Crispy Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Crispy Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe For All

Golden, crispy smashed rosemary garlic potatoes deliver a mouthwatering side dish that turns simple spuds into culinary magic.

Creamy insides burst through perfectly crusty exteriors, creating irresistible texture and flavor.

Each potato gets lovingly pressed and seasoned with fragrant herbs and robust garlic.

Salt and olive oil work their delicious alchemy, caramelizing edges to crunchy perfection.

These potatoes bring restaurant-quality excitement to your dinner plate with minimal effort.

Rustic and elegant, they complement any main course while stealing the spotlight.

Dive into this easy recipe and watch dinner guests swoon over these addictive potatoes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 5

Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Ingredient List

For Potato Base:
  • Potatoes: Choose small, waxy potatoes like baby reds or fingerlings for consistent smashing and crispy texture. Look for firm, smooth-skinned potatoes without sprouts or green patches.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Cayenne: Creates a zesty, layered spice profile that enhances potato flavor. Select fresh, fragrant spices for maximum taste impact.
  • Salt: Elevates natural potato taste and helps create perfect crispy exterior.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Butter: Adds rich, golden flavor and helps create irresistible golden-brown crust. Choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
  • Garlic: Infuses deep, aromatic warmth into the butter. Select fresh garlic cloves for most intense flavor.
  • Rosemary: Brings earthy, pine-like herbaceous notes that complement potato's richness. Use fresh rosemary sprigs for most vibrant taste.
  • Olive Oil: Helps potatoes crisp beautifully and prevents sticking. Select extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
  • Flaky Salt: Provides final flavor burst and delightful crunchy texture. Maldon or sea salt work wonderfully.

Roasting Tool for Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes

  • Large pot: Essential for boiling potatoes evenly and thoroughly.
  • Colander: Perfect for draining potatoes and allowing excess water to escape.
  • Sheet pan: Crucial for roasting and creating crispy potato surfaces.
  • Flat-bottomed drinking glass or ramekin: Key tool for smashing potatoes to desired thickness.
  • Wood spoon or clean hands: Useful for tossing potatoes with oil and seasonings.
  • Microwave-safe small bowl or small saucepan: Needed for melting garlic butter.
  • Cooking spray or olive oil: Helps prevent sticking when smashing potatoes.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning measurements.
  • Spatula: Great for flipping potatoes during baking.

Instructions to Smash, Crisp, and Serve

  • Water Bath Preparation

Select medium-sized potatoes and place them in a large cooking pot. Cover the potatoes completely with salted water, ensuring they’re submerged by at least one inch. Heat the water until it reaches a vigorous boil.

  • Potato Softening

Cook the potatoes until they become tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-18 minutes. Drain carefully and allow potatoes to air dry, gently shaking the colander.

  • Seasoning Station

Preheat the cooking area to a high temperature. Spread potatoes on an oiled baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with aromatic spices like garlic powder and paprika.

  • Flattening Technique

Using a flat-bottomed glass, gently press each potato to create a rustic, uneven surface. Space the smashed potatoes slightly apart to ensure crispy edges.

  • Crispy Transformation

Bake the potatoes until golden and crunchy, turning them midway through cooking. The exterior should be beautifully browned and crisp.

  • Herbed Butter Finish

Melt butter with fresh rosemary and minced garlic. Drizzle the fragrant mixture over the hot potatoes. Return to the heat for a final quick roast to intensify flavors.

  • Serving Presentation

Transfer the potatoes to a serving dish. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an elegant touch. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Variations for Extra Garlic, Cheese, or Spice

  • Replace rosemary with thyme, oregano, or dill for different flavor profiles that match your main dish or personal taste preferences.
  • Choose small, waxy potatoes like baby red or fingerling varieties for the most consistent smashing and crispiest results – they hold their shape better and create incredible texture.
  • Substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter to make this recipe completely plant-based without sacrificing rich, golden flavor and crispy edges.
  • Pat potatoes completely dry before smashing and use a hot oven to guarantee maximum crunchiness – moisture is the enemy of achieving those delectable crisp exteriors that everyone craves.

Plating Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes with Flair

  • Rustic Family Feast Companion: Serve these golden, crispy potatoes alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak for a hearty meal that'll make everyone at the table smile.
  • Appetizer Party Platter: Arrange the smashed potatoes on a large wooden board with small dipping sauces like herb aioli or spicy sriracha mayo for a crowd-pleasing starter.
  • Vegetarian Delight Pairing: Complement these potatoes with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetable medley to create a balanced, nutritious vegetarian dinner that's bursting with flavor.
  • Weekend Brunch Star: Top the potatoes with a poached egg and sprinkle of chives for an incredible weekend breakfast that transforms this side dish into a show-stopping main course.

How to Keep Rosemary Garlic Potatoes Delicious Later

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover potatoes in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat Revival: Crisp up cold potatoes by placing them on a baking sheet at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, restoring their original crunchiness and flavor.
  • Advance Prep Magic: Boil and dry potatoes hours before baking, storing them in the refrigerator covered with a kitchen towel to maintain texture and quality.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze smashed potatoes on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, allowing quick side dish preparation within 1-2 months of storage.
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Crispy Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Crispy Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crispy rosemary garlic smashed potatoes deliver a perfect balance of herbal and savory flavors. Mediterranean-inspired side dishes provide delightful crunch and intense herbal notes that complement multiple main course selections.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs (680 g) fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes
  • 3 tbsps (42 g) olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 3 tbsps (42 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic (4 large cloves)
  • 2 tsps minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 ½ tsps garlic powder
  • 1 ½ tsps onion powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
  • Flaky salt, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Potato Preparation: Rinse small to medium potatoes under cool water, removing all dirt and debris.
  2. Boiling Stage: Submerge potatoes in salted cold water, bringing to a robust boil and cooking until fork-tender, approximately 15-18 minutes.
  3. Drying Process: Drain potatoes in a colander, allowing them to steam dry and release excess moisture by gently shaking periodically.
  4. Seasoning Setup: Coat a sheet pan with olive oil, then arrange dried potatoes evenly, drizzling additional oil and seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
  5. Smashing Technique: Using a flat-bottomed glass, gently press each potato to create a rustic, flattened shape with a consistent 1/2-inch thickness.
  6. Initial Roasting: Bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 20 minutes, flipping midway to ensure even browning and crispy edges.
  7. Herb Butter Infusion: Combine melted butter with minced garlic and chopped rosemary, then brush potatoes generously with the aromatic mixture.
  8. Final Crisping: Return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes to develop deep golden-brown crispiness and intensify herb and garlic flavors.
  9. Serving Presentation: Transfer to a serving platter and optionally sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a final flavor enhancement.

Notes

  • Potato Selection Matters: Choose small to medium potatoes with uniform size for consistent cooking and crispy results.
  • Water Salting Technique: Add salt to boiling water to infuse potatoes with flavor from the inside out, enhancing overall taste.
  • Drying is Critical: Allow potatoes to steam dry after boiling to ensure maximum crispiness when roasting, preventing soggy texture.
  • Smashing Strategy: Use a flat-bottomed glass with gentle, even pressure to create uniform potato thickness and maximize crispy edges.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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