Loaded Smashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, combining the crispy goodness of smashed potatoes with all the indulgent toppings of a loaded baked potato! Perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or as a standout side dish at your next barbecue!

Overhead shot of loaded smashed potatoes topped with cheese, bacon and parsley.

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    The Best Loaded Smashed Potatoes Recipe

    This easy loaded smashed potatoes combine the best elements of crispy potatoes and indulgent toppings, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors! First the potatoes are boiled until tender, and then smashed and baked to crispy perfection! To make them loaded, top them with shredded cheese, bacon and parsley!

    This dish is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the toppings to suit you and your family’s preferences. Whether served as a side dish or a main course, these potatoes are a comforting and satisfying treat that everyone loves!

    Ingredients Needed

    • Baby Potatoes: Work the best since they are already bit sized and don’t need to be cut. Plus you don’t have to worry about peeling them!
    • Salt: Is added to the water to season the potatoes throughout.
    • Baking Soda: Baking soda will draw out some of the starch from the potatoes, making them crispier once they are baked! This is my secret to the crispiest potatoes!
    • Garlic: I LOVE garlic so I added some whole garlic cloves, smashed and roasted them along with the potatoes.
    • Monterey Jack Cheese: Or your favorite shredded cheese like cheddar cheese!
    • Bacon: Bacon crumbles take these loaded smashed potatoes to a whole new level! You can prep the bacon before hand and crumble it up.
    • Parsley: Or green onions would work for a pop of color and freshness to the potatoes!

    How to Make Loaded Smashed Potatoes

    1. Boil Potatoes: Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover them with cold water. Sprinkle in the salt and baking soda. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and coon uncovered for 15 minutes.
    2. Drain & Preheat Oven: Drain the potatoes and give them a couple good shakes. Let them sit in the colander for a couple of minutes to make sure all the water drains. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
    Potatoes cooking in a pot of water.
    Potatoes draining in a colander.
    1. Season: Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet along with the garlic cloves and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    2. Smash: Using a small jar or cup, smash each potato to flatten it. you should have to use too much pressure, the potato should flatten pretty easily.
    Potatoes on a baking sheet with garlic cloves drizzled with olive oil.
    Small jar smashing the potatoes on a baking sheet before baking them.
    1. Bake: Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Flip each potato then bake for another 15-20 minutes or until they look golden brown and crispy.
    Potatoes smashed on a baking sheet before being baked.
    Smashed potatoes on a baking sheet after being baked.
    1. Top with Cheese & Enjoy: Remove them from the oven and then top with shredded cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until melted. Top with bacon crumbles and herbs. Serve with sour cream for dipping and enjoy!
    Smashed potatoes on a plate sprinkled with shredded cheese.
    Loaded smashed potatoes with melted cheese, bacon and parsley on top.

    Recipe Variations

    • Vegetarian Option: You can omit the bacon in this loaded smashed potatoes recipe in order to make these vegetarian! Feel free to replace the bacon with diced avocado or guacamole!
    • Cheese Variety: Monterey jack cheese is a creamy, melty option. However, you can use your favorite cheeses like cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella!
    • Toppings: Cheese is a must here. As far as other toppings go, you can add anything that you’d like! Try green onions or chives, and then dip them into sour cream or ranch!
    • Spice It Up: Add jalapeños or a dash of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What types of potatoes are best for loaded smashed potatoes?

    Small, waxy potatoes such as baby potatoes, red potatoes, or fingerling potatoes are best for these loaded smashed potatoes. They have thin skin and creamy interior that makes them crisp up well in the oven!

    What should I serve with loaded smashed potatoes?

    They can be served as a snack or appetizer with sour cream or ranch for dipping! Or, serve them as a side dish with your favorite mains like grilled chicken, steak and chimichurri, ribs, or air fryer salmon!

    Loaded smashed potatoes on a plate next to a small ramekin of sour cream.

    More Easy Recipes to Try

    Recipe

    Loaded Smashed Potatoes

    Loaded Smashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, combining the crispy goodness of smashed potatoes with all the indulgent toppings of a loaded baked potato! Perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or as a standout side dish at your next barbecue!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Serves 4
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      Ingredients 

      • 1.5 lb baby potatoes
      • 2 salt
      • 2 baking soda
      • 4 cloves garlic, whole
      • 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling after
      • salt and pepper
      • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
      • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled , (about 4 pieces cooked)
      • fresh parsley, chopped

      Instructions

      • Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover them with cold water.
        Sprinkle in the salt and baking soda. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
      • Drain the potatoes and give them a couple good shakes. Let them sit in the colander for a couple of minutes to make sure all the water drains.
        Meanwhile preheat oven to 425 degrees.
      • Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet along with the garlic cloves and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
      • Using a small jar or a cup smash each potato to flatten it. You shouldn't have to use too much pressure the potato should flatten pretty easily.
      • Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
        Flip each potato then bake for another 15-20 minutes or until they look golden brown and crispy.
      • Remove them from the oven then top with shredded cheese.
      • Broil for 2-3 minutes or until melted. Top with bacon crumbles and herbs. Serve with sour cream for dipping!

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 15gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 748mgPotassium: 822mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 226IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 238mgIron: 2mg

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