How to Make The Best Smashed Potatoes
How to Make The Best Smashed Potatoes
Looking for a delicious side dish to add to your dinner? Try this crispy smashed potatoes recipe! They have a crispy golden brown exterior, fluffy centers, and a burst of garlic flavor, making them the perfect addition to any main entree. With just a handful of simple everyday ingredients, you'll have the best potatoes on your dinner table in no time!
What I Love About This Recipe
An NBA-Player Favorite: During my time as a private chef for the Pacers, I served these crispy smashed potatoes to the players, and they quickly became a favorite side dish. The players loved the combination of the crispy exterior and creamy interior, which perfectly complemented the main courses I prepared, usually chicken or salmon. Whether it was a pre-game meal or a post-workout refuel, these smashed potatoes were always a hit.
Easy Side Dish For Your Favorite Protein: These smashed potatoes are the perfect easy side dish to accompany your favorite protein. Whether you're serving salmon, roasted chicken, or any other main course, these potatoes go perfectly with a lot of different kinds of protein choices! They're versatile and can complement a variety of flavors.
Naturally Gluten-Free: One of the standout features of this recipe is that it is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences. By using baby gold potatoes, which are naturally gluten-free, as the base ingredient, this recipe makes sure that everyone can enjoy the deliciousness of smashed potatoes without worrying about gluten.
Handheld: My personal preference is to savor these smashed potatoes like chips. They are poppable and convenient. They are bite-sized, making them easy to grab and enjoy as a quick snack or appetizer. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply looking for a satisfying finger food, this crispy smashed potato recipe fits the bill perfectly.
Smashed Potatoes Are Better Than Roasted Potatoes
In my opinion, smashed potatoes outshine their roasted counterparts. Whether it's the texture, flavor, or cooking process, there's something about them that makes them a standout choice.
Smashing the boiled potatoes creates a yummy combination of crispy edges and a creamy interior. And the process of brushing the smashed potatoes with a flavorful mixture infuses each bite with a delicious blend of seasonings.
What also sets smashed potatoes apart is their efficient cooking process, requiring less time in the oven compared to roasted potatoes. This makes smashed potatoes a convenient and time-saving option without compromising on taste or texture.
What to Pair With Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients for Garlic Smashed Potatoes
1 lb bag baby gold potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
How to Make Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the baby gold potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Boil the potatoes for approximately 15 minutes or until you can easily pierce them with a fork. Once boiled, drain the potatoes.
Transfer the boiled potatoes to a baking sheet or cutting board.
Using the bottom of a cup, gently smash each potato to flatten it, but be careful not to completely break them apart.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful mixture.
Brush the prepared mixture generously onto the smashed potatoes, ensuring each potato is well-coated with the flavorful blend.
Place the coated smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 13 minutes or until the potatoes develop a golden and crispy exterior.
Once the garlic smashed potatoes are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Serve them hot as a delightful side dish to complement your main course.
To achieve the perfect texture for smashed potatoes, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Once they are cooked, carefully drain potatoes. Transfer the boiled potatoes to a baking sheet or cutting board.
Using the bottom of a glass or cup, gently smash potatoes to flatten them. Be careful not to completely break them apart. This will give the smashed potatoes a balance of crispy edges and a creamy interior.
Next, brush the smashed potatoes with a flavorful mixture of olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure each potato is well-coated with the mixture.
Bake the smashed potatoes in a hot oven at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 13 minutes or until they develop a golden and crispy exterior. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Once the smashed potatoes are golden and crispy, remove them from the oven and serve them hot as a delicious side dish.
FAQ
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Item descriptiTo achieve the perfect texture for smashed potatoes, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Once they are cooked, carefully drain potatoes. Transfer the boiled potatoes to a baking sheet or cutting board.
Using the bottom of a glass or cup, gently smash potatoes to flatten them. Be careful not to completely break them apart. This will give the smashed potatoes a balance of crispy edges and a creamy interior.
Next, brush the smashed potatoes with a flavorful mixture of olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure each potato is well-coated with the mixture.
Bake the smashed potatoes in a hot oven at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 13 minutes or until they develop a golden and crispy exterior. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Once the smashed potatoes are golden and crispy, remove them from the oven and serve them hot as a delicious side dish.
