Crispy Smashed Potatoes In The Convection Oven

When it comes to potato side dishes, these crispy smashed potatoes are my family’s favorite! Crispy edges, tender middles and a light salt and garlic flavor, this side dish is gone in minutes making it the perfect addition to a weeknight meal or a Thanksgiving feast!

I like to think of smashed potatoes as a cross between a crispy french fry and a baked potato. Depending on how hard you press them, the middle can be soft and tender but the edges are always crispy and crunchy and it makes for such a delicious combination!

These smashed potatoes were made using the convection setting on the oven, so they cook in 1/3 the time of traditional recipes. They pair perfectly with this Crispy Chicken Wing recipe which is also done in the convection oven. You can also

Watch Us Make It:

What Is The Difference Between Smashed Potatoes and Mashed Potatoes?

The biggest difference between the two potatoes is the consistency in the end product! With mashed potatoes, you are looking for a smooth, creamy (sometimes chunky) delicious bowl of potatoes.

With smashed potatoes, our focus is on the crispy, golden edges! We are going for something closer to a french fry…that is why they are so irresistible!

Even though both smashed and mashed potatoes are boiled, there is a big difference in how they are prepared. Mashed potatoes are typically cut into smaller pieces and boiled in water. Then they are drained and mashed with butter and milk.

Smashed potatoes use baby potatoes that are cooked whole in boiling water. Then they are drained, placed on a sheet pan, smashed, drizzled with oil and baked.

There’s a big difference!

How Do You Serve Crispy Smashed Potatoes?

In addition to being a delicious dinner side dish, this recipe is also perfect for parties. Here are just a few ways to serve them!

• Dish it up for dinner
• A perfect Thanksgiving side dish – let them cool slightly, then stack them on each other in a serving dish. Letting them cool first will keep them from getting soggy.
• Superbowl or game day appetizer – Place them in a single layer on a serving platter and top with yogurt (or sour cream), cheese and chives
• Just serve with a bowl of ketchup and let the kids have at it!

No matter how you serve these, they will be a hit! They are always the first to go at parties and the kids eat them off the pan when I’m cooking dinner…that’s always a winner in my book!

What Is A Convection Oven Good For?

Convection ovens have several benefits, but the only two I care about are the reduced cooking time and the crispy foods that you can produce.

You do not need to have a separate convection oven to make these. Chances are that your oven has a convection setting. On my oven, it is a switch similar to the one that turns on the light. Just flip it on while cooking and you have a convection oven!

The convection setting uses a fan to push air around the oven which makes the food cook faster and more evenly. Because of this, you don’ want to cover the food while using the convection setting. If you add foil over the food, it blocks the air from circulating.

How to Make Smashed Potatoes

Are you ready for the very easy recipe? Grab the kids because this is a fun one to make together!

Step 1: Boil the potatoes. Add the potatoes to a pot and add enough water to submerge the potatoes. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water to help bring it to a boil faster.

Step 2: Once the potatoes are fork tender (actually poke it with a fork to make sure), drain the potatoes and let them sit for a few minutes to let them air dry. If there is moisture on the potato, it will take longer to crisp in the oven.

Step 3: Place the potatoes on a lined cookie sheet and smash them using a fork or the bottom of a cup. The thinner you smash them, the crispier they will be. I like to make some really thin and keep some thicker, just for variety

Step 4: Place them in the oven and turn on the convection setting. Let them cook until they are crispy. You may need to eat a few to make sure 🙂

Step 5: Serve and watch everyone gobble them up!

You are going to love this recipe! They really pair well with these dishes too:

• Crispy Chicken Wings in the Convection Oven
• Accordion Potatoes in the Convection Oven
• Roasted Turkey Legs
• Bison Burgers
• Simple Sauteed Pea Shoots
• Strawberry Lemonade