These Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes are fluffy and tender from the inside and crispy on the outside. Brushed with fragrant garlic and fresh thyme infused extra virgin olive oil goodness all over and around. This can give French fries run for its money for sure! Great as a side dish or just as a healthy snack!
Ingredients
18 baby potatoes or 2 lb in weight ( or new potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes)
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic, crushed ( about 4 big cloves)
water to boil the potatoes
cooking spray or extra olive oil to grease the baking sheet
kosher salt, to taste
Method
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick cooking spray.
In a small bowl mix chopped thyme, crushed garlic and salt along with olive oil. Set aside. ( I used 1 teaspoon of salt)
In a large stock pot of boiling water add generous amount of salt. Add the potatoes and cook them until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes; drain well and pat dry.
Place potatoes on to the prepared baking sheet making sure that they aren’t too close to each other. Using a potato masher (or fork or the back of the glass), press down in the center to smash the potato until flattened but still in one piece. Don’t worry if they break; repeat for all potatoes.
Drizzle the prepared olive oil-herb mixture with the spoon on each smashed potato or simply brush them with the help of a brush.
Place into oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges seem to be browning and appear crispy.
My Notes
You can use any other choice of herbs you like, the possibilities are endless! You can swap fresh thyme for some rosemary or parsley. Or simpy go with some garlic and salt and pepper. There is no right or wrong about it, as long as you don't burn the herbs and spices. The potatoes will taste bitter if herbs and spices are burnt.
You can put it on broil setting for a minute to make the potatoes more crispy and golden on the edges.
When the potatoes come out of the oven, you could sprinkle 2 tablespoon of parmesan cheese to make them cheesy or garnish with some chopped parsley if you like!
Recipe by at https://www.urbancilantro.com/crispy-garlic-smashed-potatoes/