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While gold baby potatoes are commonly used for smashed potatoes, you can definitely experiment with other larger potatoes to create slightly different flavors and textures. Red potatoes and Yukon Gold yellow potatoes are popular alternatives that work well for smashed potatoes.
Red potatoes have a slightly firmer texture and a slightly sweeter flavor compared to baby gold potatoes. They hold their shape well when boiled and smashed, resulting in a slightly chunkier texture.
Yukon Golds have a creamy and buttery texture, making them a great choice for smashed potatoes. They have a slightly richer flavor compared to baby gold potatoes, adding a delicious depth to the dish.
Russet potatoes can also be used for smashed potatoes, but they have a higher starch content and can become too soft when boiled and smashed. However, russet potatoes can still work well if you prefer a more fluffy and mashed potato-like texture. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they can easily turn into mush.
Feel free to try different potato varieties and see which one you prefer. Each variety will bring its own unique characteristics to the smashed potatoes, allowing you to customize the recipe to your taste.
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Yes, you can partially cook the potatoes and smash them in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and finish the cooking process just before serving for optimal crispiness.
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Certainly! One of the great things about smashed potatoes is that you can easily customize the seasoning to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for how you can personalize the flavor of your smashed potatoes:
Garlic Variations: If you're a garlic lover, you can experiment with different garlic flavors. Instead of using garlic powder, you can use fresh garlic for a stronger and more aromatic garlic taste. Roasted garlic can also add a deliciously sweet and mellow flavor to the potatoes.
Herbs and Spices: Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your smashed potatoes. Some popular options include fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, or a combination of your favorite herbs. You can either add them directly to the olive oil mixture or sprinkle them on top of the potatoes before baking.
Cheese: If you love cheese, consider adding some grated or shredded cheese to your smashed potatoes. Parmesan cheese, cheddar, or even blue cheese can add a delightful savory element to the dish. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the potatoes before baking to allow it to melt and create a delicious cheesy crust.
Seasoning Blends: You can also experiment with different seasoning blends to add depth and complexity to your smashed potatoes. For example, you can try a Cajun seasoning blend for a spicy kick, a ranch seasoning blend for a tangy flavor, or a smoky barbecue seasoning for a hint of smokiness.
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Smashed potatoes can indeed be a healthier alternative to traditional mashed or roasted potatoes for a few reasons. Smashed potatoes typically use less oil compared to roasted versions. When brushing the smashed potatoes with the flavorful mixture, you have control over the amount of oil used. You can opt for a lighter coating or use a healthier oil like extra virgin olive oil. This helps to reduce the overall fat content of the dish.
Additionally, the cooking method of smashed potatoes allows for a crispy texture without the need for deep frying. By baking the smashed potatoes in the oven, you can achieve a satisfying crunch without excessive oil absorption. This makes them a healthier option compared to traditional roasted potatoes that may be cooked in a pan with more oil or deep-fried.
However, it's important to note that the overall healthiness of smashed potatoes depends on the specific ingredients used. While the method of cooking and reduced oil usage contribute to the lighter nature, it's important to consider the other ingredients in the recipe. If the mashed potatoes are served with a high-fat or calorie-dense sauce, it could compromise their overall healthiness.
To make smashed potatoes even healthier, you can consider using healthier ingredients in the flavorful mixture. For instance, you can use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor instead of relying on excessive salt or butter. Additionally, incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like garlic, fresh herbs, or even vegetables can boost the nutritional value of the dish.
These crispy smashed potatoes are a perfect side dish that tastes delicious alongside several of your favorite entrees. Whether paired with salmon, roasted chicken, or any other favorite protein, these easy smashed potatoes are the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Try these potatoes and kick up your holiday dinner or dinner party a notch with this simple yet delicious recipe. They'll be your new favorite way to enjoy potatoes!
How to Make The Best Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb bag baby gold potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the baby gold potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Boil the potatoes for approximately 15 minutes or until you can easily pierce them with a fork. Once boiled, drain the potatoes.
- Transfer the boiled potatoes to a baking sheet or cutting board.
- Using the bottom of a cup, gently smash each potato to flatten it, but be careful not to completely break them apart.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful mixture.
- Brush the prepared mixture generously onto the smashed potatoes, ensuring each potato is well-coated with the flavorful blend.
- Place the coated smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 13 minutes or until the potatoes develop a golden and crispy exterior.
- Once the garlic smashed potatoes are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Serve them hot as a delightful side dish to complement your main course.
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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