If you’re craving a side dish that’s loaded with flavor, golden crispy edges, and tender fluffy insides, you’ll adore this Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe. It’s the perfect comfort food that feels fancy enough for guests but is ridiculously easy to make any night of the week. Imagine bite-sized potatoes smashed just enough to get that perfect surface area for maximum crispiness, infused with fragrant garlic, Mediterranean seasoning, and a buttery finish. Whether you’re serving it with a weeknight dinner or impressing at a weekend gathering, these potatoes never fail to bring smiles and satisfied sighs all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe shines because it uses simple, wholesome ingredients that combine beautifully to create irresistible flavor and texture. Each component plays an essential role to make sure your potatoes come out perfectly crispy and aromatic every time.
- 2 pounds small potatoes (skin on): Choose baby Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best creamy interior and thin skins that crisp up wonderfully.
- 4 tablespoons olive oil: Adds richness and helps develop that golden crust on each smashed potato.
- 5 cloves garlic (minced): Garlic infuses the potatoes with its warm, savory punch — the heart of this dish’s amazing aroma.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried thyme): These herbs bring a lovely Mediterranean touch with hints of oregano and basil or thyme’s earthy notes.
- Salt & pepper (to taste): Enhances all the flavors while balancing the buttery garlic goodness.
- 2 tablespoons butter (chopped): Adds a luscious, silky finish that melts into every crispy crevice for pure indulgence.
How to Make Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Potatoes
Begin by boiling your small potatoes in well-salted water with their skins on until they are fork-tender. This ensures the insides remain moist and soft without falling apart later. Drain them thoroughly so no excess water interferes with browning.
Step 2: Preheat and Prepare
Get your oven nice and hot by preheating it to 425°F (220°C). Ready a rimmed baking sheet to catch the drippings and keep things tidy. If you want an easier cleanup, line the pan with aluminum foil, but avoid parchment paper as it won’t crisp the potatoes the way you want.
Step 3: Season the Potatoes
While the potatoes are still hot, toss them in a bowl with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Don’t skip this step because the heat helps the potatoes soak up all these flavors—and all those bits of garlic and herbs get everyone’s taste buds dancing.
Step 4: Smash Each Potato
Transfer the seasoned potatoes to your baking sheet, including all the tasty oil left in the bowl. Use a potato masher, a sturdy glass, or a measuring cup to gently press down on each potato until about half an inch thick. The key here is smashing enough to create a rough surface for maximum crispness without turning them into a mash.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Top each smashed potato with a small chunk of butter. The butter melts and seeps into every nook, enhancing crispiness and flavor. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the potatoes turn a beautiful golden brown with irresistibly crispy edges. Serve them hot from the oven because that fresh, crunchy texture is unbeatable.
How to Serve Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes make these crispy garlic smashed potatoes even more inviting. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and mild freshness. A dusting of grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish. And for some heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of spicy aioli can transform the dish into something extraordinary.
Side Dishes
This Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe pairs beautifully with almost any main course. Think juicy grilled chicken, a herb-crusted steak, or even a seared salmon fillet. For a vegetarian meal, complement them with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for balance and variety.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your guests, serve these adorable golden mounds stacked in a small tower or arranged neatly in a rustic wooden bowl. Drizzle with extra garlic butter or a squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving to brighten the flavors. For parties, consider serving alongside dips like sour cream and chive or tangy yogurt sauce to invite everyone to customize their bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover crispy garlic smashed potatoes are pretty magical the next day too. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They’ll lose some of their initial crunch but still maintain amazing flavor and texture perfect for a quick reheat.
Freezing
If you want to keep these potatoes longer, freezing is an option. Arrange the smashed potatoes on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a sealed freezer-safe bag or container. They can keep up to two months frozen, making them a great make-ahead treat.
Reheating
To restore as much crispiness as possible, reheat your leftovers in a hot oven or air fryer rather than a microwave. Around 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 15 minutes will revive their crunch and keep the garlic butter flavors fresh and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I use any potato for this recipe?
While you can technically use any potato, small waxy or all-purpose potatoes like baby Yukon Golds or red potatoes work best because their even size and thin skins crisp up nicely without falling apart.
Is it necessary to peel the potatoes?
Nope! Leaving the skin on adds texture, flavor, and nutrition. Plus, it helps the potatoes hold their shape during boiling and roasting.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap the butter for a plant-based alternative or extra olive oil. The garlic and herbs still deliver plenty of flavor.
How crispy do the potatoes get?
Thanks to smashing and roasting at a high temperature, your potatoes get golden brown with crispy edges and bottoms while keeping a soft, fluffy center. It’s the best of both worlds.
What should I serve these with?
These crispy garlic smashed potatoes are incredibly versatile. They pair wonderfully with roasted meats, fish, or grilled vegetables and work well in casual or elegant meals.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe is one of those dishes that immediately feels like a cozy hug on a plate. It’s simple to prepare, bursting with garlic flavor, and delivers that perfectly satisfying crunch every time. I can’t wait for you to try making it and see how it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen as it has in mine!
Print
Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes are golden, crunchy on the outside, and tender on the inside, infused with fragrant garlic and Italian seasoning. Perfect as a flavorful side dish, they combine the ease of boiling and roasting to achieve the ultimate crispy texture.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds small potatoes (skin on; Yukon Gold or baby red potatoes recommended)
Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried thyme)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons butter (chopped)
Instructions
- Prep potatoes: Boil the small potatoes whole in well-salted water until they are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes depending on potato size. Drain them thoroughly.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a rimmed baking sheet. For easier cleanup, line the sheet with aluminum foil — parchment is not recommended, as it prevents crisping.
- Season potatoes: While the potatoes are still hot, toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to evenly coat. Transfer all to the baking sheet, making sure to include any remaining oil from the bowl.
- Smash potatoes: Using a potato masher, measuring cup, or the bottom of a sturdy glass, gently press down on each potato until it flattens but stays intact, creating a larger surface area for crisping.
- Bake: Top each smashed potato with a small piece of chopped butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully golden and crispy. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Use small to medium-sized potatoes such as Yukon Gold or baby red potatoes for best results.
- Boiling the potatoes with skin on locks in moisture and nutrients.
- Do not use parchment paper for lining the baking sheet as it prevents the potatoes from crisping properly.
- Add fresh chopped rosemary or parsley after baking for an herbal freshness.
- For extra crispiness, allow potatoes to sit uncovered for a few minutes before smashing to dry out the skins.
