Introducing your new favourite potato recipe – buttery, crispy SMASHED POTATOES! Crazy crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, there’s a serious risk that only half of these will make it to the dinner table….
Smashed Potatoes
Let me introduce you to your new favourite way with potatoes.
SMASHED!
CRISPY!
BUTTERY!!
Buttery CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES!
Best ever potato recipe!
If you are yet to experience the joys of crispy smashed potatoes, and my first experience was only 3 years ago when I was introduced to them by Claire from Sprinkles and Sprouts, a fellow Australian food blogger, these are going to change your potato game forever.
These taste like buttery french fries, albeit they are look completely different. “Rustic”, I declare loftily. They’re fluffy on the inside, and ultra crispy on both the underside and on the surface. All those ridges are the best! Forget squashing them neat and flat – the more nubbly the surface, the better the crunch!!!
Tips to make ultra crispy smashed potatoes
Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes are straight forward to make – boil, squish, drizzle, bake – but there are two little tips I’ve discovered along the way:
-
Let the potatoes steam dry a bit after smashing them. This ensures optimum crispiness!
-
Use butter and a touch of oil. Because butter = flavour, oil ensures more even and better browning and crispiness. Can’t use just butter because it burns in the oven at high temperatures.
Also, you can totally feel free to add flavourings like garlic and dried herbs, but they do burn a bit so you’ll get little black bits on the surface. In all honesty, these are so tasty as they are, they don’t need anything more! (In my personal, potato-opinion)
How to serve Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
I would be totally happy just munching on these as a snack. And if I had a larger oven, or multiple ovens, I would make loads of these and serve them as a snack at gatherings. Because if you make these with small potatoes as I have done, they are perfect finger food snacking size.
But I typically serve these on the side of mains. It will go with pretty much any Western dish, from pork chops to fish, chicken to steak. Try it on the side of this Steak with Creamy Peppercorn Sauce, these Lemon Garlic Marinated Pork Chops, these Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs or this Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast.
However you plan to serve these Crispy Smashed Potatoes, it has your name written all over it. Do it, do it, do it! – Nagi x
More potato recipes
- Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes (side dish or to nibble)
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sometimes it helps to have a visual, so watch me make these Crispy Smashed Potatoes!!
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Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Potatoes - choose:
- 700g / 1.4 lb small potatoes (12 - 14) (Note 1)
- 1 - 1.2kg / 2 - 2.4lb medium potatoes (6 - 8)
Cooking:
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling)
- 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter , melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt (for sprinkling)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Finely chopped parsley , optional garnish
Instructions
- Cook potatoes: Bring a pot of water to the boil, add 1 tbsp salt. Cook potatoes until soft - small ones should take around 20 to 25 minutes, medium ones might take 30 minutes. It's ok if the skin splits. Alternatively, steam or microwave them.
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).
- Steam dry: Drain the potatoes and let them dry in the colander for 5 minutes or so.
- Smash! Place on the tray then use a large fork or potato masher to squish them, keeping them in one piece. Thin = crisper. Thicker = fluffier insides. (Both good!) More nubbly surface = better crunch!
- Steam dry again: Leave on the tray to steam dry for 5 minutes or so - makes them crispier!
- Drizzle: Drizzle with butter, then olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Bake for 45 minutes (small potatoes) to 55 minutes (medium) or until deep golden and crispy. Do not flip!
- Serve hot, sprinkled with parsley if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
When I travel, Dozer stays with a golden retriever boarder. Rumbling with his friends, a whirlwind of fur chasing each other around the backyard, somersaulting across the lounge room as they tumble.
I’m told he’s internally fretting about me. 😂
Jm says
Tip- do not use a potato masher or fork. It will just go right through the tongs and you’ll end up with a big mess. Get a sturdy flat bottom drinking glass and press them down. Keeps them together and way less mess!
Nagi says
Good tip JM! N x
Sandi laird says
How do you take 1 TBS of olive oil and distribute it among 3 lbs of potatoes?
With an eye dropper??
Nagi says
Hi Sandi – it’s 1.5 lbs, (not 3) and if it’s easier for you then mix the butter and oil together first before drizzling over the potatoes! N x
Carl Hack says
I made your Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes for a dinner party last evening and I’m glad I made lots. You are right about this recipe becoming a favorite way to make potatoes. They were crispy on the outside and velvety soft in the center. What more can you ask for. Thank you for sharing this wonderful preparation.
Dawn says
I don’t have unsalted butter. Hope salted wind
Dawn says
Works
Elizabeth says
I’ve made these several times and they are SO good and my family loves them as well. One of my favorite recipes!
Anthony says
I’ve made these many times and it’s a great recipe. Also works well with Brussels sprouts, but you have to watch them case they burn.
Grace Couchman says
Hi. I wondered what herb you used at the end as a garnish on the potatoes
Anne Marie says
Hi Grace, dry or fresh dill is also lovely on potatoes 🙂
Nagi says
Parsley, Grace! N x
Brien says
Hi Nagi, I really enjoy reading your lively asides as you tell us about your luscious dishes. Brings a smile to my face.
The only downside for me is Dozer, I don’t know how you manage to live in a house where the dog even goes into the living room and shower, gives me the creeps. I’m a guy living in a house where the dog somehow gets its fleas on the sofa cushions, so that I get them. I really have to work hard to make sure my shoes are not coated in the animal’s fur and dander. I’ve had terrible runs because the mutt has come to the kitchen door leaving its hairs and other stuff floating in the air. Anyway, thought I’d let you know that while I like dogs, I firmly believe they should not come in my house. Have a Great Day!
Sasa says
Mate, you’re doing something wrong. I’ve had dogs and cats for 20 years and never had fleas. I also would like to know how you figured out that your runs were caused by your dog coming to the kitchen door? If that really is the case I’d strongly suggest you work on your gut flora as your immune system is in need of a tune up.
