Description

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are an irresistible side dish or appetizer. Baby potatoes are boiled until tender, then gently smashed and coated with a flavorful garlic and herb olive oil mixture, topped with grated Parmesan cheese, and baked to golden perfection. Garnished with fresh parsley, they offer a delicious blend of textures and savory flavors that complement any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

1.5 pounds baby potatoes

Garlic Herb Oil

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary)

Topping & Garnish

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the potatoes.
Boil Potatoes: Place the baby potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Drain and Cool: Drain the potatoes thoroughly and let them cool slightly so they can be safely handled for smashing.
Smash Potatoes: Arrange the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Using a potato masher or the flat side of a fork, gently press down on each potato to flatten it slightly, ensuring that each one remains mostly in one piece.
Make Garlic Herb Oil: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs until well combined.
Coat Potatoes: Drizzle the garlic herb olive oil evenly over the smashed potatoes, coating each potato generously with the flavorful mixture.
Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly across all the potatoes for a cheesy, savory topping.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy, golden brown, and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Garnish: Remove from oven and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the potatoes to add a fresh, bright flavor and color.
Serve: Serve the garlic parmesan smashed potatoes hot as a delicious side dish or appetizer to complement your meal.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can broil the potatoes for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
You can substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
Add red pepper flakes to the garlic oil mixture for a spicy kick.
Make sure to not smash the potatoes too thin as they might fall apart while baking.
These potatoes are best served immediately but can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.