CRISPY POTATOES

Loaded Smashed Potato Salad

Crispy smashed potatoes tossed with bacon, cheddar, scallions, and tangy creamy dressing.

Jump to Recipe
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings8
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

For the Potatoes

  • 3 pounds baby potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt for boiling
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Loaded Dressing

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For Finishing

  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 scallions, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Substitutions

  • Yukon Gold chunks can replace baby potatoes.

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes

Boil potatoes in salted water 15 to 18 minutes until a knife enters with slight resistance. Drain and steam-dry 5 minutes.

Boil the potatoes for Loaded Smashed Potato Salad

Step 2: Heat the Oven

Preheat to 450°F and oil two sheet pans.

Step 3: Smash and Season

Place potatoes on pans, smash to 1/2-inch thickness, drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, and pepper.

Smash and season for Loaded Smashed Potato Salad

Step 4: Roast Until Crisp

Roast 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pans once, until deeply golden and crisp at the edges.

Roast until crisp for Loaded Smashed Potato Salad

Step 5: Mix the Dressing

Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon, and salt.

Step 6: Cool Briefly

Let potatoes cool 10 minutes so they remain crisp when dressed.

Step 7: Assemble

Toss gently with enough dressing to coat. Fold in most bacon, cheddar, scallions, and parsley; top with the rest and serve warm or cool.

Assemble for Loaded Smashed Potato Salad
Finished Loaded Smashed Potato Salad ready to serve

Dress the Potatoes After the Steam Escapes

The 10-minute cooling period after roasting is important. Very hot potatoes melt the sour-cream dressing and lose their crisp edges, while potatoes that have cooled briefly can hold the dressing without turning greasy. Fold rather than stir aggressively so the smashed pieces stay intact.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days. The roasted potato edges soften once they are coated with the sour-cream dressing, so store any extra dressing separately if you expect to keep part of the batch.

Keep bacon, scallions, and any reserved crispy potato pieces separate if you want to restore some contrast before serving leftovers.

Nutrition Information

Nutrient Per Serving
Calories 490
Protein 13g
Carbohydrates 48g
Fat 29g
Sugar 4g

Nutrition is an estimate and can vary with brands, portion size, ripeness, and substitutions.

About the Author

FreshFork Recipes Team edits each recipe page for clear measurements, consistent instructions, and practical cooking guidance.

More Recipes

Similar Recipes

Try another fresh and easy recipe from FreshFork Recipes.