Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Name: Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound potatoes; 4 tablespoons melted butter; 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves; freshly ground black pepper

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4.9 from 6 votes

Prep Time 30 min Cook Time 25 min Total Time 55 mins

Tasty

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Cooking Method: Baking, Simmering Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: Egg Free Nut Free

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 4 Calories: 264 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

What are dreams made of? Mine do involve, crispy potatoes, garlicky and cheesy goodness.. voila here we have my dream. If you are used to roasting potatoes, you should level up and try the smashing which is both easier and a lot tastier technique! It makes the potatoes unbelievably crispy while still leaving the center buttery and tender.. yummm. This recipe is all about the technique of smashing, so once you master this feel free to swap out the garlic/cheese for other herbs or spices to switch it up.. potatoes work with almost everything!

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound potatoes (should be a smaller one that you could leave unpeeled)
4 tablespoons melted butter
¹⁄₂ cup freshly grated parmesan
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F/220C. In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring water to a boil and simmer until potatoes are tender which normally takes about 15 minutes. Drain the water and let sit until cool enough to handle.
On a large baking sheet, toss the potatoes with melted butter, garlic, and thyme. Now its time for the fun part, smashing; Using bottom of a small glass or a jar, press down on potatoes to smash them flat.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with a good amount of Parmesan.
Bake until potatoes are beginning to crisp and the Parmesan on top is golden, about 25 minutes. Enjoy!

Equipment

Tips

Use potatoes with high starch content, which will make them fluffy and creamy when smashed.
Don't overcook the potatoes. They should be tender when pierced with a fork, but not mushy.
Let the potatoes cool slightly before smashing them. This will help prevent them from sticking to your hands.
Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or baking dish to cook the potatoes. This will help them to brown evenly.
Get creative with your toppings. Sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and cheese are all popular choices.
Here are some popular variations of smashed potatoes:
- Loaded smashed potatoes: Top with sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, and chives.
- Garlic smashed potatoes: Add minced garlic to the potatoes before smashing them.
- Cheddar and bacon smashed potatoes: Add shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon to the potatoes before smashing them.
- Truffle smashed potatoes: Add truffle oil and grated Parmesan cheese to the potatoes before smashing them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Why are my smashed potatoes falling apart?

There are a few reasons why your smashed potatoes might be falling apart. One possibility is that you overcooked them. If the potatoes are too soft, they will be more likely to fall apart when you smash them. Another possibility is that you let them cool completely before smashing them. If the potatoes are still hot, they will be more likely to stick together.

How do I make sure my smashed potatoes are crispy?

To make sure your smashed potatoes are crispy, you can bake them in a hot oven. You can also brush them with oil or butter before baking them. Finally, you can sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs before baking them.

What are some other ways to cook smashed potatoes?

In addition to baking smashed potatoes, you can also fry them or roast them. To fry smashed potatoes, heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the smashed potatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. To roast smashed potatoes, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the smashed potatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

What are some good toppings for smashed potatoes?

There are many different toppings that you can use for smashed potatoes. Some popular choices include sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, chives, and green onions. You can also get creative and try other toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, or chopped fresh herbs.