Crispy Smashed Potatoes

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What are smashed potatoes?

Smashed potatoes are a cross between mashed potatoes and potato chips. They have a crispy outside and a soft inside.

Like mashed potatoes, you need to boil them first. And like potato chips, you then need to air fry or oven bake the potatoes to give them a crispy outside.

Why this is the best smashed potatoes recipe

Our smashed potatoes use both the Instant Pot and Air Fryer, which makes them super easy to make. You don’t have to worry about watching a pot on the stove and you save a lot of time getting the potatoes ready with the Instant Pot.

Also, we included a quick recipe for making a spicy jalapeno dipping sauce. This sauce takes the potatoes to the next level.

Smashed Potatoes Ingredients

For the smashed potatoes, you’ll need:

• Baby Gold Potatoes - You can use just about any small potato you prefer. 
• Olive oil - You could use your preferred oil if you prefer.
• Seasonings - You’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and fresh parsley, chives, or green onions.

When you make the potatoes, you can use these ingredients to make the jalapeno dipping sauce:

• Ranch Dressing
• Fresh jalapeño pepper
• Cayenne pepper
•  Paprika
•  Unsweetened cocoa powder
•  Granulated sugar
•  Sriracha sauce
•  Onion salt
•  Garlic salt
•  Ground cumin

How to prepare the potatoes for Smashed Potatoes

• First, gently scrub and rinse the potatoes in the sink. Once the potatoes are ready, pour one cup of water into the inner pot of your pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
• Next, add in the potatoes and sprinkle with some salt and then place the lid on the pot and pressure cook them for 5 minutes.
• When done, do a quick release of pressure.
• Carefully drain the potatoes into a large colander and let them cool for about 5 minutes or until you can handle them safely.
• Next, transfer the potatoes to a sheet pan and use the bottom of a cup or mug, fork, or potato masher to smash the potatoes down into a thin coin shape that is about 1/4" thick.
• Make sure you only push them down, you don’t need to pulverise the potatoes or you’ll get mashed potatoes. Also, allow the potatoes to rest for about 5 more minutes to let some extra steam release.
• Finally, drizzle olive oil and seasonings over the potatoes to evenly coat.

How to make Smashed Potatoes in Oven

• Follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes and then preheat the oven to 390 degrees F.
• Next, place the tray with potatoes into the oven and bake for around 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Finally, drizzle our creamy jalapeno sauce over them and sprinkle the chopped parsley or chives over top. Serve warm from the oven.

How to make Smashed Potatoes in Air Fryer

• If you prefer to use your air fryer, follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes above.
• Next, place the smashed potatoes into the basket of your air fryer. Fry for 15 minutes at 400º F, shaking halfway through, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.  
• Finally, drizzle our creamy jalapeno sauce over them and sprinkle the chopped parsley or chives and serve warm from the fryer.

How to make our Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

This super simple creamy jalapeno sauce only takes one simple step. All you need to do is place all the ingredients in your food processor or high powered blender and blend until well combined.

You can then use the sauce for the smashed potatoes or save for up to 2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container.

Pro tips and tricks

When making these tasty treats, follow these tips and tricks for best results:

• Make sure to let the potatoes steam dry when you first empty the water and after you smash the potatoes.
• Use the listed temperatures to ensure the potatoes get properly crispy.
• Top with your favorite dipping sauces, cheese, or just eat them as is.
• Don’t over-mash the potatoes. Just crush them down into a thin disc shape without pulverizing them.

How long should I boil potatoes for smashed roasted potatoes?

We use the Instant Pot to steam/boil our potatoes. When you use the Instant Pot, you only need to set it for 5 minutes and then do a quick release of the pressure when done.

If you use your stovetop pot, you will need to boil them for about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the potato. Often smaller ones need around 20 minutes while medium sized ones will need about 30 minutes.

You’ll know when the potatoes are ready because you can easily smash them down with a fork.

Do potatoes need to dry for the best smashed potatoes?

