Crispy Smashed Potatoes: The Comfort Food Side Dish Everyone Will Love

If you’re new here, you might know me as Grandma Rita in my wee little townhouse kitchen, cooking for my handsome hubby and I. But what you might not know is that not that long ago, I spent 2 years as the head chef and food services manager at a year-round camp and conference center, cooking for up to 250 people at a time!

One of my favorite parts of that job was discovering new recipes that scaled beautifully from small gatherings to large groups. That’s how I first met Smashed Potatoes. Somewhere between a baked potato, mashed potato, and a roasted potato—these little guys became an instant hit with the campers, especially when served alongside meatloaf (which, by the way, is also a blog favorite!).

Now that I’m back to cooking for two, I still love making these. They’re simple, cozy, and just the right mix of crispy and creamy. Here’s how you can make them at home!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Potato Sidedish Recipe

• Crispy edges + creamy centers = pure comfort food
• Easy to make with pantry staples
• Perfect side for meatloaf, roast chicken, or grilled meats
• Great for prepping ahead of time
• Scales beautifully depending on how many people you’re serving

Ingredients for Smashed Potatoes

For exact measurements and instructions, check out the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

You really only need a few basic ingredients for this recipe – baby potatoes, oil, and spices!

Here’s some specifics for serving 4 people:

• about 3–4 baby potatoes per person – red, yellow, or mixed works great
• 2 tablespoons olive oil – You don’t need to measure exactly here. You’re just going to drizzle it over!
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Optional spices:
  • Garlic powder + dried rosemary
  • Smoked paprika + sea salt
  • Italian seasoning + Parmesan cheese
  • Everything Bagel seasoning
  • Cajun spice blend
  • Lemon pepper

Simple Instructions for Making Easy Smashed Potatoes

(For all the detailed instructions, refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Helpful Tips When Making This Recipe

• Don’t worry about them looking “messy” when you smash them. The fluffy parts that stick up are the parts that turn golden brown and crispy!
• I love to cooke these on stoneware pans, but you can use parchment lined baking sheets for easy cleanup, too.
• If you have leftovers, these smashed potatoes reheat in the air fryer really nicely.

Substitutions and Variations for Crispy Smashed Potatoes

• Swap olive oil for melted butter or bacon fat for a richer flavor.
• Use Yukon golds or fingerling potatoes instead of baby potatoes.
• Top with shredded cheddar and chives for a loaded version.
• Add a little crushed garlic or grated Parmesan before baking.

What to serve smashed potatoes with

• Meatloaf!! We love it so much I have 3 yummy recipes for you to choose from! The easy meatloaf recipe pictured above is a classic favorite, Lipton Onion Meatloaf is full of flavor thanks to a package of onion soup mix, and bacon wrapped individual meatloaf is such a fun twist that’s special enough for guests!
• You can also serve smashed potatoes as a fun appetizer with a dip like ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.