Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Whipped Herb Ricotta: Your New Favorite Indulgence

Move over, potato chips! There’s a new crispy, crunchy sensation in town, and it’s called smashed potatoes. These savory bites offer an irresistible combination of a golden, crunchy exterior and a perfectly soft, fluffy interior, packed with flavor. And when paired with our decadent whipped herb ricotta blended with savory feta cheese? It’s simply addicting. Get ready to elevate your appetizer game or transform your weeknight side dish with this incredible recipe that will have everyone asking for more!

For more delightful appetizer ideas, be sure to try this baked brie in puff pastry!

The Irresistible Rise of Smashed Potatoes

We’ve all enjoyed potatoes in countless forms: creamy mashed potatoes, hearty home fries, classic french fries, and tender roasted potatoes. The versatility of the humble potato seems endless, with new trends like “potato milk” even making headlines. But recently, one preparation has truly taken the culinary world by storm: smashed potatoes. If you haven’t seen them dominating your social media feeds (hello, TikTok!), you’re in for a delightful revelation. These crispy gems are quickly climbing the ranks as one of the most delicious and satisfying ways to enjoy potatoes.

What makes them so special? This recipe delivers smashed potatoes that are incredibly crunchy on the outside, seasoned to perfection, and endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings. Our version features a homemade whipped ricotta dip, infused with fresh herbs, tangy feta, a drizzle of olive oil, and a splash of lemon juice. The creamy, zesty dip provides the perfect counterpoint to the crispy potatoes, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that is truly unforgettable.

How to Make the Best Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Creating these delightful crispy smashed potatoes is surprisingly straightforward, involving just three core steps: boil, smash, and roast. It’s a simple process that yields extraordinary results. For an even more elevated experience, the accompanying whipped herb ricotta dip is an absolute game-changer, perfectly complementing the potatoes with its rich, creamy texture and vibrant flavors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Smashed Potatoes

1. Boil the Potatoes to Perfection: Begin by boiling your chosen potatoes (we recommend smaller varieties like red or creamer potatoes for optimal crispiness). Add a touch of baking soda and a generous pinch of salt to the water. The baking soda is a secret ingredient that helps break down the potato’s surface, promoting an extra crispy skin when roasted. Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, meaning a fork can easily pierce them, but they are not mushy. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, depending on their size. Drain them thoroughly and transfer them to a baking sheet, ensuring they are spread in a single layer.
2. Achieve the Perfect Smash: This is where the fun begins! While there are several ways to smash potatoes, using the bottom of a sturdy glass cup is a favored method for individual, perfectly flattened potatoes. Simply press down on each potato until it’s nicely flattened but still holds together. Alternatively, for a quicker approach, you can place another baking sheet directly on top of all the boiled potatoes and apply even pressure to smash them simultaneously. The goal is to create as much surface area as possible, which will become gloriously crispy in the oven.
3. Season and Roast for Maximum Crispiness: Once smashed, generously drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with your chosen seasonings. A blend of onion powder, parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper works wonders. Roast them in a preheated oven at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes. This initial roast will develop a beautiful golden crust. For ultimate crispiness, flip each potato and return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing both sides to become wonderfully golden and crunchy.

Crafting the Dreamy Whipped Herb Ricotta Dip

To prepare the exquisite whipped herb ricotta dip, simply combine ricotta cheese, a touch of sour cream for extra creaminess, feta cheese for a salty tang, fresh lemon juice for brightness, olive oil for richness, minced garlic cloves, and a medley of freshly chopped dill, parsley, and chives in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. Season with a pinch of salt to taste. This vibrant, herbaceous dip is the ideal accompaniment, adding a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, crispy potatoes. When paired together, these crispy smashed potatoes and the luscious whipped ricotta create a dish that is truly extraordinary!

Expert Tips for the Crispiest Smashed Potatoes

Achieving restaurant-quality crispy smashed potatoes at home is easy with a few key pointers:

• Choose the Right Potatoes: Smaller potatoes are your best friend for smashed potatoes. Varieties like red potatoes, creamer potatoes, or baby golden potatoes work exceptionally well. Their smaller size means more surface area per potato for crisping, and they tend to cook through more evenly. A mix of different small potatoes can also add visual appeal and a slight variation in texture.
• The Baking Soda Secret: As mentioned, adding a small amount of baking soda (about half a teaspoon) to your boiling water is a game-changer. It slightly raises the pH of the water, which helps to break down the pectin on the potato’s surface. This creates a fluffy, almost crumbly exterior that becomes incredibly crispy when roasted, forming that desirable golden crust.
• Boil, Don’t Over-Boil: The sweet spot for boiling is fork-tender but not mushy. If the potatoes are too firm, they’ll be difficult to smash evenly. If they’re too soft, they’ll turn to mash when you try to flatten them. Test them frequently during the last few minutes of boiling.
• Don’t Skimp on Olive Oil and Seasoning: Olive oil is crucial for both flavor and crisping. Ensure each smashed potato is generously coated. The seasoning blend you use is also vital for imparting maximum flavor. Feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs and spices, but garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder are excellent staples.
• Consider Your Equipment: While a standard oven works perfectly, an air fryer or a compact, efficient oven can also be fantastic for achieving superior crispiness. The intense, circulating heat in these appliances can often yield extra-crisp results in less time.
• Preheat Your Baking Sheet: For an extra boost of crispiness, you can preheat your baking sheet in the oven while the potatoes are boiling. When you place the smashed potatoes on the hot sheet, it starts crisping them immediately from below.
• Space Them Out: Ensure the potatoes are spread in a single layer on the baking sheet without overcrowding. This allows air to circulate around each potato, promoting even crisping. If they’re too close, they’ll steam rather than roast.

