Perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with garlic-parmesan goodness.
🎉 Introduction
If you’re searching for a side dish that is crispy, garlicky, cheesy, and unbelievably satisfying, these Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are the ultimate choice. Baby potatoes are boiled until tender, smashed gently, drizzled with olive oil, and roasted until perfectly golden and crunchy. Then they’re topped with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and parsley to create an explosion of flavor in every bite.
These potatoes are the perfect match for chicken, steak, fish, or holiday feasts—and they’re so good you might end up eating them straight from the pan. Comforting, crispy, and full of flavor, this is the kind of recipe that wins over any crowd.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Potato masher or the bottom of a glass
- Mixing bowl
- Small grater
- Oven
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 lbs baby potatoes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 — Cook the Baby Potatoes
- Place baby potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Add a generous pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain and let cool slightly.
Step 2 — Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3 — Smash the Potatoes
- Place cooked potatoes on the baking sheet.
- Gently press each one with a potato masher or the bottom of a glass until slightly flattened but still intact.
- The thinner the potato, the crispier it becomes!
Step 4 — Season and Bake
- Brush or drizzle olive oil over each smashed potato.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until edges are golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven.
Step 5 — Add Garlic & Parmesan
- In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Spoon or sprinkle the mixture over each crispy potato.
- Bake for an extra 5–8 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes golden.
Step 6 — Garnish
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the potatoes before serving.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
- Freeze up to 1 month (without garlic topping).
Reheating
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until crispy again.
- Air fryer works perfectly too!
🥄 Variations
- Extra cheesy: Add mozzarella or cheddar.
- Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or paprika.
- Herby twist: Add rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning.
- Creamy topping: Drizzle garlic aioli or ranch dressing.
- Lemon twist: Add lemon zest to the Parmesan mix.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use larger potatoes?
Yes, just cut them in half before boiling. - Why smash the potatoes?
More surface area = more crispiness. - Can I boil the potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, up to a day in advance. - Can I use dried parsley?
Fresh tastes better, but dried works in a pinch. - Do they get crispy without oil?
Oil helps them crisp beautifully—don’t skip it. - Can I add garlic before baking?
It may burn; adding it at the end keeps it flavorful. - What type of Parmesan is best?
Freshly grated melts and browns better. - Air fryer method?
400°F (200°C) for 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway. - Can I make them vegan?
Yes—use vegan parmesan and olive oil. - What do they pair well with?
Steak, chicken, salmon, burgers, or even eggs.
🏁 Conclusion
These Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are the perfect blend of crispiness, creaminess, and bold garlic-parmesan flavor. They’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and guaranteed to impress at any dinner table. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed on their own, they bring comfort and crunch in every golden bite.
This is the kind of simple recipe that becomes a long-term favorite—crispy edges, soft fluffy centers, and irresistible cheesy garlic goodness.

Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes – Crispy, Golden & Loaded with Flavor!
Method
- Place baby potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Add a generous pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain and let cool slightly.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place cooked potatoes on the baking sheet.
- Gently press each one with a potato masher or the bottom of a glass until slightly flattened but still intact.
- The thinner the potato, the crispier it becomes!
- Brush or drizzle olive oil over each smashed potato.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until edges are golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven.
- In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Spoon or sprinkle the mixture over each crispy potato.
- Bake for an extra 5–8 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes golden.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the potatoes before serving.
Notes
Refrigerator Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezer Freeze up to 1 month (without garlic topping). Reheating Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until crispy again. Air fryer works perfectly too! 🥄 Variations Extra cheesy: Add mozzarella or cheddar. Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or paprika. Herby twist: Add rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning. Creamy topping: Drizzle garlic aioli or ranch dressing. Lemon twist: Add lemon zest to the Parmesan mix. ❓ 10 FAQs Can I use larger potatoes?
Yes, just cut them in half before boiling. Why smash the potatoes?
More surface area = more crispiness. Can I boil the potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, up to a day in advance. Can I use dried parsley?
Fresh tastes better, but dried works in a pinch. Do they get crispy without oil?
Oil helps them crisp beautifully—don’t skip it. Can I add garlic before baking?
It may burn; adding it at the end keeps it flavorful. What type of Parmesan is best?
Freshly grated melts and browns better. Air fryer method?
400°F (200°C) for 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway. Can I make them vegan?
Yes—use vegan parmesan and olive oil. What do they pair well with?
Steak, chicken, salmon, burgers, or even eggs. 🏁 Conclusion These Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are the perfect blend of crispiness, creaminess, and bold garlic-parmesan flavor. They’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and guaranteed to impress at any dinner table. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed on their own, they bring comfort and crunch in every golden bite. This is the kind of simple recipe that becomes a long-term favorite—crispy edges, soft fluffy centers, and irresistible cheesy garlic goodness.
