Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes: Your New Favorite Side Dish

Get ready to discover the most addictive potato side dish you’ll ever make! These Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are a true revelation, offering an unparalleled texture and flavor experience that stands proudly alongside classic favorites like crispy wedges and creamy mashed potatoes. If you’ve never had the pleasure of trying smashed potatoes, prepare for a culinary awakening that will undoubtedly earn them a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. And trust us, once you try THESE particular Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, drenched in aromatic garlic butter and coated in savory parmesan, there’s no going back. In fact, if they’re on your table, consider this your official invitation – we’re coming over!

What Are Smashed Potatoes and Why Are They So Good?

Imagine the best qualities of a baked potato, a roasted potato, and a French fry, all rolled into one irresistible bite. That’s the essence of smashed potatoes. Each potato offers a dreamy, fluffy interior contrasted with an incredibly buttery, crispy exterior. When smothered in our signature garlic butter and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese, they transform into something truly extraordinary – akin to gourmet French fries or the most delectable crispy hot chips you’ve ever tasted. The secret lies in their unique preparation: boiling them until tender, then lightly smashing them to create an abundance of irregular ridges and edges. It’s these craggy surfaces that crisp up to perfection in the oven, delivering an unbeatable crunch that will make you forget all about regular baked or roasted potatoes. Seriously, those crispy edges are what dreams are made of, and they’ll send your taste buds soaring!

Don’t be tempted to press them down too flat or perfectly. The magic is in the imperfections – the more ridges, the more surface area for that incredible crispiness to develop. This isn’t about presentation; it’s about maximizing that glorious crunch!

While often served as a side, these versatile potatoes are so incredibly flavorful and satisfying, they could easily take center stage as a main course. We’ve certainly enjoyed an entire tray between us, perhaps during an emotionally charged “This Is Us” marathon, dipping them in tangy tomato sauce or cool sour cream, with an extra dash of salt for good measure – because life’s too short not to live on the edge, especially when it comes to delicious food!

You might be surprised by how incredibly simple these Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are to make. Seriously, hand over heart, the process is straightforward and yields impressive results every single time. It boils down to just four easy steps:

• BOIL: Tenderize your potatoes to perfection.
• SMASH: Create those irresistible nooks and crannies.
• DRIZZLE: Bathe them in fragrant garlic butter.
• BAKE: Transform them into golden, crispy masterpieces.

Unleash Your Creativity: Flavor Variations & Customizations

While the classic garlic butter and parmesan combination is truly divine, smashed potatoes are wonderfully adaptable to various flavor profiles. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different herbs to personalize your dish. Instead of, or in addition to, parsley, consider incorporating finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme. Their earthy notes pair beautifully with potatoes and garlic. We’ve also explored other delicious variations, such as zesty Lemon Oregano Smashed Potatoes, which offer a bright, Mediterranean twist. And for those who love a hearty, indulgent treat, our Cheesy Bacon Smashed Potatoes are loaded with savory goodness that takes them from side dish to main event. The possibilities are truly endless!

However, once you experience the sheer delight of these potatoes, generously seasoned with the specified garlic butter and a sprinkle of quality parmesan cheese, perhaps even a little extra sea salt to enhance that potato-salt bliss, you’ll find it nearly impossible to resist going back for more. We’re talking seconds, thirds, and quite possibly even fifths. They are that good!

Prepare for your mind to be blown by the sheer crispiness and incredible flavor of these potatoes. Don’t just read about them – TRY THEM!

These magnificent spuds make an ideal accompaniment to a wide variety of main dishes. They were the perfect side to our One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon + Asparagus, elevating a simple weeknight meal into something special. They also pair wonderfully with heartier fare, such as our succulent Beef Brisket, soaking up all those delicious juices. Their versatility means they can enhance almost any meal, from a casual family dinner to a festive gathering.

Watch the Magic Unfold: How to Make Smashed Potatoes!

Sometimes, seeing is believing, especially when it comes to achieving that perfect crisp. Watch our step-by-step video guide below to master the technique for these delectable smashed potatoes. You’ll see just how easy it is to transform humble potatoes into a truly extraordinary dish.

Craving More Crispy Delights?

If you’ve fallen in love with the crispy texture of these smashed potatoes, you’re in luck! We have plenty of other recipes designed to deliver that satisfying crunch. Explore some of our other top crispy dishes:

• Crispy Lemon Smashed Potatoes: For a bright, tangy alternative.
• Crisp Cilantro Lime Chicken: A flavorful, zesty main.
• Crispy Boneless Chicken Thighs: Perfect for a quick and easy dinner.
• Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes: A classic done right.

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4.65 from 62 votes

Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

By Karina

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 people (as a side)

Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, smothered in garlic butter and melted parmesan cheese! Much like buttery and garlicky French fries or crispy hot chips. Those crispy edges that send you over the edge!

Ingredients 

 

• ▢ 2 lbs potatoes Yukon Gold or Carisma, ideal for their creamy texture and thin skin.
• ▢ 1 spray olive oil
• ▢ 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic freshly crushed for best flavor
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish and flavor
• ▢ 1 pinch salt to taste, plus extra for boiling water
• ▢ 1 pinch pepper to taste, freshly ground preferred
• ▢ 2 tablespoons parmesan Cheese freshly grated for best melt and flavor

Instructions 

• Pre-heat your oven to broil (or grill) settings to medium-high heat (approximately 200°C | 400°F). Ensure your oven rack is positioned in the upper third for optimal crisping.
• Prepare the potatoes by placing them in a large pot of generously salted water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-high and cook, covered, for 30-35 minutes or until the potatoes are just fork-tender. They should be soft enough to smash easily but not falling apart. Drain them extremely well, removing as much moisture as possible.
• Lightly grease a large baking sheet or tray with cooking oil spray or a thin layer of olive oil. Arrange the boiled potatoes onto the prepared sheet, leaving some space between each one. Using a potato masher, the bottom of a glass, or a sturdy fork, LIGHTLY flatten each potato. The goal is to keep them in one piece while creating plenty of craggy edges and ridges, which will become deliciously crispy. Avoid smashing them too hard or they will turn into mashed potatoes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, crushed garlic, and chopped fresh parsley. Generously pour or brush this aromatic mixture over each smashed potato, ensuring all the nooks and crannies are coated. Sprinkle evenly with salt and freshly ground pepper, then lightly spray with olive oil spray for an extra layer of crispiness.
• Place the baking sheet into the pre-heated oven and broil (or grill) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are beautifully golden brown and incredibly crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as broiler temperatures can vary. Remove the tray from the oven, sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over all the potatoes, and return them to the oven for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and slightly golden.
• To serve, season with a little extra salt if desired and garnish with more fresh parsley. Serve these crispy, garlicky, cheesy wonders immediately to enjoy them at their absolute best.

Notes

Tip: Make sure you don’t forget to generously salt your water when boiling the potatoes. This crucial step ensures that your potatoes absorb as much flavor as possible from the inside out, laying a foundational layer of seasoning.Best Potato Varieties: While Yukon Gold and Carisma are ideal due to their waxy-starchy balance and thin skin, baby potatoes or small red potatoes also work wonderfully for this recipe. Avoid overly starchy potatoes like Russets, which can become too crumbly.Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For maximum crispiness, ensure your potatoes have enough space on the baking sheet. If crowded, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in less crispy edges. Use two trays if necessary.Storage & Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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