Super Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

By Sam Pierce

Ingredients (~8 servings)

  • ~2 lbs fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 6 large cloves)
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary
  • Flaky salt for serving (optional)

Boil the Potatoes Until Fork Tender

Put the 2 lbs of potatoes in a large pot and cover with water by at least 1 inch. Season the water generously with salt.

Set over medium-high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for ~15-18 minutes until fork tender.

Once done, drain in a colander and let sit for ~5-10 minutes, giving the colander a shake halfway through. You want them completely dry before the next step.

Season and Smash the Potatoes

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450F and grease a sheet pan with olive oil.

Spread the dried potatoes on the sheet pan and drizzle with the 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle the 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 3/4 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp cayenne over the top.

Toss with your hands or a wooden spoon until well-coated.

Using a flat-bottomed glass or ramekin, gently smash each potato until about 1/2-inch thick. If they stick, coat the bottom of your glass with cooking spray or olive oil.

Spread the smashed potatoes so they’re about 1/2 to 1 inch apart on the sheet pan.

Bake and Make the Garlic Butter

Put the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’re looking for crispy edges and tender centers.

While they bake, add the 1/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp rosemary to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for ~30 seconds until the butter melts completely.

You could also melt this in a small saucepan over medium-low heat if you prefer.

Finish with Garlic Butter

After the first 20 minutes, remove the sheet pan and spoon the garlic butter evenly over each potato.

Bake for another ~5-10 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the bottoms are very crispy.

Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with flaky salt if you want. The contrast between the crispy edges and creamy centers is what makes these work.

Super Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

These potatoes are wicked simple and get crispy on the edges while staying creamy in the center. The rosemary garlic butter takes them from basic to something you’d actually want to make again.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients (~8 servings)

  • ~2 lbs fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil plus more as needed
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne or to taste
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic about 6 large cloves
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary
  • Flaky salt for serving optional

Instructions

  • Boil 2 lbs potatoes covered with salted water over medium-high heat for 15-18 minutes until fork tender.
  • Drain in colander and let sit 5-10 minutes until completely dry.
  • Preheat oven to 450F and grease a sheet pan with olive oil.
  • Spread dried potatoes on sheet pan and drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil.
  • Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne over potatoes and toss until coated.
  • Smash each potato to about 1/2-inch thick using a flat-bottomed glass, spacing them 1/2 to 1 inch apart.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • While baking, microwave butter, minced garlic, and rosemary together for 30 seconds until melted.
  • Remove sheet pan and spoon garlic butter evenly over each potato.
  • Bake another 5-10 minutes until garlic is fragrant and bottoms are crispy.
  • Transfer to serving platter and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Notes

Coat the bottom of your glass with cooking spray or olive oil if potatoes stick when smashing.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & let me know!