Smashed Potatoes

Last Updated June 25th, 2021 at 04:35 pm by Lisa

Smashed Potatoes served with melted herb butter are one of the most heavenly potato recipes. These crispy potatoes are a beautiful side dish for a family dinner, romantic date nights, holidays, or a dinner party.

Soft fluffy centers, a golden-brown crust on the bottom, and those crunchy edges are simply addictive...

Top Tips

• Allow the potatoes to rest in the colander for 5 minutes after boiling to release steam, this will help them get crispier golden edges.
• After smashing them, again allow the steam to release for a few minutes before putting the olive oil on, it helps them get those golden-brown tops.
• A 1.5-pound bag of baby potatoes has about 12 potatoes in it, approximately 6 adult servings.
• Use a potato masher, a small water glass, or a meat tenderizer mallet. Gently press down, not all the way through, just until they spread out.
• Use a fork to release the potato from the masher while smashing.
• You can add regular butter or herb butter when they come out of the oven.
• If using large potatoes instead of baby potatoes, you will need to bake them for 50-55 minutes, and they won't get as crispy.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, and a little more salt and pepper if you wish.

You Will Need

Let's Bake Them!

Smashed Potatoes

1. Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water by 1 inch.
2. Add 1 teaspoon sea salt to the water, and turn the heat on high.
3. Boil baby potatoes for 20 minutes until fork tender. Larger potatoes will take longer until fork tender.
4. Remove potatoes from the hot water, and place in a colander, let cool down, and steam escape for 5 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place potatoes on an ungreased large sheet pan.
6. Using a potato masher, gently press down until the potato goes flat but not all the way through, and still retains overall shape. Use a fork to help release the potato masher if it sticks.
7. After all the potatoes are smashed, let them rest for 5 more minutes to release more steam, this helps them get gorgeous golden color and those crispy edges. The thicker parts of the potatoes will stay soft and fluffy when cooked.
8. Brush each with olive oil, sprinkle sea salt and fresh cracked pepper all over. Pop into the oven for 45 minutes at 400 degrees until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
9. Serve with butter or herb butter while they are hot.

Herb Butter (Compound Butter)

Herb Butter (aka compound butter or flavored butter) is easy to make, top vegetables, hot pasta, sizzling steak, warm baguettes, or rolls.

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Smashed Potatoes

Smashed Potatoes are a heavenly comfort food dinner recipe. Serve this potato recipe with melted or herb butter for family dinner tonight!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 260kcal

Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Potato Masher

Large Metal Sheet Pan

Ingredients

Smashed Potatoes

• 1.5 pounds baby yellow potatoes (12 small potatoes)
• olive oil
• herb butter

Herb Butter

• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup fresh herbs - minced thyme parsley, rosemary, basil, and thyme (other herbs to try: sage, dill, chives, tarragon, oregano, or marjoram)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Smashed Potatoes

• Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water by 1 inch.
• Add 1 teaspoon sea salt to the water, and turn heat on high.
• Boil baby potatoes for 20 minutes until fork tender. Larger potatoes will take longer until fork tender.
• Remove potatoes from the hot water, and place in a colander, let cool down and steam escape for 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place potatoes on an ungreased large sheet pan.
• Using a potato masher, gently press down until the potato goes flat but not all the way through, and still retains overall shape. Use a fork to help release the potato masher if it sticks.
• After all the potatoes are smashed, let them rest 5 more minutes to release more steam, this helps them get the a gorgeous golden color and those crispy edges. The thicker parts of the potatoes will stay soft and fluffy when cooked.
• Brush each with olive oil, sprinkle sea salt and fresh cracked pepper all over. Pop into the oven for 45 minutes at 400 degrees until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
• Serve with butter or herb butter while they are hot.

Herb Butter

• Leave butter out at room temperature for a few hours to soften. If you cut the cube into little cubes and it will soften faster.
• Snip fresh herbs in a glass jar with kitchen scissors until the herbs are finely minced or chop on a board. I like to use parsley, rosemary, basil, and thyme.
• Mix soft butter, 3-4 tablespoons finely chopped herbs, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper. Optional, add finely crushed garlic!
• Place your herb butter in a small sealed container. Try it on toasted bread, steak, fish, or vegetables.

Notes

baby potatoes

You can make this recipe using different kinds of potatoes.  I used baby yellow potatoes, a 1.5-pound bag has 12 potatoes. The small size of the potato helps them cook faster and get crisper. Large potatoes will be fluffy but not as golden and crisp. 

butter

Melt regular butter on the potatoes when done, or make herb butter. If you love garlic, add crushed garlic into the herb butter, it is delicious. 

reheating

The best way to eat smashed potatoes is fresh out of the oven, you can reheat the leftover ones on a sheet pan, at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until hot. 

mashers

If you don't have a potato masher, you can use a meat tenderizer or a large serving fork to press them down.

Top Tips

• Allow the potatoes to rest in the colander for 5 minutes after boiling to release steam, this will help them get crispier golden edges.
• After smashing them, again allow the steam to release for a few minutes before putting the olive oil on, it helps them get those golden-brown tops.
• A 1.5-pound bag of baby potatoes has about 12 potatoes in it, approximately 6 adult servings.
• Use a potato masher, a small water glass, or a meat tenderizer mallet. Gently press down, not all the way through, just until they spread out.
• Use a fork to release the potato from the masher while smashing.
• You can add regular butter or herb butter when they come out of the oven.
• If using large potatoes instead of baby potatoes, you will need to bake them for 50-55 minutes, and they won't get as crispy.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, and a little more salt and pepper if you wish.

 

 

 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

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