It’s official. Smashed potatoes is my favorite accoutrement to almost any protein. Roasted until perfectly crisp on the outside, salty, with a little hint of garlic and herbs, and mushy, moist on the inside. Flavors that make up the almost perfect side dish. It’s like the love child of mashed potatoes and French fries.
But what are the secrets to that P E R F E C T smash? Let me tell you, because it’s real simple.
1. Use small potatoes, and for the love of God, don’t peel them. This perhaps goes without saying, but I’ve seen some disturbing recipes where people peel the potatoes. Don’t, the peel is what keeps the potato together, and it actually significantly adds to the crispiness.
2. Let the potatoes rest a bit after boiling and smashing. This contributes to the crispy surface, as the crust of the potato dries out after the boil.
3. Use butter. I love olive oil, and I actually use a little bit in this smashed potatoes recipe – but BUTTER is the secret to ultra-decadent crispy potatoes. (Don’t OVER-butter the taters though) And yes, if you want to make this vegan – I’ll allow you to stick to all olive oil.
4. Side note, you can play around with almost any herb or spice you like. Smoked paprika? Sure! Thyme? Absolutely! Rosemary? Chives? Black pepper? Hell yeah! Cumin, chili flakes and BBQ rub are other favorites.
OK, let’s get to the recipe.
How to Make Crispy Smashed Potatoes at Home
Step 1 – Boil the potatoes
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
Step 2 – Smash and rest
Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet. Use a fork or potato masher to press each one down until slightly flattened, keeping them in one piece. Let them rest for 10 minutes so the surface can dry out — this helps them crisp in the oven.
Step 3 – Coat with butter and oil
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Brush or drizzle lightly over the potatoes, making sure each one is coated but not swimming in fat. Let them sit for another 10 minutes so the butter soaks in.
Step 4 – Bake until crisp
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40–60 minutes, depending on size, until the edges are deeply crisp. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
Potato type: Baby Yukon Golds or new potatoes work best — their skins hold up well to smashing.
Resting time: The two resting periods (before and after buttering) are crucial. They dry out the surface and give you a better crust.
Butter vs. olive oil: Butter gives richness and crisp edges, while olive oil helps keep things lighter. For a vegan version, use only olive oil.
Flavor variations: Add smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, or even a BBQ rub before baking for a different spin.
FAQ – Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Can I use larger potatoes?
Yes, just cut them into halves or quarters before boiling, then smash as usual. But, I personally prefer the smaller ones, I feel like the crispiness gets more even.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
No, don’t — the skin keeps them intact and adds to the crispness.
Why rest after boiling?
Letting the potatoes dry a bit makes the surface rougher and helps the butter and oil cling better, which means crispier edges.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can boil and smash the potatoes a few hours in advance. Add butter and bake when you’re ready to serve.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Place them back on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes.

The Crispiest Smashed Potatoes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 People
Description
Smashed potatoes sit somewhere between mashed potatoes and French fries — soft inside, crisp on the outside, and full of the flavors you layer onto them. They’re a side dish that works with nearly any main course, and they’re also the kind of thing that rarely makes it to the table before someone picks one off the tray.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds small potatoes (about 700 g)
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch parsley flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for boiling water)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet. Use a fork or potato masher to press each one down until slightly flattened, keeping them in one piece. Let them rest for 10 minutes so the surface can dry out — this helps them crisp in the oven.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Brush or drizzle lightly over the potatoes, making sure each one is coated but not swimming in fat. Let them sit for another 10 minutes so the butter soaks in.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40–60 minutes, depending on size, until the edges are deeply crisp. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.
Equipment
Notes
Potato type: Baby Yukon Golds or new potatoes work best — their skins hold up well to smashing.
Resting time: The two resting periods (before and after buttering) are crucial. They dry out the surface and give you a better crust.
Butter vs. olive oil: Butter gives richness and crisp edges, while olive oil helps keep things lighter. For a vegan version, use only olive oil.
Flavor variations: Add smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, or even a BBQ rub before baking for a different spin.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Appeitzer, Side
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: French American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 315mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 11mg
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Insanely good!
I love love LOVE this recipe. Have made it dozens of times and always comes out perfect.
My family is obsessed with this recipe, and my kids are asking me to make it over and over again with almost every single protein. I’ve served it with salmon, steak, sausages, and just fried eggs, and every time it is a huge success at our dinner table.
This is by far the best smashed potato recipe I have ever tried – and I have tried MANY!!
This looks SUPER GOOD!!
On the first try, these came out so great! I loved how crispy they were, but the inside was still smooth and mushy. Thanks for a great recipe.
Amazing recipe, huge success with the whole family!
These turned out crispy, golden and delicious. Will definitely be my go to potato prep!
I tried so many different smashed potato recipes and this was the best by far. The potatoes were super crispy and perfectly seasoned while taking just minutes to make! If you’re looking for a great mashed potato recipe, you should give this one a try!
Very happy to hear they turned out great!