Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

This recipe for Crispy Smashed Potatoes is easy to make and works wonderfully as a side for many meals or as a snack with sour cream.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with one being dipped in some chive sour cream.

I often serve these with Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, roasted rack of lamb, or under Irish chicken with whiskey cream sauce so they can soak up the extra sauce.

Ingredients

The ingredient list is simple: potatoes, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chives. Potatoes and butter are a classic pairing that creates great flavor and crisping.

Fingerling potatoes are ideal for smashed potatoes, but any small to medium potatoes will work. Try to pick potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top or scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions.

Method

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and cook the potatoes until fork tender, about 10–15 minutes depending on size. They should be soft enough to smash easily but not falling apart.

Potatoes placed in boiling water to be par cooked before smashing.

Transfer the potatoes to rimmed baking sheets. Using the bottom of a sturdy glass or a flat-bottomed tool, gently smash each potato until it flattens but stays mostly intact. Space them so they don’t touch.

Smashing the potatoes on a tray with a sturdy glass.

All potatoes smashed on a rimmed baking sheet.

Drizzle melted butter and olive oil over the smashed potatoes, then season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Roast at a high temperature until the bottoms and edges are golden and crisp, about 25–30 minutes. They should be firm enough to pick up when done.

Finish with minced chives for a fresh flavor and aroma. Serve hot with sour cream for dipping or alongside your main course to soak up any sauce.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes just out of the oven ready to be enjoyed with some chive sour cream on the side.

Notes & Tips

Choose potatoes of similar size so they cook evenly. If you have a large batch, spread them across two rimmed baking sheets—avoid overcrowding, which prevents crisping.

Use a sturdy glass or any flat-bottomed tool to smash; avoid delicate or decorative glassware. These potatoes are excellent for game-day spreads, casual snacking, or as a reliable side dish for dinner.

Substitutions

Fingerling potatoes are my go-to, but you can use small russets, Yukon Golds, or new red potatoes—any potato will work. To make this dairy-free or vegan, skip the butter and use only olive oil. For dipping, use plant-based sour cream if you prefer.

If you don’t want chives, swap in herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil—potatoes pair well with most herbs.

More Dippable Recipes

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Creamy Jalapeno Dip

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Pepperjack Cheese Dip

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📖 Recipe

Yield: 2 pounds

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

These Crispy Smashed Potatoes make a great side dish or snack when served with sour cream.

Ingredients

2 pounds Fingerling Potatoes
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 tablespoons Chives, minced
Sour Cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 475°F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
When the water is boiling, add 2 tablespoons kosher salt.
Add the potatoes and cook until fork tender, about 10–15 minutes.
Drain and place the potatoes on one or two rimmed baking sheets so they are not touching.
Smash each potato with the bottom of a sturdy glass or a flat tool.
Melt the butter and mix with the olive oil, then spoon it over the smashed potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper and roast until golden and crisp, 25–30 minutes.
Serve sprinkled with chives and offer sour cream on the side for dipping.

Notes

Choose similarly sized potatoes for even cooking, avoid crowding the pan, and use sturdy kitchenware to smash. For dairy-free or vegan versions, omit the butter and use olive oil and a plant-based sour cream if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 183
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 16mg
Sodium: 45mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g

Estimated values; actual nutrition may vary based on ingredients used.