Best Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

These Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are the perfect potato side dish. They go with chicken, seafood, and beef, or are great just for snacking all on their own! Easy to customize and simple to make, they’re a great addition for holiday dinners, weeknight comfort meals, or party buffets.

These simple Smashed Parmesan Potatoes are golden, crispy, and loaded with cheesy, garlicky flavor. Baby potatoes are boiled until soft and tender, smashed flat and roasted to crispy, crunchy perfection with butter, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. 

This hearty and delicious potato side dish is a simple, budget-friendly recipe great for holidays, family meals, pot lucks, or party buffets. They’re also a great movie-night snack that is tons tastier than popcorn!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese

• Delicious – Potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes, and this one is a hearty side dish full of Parmesan cheese and garlic flavor. 
• Easy Recipe – This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand. 
• Economical – This is a very budget friendly recipe, especially when potatoes are on sale.
• Easy to Customize – you can customize the recipe to include your favorite herbs and seasonings.

Ingredients for Smashed Garlic Parmesan Potatoes

You only need a handful of really common ingredients to make this amazing and delicious potato recipe.

• Baby potatoes – we used Yukon Gold, but you can also use baby red or fingerling potatoes
• Unsalted butter – you can decrease the amount of salt called for if using salted butter
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley – flat leaf or curly parsley works
• Optional garnish: extra Parmesan, parsley, fresh herbs, or chives

Equipment Needed To Make 

• Large pot
• Strainer
• Baking dish
• Something to smash potatoes

Substitutions & Alterations

• You can use smaller baby red potatoes or fingerling potatoes for this recipe.
• Swap Parmesan for Asiago or Pecorino Romano cheese.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika or Italian seasoning to the butter mixture if desired for extra flavor.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or chives.
• If you really love garlic like I do, saute a load of minced garlic in butter and pour it over the potatoes just before serving or dip the potatoes in the garlic butter sauce. This is also great with a bit of chili crisp oil added for spice.

How to Make Smashed Parmesan Potatoes

Step by Step Instructions overview – Find the full recipe directions in the recipe card below. 

Step 1 – Cook potatoes in a large pot and drain

Step 2 – In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 

Step 3 – Arrange baked potatoes on the prepared baking sheet

Step 4 – Using the bottom of a glass or potato masher, gently smash each potato.

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Step 5 – Drizzle butter mixture evenly over the smashed potatoes.

Step 6 – Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes.

Step 7 – Roast for 18–20 minutes, or until edges are golden and crispy. 

Step 8 – Transfer to a serving dish or tray.

Air Fryer Option

Cook the boiled and smashed potatoes in an air fryer at 400° for faster crisping (about 15 minutes). Great for when you don’t want to heat the oven!

Raquel’s Time Saving Tips & Tricks for the Best Results

• Potatoes can be boiled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge after they cool. 
• Batch prep: Make extra and freeze boiled potatoes in a freezer bag after cooling.
• Make sure potatoes are well-drained before smashing to prevent sogginess. 
• Also, be sure the potatoes have cooled a bit, or they will stick to the glass when smashing.
• Use the bottom of a large jar or the underside of a pie plate to smash the potatoes.
• Use small potatoes for the best ratio of crispy skin to soft inside.
• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for quick cleanup.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This recipe makes a great side dish for Chicken and Poultry Recipes or any Assortment of Beef Dishes. They are also great with Seafood and fish.  Basically, they’re the perfect potato.

Store cooled, leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat potatoes in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave to maintain crispiness.

More Potato Recipes

• Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cream Cheese
• Crispy Accordion Potatoes
• Easy Homemade Potato Wedges
• Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes

Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Raquel Pineira

These crispy Parmesan smashed potatoes are the best side dish for any meal! Made with golden potatoes, butter, garlic, and cheese, they are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Vegetables and Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 163 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  small bowl
• ▢
  baking tray
• ▢
  Parchment Paper
• ▢
  tall glass

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ½ lbs baby potatoes we used Yukon Gold
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
• Optional garnish: extra Parmesan fresh parsley, or chives

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, 15-18 minutes. Drain well.
• Arrange potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or potato masher, gently smash each potato to about 1/2-inch thickness. Press firmly but not too hard when smashing to keep them intact.
• In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle evenly over the smashed potatoes.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes.
• Roast for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2. Be sure to watch carefully!
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 201mgPotassium: 482mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 119IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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