Crispy & Creamy Herby Parmesan Smashed Potatoes: Your New Favorite Side Dish

Prepare to be captivated by these irresistible herby parmesan smashed potatoes! With a perfectly creamy interior and a satisfyingly crispy exterior, they are the ultimate side dish that will have everyone asking for more. This post is proudly sponsored by Albert Bartlett.

A wider shot of the Herby Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, emphasizing their rustic charm and delicious appeal.

There are side dishes, and then there are side dishes that steal the show. These herby parmesan smashed potatoes undoubtedly fall into the latter category. Forget just being an accompaniment; I could happily devour an entire plate of these on their own. They are truly that good, offering a sublime combination of textures and flavors that will elevate any meal.

What makes these smashed potatoes so utterly divine? It’s the unique cooking method that creates a textural masterpiece. First, the potatoes are gently boiled until tender, ensuring a fluffy, creamy interior. Then, they are ‘smashed’ to create more surface area, which is crucial for achieving that incredible crispiness when roasted at a high temperature. The addition of aromatic herbs, fragrant garlic, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and a generous coating of rich parmesan cheese takes them from excellent to extraordinary.

The Secret to Perfection: Albert Bartlett Apache Potatoes

For this recipe, I chose to work with Albert Bartlett Apache potatoes. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying them, you’re in for a treat! Apache potatoes are a truly distinctive variety of small potato, easily recognizable by their beautiful red and cream mottled skin. But it’s not just their appearance that makes them stand out; they boast a wonderfully sweet, buttery, and slightly chestnut-like flavor that is simply unparalleled.

Their eye-catching appearance and exceptional flavor profile inspired me to create a recipe that would truly highlight their qualities. Cooking them using the ‘smashed’ technique allows these humble spuds to transform into the undisputed star of any meal. Their size is ideal for smashing, and their inherent sweetness pairs beautifully with the savory herbs and parmesan. While you can certainly use other small potato varieties, the Apache potatoes bring a level of gourmet quality and visual appeal that is hard to beat, making this dish not just delicious but also a feast for the eyes.

Mastering the Smashed Potato Technique for Ultimate Crispiness

The magic of smashed potatoes lies in their contrasting textures. The secret to achieving that perfect balance of creamy on the inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside comes down to a few key steps:

Initial Boil: We start by boiling the potatoes until they are tender. This ensures that the interior becomes soft and fluffy, ready to absorb all the delicious flavors later. Don’t overboil them to the point of disintegration, but make sure they are soft enough to pierce easily with a fork.
The ‘Smash’: This is where the fun begins! After boiling, the potatoes are drained and left to cool slightly. Then, using the base of a heavy glass or a potato masher, each potato is gently squashed until it splits open. This action creates a large, irregular surface area with many nooks and crannies. These crannies are precisely where the olive oil, herbs, and parmesan will gather, becoming gloriously golden and crispy in the oven. The more surface area you create, the crispier your potatoes will be.
High Heat Roasting: Once smashed, the potatoes are carefully transferred to a roasting tray filled with preheated hot olive oil. Roasting at a high temperature (200C/400F/gas mark 6) is crucial. The intense heat, combined with the hot oil, rapidly crisps up those exposed surfaces, creating an irresistible crunch. Turning them halfway through ensures even browning and maximum crispiness on all sides.

By following this simple yet effective method, you’ll end up with potatoes that offer a delightful textural contrast in every bite – tender and yielding on the inside, with an incredibly satisfying, golden-brown crunch on the outside.

A Symphony of Flavors: Herbs, Garlic, and Parmesan

While the texture is a major draw, the flavor profile of these smashed potatoes is equally captivating. The addition of fresh, aromatic ingredients takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness, making them utterly irresistible:

