Description

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal. Boiled to tenderness, smashed, and then baked with a flavorful garlic butter mixture and parmesan cheese, these potatoes are golden, savory, and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

2 pounds (1 kg) baby potatoes

Garlic Butter Mixture

2 tbsp butter (or as needed)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste

Topping

2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Clean potatoes: Scrub the baby potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt and impurities. Prepare them for boiling by ensuring they are clean.
Boil potatoes: Place the cleaned potatoes in a large pot, cover them with water, add salt to taste, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender, depending on their size. Once done, drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C (365°F) if using a fan oven, allowing it to preheat fully while you prepare the potatoes for baking.
Smash potatoes: Lightly grease a baking tray with olive oil or line it with baking paper. Arrange the boiled potatoes on the tray. Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, gently press down on each potato to flatten it without completely mashing, creating a rough, smashed texture.
Add melted butter and garlic: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, garlic paste, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors. Drizzle this garlic butter mixture evenly over the smashed potatoes to coat them thoroughly.
Bake: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake the potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges.
Add parmesan cheese (optional): If using parmesan cheese, remove the potatoes from the oven 3 to 5 minutes before the baking time ends, sprinkle the grated cheese over the top, then return to the oven just long enough for the cheese to melt into the crispy potatoes.
Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme or additional parsley if desired and serve the garlic butter smashed potatoes immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Baby potatoes are preferred for their size and texture, but regular potatoes can be used if cut into smaller pieces.
Adjust the amount of garlic paste according to taste preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
For a vegetarian version, ensure the butter used is suitable or substitute with a plant-based butter.
To make this dish vegan, replace butter with vegan butter and omit parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
The smashed potatoes can be prepared ahead up to the boiling and smashing step, then refrigerated and baked when ready.
Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary as alternative garnishes for different flavor accents.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic butter smashed potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, baked smashed potatoes, easy potato side dish, parmesan smashed potatoes