Growing up my mom would make a version of these BBQ Smashed Red Potatoes for dinner and we loved them! These potatoes are super easy to make as a side dish for a cookout & family friendly!
Spring and Summer just scream BBQ to me, maybe because the warmer weather entices everyone outside to the grill, but whatever time of year you're making these, I promised these smash potatoes will be a crowd pleaser!
And if you are hosting a backyard bbq this year, serve these potatoes along side my 3 Ingredient Smoked Pulled Pork and a big delicious Peach Prosciutto Salad!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe consistently is a favorite of ours year after year for many reasons and I think you'll love it too!
These crispy bbq potatoes couldn't be easier! Less than 20 minutes start to finish for this satisfying side dish.
Potatoes are typically really budget friendly, and just clean out your fridge to find some great toppings to go with your smashed potatoes.
Crispy, cheesy, saucy! All of these flavors and textures come together to make the perfect bite, every bite!
Naturally gluten free, so if you are accommodating a dietary restriction while hosting or in the family...these are perfect!
Family friendly is a MUST at my house...I need it to be husband and kid approved & these are!
Easily customizable, so you can feel free to get as creative as you'd like with the toppings.
Crispy Smashed Potato Ingredients
The best toppings for these BBQ Smashed Potatoes are endless. I like a mix of cheese, bacon, and herbs. Here's what you'll need to make them...
- Baby Red Potatoes - the perfect size and texture for our BBQ potatoes.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese - this is my favorite cheese pairing with BBQ sauce and it melts perfectly over the baby red potatoes.
- Chopped Bacon - feel free to use turkey bacon or bacon bits for a faster option here.
- BBQ Sauce- obviously this is essential! Use your favorite sauce, I love KC Masterpiece or Sweet Baby Rays.
- Olive Oil - this ensures our smash potatoes get nice and crispy when roasting.
- Fresh Herbs - Green onion and cilantro help to brighten up the rich and tangy potatoes.
How To Make Smashed Potatoes
The base of these bbq potatoes are smashed baby red potatoes. I like to roast baby red potatoes in the oven with olive oil for the perfect SMASH!
- Drizzle the red potatoes with olive oil & sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then smash with the bottom of a glass or back of a wooden spoon.
3. Top with the cheese, bacon, cilantro, green onion, and finish with a drizzle of BBQ sauce.
4. Plate and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side!
Pro Hostess Tip! If you need to make this ahead of time, you can roast the potatoes up to a day ahead of time. Broil for a few minutes before serving, then top with your toppings!
How To Make Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
While I love roasting the potatoes to make big batches at a time, if you are in pinch and just need a few of these, the air fryer is a great option!
Follow the same instructions as listed above and instead of putting them in the oven, just add 4-6 red potatoes to the air fryer for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
& if you are as obsessed with your air fryer as I am, give these Crispy Green Beans or my Zucchini Fries a try! So delicious.
Subsitutions & Variations
The roasted smashed potatoes recipe is pretty simple in nature, but you can make swaps as necessary for dietary restrictions or preference!
- BBQ Sauce - There are SO many types of bbq sauce & depending on where you live, the tastes can change! These smashed potatoes are excellent with a sweet and smokey bbq sauce like KC Masterpiece.
- Cheese - while I used cheddar here, parmesan on red potatoes is another delicious combo! Or omit this all together for a dairy free smashed potato.
- Herbed Potatoes - Adding all types of herbs to the crushed potatoes will only add more flavor so the more herbs, the merrier!
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes - if you love garlic like I do, try a couple of crushed garlic cloves mixed in with the olive oil to really pack in some extra flavor!
Did you know? Did you know different parts of the country make their sauce differently? For instance, Kansas City BBQ sauces tend to be sweeter and sauces from the Carolinas are more vinegar-based.
Another one that stands out is the Alabama white barbecue sauce! Give them all a try and see what you think.
FAQ, Tips & Tricks
These store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Simply pop them back in the oven to broil (or even in an air fryer) to reheat!
The key to the perfect smashed potatoes is getting them tender enough when cooking. Then you should easily be able to take the back of a spoon or even the bottom of a glass cup and press gently to flatten the potato.
Place them on a sheet tray and broil for 2-3 minutes. OR place in an air fryer basket, and fry at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
Smashed potatoes are typically flattened whole potatoes that have toppings. While mashed potatoes are completely mashed and blended with milk, cream, and spices to create a smooth texture.
What To Serve with BBQ Smashed Potatoes
Crispy and easy smashed potatoes are best served with other summertime favorites from right off the grill...
Grilled Chicken Fajitas would be a hit with these herb and cheese topped potatoes.
You could serve these with my Balsamic Basil Marinated Chicken, Easy Pulled Pork, or Teriyaki Pork Sliders!
They are the perfect side dish to bring to a cookout and I promise they will be a hit!
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes
Did you make this recipe & love it? Leave a recipe rating and comment below and don't forget to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest!
BBQ Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 sheet tray
Ingredients
- 12-14 baby red potatoes
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 slices bacon cooked and diced
- 2 green onions chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ½ cup your favorite barbecue sauce I used KC Masterpiece!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- On a baking sheet, drizzle olive oil all over the baby potatoes.
- Season them with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until tender.
- Smash them with a potato masher or the back of a spoon until they are flat.
- Top with cheese, bacon, green onion, cilantro, and barbeque sauce!
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