Fresh Herbs: I’ve chosen classic rosemary and thyme for this recipe, and for good reason. Their earthy, slightly peppery notes complement potatoes beautifully. Finely chopped, they cling to the potato surfaces, infusing every crispy bit with their fragrant essence. The vibrant green not only adds flavor but also visual appeal. Feel free to experiment with other herbs like oregano, sage, or even a hint of marjoram if you desire.
Garlic: Unpeeled, squashed cloves of garlic are added to the roasting tray. As they roast alongside the potatoes, they soften and release their pungent, sweet aroma, subtly infusing the olive oil and potatoes with their incredible flavor without overpowering them. The beauty of keeping them unpeeled is that they caramelize without burning, offering a gentle garlicky undertone.
Flaky Sea Salt: A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt is essential. Unlike regular table salt, flaky sea salt adheres beautifully to the rough surfaces of the smashed potatoes, providing bursts of intense, briny flavor and enhancing their overall savory profile. It also contributes to the crisping process.
Parmesan Cheese: The final flourish comes from grated parmesan cheese. Scattered over the hot potatoes in the last few minutes of cooking, the parmesan melts and forms a delicious, savory crust. Its salty, umami-rich flavor is the perfect counterpart to the herbs and garlic, creating a truly gourmet experience. For a vegetarian option, ensure you use a vegetarian alternative to parmesan.

Together, these ingredients create a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and sophisticated, making these smashed potatoes a memorable addition to any meal.

Easy Preparation and Versatile Serving Options

Beyond their incredible taste and texture, these herby parmesan smashed potatoes are remarkably easy to make. One of the best parts? There’s no peeling required! Simply scrub the potatoes clean, and they’re ready for boiling. This cuts down significantly on prep time, making them a feasible option even on busy weeknights.

Another fantastic feature is their make-ahead potential. You can boil and squash the potatoes in advance, then cover them and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, simply toss them with olive oil, herbs, and garlic, and roast as directed. This flexibility makes them perfect for entertaining, allowing you to get a head start on your meal prep.

These versatile smashed potatoes make an outstanding side dish for virtually any meal. They pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, juicy steaks, or even a simple vegetarian main. They are also a fantastic, exciting alternative to traditional roast potatoes for a special Sunday lunch or during holiday celebrations like Christmas (yes, I’ve already started dreaming of festive menus!). Their unique texture and vibrant flavors are sure to impress your guests and bring a touch of gourmet flair to your table.

4.86 from 7 votes

Herby Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Servings 4 people

Author Domestic Gothess

Ingredients

1 kg (2.2lb) Albert Bartlett Apache potatoes (or other variety of small potato)
80 ml (⅓ cup) olive oil
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
6 cloves garlic unpeeled, squashed
flaky sea salt
40 g (1.5 oz) parmesan cheese (or Vegetarian alternative) grated
small handful fresh chives chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) / Gas Mark 6. Begin by thoroughly scrubbing your Albert Bartlett Apache potatoes (or chosen small potato variety), but do not peel them. Place the cleaned potatoes into a large saucepan and cover them with cold, generously salted water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork but not falling apart. This initial boiling ensures a soft, creamy interior once roasted.
Once tender, carefully drain the potatoes and set them aside in a colander to cool slightly for a few minutes. While the potatoes are cooling, pour the olive oil into a sturdy roasting tray (choose one large enough to accommodate the potatoes in a single layer). Place the tray with the olive oil into the preheated oven to allow the oil to heat up thoroughly. This step is crucial for achieving that irresistible crispiness.
Using the base of a heavy glass or a potato masher, gently squash each potato until it splits open and flattens slightly, creating plenty of exposed surface area. Be careful not to mash them completely. Once smashed, carefully transfer the potatoes to the hot roasting tray, turning them gently to ensure each potato is thoroughly coated in the shimmering hot olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the finely chopped rosemary and thyme, the squashed unpeeled garlic cloves, and a good pinch of flaky sea salt over the potatoes. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, carefully turn the potatoes over using a spatula to ensure even crisping and browning on all sides. Return the tray to the oven and continue to roast for another 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are beautifully golden brown and wonderfully crisp. Finally, scatter the grated parmesan cheese generously over the crispy potatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and form a delicious, savory crust. Remove from the oven, scatter over the freshly chopped chives, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Where to Find Albert Bartlett Apache Potatoes

If you’re eager to try this recipe with the recommended Albert Bartlett Apache potatoes, you’ll be pleased to know they are widely available at leading supermarkets. You can typically find them at Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Ocado. Look for their distinctive red and cream mottled skin to ensure you’re getting the best quality for this exceptional dish. Their unique flavor and texture truly make a difference, transforming a simple side into a culinary highlight.

This post is brought to you in partnership with Albert Bartlett. Your support for the brands that allow me to continue sharing delicious recipes and culinary adventures is greatly appreciated. Thank you for enabling me to keep playing with food and making a joyous mess in my kitchen!