Skip to Content

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Updated January 21, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

Crisp and golden-brown on the outside, creamy in the middle, our crispy smashed potatoes recipe makes the starchy side dish you need on your table ASAP!

a plate of crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with salt and garlic sprinkled with chives and served with garlic aioli
Photography by Gayle McLeod

We LOVE potatoes in all shapes and forms. We love Classic Mashed Potatoes, Twice Baked Potatoes, we love Au Gratin and Scalloped Potatoes, too. Today, we’re in love with this perfect crispy smashed potatoes recipe! It is everything a potato side dish should be; crispy edges, and creamy perfection on the inside. Take this idea to the next level and try our Smashed Potato Salad, or for a fancy potato side dish, try our classic, buttery Hasselback Potatoes! The very best crispy smashed potatoes are just a few quick steps away! Grab a fork and try not to burn your mouth when you dig in.

baby yukon gold potatoes olive oil, salt, garlic powder, chives & garlic aoili in prep bowls to make crispy smashed potatoes

Crispy Smashed Potatoes Ingredients

  • Potatoes: Waxy potatoes are best for making smashed potatoes (like Yukon Golds) and we like to use the ‘baby’ varieties, just because they’re so easy to work with, they taste rich and buttery even before you season them, and cook evenly to perfection.

  • Salt: Salt is a must! It makes these rich and buttery potatoes taste a bit like the biggest, best French fry ever.

  • Olive oil: You’ll need oil for roasting and for richness.

  • Garlic: Though we often work with fresh garlic, granulated garlic is best here because it’ll get into every nook and cranny of your smashed potatoes (and they’ll have lots of crispy, delicious nooks and crannies!)

  • Fresh herbs: Because they look pretty and taste delicious. Any herbs you love would work here — we love chives and fresh dill.

baby yukon gold potatoes being boiled in a pot of salted water
boiled potatoes being thoroughly dried on a kitchen towel

How To Make Crispy Smashed Potatoes

  1. Boil the potatoes to creamy, tender perfection! Lay them on an oiled baking sheet and....

  2. SMASH those potatoes! Using the bottom of a highball glass or sturdy measuring cup to gently press down on potatoes until potatoes. .

  3. Season the smashed potatoes with olive oil, salt and garlic.

  4. Bake! 450°F for about 25 minutes. Finish them with fresh herbs.

boiled potatoes being smashed on a baking sheet
boiled potatoes smashed then baked seasoned with olive oil, salt and garlic on a baking sheet

A Trick For Making Roast Potatoes Crispy

The secret to the best crispy roast potatoes is boiling the potatoes to perfection before making them smashed and crispy! 20 minutes in boiling, salted water will yield that gorgeous creamy inside that makes smashed potatoes so irresistible. That way, the only work that needs to happen in the oven is crisp-ification. The smashing of the boiled potatoes also helps with the crispness factor, creating a nice even surface area for heat and oil to work their crunchy, crispy magic. Make ahead tip: Boil the potatoes, smash and season them and all that you’ll need to do last minute is pop them in the oven so you can prep them ahead of time.

crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with salt and garlic sprinkled and with chives on a baking sheet

What To Serve Smashed Potatoes With

  • These are a show-stopping holiday side dish! Try them with Prime Rib or with Roast Turkey as a fun alternative to mashed potatoes.

  • Nothing more classic than a Roast Chicken dinner with these perfect potatoes on the side.

  • For a lighter meal, try serving them with Baked Salmon.

crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with salt and garlic sprinkled and with chives on a baking sheet
a plate of crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with salt and garlic sprinkled with chives and served with garlic aioli

A Smashing Success

For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper, and we’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!

End of Summer Recap: Our Best of 2025

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Summer’s greatest hits, from most-clicked meals to can’t-miss treats!

Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

  • Serves:  6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  45 min
  • Calories:  143
Print Recipe

Description

Crisp and golden-brown on the outside, creamy in the middle, our crispy smashed potatoes recipe makes the starchy side dish you need on your table ASAP!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh herbs, (we like dill, chives, and parsley)
  • ½ cup Garlic Aioli, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the center position.

    baby yukon gold potatoes olive oil, salt, garlic powder, chives & garlic aoili in prep bowls to make crispy smashed potatoes
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

    baby yukon gold potatoes being boiled in a pot of salted water
  3. Add the potatoes and cook until very soft, about 20 minutes. Drain. Dry the potatoes with a kitchen towel.

    boiled potatoes being thoroughly dried on a kitchen towel
  4. Brush a large rimmed sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Arrange the potatoes on the prepared sheet pan. Using the bottom of a measuring cup, gently press down on potatoes until they are ¼-inch thick. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and granulated garlic.

    boiled potatoes being smashed on a baking sheet
  5. Bake until crispy, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter and top with fresh herbs. Serve with aioli alongside, if using.

    a plate of crispy smashed potatoes seasoned with salt and garlic sprinkled with chives and served with garlic aioli

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 143
  • Protein 2 g
  • Carbohydrates 18 g
  • Total Fat 7 g
  • Dietary Fiber 2 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 448 mg
  • Total Sugars 1 g

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Questions & Reviews

Rated 5 stars by 8 readers

or
  • Amy

    If I only have Garlic Powder, how much should I tweak it for this recipe?

    Just use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Hope you enjoy Amy!

  • Karen

    Can I use parchment paper on my pan with the oil on the paper?

    Sure thing!

  • Joann

    Can you make smashed potatoes ahead of time and finish baking in oven dsy if serving.

    I have never tried this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work! I would maybe bring them to room temperature 1 hour before roasting them. Enjoy!

  • Coleen

    Can I used small regular potatoes?

    By regular do you mean russet? It won't' have quite the same outcome but you could try!

  • Robin

    Can you make the Chrissy smash potatoes the day before

    Sure! Just reheat in the oven. Hope you enjoy Robin!

  • Kasey

    is there a way you can prepare these in advance and reheat for serving?

    Sure! Just reheat in the oven before serving.

  • Mandi

    What are the best herbs to top the potatoes?

    We like parsley and chives! Hope you enjoy Mandi.

  • Cavalcoli,

    can the boiled,smashed potatoes be prepared ahead, through the boiling, then smashing step, then roasted at the time of the meal?

    We haven't tried it but that should work fine!

  • Tina

    How do you reheat leftover potatoes so they stay crispy?

    Reheating in the oven is your best bet!

  • Carol

    Can the potatoes be frozen for later?

    Hi Carol, yes you can freeze them after they are cooked. Wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, place in an airtight freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

  • Bebe

    5-star rating

    I died. I could NOT stop eating these. Totally addictive.

    Sorry, Baked Potatoes and Mashed, this is THE only way to eat potatoes.

    Now, I have to buy a gigantic bag of potatoes to make more.

    RIGHT?! They are the best. Thanks Bebe, so glad you loved them!

  • Mizz

    5-star rating

    Getting ready to leave the house for a month and found a bag of small yukon gold potatoes in the pantry! Great alternative to the standard steam/add pesto that I usually do. The recipe "as is" is great but the potential for other spice blends - Italian, Mex, Chinese 5-spice, etc. is limitless! I could see these at a backyard event, enlisting the kids to smash the spuds and apply the oil and possibly the spice mix. They cook up so quickly that you can just keep them coming.

    Thanks Mizz, glad you love them!

  • Tresa

    5-star rating

    I've been wanting to make these for a long time, finally did it and loved them! They are easy but "fancy" and texture was absolutely delicious. Can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch!

    Thanks Tresa!

  • Nicole

    5-star rating

    excellent recipe!! Thanks for sharing :)

    Thanks Nicole!

  • Shira

    5-star rating

    Everyone loved them. Had to make a double batch in the end it was almost finished b4 the meal started!!

    Thank you Shira, we are so happy everyone loved these!

  • Martin

    5-star rating

    This is the very best potato recipe that I have ever tried. It was exactly like it was described. I will be making this instead of frying french fries. Thanks for posting it.

    Thank you Martin, we are so glad you loved these!

  • R

    5-star rating

    Made these in a small air fryer to go with Valentine’s Day steak. They were fantastic and so easy. I added some rosemary while cooking which gave additional flavour. Will be making again and would highly recommend!!!

    Thank you! We are so happy you loved them and plan to make them again! Happy we could be part of your Valentine's Day!

  • Jenn

    5-star rating

    These are one of my favorite ways I've had potatoes! Thanks for this recipe!

    Yay, that's great to hear!

Save this Recipe

Enter your email below & we'll send Crispy Smashed Potatoes to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.