Rustic Smashed Spuds: The Pioneer Woman’s Crash Potatoes Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s crash potatoes elevate the humble potato from ordinary to extraordinary with their mind-blowing crispiness.

These golden-brown gems transform simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that sings with flavor.

Smashed and roasted to perfection, each potato becomes a crisp canvas of herb-infused deliciousness.

The technique is surprisingly straightforward, turning basic spuds into a restaurant-worthy side dish.

Salt, herbs, and a hot oven work magic, creating a texture that’s simultaneously crunchy and tender.

Every bite promises a delightful contrast between the crackling exterior and the silky interior.

Wow your dinner companions with this shockingly simple yet impressive potato sensation!

Instructions for Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• Boil and Prepare Potatoes

Toss new potatoes into a pot of salted water. Cook until they surrender easily to a fork’s gentle prod, around 10-15 minutes. Drain and let them cool slightly.

• Create Crispy Canvas

Splash olive oil across a baking sheet, spreading it with a paper towel to create a slick surface that prevents sticking. Arrange potatoes with plenty of breathing room.

• Smash and Shape

Grab a potato masher or glass bottom. Press down firmly on each potato, flattening them into rustic, uneven shapes. The more cracks and crevices, the crunchier the result. Rotate and press again to create an extra textured landscape.

• Season and Enhance

Drizzle another round of olive oil over the smashed potatoes. Shower them with a snowfall of salt, cracked pepper, and fresh herbs. This layer adds depth and excitement to your potato adventure.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the potatoes like a delicate winter frost. Slide the baking sheet into a scorching 450°F oven. Roast until edges turn into crispy, golden brown moments of deliciousness, about 20-25 minutes. The result: potatoes with a crunchy exterior and creamy heart.

Tips to Perfect Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• Smash Potato Mastery: Unlock secret techniques to elevate your potato game with these expert tips.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or pecorino for unexpected flavor explosions.
• Herb Garden Hack: Try fresh herb combinations like dill and chives or oregano and basil to create unique seasoning profiles that make your potatoes sing.
• Crispy Texture Booster: For extra crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs or nutritional yeast over the potatoes before baking, guaranteeing a satisfyingly crisp exterior that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serving Ideas for Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• Pair with Protein Powerhouses: Serve these crispy potatoes alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or juicy steak for a complete and satisfying meal that balances flavors and textures.
• Create a Brunch Spectacular: Top the potatoes with a perfectly poached egg, crumbled bacon, and a sprinkle of chives to transform this side dish into a show-stopping brunch centerpiece.
• Craft a Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Arrange the potatoes on a large platter with hummus, tzatziki, olives, and fresh pita bread for a vibrant, shareable appetizer that celebrates Mediterranean flavors.
• Elevate with Dipping Sauces: Offer a selection of dipping sauces like garlic aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, or herb-infused sour cream to add an extra layer of excitement and personalization to the dish.

Storing Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover smashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The crispy edges might soften slightly, but they'll still taste delicious when reheated.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Revive cold potatoes by placing them back in a preheated 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes. This method helps restore their original crispiness and brings back the golden, crunchy exterior.
• Meal Prep Brilliance: Prepare these potatoes ahead of time by boiling and smashing them in advance. Cover and refrigerate the prepared potatoes for up to 24 hours before the final baking, making party prep or weeknight cooking a breeze.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze baked smashed potatoes by cooling completely, then placing them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They'll keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warmed through and crisp.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• New Potatoes: Choose small, waxy potatoes with thin skins for the most tender and creamy interior.
• Kosher Salt: Opt for coarse-grain salt that helps season water and enhance potato flavor.

• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin olive oil for rich, fruity undertones and better crispy texture.
• Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley: Pick fresh herbs with vibrant green color and strong aromatic qualities.

• Parmesan Cheese: Look for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano with a nutty, complex flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Grind whole peppercorns for maximum freshness and robust spiciness.

Tools for Making Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes

• Large pot: For boiling potatoes with enough space to cover them completely with salted water.
• Baking sheet: Spacious, flat surface for crushing and roasting potatoes evenly.
• Potato masher or glass bottom: Essential for creating rustic, cracked potato surfaces.
• Paper towel or pastry brush: Perfect for spreading olive oil smoothly across the baking sheet.
• Colander: Needed to drain boiled potatoes quickly and safely.
• Measuring spoons: For precise salt and herb measurements.
• Cooking brush: Helps to evenly coat potatoes with olive oil before baking.
• Cheese grater: Ideal for creating fine Parmesan cheese shreds.
• Oven: Preheated to 450°F for achieving crispy, golden potato edges.
• Fork: Used to test potato tenderness during boiling.

Crispy Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rustic crash potatoes from the Pioneer Woman bring crispy, golden-edged potato magic to dinner tables across America. Crushed, seasoned, and baked to perfection, these potatoes deliver irresistible textural delight you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 whole new potatoes (small round)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Rosemary (or other herbs of choice, to taste)
• Parmesan cheese (finely grated)

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Instructions

1. Prep Potatoes: Immerse new potatoes in heavily salted water, boiling until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain completely and allow moisture to evaporate.
2. Oven Setup: Heat oven to 450°F. Coat rimmed baking sheet generously with extra virgin olive oil, ensuring comprehensive surface coverage.
3. Smash Technique: Place boiled potatoes onto oiled sheet, maintaining space between each. Employ potato masher or heavy glass bottom to flatten potatoes uniformly, creating rustic, textured surfaces with gentle yet consistent pressure.
4. Seasoning Layer: Lavishly brush potatoes with additional olive oil. Sprinkle kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and finely chopped rosemary or thyme across each potato. Distribute Parmesan cheese evenly, creating a delicate, crisp topping.
5. Roasting Process: Position baking sheet on top oven rack. Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even golden-brown coloration. Extract when potatoes showcase crispy exterior with beautifully blistered edges.

Notes

• Boost Salt Precision: Use generously salted water to infuse potatoes with flavor during initial boiling, ensuring deep seasoning before roasting.
• Master Smashing Technique: Apply consistent, gentle pressure when flattening potatoes to create uneven surfaces that guarantee maximum crispy edges and textural variety.
• Optimize Olive Oil Coverage: Thoroughly brush potatoes with oil before and after smashing to enhance crispiness and prevent sticking to the baking sheet.
• Cheese and Herb Elevation: Sprinkle fresh herbs and Parmesan just before roasting to maximize flavor intensity and create a beautiful golden-brown crust.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 5mg