Rosemary garlic butter smashed potatoes bring rustic comfort to any dining experience with their crispy exterior and creamy interior.
These delectable spuds upgrade a humble ingredient into a mouthwatering side dish that elevates simple meals.
Crisp edges and soft centers create a textural sensation that delights the palate.
Home cooks appreciate the straightforward technique that turns ordinary potatoes into something extraordinary.
The combination of aromatic herbs and rich butter creates a flavor profile that speaks to classic culinary traditions.
Perfectly seasoned and roasted to golden perfection, these potatoes offer a sophisticated twist on a familiar favorite.
Each bite promises a harmonious blend of robust herbs and silky butter that will make you crave more.
Why Everyone’s Obsessed with These Potatoes
Crisp Up Every Bite: These potatoes transform from simple boiled spuds to irresistibly crunchy edges that shatter beautifully when you bite into them, creating a textural paradise for potato lovers.
Flavor Explosion Technique: The combination of garlic, rosemary, and butter infuses each potato with rich, aromatic notes that elevate a basic side dish into a gourmet experience without complex cooking skills.
Foolproof Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers maximum satisfaction, making it a go-to dish that impresses both kids and adults with its simple yet delicious approach.
Quick Kitchen Magic: From start to finish, these smashed potatoes come together in under an hour, offering a fast and impressive side dish that looks and tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need for Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
Potato Base:
Fingerling Potatoes, Baby Potatoes: Small, creamy potatoes perfect for smashing with crispy edges and tender centers, choose firm and smooth varieties without blemishes.
Seasoning Blend:
Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings for enhancing potato flavor, freshly ground pepper provides extra depth.
Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds robust savory background without raw garlic intensity.
Paprika: Provides subtle smoky warmth and beautiful reddish color.
Cayenne: Introduces gentle heat that can be adjusted to personal spice preference.
Herb and Fat Components:
Olive Oil: Creates crispy exterior and helps seasonings adhere to potato surface, choose high-quality extra virgin variety.
Minced Garlic: Delivers fresh, intense garlic punch, use fresh cloves for best flavor.
Flaky Salt: Optional finishing touch that adds crunchy texture and bright salt crystals.
How to Make Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare Potatoes
Gather small to medium-sized potatoes
Wash potatoes thoroughly
Remove any eyes or blemishes
Pat dry with clean kitchen towel
Step 2: Boil Potato Base
Place potatoes in large pot
Cover with cold water
Add generous pinch of salt
Bring water to rolling boil
Cook until fork slides in easily (15-20 minutes)
Drain completely in colander
Step 3: Dry Potato Surfaces
Spread potatoes on kitchen towel
Let potatoes air dry for 10 minutes
Gently shake to remove excess moisture
Step 4: Prepare Baking Surface
Preheat oven to 450°F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
Drizzle sheet with olive oil
Step 5: Season Potato Foundations
Ingredients for seasoning:
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dried rosemary
Salt
Black pepper
Paprika
Toss potatoes with seasonings until evenly coated
Step 6: Crush Potato Surfaces
Place potatoes on prepared baking sheet
Use potato masher or flat-bottomed glass
Gently press each potato
Create rustic, uneven surfaces
Leave slight space between potatoes
Step 7: First Baking Round
Slide baking sheet into preheated oven
Bake for 20-25 minutes
Rotate sheet halfway through
Edges should turn golden brown
Step 8: Craft Herb Butter
Melt ingredients together:
Unsalted butter
Fresh rosemary
Minced garlic
Pinch of salt
Cracked black pepper
Whisk until fully combined
Step 9: Final Crispy Transformation
Remove potatoes from oven
Brush generously with herb butter
Return to oven
Bake additional 10 minutes
Watch for deep golden edges
Step 10: Serve With Flair
Transfer potatoes to serving platter
Sprinkle with fresh rosemary
Add extra flaky salt
Serve immediately while hot and crispy
Potato Perfection Starts with These Tips
Choose the Right Potatoes: Select medium-sized, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and crispy exterior.
Dry Thoroughly: After boiling, let potatoes air dry completely to ensure maximum crispiness when baking.
Master the Smashing Technique: Use a flat-bottomed glass or spatula and apply gentle, even pressure to create perfectly uniform smashed potatoes.
Optimize Crispiness: Ensure potatoes are spread out on the baking sheet with enough space between them to prevent steaming and promote golden-brown edges.
Enhance Flavor Layers: Infuse the garlic butter with fresh rosemary and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before drizzling to maximize herb intensity.
Smart Ways to Store and Reheat Smashed Potatoes
Refrigerate: Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, preventing moisture and odors from affecting their crispy texture.
Reheat in Oven: Restore crispiness by spreading potatoes on a baking sheet and warming at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, turning once to ensure even heating and maintaining their crunchy exterior.
Avoid Microwave: Skip microwave reheating as it will make the potatoes soggy and destroy their delightful crisp, sacrificing the original texture and flavor of these delectable smashed potatoes.
Tasty Pairings for Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Pair with Zesty White Wine: Complement the rosemary and garlic flavors with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the rich butter and enhancing the potato's herbal notes.
Match with Herb-Crusted Protein: Serve alongside roasted chicken or grilled salmon to create a balanced meal that echoes the dish's aromatic rosemary and garlic profile.
Create a Creamy Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick herbed sour cream or aioli with additional chopped rosemary to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the crispy, buttery potatoes.
Elevate with Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh rosemary or chives on top to boost the herbaceous flavor and add a bright, garden-fresh element to the dish.
Flavor Upgrades for Smashed Potato Lovers
Herb Garden Smash: Swap rosemary for a blend of fresh thyme, parsley, and chives for a vibrant herbal experience.
Spicy Jalapeño Crunch: Add diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of chili flakes to kick up the heat and introduce extra texture.
Mediterranean Fusion: Top with crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a Greek-inspired version.
Parmesan Garlic Blast: Replace plain butter with a mixture of melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, and roasted garlic for an intensely savory profile.
Rosemary garlic butter smashed potatoes elevate classic comfort fare with Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Crispy edges, creamy centers, and aromatic herbs create a memorable side dish that delights palates and sparks conversation at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
1.5 pounds (680 grams) fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes
3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (42 grams) olive oil
Spices and Seasonings:
1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
1.5 teaspoons onion powder
0.5 teaspoon paprika
0.25 teaspoon cayenne
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
1 tablespoon (4 large cloves) minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
Flaky salt, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Select medium-sized potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin for consistent cooking and optimal texture.
Submerge potatoes in a generously salted water bath, ensuring complete coverage by liquid.
Apply medium-high thermal energy, allowing water to vigorously bubble and transform potatoes into tender morsels.
After extracting potatoes, permit them to air-dry and release residual moisture for approximately 7-10 minutes.
Prepare culinary workspace by coating baking surface with olive oil and calibrating oven temperature to 450°F.
Distribute potatoes across prepared tray, lavishing them with olive oil and aromatic spice blend including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
Employ gentle pressure using flat-bottomed utensil to flatten each potato into rustic, uneven discs approximately half-inch thick.
Strategically position smashed potatoes with minimal spacing to encourage crisp exterior development.
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.
Alex Reed
Founder & Lead Content Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.