Description
Crispy smashed baby potatoes topped with gooey cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, sour cream, and fresh chives—an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day or parties. Customizable with your favorite toppings and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon Gold or red potatoes (small size)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for boiling water)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- Optional: Jalapeño slices
- Optional: Crumbled blue cheese
- Optional: Hot sauce
- Optional: Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a generous pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart (about 15-20 minutes). Drain well and let cool just enough to handle.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the sheet.
- Arrange boiled potatoes on the baking sheet, spacing them out. Use a potato masher or flat-bottomed cup to gently press each potato until it’s about 1/2-inch thick.
- Brush each smashed potato with remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bake potatoes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden and crispy. For extra crunch, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Remove potatoes from oven. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over each, then scatter crumbled bacon on top. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes, just until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Transfer hot potatoes to a serving platter. Dollop each with sour cream, then sprinkle with fresh chives. Add optional extras like jalapeños or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
For extra crispy potatoes, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet and finish under the broiler. Make ahead by boiling and smashing potatoes in advance, then roast and load with toppings just before serving. Easily adapt for vegetarian or vegan diets by omitting bacon and using plant-based cheese and yogurt. Air fryer method: cook smashed potatoes at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, then add toppings and cook a few more minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3-4 potatoes per serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: smashed potatoes, loaded potatoes, game day appetizer, party snack, crispy potatoes, bacon, cheese, easy appetizer, gluten-free, crowd-pleaser