colander, a rimmed baking sheet, and a flat-bottomed glass or a sturdy measuring cup. Also, if you love pairing crunchy, golden potato sides with simple, flavorful proteins, you can check out my tips for making a juicy greek-yogurt-chicken or even a plate of savory mediterranean-chicken-kabobs to complete your dinner menu.
How To Make Smashed Potatoes Crispy Step-by-Step
Next, we will break down the exact process so your potatoes turn out beautifully flat, intact, and incredibly crunchy every single time.
Step 1: Boil the Baby Potatoes
First, wash your small potatoes thoroughly under cold running water but leave those thin, nutrient-rich skins completely intact. Next, place the potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water, adding a generous tablespoon of salt. Then, bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat on your stovetop. Also, let them cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until they are completely fork-tender all the way through the center.
Step 2: Let the Steam Dry
Next, dump your cooked potatoes into a colander in the sink to drain off all the hot water. Then, leave them sitting in the colander for a good 5 minutes so all the surface moisture can evaporate completely. Also, this simple trick is essential for how to make smashed potatoes crispy because excess water will steam your potatoes in the oven instead of roasting them. Next, spread them out onto your oiled baking sheet.
Step 3: Gently Smash the Spuds
Now, take your flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup and grease the bottom slightly so it does not stick to the warm potato flesh. Next, use a gentle, even downward pressure to flatten each potato into a single, cohesive disc. Then, stop pressing once the potato is about a half-inch thick so the skin and flesh stay beautifully held together. Also, mix your melted butter, olive oil, and minced garlic in a small bowl, then brush it generously over each smashed disc.
Step 4: Bake to a Bubbly Crunch
Finally, slide your loaded baking sheet into a fully preheated oven at 400°F and roast them for about 15 minutes. Next, pull the pan out once the edges start turning golden brown and look like perfect crispy oven smashed potatoes. Then, sprinkle your grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each potato disc. Also, return the pan to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts completely into a bubbly, savory crust.
Excellent Ways to Serve and Enjoy Smashed Potatoes
Next, let us talk about how to pair this versatile side dish with your favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner recipes. Then, you can see just how quickly these disappear from the table.
Comforting Dinner Pairings
Also, these golden spuds make a spectacular companion next to a juicy grilled steak, roasted pork chops, or crispy baked chicken. Next, you can spoon a little extra garlic butter right over the top of your meat for an extra layer of decadence. Then, if you want a lighter meal setup, they taste absolutely incredible served alongside a fresh green salad or a warm savory-cottage-cheese-bowl for lunch.
Cozy Breakfast and Brunch Twists
Next, you can easily transform leftovers into a fantastic weekend brunch option. Then, just reheat the crispy potato discs in a hot skillet and serve them right next to a tasty-vegan-chickpea-omelette or layered inside a hearty breakfast platter. Also, they provide the absolute perfect crunch when paired with a fresh fruit dish like my sweet banana-split-breakfast to start your morning off with plenty of heart.
FAQs
What are the best types of potatoes to use for smashed potatoes?
Small, bite-sized potatoes with thinner skins work best for this recipe. Next, Yukon Gold potatoes are highly recommended because their lower starch profile gives them a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor. Then, their thin skins crisp up beautifully in the oven without needing to be peeled at all. Also, baby red or yellow cocktail potatoes make excellent alternative choices for your dinner table.
How do you smash the potatoes without them completely crumbling apart?
The trick to keeping them whole is twofold. Next, you must ensure they are perfectly fork-tender all the way through before you even attempt to flatten them. Then, always use a gentle, even downward pressure with a flat-bottomed object like a sturdy glass, a non-stick potato masher, or the back of a large slotted spatula. Also, press down just enough to flatten the potato into a single cohesive disc while keeping the skin and flesh intact.
Why are my smashed potatoes not getting crispy in the oven?
Lack of crunch usually comes down to excess moisture or not using enough fat on your baking sheet. Next, after boiling your spuds, make sure to drain them thoroughly and let them steam dry for a few minutes so all the surface moisture evaporates. Then, do not skimp on the oil or melted butter coating. Also, ensure your oven is fully preheated to a hot 400°F, or use your broil setting during the final minutes to rapidly crisp up those jagged edges.
When should I add the Parmesan cheese to the smashed potatoes?
To prevent your cheese from burning before the spuds have a chance to turn golden brown, add the grated Parmesan during the last few minutes of cooking. Next, bake the potatoes with your garlic butter mixture first for 15 minutes. Then, pull the baking sheet completely out of the oven and sprinkle your cheese over the tops. Also, return it to the oven just until the cheese turns completely melted and bubbly.
Wrap-Up: Pin This Crispy Side Dish For Later
Next time you need an easy, comforting side dish that brings instant joy to your dinner table, you know exactly what to make. These garlic butter smashed potatoes deliver a wonderful combination of a fluffy center and a crispy, cheesy crunch that your family will ask for week after week. Then, you get a beautiful platter of wholesome goodness with almost no cleanup involved.
Also, I would love to hear how your crispy spuds turned out! Next, leave me a sweet comment down below and let me know if you used baby red or Yukon Gold potatoes for your recipe. Then, do not forget to share this comfort meal with your loved ones. Pin this image to your favorite Pinterest side dish board so you can always find it when that comfort food craving strikes!
Print
Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes: The Ultimate Crispy Side Dish
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
An easy garlic butter smashed potatoes recipe that creates perfectly crispy oven smashed potatoes. Boiled and baked baby potatoes are seasoned with garlic butter and topped with melted parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
2 lbs baby Yukon Gold or red potatoes
1 tbsp Salt (for boiling water)
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
1 tbsp Dried Parsley
Instructions
1. Place the baby potatoes into a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until fork-tender.
2. Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander and let them steam dry for 5 minutes to remove surface moisture.
3. Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Arrange the dried potatoes on the sheet pan.
4. Use the flat bottom of a glass to gently press straight down on each potato, flattening it into a half-inch thick disc.
5. In a small bowl, whisk the melted butter, olive oil, and minced garlic together. Brush the mixture generously over each smashed potato and season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the tops, and bake for another 5 minutes until melted and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Letting the potatoes steam dry completely after boiling is key to getting them extra crunchy. Add the cheese at the very end so it melts beautifully without burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Air Fryer Recipes
- Method: Boiled and Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 smashed potatoes
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: garlic butter smashed potatoes, crispy oven smashed potatoes, parmesan garlic smashed potatoes, easy potato side dish
