Loaded Smashed Potatoes 🥔🧀🥓

Ultra crispy edges, fluffy centers, and fully loaded with flavor

Introduction

These Loaded Smashed Potatoes are everything you want in a side dish—crispy, cheesy, buttery, and topped with all the good stuff.

Boiled potatoes are smashed, roasted until golden and crunchy, then loaded with cheese, bacon, and toppings. Think of them as the perfect mix between roasted potatoes and loaded potato skins.

Ingredients

Potatoes:

1 kg baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Toppings:

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
2 tbsp sour cream
2 green onions (chopped)

Optional Add-ins:

Garlic powder
Paprika or smoked paprika
Ranch drizzle
Jalapeños for heat

Substitutions:

Bacon → turkey bacon or skip for vegetarian
Sour cream → Greek yogurt
Cheddar → mozzarella, gouda, or mixed cheese
Olive oil → butter

Timing

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Boiling time: 15–20 minutes
Baking time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Boil potatoes

Place potatoes in salted water and boil until fork-tender.

Step 2: Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).

Step 3: Smash potatoes

Place potatoes on a baking sheet and gently smash with a glass or fork.

Tip: Don’t flatten too much—leave some thickness for fluffy centers.

Step 4: Season and oil

Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional spices.

Step 5: Bake

Roast for 25–30 minutes until crispy and golden.

Step 6: Add toppings

Sprinkle cheese and bacon on top and return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.

Step 7: Finish

Top with sour cream and green onions.

Step 8: Serve

Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Nutritional Information (approx per serving)

Calories: 350–500 kcal
Carbohydrates: 35–45g
Fat: 18–30g
Protein: 10–15g

Healthier Alternatives

Use less cheese
Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt
Skip bacon or use turkey bacon
Use less oil
Add herbs for flavor

Serving Suggestions

Serve with grilled chicken or steak
Pair with burgers
Add to party platters
Serve as appetizer with dips
Top with extra herbs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not boiling enough (hard centers)
Overcrowding pan (less crispiness)
Not using enough oil (won’t crisp)
Smashing too thin (burns easily)
Skipping final bake after toppings

Storage Tips

Store in fridge up to 3 days
Reheat in oven or air fryer
Avoid microwaving (loses crispiness)
Freeze plain potatoes before topping
Store toppings separately if possible