If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish, these Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are it. With perfectly fluffy interiors and irresistibly golden, crunchy edges, every bite bursts with flavor. The garlic butter glaze adds a fragrant depth, while a blanket of melted Parmesan brings rich, salty goodness.
Whether served with roasted meats or as the star of a veggie platter, these smashed potatoes are pure comfort food. They’re easy to prepare, oven-broiled for maximum crisp, and absolutely unforgettable. You’ll be popping them straight off the baking tray before they even hit the table.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 lbs Yukon Gold or Carisma potatoes
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1 spray olive oil
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3 tablespoons melted butter
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4 cloves garlic, crushed
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt to taste
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Pepper to taste
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2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), broil setting.
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Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook, covered, for 30–35 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well.
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Lightly grease a large baking sheet with cooking oil spray. Arrange potatoes on the tray and gently flatten each one with a potato masher to form thick disks.
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Mix melted butter, crushed garlic, and parsley. Pour over each potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
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Lightly spray with olive oil and broil for 10–15 minutes until golden and crispy.
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Remove from oven, sprinkle with Parmesan, and broil again for a few minutes until cheese melts.
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Serve hot with a sprinkle of parsley and a little extra salt if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 133 kcal | Servings: 8 servings (side dish)
What Makes These Potatoes So Addictive?
There’s something undeniably satisfying about a potato that’s both crispy and tender. The outer layer, exposed after smashing, provides the perfect surface area for a golden crust to develop during baking or broiling. When brushed with melted butter that’s been infused with freshly minced garlic and herbs, each bite becomes an explosion of buttery, garlicky goodness.
The final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is the finishing touch that elevates the dish from good to gourmet. As it melts and browns slightly under the heat, it adds an earthy, salty richness that complements the natural flavor of the potatoes. This combination of creamy interiors and crunchy exteriors, enhanced with bold aromatics and umami from cheese, is what makes these potatoes downright addictive.
Choosing the Right Potato for the Best Texture
The kind of potato you use can significantly influence the final result. Yukon Gold potatoes are one of the top choices for smashed potatoes because they strike a beautiful balance between being waxy and starchy. They hold their shape well when boiled and smashed, yet their interior turns creamy and rich when cooked through.
Other suitable varieties include Carisma (a low-GI variety), red potatoes, or even baby potatoes. The key is to select small to medium-sized potatoes that will cook evenly and can be easily smashed into flat rounds without falling apart.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Smash
Achieving the ideal texture and flavor in smashed potatoes involves a few clever techniques. First, don’t skip salting the boiling water. This ensures the potatoes are well-seasoned from the inside out, rather than relying solely on surface seasoning after cooking.
Once they’re fork-tender, let them drain thoroughly. Any excess moisture can interfere with crisping during the broiling stage. When smashing them, use a potato masher or even the bottom of a sturdy glass—just press enough to flatten, but not to break them into pieces.
It’s essential to space the potatoes out on your baking sheet, giving each one enough room to crisp up properly. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of roasting, which will affect that signature crunch. And for the crispiest finish, use a broil setting rather than bake, keeping a close eye on them so they don’t burn.
Flavor Variations and Add-Ons
While the classic garlic butter and Parmesan combo is a universal favorite, smashed potatoes are an excellent canvas for experimentation. You can easily switch out or add ingredients to match the flavor profile of your meal or satisfy a particular craving.
For a more herbaceous spin, try swapping parsley for rosemary, thyme, or oregano. Add a splash of lemon juice or zest for brightness, or include crushed chili flakes if you’re after a little heat. You can even drizzle with truffle oil or top with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar for a loaded potato vibe.
For vegan variations, substitute the butter with olive oil or a dairy-free margarine, and opt for nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan alternative.
Serving Suggestions
These potatoes can easily star in their own spotlight or act as the perfect sidekick. They’re wonderful alongside grilled meats such as steak, lamb chops, or garlic rosemary chicken. They also pair beautifully with seafood dishes, like lemon baked salmon or crispy skin trout, as the richness of the potatoes complements the lightness of the fish.
Smashed potatoes also make a fantastic finger food or party snack. Serve them on a large platter with dips like sour cream, garlic aioli, tzatziki, or even a smoky chipotle mayo. They’re visually appealing and offer a satisfying crunch that’s hard to resist at gatherings.
If you’re hosting a vegetarian or plant-based dinner, pair these with roasted vegetables, lentil patties, or a vibrant salad loaded with textures and a tangy vinaigrette.
Why These Potatoes Are a Holiday Favorite
The holidays call for comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes, and these smashed potatoes deliver on every front. They’re easy to make in bulk, visually appealing, and pair well with rich main courses like turkey, glazed ham, or roast beef. Plus, their flavor is universally loved—making them a hit with guests of all ages.
Because the ingredients are pantry staples, you can whip them up with very little prep and effort. They’re also naturally gluten-free, making them a safe and satisfying choice for guests with dietary restrictions.
You can even prep the boiling and smashing steps a few hours ahead, refrigerate the flattened potatoes, and broil them just before serving. This flexibility makes them an ideal option when you’re juggling multiple dishes in a busy kitchen.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and retain their crispiness, pop them back in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes until they’re warmed through and crisp again.
Avoid microwaving, as this tends to make the potatoes soggy. You can also repurpose leftovers by cutting them up and tossing them into a breakfast hash with scrambled eggs, or using them as a crunchy topping on a bowl of soup or stew.
The Appeal for Home Cooks and Food Bloggers
For home cooks, the appeal of this recipe is the ease and affordability of ingredients combined with gourmet-level results. For food bloggers and content creators, these smashed potatoes are camera-ready: golden-brown, textured, and rustic—perfect for social media and recipe websites.
They’re also endlessly customizable and seasonally adaptable. Highlight them in spring with lemon and herbs, make them cozy with melted cheese in winter, or spice them up for a game day appetizer. No matter the season, these potatoes always have a place at the table.
Conclusion
Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are much more than just a side dish—they’re a flavorful experience. Their irresistible crunch, rich garlicky aroma, and cheesy topping make them a standout recipe that people come back to again and again. They fit seamlessly into any occasion, from holiday feasts to casual weeknight dinners, and offer versatility, comfort, and elegance all in one bite.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or looking for a new way to enjoy potatoes, this recipe checks every box. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious. Once you try them, you’ll never look at potatoes the same way again.