Loaded Smashed Potatoes Recipe
These Loaded Smashed Potatoes are a delicious and hearty side dish featuring crispy baby potatoes topped with smoky bacon, melted cheddar, sour cream, and tangy pickled jalapeños. Perfect for casual meals or gatherings, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors and a satisfying crispy texture.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 20 Baby Potatoes
- 2 tsp Salt, plus 1/4-1/2 tsp for seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Meat and Oil
- 6 slices Streaky Bacon
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
Toppings
- 120g (1/2 cup) Sour Cream
- 120g (4 oz) Cheddar, grated
- 1–2 thin Spring Onions, finely sliced
- Handful of Pickled Jalapeños, finely diced
- Boil the Potatoes. Place the baby potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 2 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and let them dry slightly.
- Cook the Bacon. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the streaky bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
- Smash and Season the Potatoes. Heat the olive oil and reserved bacon fat in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place the cooked potatoes on the skillet and gently smash each potato with the back of a spatula or a potato masher until they are flattened but still in one piece. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and 1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the bottom sides are golden and crispy.
- Add Cheese and Bacon. Flip the smashed potatoes carefully, then sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the potatoes. Add the chopped crispy bacon on top. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil to allow the cheese to melt, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Serve with Toppings. Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the skillet from heat. Transfer the loaded smashed potatoes to a serving platter and dollop sour cream over the top. Garnish with finely sliced spring onions and pickled jalapeños for a tangy, spicy kick. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute baby potatoes with small Yukon Gold or red potatoes if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of pickled jalapeños according to your spice tolerance.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use extra olive oil or butter instead.
- These potatoes are best served fresh to enjoy the crispy texture.
Keywords: loaded smashed potatoes, smashed potatoes with bacon, crispy potatoes, cheesy potatoes, appetizer, side dish