Brad says
For a second, I thought the reviews were for Smashed Potatoes, and not Smash Brien. Silly me!
Timothy GIl says
I know there are trolls out there just stirring thing up for their own enjoyment and I expect it on YouTube, Twitter or Instagram but in a cooking blog about a potato recipe you choose THIS place to comment on your borderline certifiable issues with dogs is about as disturbing as it is laughable. Good luck to your dog in it’s future, hopefully a new home will be in it’s future.
Jasmin says
Brien…. you are a terrible person…it is you that belongs outside, not your lovely dog…I agree with everyone else that said you should find a new home for him…because living with you must be awful for the poor thing… must say I think you are the one giving him fleas not the other way around.. PS if you didn’t know about flea control you probably are irresponsible in worming your dog too… hope you don’t give the DOG your worms.
Rachel Amey says
Please, find a good home for your dog bc you obviously are not providing one. He should not have fleas. Your job to fix. You need to CARE for your pup, not just keep him alive. Don’t lock him out. Find him a home where he’s welcome. Please.
Sarah says
You sound like an irresponsible and cruel pet owner, Brien. If there’s dog hair and dander and fleas all over your house, that’s YOUR fault, not your dog’s!
Lorna says
Hi Brian,
Your dog must be going somewhere to get the fleas.
It is your responsibility to make sure he is treated for fleas and anything else that is likely to cause him stress or pain.
He also should be bathed and brushed. He should not be locked outside
He is part of your family and should be treated like it.
If you can’t do this, then maybe you should give him up to someone that can
Susan says
Rehome your dog to humans who will appreciate this furry friend. As contributors have said, dogs love unconditionally. Humans can be harsh.
Cheryl says
Dogs are BETTER than humans. They love you without conditions & don’t know the meaning of nasty. Their ‘dander’ doesn’t have any taste when you find it in your food. Fleas are controlled by a monthly drop on their neck. They are Angels & should be worshipped. Lives are BETTER with dogs.
Susanne says
Hi. Have you heard of flea medicine. It works great. We love dogs and we love Dozer. We have loved having our dogs in the house. We keep them clean and our house clean. Dogs left outside in terrible weather is just cruel in our opinion. Please leave Dozer alone. He’s just fine. Nagi takes great care of him.
Sarah says
Brien are you for real? If I could I’d be taking your dog off you/reporting you. Anyone that calls a beautiful animal a ‘mutt’ and says they have fleas is not ok at all in my books. Get a life.
Dozerisfine says
Bro this is unhinged.
deb says
Seriously Brien,😳 some folk substitute pets for humans as family, for numerous reasons not least of all they give us far less emotional grief. Pets love unconditionally and only ask for food, shelter and TLC in return. When the chips are down, I’d choose a pet over a human – okay they are a bit of work including extra housekeeping, but they enrich lives of many, especially those who live alone.
bhavana says
That looks yum! Thanks for sharing it.
Bethany says
Just made for my boyfriend and I and the whole tray was gone within 10 minutes! Amazing.
Heebee says
Love this recipe. I use a sheet of baking paper between potato masher and potatoes when smashing: super fast and no mess
Nagi says
Great tip Heebee! N x
Carol says
Made these last Thanksgiving and was sad I didn’t triple the recipe – they were so good! Question: Why the choice between 1.4 lb smaller or 2.4 lb larger potatoes, with no change in amounts of the other ingredients?
Mar says
Can u Peel the potatoes first? Don’t like to eat with skins on
Nagi says
Hi Mar – yes you could if you want to . N x
Antoinette SCHILLER says
What degree oven
5th
Nagi says
Hi Antoinette – in Step 2 of recipe thanks! N x
Anna says
I made this recipe last night.
I didn’t boil the potatoes as well as I should have (no fault of the recipe – I didn’t wait until the water was boiling when I put the potatoes in because I was trying to hurry it!).
Squashing it was a mess but I persevered and put butter (I put double the butter because the splat was all over the place because it wasn’t cooked through) and the olive oil. There were lots of black bits (I suspect burnt butter) but it still came out delicious!
I definitely will ‘actually’ follow the recommendations next time so it looks neater and fluffier.
Definitely make it – even if you make a mistake it’s still delicious. I think those odds are worth the effort. 🙂
Nagi says
I am glad it worked out for you! N x
Essam says
Hi! I love making these and I’m still tryin got perfect them, my issue is that when I smash them, the split into pieces rather than lay flat in one paddie. Any suggestions?
Sasa says
I cut crosses in the tops of the boiled potatoes to guide where the skin breaks. That way they don’t just burst open anywhere. Maybe that helped?
Michelle says
Me too! I think maybe they are not boiled enough? Not soft enough, even though they seem pretty soft, I don’t know what else it could be.
David says
Made the smashed potato earlier tasted amazing you don’t need to make potatoes any other way will make again and great to make for a starter.
Nagi says
So glad you enjoyed them, David! N x
David says
Made these smashed potatoes earlier they tasted amazing will be making them again they will be my go to potato recpie you don’t need to make potato’s any other way
Jennifer says
Hello! Can I boil and smash them ahead of time, then bake hours later? Thank you 😊
Nagi says
I haven’t tested that but I think it would work…it might take longer to get crispy since they will be cold when you bake them. N x
ted says
Chilling after smashing then baking increases the level of resistive starch, and thats a good thing. I leave mine covered in the fridge over night usually
Sasa says
Sounds like a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
Terri says
Can you make the crispy smashed potatoes with sweet potatoes?
Nagi says
Unfortunately not, they are much soft. 🙂 I’d have to figure out how to do this with sweet potato! N x