For the crispiest smashed potatoes, drain the water and allow them to steam dry for about 5 minutes in a colander or strainer.

Once you smash them, allow them to steam dry for 5 additional minutes. The little bit of extra drying will help the potatoes get crispy in the oven or air fryer.

How to season easy smashed potatoes?

Smashed potatoes can use minimal or a lot of extra spices and seasonings. Some possible seasoning combinations include:

• salt and pepper
• garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper
• Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper

What additional toppings make for the best smashed potatoes?

We make a creamy jalapeno sauce to smother the potatoes in (see the recipe card for instructions).

But if you want to add more flavor, you can use your favorite fries toppings, such as:

• our avocado crema
• ketchup
• Copycat ChicFila sauce
• Sriracha Aioli
• Patata Bravas Sauce
• sour cream
• cheese sauces
• shredded cheeses  

How long will oven roasted smashed potatoes last?

Smashed potatoes taste best when served warm and fresh.

If you need to store leftovers, first allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, place a paper towel in an airtight container and place a single layer of potatoes on top. Repeat the process of adding a paper towel and a layer of potatoes until full. 

You can place the air tight container and then store them for about 3 to 5 days.

To reheat, you can place them on a tray and heat through in a warmed oven. Alternatively, you could microwave on high for about 1 minute or until heated through.

What's the difference between smashed and mashed potatoes?

The main difference between smashed and mashed potatoes is final preparation. Both start off being boiled or steamed in an Instant Pot or on the stove top. 

But that’s where the similarities end.

When you make mashed potatoes, you mix the potatoes with butter, cream, and often salt and pepper. You can also add additional flavorings like cheese or sourcream. The result is a creamy side dish.

When making smashed potatoes, you use a fork or potato masher to smush the potato down into a flat disc. You then top with oil or butter and bake or air fry them so they become crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. 

What size of potatoes should be used for this recipe for smashed potatoes?

We use baby or small potatoes. Smaller potatoes tend to work best because you want to be able to easily smash the potato down into a small disc. 

Medium and larger potatoes do not work as well because they are too big to easily become crispy. 

To make them more of a meal or part of an appetizer platter, we suggest serving them with some of our other favorite finger foods like:

• Apple Chips
• Samosa
• Air Fryer Pickles
• Air fryer zucchini
• Baked potatoes
• Cauliflower wings

Let us know what you think

If you make this delicious recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!

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Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Crispy smashed potatoes are the yummiest side dish. Slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, the magical discs of potato are the perfect texture.

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Ingredients

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

• 1-1/2 pounds Baby Gold Potatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, chives and/or green onion

Instructions

1. First, gently scrub and rinse the potatoes in the sink. Once the potatoes are ready, pour one cup of water into the inner pot of your pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
2. Next, add in the potatoes and sprinkle with some salt and then place the lid on the pot and pressure cook them for 5 minutes.
3. When done, do a quick release of pressure.
4. Carefully drain the potatoes into a large colander and let them cool for about 5 minutes or until you can handle them safely.
5. Next, transfer the potatoes to a sheet pan and use the bottom of a cup or mug, fork, or potato masher to smash the potatoes down into a thin coin shape that is about 1/4" thick.
6. Make sure you only push them down, you don’t need to pulverise the potatoes or you’ll get mashed potatoes. Also, allow the potatoes to rest for about 5 more minutes to let some extra steam release.
7. Finally, drizzle olive oil and seasonings over the potatoes to evenly coat.

1. Follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes and then preheat the oven to 390 degrees F.
2. Next, place the tray with potatoes into the oven and bake for around 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Finally, drizzle our creamy jalapeno sauce over them and sprinkle the chopped parsley or chives over top. Serve warm from the oven

1. If you prefer to use your air fryer, follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes above.
2. Next, place the smashed potatoes into the basket of your air fryer. Fry for 15 minutes at 400º F, shaking halfway through, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.  
3. Finally, drizzle our creamy jalapeno sauce over them and sprinkle the chopped parsley or chives and serve warm from the fryer.

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