Crispy salt and pepper smashed potatoes

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. 

• 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. 
• Salt.
• Cracked black pepper. 
• Fresh thyme. Other herbs that work well with potatoes are sage, rosemary and oregano.

How to make smashed potatoes

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

1. Easy lemon-herb roast chicken.
2. Pan-seared garlic lamb chops.
3. Easy grilled steak.
4. Lemon pepper chicken thighs.

Potato recipes

1. Twice baked potatoes.
2. Creamy condensed milk potato salad.
3. Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges.
4. Hasselback potatoes with sriracha butter.