Recommended Kitchen Tools for Success

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your culinary adventures. For this recipe, I highly recommend checking out Calphalon’s Performance Cool Touch Oven. I used this oven to make these incredibly crispy smashed roasted potatoes, and the results were truly amazing. It preheats quickly, typically within 5-10 minutes, and a major bonus is that it doesn’t heat up your entire kitchen, which is especially appreciated during warmer months. Beyond roasting, this versatile appliance boasts an impressive array of features, including baking, proofing, dehydrating, toasting, and even specialized settings for cookies and pizza, making it a fantastic addition to any kitchen.

For the creamy whipped herb ricotta dip, I relied on their ActiveSense blender. This powerful blender is not just for dips; it’s a workhorse capable of creating everything from fresh salsas and invigorating smoothies to frozen cocktails and so much more. Both of these Calphalon products significantly streamline the cooking process and help achieve professional-level results at home.

What to Serve with Crispy Smashed Potatoes

While these crispy smashed potatoes are undeniably delicious on their own, serving them with complementary dishes can elevate your meal even further. Their versatile flavor profile and satisfying texture make them a fantastic pairing for a wide array of main courses and appetizers.

Perfect Pairings & Serving Ideas:

• Soup Dippers: Forget bread! These crispy potatoes make phenomenal dippers for a comforting bowl of soup. They are particularly wonderful with rich and creamy varieties like this creamy tomato soup. The contrast of the warm, savory soup with the crunchy potato is simply delightful. They also pair wonderfully with a hearty chili, such as this deliciously cheesy black bean chili, adding substance and texture to every spoonful.
• Alternative to French Fries: For a healthier and more exciting alternative to traditional french fries, serve smashed potatoes alongside your favorite sandwiches or burgers. They are particularly excellent with Salmon Bites or a messy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich.
• Elegant Side Dish: Elevate a weeknight dinner or special occasion meal by serving these crushed potatoes with a sophisticated main. They complement lighter proteins beautifully, such as this super easy White Wine Herb Roasted Chicken. The herbs in the potatoes and dip will echo the flavors of the chicken, creating a cohesive and flavorful plate.
• Additional Creamy Dips: If you’re a fan of creamy dips, try serving these potatoes with my favorite roasted garlic labneh. This tangy, garlicky dip offers another layer of creamy goodness that complements the crispy potatoes perfectly. You can also experiment with other dips like a spicy aioli, a fresh pesto, or even a simple Greek yogurt dip with chives.
• Toppings Galore: Beyond the whipped ricotta, consider topping your smashed potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese, crispy bacon bits, a dollop of sour cream and chives, or even a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet and savory kick. The possibilities are truly limitless, so have fun and get creative with this recipe!

Explore More Delicious Potato Recipes!

If you’re a potato enthusiast, you’re in luck! There’s an endless array of ways to enjoy this versatile vegetable. Here are some more fantastic potato recipes to inspire your next meal:

• Classic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
• Luxurious Brown Butter Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes
• Comforting Mom’s Cheesy Potatoes
• Decadent Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes with Toasted Breadcrumbs
• Flavorful Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry
• Wholesome Caprese Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Rich Cajun Cream Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes

This blog post and recipe for crispy smashed potatoes were created in partnership with Calphalon. I received compensation in exchange for my work. My opinions on their products are entirely genuine; I would certainly mention it if I didn’t love them! Thank you for your continued support!

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Whipped Herb Ricotta

By Britney

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 50 mins

Total: 1 hr

Servings: 6

Smashed potatoes – crispy, crunchy, and addicting! Paired with whipped herb ricotta blended with feta cheese for a delicious dip.

Equipment

• Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Air Fry Oven (optional)
• Calphalon ActiveSense Blender (optional)

Ingredients

• 3 lbs creamer potatoes
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp parsley, fresh, chopped
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• Olive oil
• salt and pepper, as desired

Whipped Herb Ricotta

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup feta
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 3 tbsps garlic cloves
• 2 tbsps dill, freshly chopped
• 1 tbsp parsley, freshly chopped
• 1 tbsp chives, freshly chopped
• salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230°C).
2. Bring a large pot of water (about 8 cups) to a rolling boil. Add baking soda and a pinch of salt. Carefully add the potatoes and boil for 20-25 minutes, or until they are fork-tender but not mushy.
3. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and transfer them to a baking sheet. Using the bottom of a sturdy cup or another baking sheet, gently smash each potato until flattened.
4. In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary. Sprinkle this seasoning blend generously over the smashed potatoes, then drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the preheated oven (or air fryer) for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden and crisp. Remove the baking sheet, flip the potatoes, and roast for an additional 10 minutes to ensure crispiness on both sides.
5. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the whipped herb ricotta. In a blender, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, feta, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, dill, parsley, and chives. Blend until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste.
6. Serve the hot, crispy smashed potatoes immediately with the whipped herb ricotta dip on the side. Enjoy!

Notes

• For best results and varied textures, use a mix of small potatoes such as red potatoes, baby golden potatoes, and creamer potatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal,
Carbohydrates: 46g,
Protein: 11g,
Fat: 9g,
Saturated Fat: 5g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g,
Cholesterol: 32mg,
Sodium: 279mg,
Potassium: 1086mg,
Fiber: 6g,
Sugar: 3g,
Vitamin A: 741IU,
Vitamin C: 51mg,
Calcium: 174mg,
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.