Crispy salt and pepper smashed potatoes is the perfect mix of creamy mashed potatoes and crisp roast potatoes and makes an easy, delicious side dish.
Is there anything more glorious than a crispy, crunchy roast potato? No wait, what about the creamiest, dreamiest, fluffy mashed potatoes? Can’t choose? Well, now you don’t have to. Because THIS my friends, is the perfect mash up of crisp roast potatoes and creamy mashed potatoes. Crispy smashed potatoes are going to become your new favorite side dish, in no time!
Ingredients
Full smashed potatoes recipe with amounts can can be found in the recipe card below.Â
- Potatoes. Any potato used for mashing will work well. Waxy potatoes won’t smash easily so I wouldn’t recommend using a waxy variety.
- Olive oil.Â
- Salt.
- Cracked black pepper.Â
- Fresh thyme. Other herbs that work well with potatoes are sage, rosemary and oregano.
How to make smashed potatoes
- Boil the potatoes: Boil medium-sized potatoes in a large pot of salted water until a sharp knife can easily be inserted. You want them to be pretty much fully cooked otherwise they won’t smash easily. Remove the potatoes from the water and allow to dry for a few minutes. Place the potatoes on a greased rimmed baking sheet, spaced apart to allow ultimate crisping action.
- Smash the potatoes: With a potato masher, bottom of a glass or large wooden spoon, smash the potatoes gently to flatten them. Drizzle the potatoes generously with olive oil and season with salt, fresh cracked black pepper and fresh thyme.
- Bake until crispy: Place the potatoes in a hot oven preheated to 230°C/450°F and allow to roast until golden brown and crunchy, approximately 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve while hot.
Can I make smashed potatoes in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Follow the boiling and smashing directions then place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil and season then cook at 200ºC/390ºF for 15-20 minutes, checking on them half way through.
What to serve with smashed potatoes
These potatoes go with absolutely everything. Smashed baby potatoes are an excellent appetizer or snack (hello game day!) but this larger version makes the perfect side dish for everything from roast chicken to juicy steaks.
- Easy lemon-herb roast chicken.
- Pan-seared garlic lamb chops.
- Easy grilled steak.
- Lemon pepper chicken thighs.
Potato recipes
- Twice baked potatoes.
- Creamy condensed milk potato salad.
- Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges.
- Hasselback potatoes with sriracha butter.

Crispy salt and pepper smashed potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2-3 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 6 thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with water. Season generously then place on high heat and boil until a sharp knife can easily be inserted into the potatoes
- In the meantime, pre-heat the oven to 230ºC/450°F.
- When the potatoes are cooked, drain and place them on a greased rimmed baking sheet. Gently push down on the potatoes with a potato masher or wooden spoon until they are flattened.Â
- Drizzle over the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper, adding a sprig of thyme to each potato.
- Place in the oven and allow to roast for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Nutrition
Wow… delicious! And easy!
Simply delicious and so easy to make. I served on the side with grilled sardines.
Adila my family loves the fact that we can actually do all your recopies.
That is so great to hear. Thanks! 🙂
Do you peel or cooked with skin?
With the skin.
What type of potato do you recommend using in this recipe? The ingredients just lists medium size.
Any good roasting potato will work perfectly.
So crunchy. So delicious. Made them with your lemon herb chicken and it was the best dinner!
Yum! Love serving these with juicy roast chicken.
Best potatoes we’ve ever had!
That’s awesome to hear!
I made them and added smoked paprika too, couldn’t get enough. My husband ate three!
Oh yum! Love the addition of smoked paprika.
These were so good. I didn’t think they could be better than roast potatoes (I LOVE them),but they are. The crispy bits are so good!
Those crispy bits are sooo good!
These are DELISH! Have cooked these a couple of times now for my mum and dad an they love them.
Thanks for an amazing crispy and crunchy recipe!
Best potatoes I’ve tried. Delicious.
So happy you liked them Belinda!