Crispy Golden Smashed Fingerling Potatoes Recipe for Tiny Spuds

Golden, crispy smashed fingerling potatoes promise a delightful twist on traditional side dishes.

Small potatoes boast incredible potential for culinary magic.

Salt and herbs unlock incredible flavor profiles with minimal effort.

Roasting creates irresistible textures that crunch and melt simultaneously.

Kitchen experiments often yield surprising results when you approach ingredients creatively.

Each golden-brown morsel delivers a perfect balance between creamy interior and crispy exterior.

Prepare to experience potato perfection that will impress everyone at your table.

What Makes Smashed Fingerling Potatoes So Addictive

• Masterfully Crafted Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
• Anyone can nail this recipe with minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned home chefs alike.
• Total cooking time is under 45 minutes, delivering crispy, restaurant-quality potatoes without complicated techniques or long waiting periods.
• These golden, herb-infused potatoes work beautifully as a side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or casual game day spreads, satisfying both kids and adults with their irresistible crunchy exterior and soft interior.
• Uses affordable, accessible ingredients like fingerling potatoes, basic pantry spices, and optional toppings, ensuring a gourmet experience without breaking the bank.

What Goes into Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

Main Ingredients:

• Fingerling Potatoes: Soft, creamy potatoes perfect for smashing with a delicate texture and thin skin that crisps beautifully when roasted.

• Olive Oil or Melted Butter, Garlic: Creates a rich, aromatic base that helps potatoes become golden and crispy.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the potato's natural flavor and add depth.
• Paprika, Thyme: Warm spices that bring complexity and earthy undertones to the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese: Optional cheese that adds a salty, nutty finish to the crispy potatoes.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that provides a fresh, green note and visual appeal.

• Sour Cream, Aioli: Creamy dipping sauces that complement the crispy potatoes with cool, tangy contrast.

How to Make Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

Grab your fingerling potatoes and toss them into a large pot. Cover completely with cold water and sprinkle in salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Cook the potatoes until they’re super tender- you’ll know they’re ready when a fork slides in easily, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to a sizzling 425°F. This high temperature will help create those irresistible crispy edges.

Step 3: Smash Potatoes

Drain the boiled potatoes and let them cool just enough to handle. Transfer each potato to the prepared baking sheet. Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, gently press down on each potato to create a wonderfully rustic, flattened shape.

Step 4: Season Potatoes

• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Fresh thyme leaves

Drizzle or brush this flavor-packed mixture all over the smashed potatoes, making sure to coat each one generously.

Step 5: Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven. Roast the potatoes for 25-30 minutes, watching for those gorgeous golden-brown crispy edges. They should look irresistibly crunchy and smell amazing.

Step 6: Final Touches

Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with a side of sour cream, zesty aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce. Get ready for potato perfection!

Tips for Crunchy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

• Perfectly Boil Potatoes: Use cold water and salt to ensure even cooking and enhance flavor from the start of the process.
• Gentle Smashing Technique: Press potatoes carefully with a spoon or masher to create crispy edges without completely breaking them apart.
• Oil Distribution Hack: Brush or drizzle seasoning mixture evenly to guarantee each potato gets maximum flavor and crispiness.
• Customize Seasonings: Swap thyme for rosemary or add chili flakes for a spicy kick, making the recipe adaptable to different taste preferences.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with olive oil and skip Parmesan to make this recipe suitable for vegan and lactose-intolerant diners.

Save Smashed Fingerling Potatoes for Later

• Store leftover smashed potatoes in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Spread potatoes on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
• Drizzle potatoes with a little olive oil, then crisp in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally to restore crunchiness.
• Wrap cooled potatoes tightly in freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Dishes That Go Well with Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

• Sprinkle thyme-infused potatoes with crisp, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc to complement the earthy potato flavors and enhance the herb notes.
• Serve smashed potatoes alongside grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce, and a light Greek salad for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal with complementary textures and flavors.
• Elevate the crispy potatoes with homemade garlic aioli, tangy sour cream, or herbed ranch dressing to add richness and depth to each bite.
• Pair these golden potatoes with roasted herb-crusted salmon or grilled steak to balance the crispy potato texture with tender, juicy protein.

Variations for Smashed Fingerling Potato Lovers

• Herb-Infused Variation: Replace thyme with rosemary or sage for an aromatic herbal profile, perfect for those wanting a different herb flavor.
• Vegan Potato Option: Swap butter with coconut oil or olive oil, omit Parmesan, and use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free, plant-based version.
• Spicy Kick Potatoes: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the olive oil mixture for a zesty, heat-packed alternative that spice lovers will enjoy.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace fingerling potatoes with cauliflower florets, following the same roasting technique for a lower-carbohydrate alternative suitable for keto diets.

Smashed Fingerling Potato FAQs

• Are fingerling potatoes different from regular potatoes?

Fingerling potatoes are smaller, elongated potatoes with a waxy texture and buttery flavor. They’re naturally smaller and have a more delicate skin compared to regular potatoes.

• Why do I need to boil the potatoes before roasting?

Boiling helps soften the potatoes and ensures they’re fully cooked inside before getting crispy in the oven. This two-step cooking process creates a perfect tender interior with a crispy exterior.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh thyme?

Yes, you can substitute dried thyme. Use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh thyme called for in the recipe. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor, so a little goes a long way.

• What's the best way to smash the potatoes without breaking them?

Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher and apply gentle, even pressure. Don’t press too hard- you want them flattened but still holding together, creating those delicious crispy edges.

Smashed Fingerling Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy “Smashed Fingerling Potatoes” deliver golden, herb-crusted perfection with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Salt-kissed edges and buttery interiors invite you to savor each irresistible bite of this simple yet sophisticated side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 2 tablespoons salt (for boiling)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional, for a cheesy finish)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Submerge fingerling potatoes in a generously salted cold water bath within a spacious cooking vessel.
2. Elevate the water temperature, allowing potatoes to simmer vigorously until they yield effortlessly to a fork’s gentle pressure, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Carefully evacuate excess liquid, permitting potatoes a brief moment to cool and stabilize.
4. Calibrate the oven’s temperature to a robust 425F, simultaneously preparing a parchment-lined baking landscape.
5. Arrange boiled potatoes across the sheet, then systematically flatten each morsel using a sturdy utensil, creating rustic, textured surfaces.
6. Craft a harmonious seasoning elixir by whisking together olive oil, minced garlic, aromatic herbs, and complementary spices in a compact mixing vessel.
7. Lavishly distribute the herbaceous mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage across the smashed potato terrain.
8. Transfer the baking sheet into the heated oven, allowing the potatoes to transform into crisp, golden medallions through a 25-30 minute roasting ritual.
9. Upon achieving optimal crispness, embellish with optional Parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of verdant parsley.
10. Present immediately alongside a complementary dipping companion like tangy sour cream or zesty aioli.

Notes

• Boil potatoes in generously salted water to infuse flavor deep into the potato’s core, ensuring each bite is well-seasoned.
• Use a flat-bottomed glass or sturdy spatula for consistent smashing, creating maximum crispy surface area for incredible crunchiness.
• Choose waxy fingerling varieties like Russian Banana or French Fingerling for best texture, avoiding starchy potatoes that might fall apart during smashing.
• Experiment with alternative herb combinations like rosemary and sage, or swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast to create a dairy-free version that’s equally delicious.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg