Description
Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes are a delightful side dish featuring tender boiled baby potatoes smashed and baked to a crispy golden perfection. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh chives, they offer a perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors ideal for any meal gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1 ½ pounds yellow baby potatoes (washed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter (melted)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 8 strips bacon (cooked until crisp then crumbled)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F to prepare for baking the smashed potatoes.
- Boil Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the whole yellow baby potatoes and cook until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes depending on size. Drain well and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare Pan and Smash Potatoes: Brush a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Arrange the cooked potatoes on the pan, then use a fork to gently smash each potato, careful not to over-smash and keep them mostly in one piece.
- Oil the Potatoes: Brush the tops of the smashed potatoes with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil for crispiness.
- Bake First Round: Place the potatoes in the oven and bake at 450°F for 15 minutes to begin crisping the edges.
- Add Butter and Toppings: Remove the potatoes from the oven and brush them with melted butter. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste, then evenly distribute shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over each potato.
- Bake Again: Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the potatoes are golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle fresh chopped chives over the potatoes for a fresh finish, and serve hot.
Notes
- Ensure potatoes are thoroughly dried after boiling to achieve maximum crispness when baked.
- Do not over-smash the potatoes; keep them intact to maintain texture.
- Bacon can be substituted with vegetarian bacon for a vegetarian variation, though this would change the overall flavor profile.
- Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor.
- Can be prepared ahead up to the first bake and reheated before adding toppings for serving.