Smashed Buffalo Potatoes Recipe for Game Day Fun

Crispy, golden buffalo potatoes have become my latest obsession in comfort food.

Spuds never tasted so incredible when coated with zesty sauce and baked to perfection.

Weekend game nights demand something spectacular that everyone can enjoy together.

Crunch meets heat in this epic potato creation that promises to steal the show.

My kitchen experiments often lead to delightful surprises, and these smashed buffalo potatoes definitely hit the mark.

Bold flavors dance across each perfectly crispy bite, tempting you to dive right in.

You’ll want to have napkins ready for this messy, delicious adventure that guarantees smiles around the table.

What’s So Great About Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

• Simple buffalo potatoes bring explosive taste with minimal kitchen effort, transforming ordinary ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish.
• Prep and cooking take under an hour, making this recipe perfect for busy families craving something deliciously different without complicated techniques.
• Easily adjust spice levels by changing hot sauce quantities, swap blue cheese for alternative toppings, or make vegetarian-friendly with plant-based butter options.
• Requires minimal, affordable ingredients like baby potatoes, pantry staples, and basic seasonings, delivering restaurant-quality flavor at home without breaking the bank.

What You’ll Need to Make Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

• Baby Potatoes: Small, waxy potatoes perfect for smashing, great texture and quick cooking time.

• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Classic spice blend for enhancing potato flavor, adding depth and warmth.

• Hot Sauce: Provides spicy kick and signature buffalo flavor, choose traditional buffalo-style hot sauce.
• Butter, Honey: Creates smooth, slightly sweet buffalo sauce, helps balance heat and add richness.

• Olive Oil: Helps potatoes crisp up and prevents sticking, ensures golden brown exterior.

• Parsley, Green Onions: Fresh herbs for color and brightness, adds light herbal notes.
• Blue Cheese: Tangy cheese that complements buffalo sauce, provides creamy contrast.

• Ranch Dressing, Blue Cheese Dressing: Cool and creamy accompaniments, helps balance spicy buffalo sauce.

Smashed Buffalo Potatoes – How to Make Them

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Heat the oven to 425F (220C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Step 2: Boil Potatoes

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Drop baby potatoes into the water. Cook until potatoes become soft and easily pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the water completely and let potatoes cool slightly.

Step 3: Smash Potatoes

Transfer boiled potatoes onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork, flat-bottomed glass, or potato masher to gently press down on each potato. Aim for a rustic, flattened look while keeping the potato mostly intact.

Step 4: Season Potatoes

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until edges turn crispy and golden brown.

Step 5: Create Buffalo Sauce

• Hot sauce
• Melted butter
• Honey (optional)

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 6: Coat with Buffalo Sauce

Remove potatoes from oven. Brush generously with buffalo sauce. Return to oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing sauce to caramelize and soak into potatoes.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Sliced green onions
• Crumbled blue cheese

Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Tips for Crunchy and Flavorful Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

• Potato Perfection: Choose small, uniform baby potatoes for even cooking and the best smashing results.
• Salt Water Secret: Add plenty of salt to the boiling water to enhance the potatoes' natural flavor before roasting.
• Crispy Technique: Press potatoes gently when smashing to create maximum surface area for extra crispiness without breaking them completely.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust buffalo sauce heat by mixing different hot sauce brands or adding honey to mellow the spiciness for sensitive palates.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace blue cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese crumbles to make the recipe completely plant-based and allergen-friendly.

Reheat and Store Smashed Buffalo Potatoes Right

• Store leftover smashed buffalo potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The crispy texture might soften slightly during storage.
• Restore crispiness by spreading potatoes on a baking sheet and warming at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Drizzle extra buffalo sauce before reheating to refresh flavor.
• Quick reheat works in a pinch, but potatoes may lose crunchiness. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, then finish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp edges.
• These potatoes don't freeze well due to their delicate texture and crispy coating. Best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of preparation.

What to Serve with Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

• Create a creamy, tangy dip using crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, and a dash of buttermilk to balance the spicy buffalo sauce and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Select a light, crisp pilsner that cuts through the richness of the potatoes and complements the buffalo sauce's heat with its clean, refreshing finish.
• Prepare a crunchy, vinegar-based coleslaw with green cabbage, carrots, and a light dressing to add a cool, fresh element that offsets the potatoes' spiciness and provides textural variety.
• Add classic buffalo chicken wings to create a complete buffalo-themed meal that allows diners to enjoy multiple spicy, crispy textures and flavors.

Flavor Variations for Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets for a low-carb alternative that maintains the same spicy buffalo flavor and crispy texture.

Vegan Buffalo Smash: Swap butter for plant-based butter and use nutritional yeast instead of blue cheese to create a dairy-free version that’s equally tangy and satisfying.

Herb-Infused Mediterranean Version: Replace buffalo sauce with a blend of olive oil, oregano, lemon zest, and garlic for a Mediterranean-inspired herb coating that brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to the dish.

Keto-Friendly Spicy Smash: Use radishes or turnips instead of potatoes, and replace honey with a low-carb sweetener to create a keto-friendly version that keeps the crispy texture and spicy kick.

All the FAQs About Smashed Buffalo Potatoes

• Why do I need to boil the potatoes before smashing?

Boiling softens the potatoes and ensures they’re tender inside, making them easier to smash without breaking apart, creating the perfect crispy exterior when baked.

• Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?

Baby potatoes work best because they’re small and uniform, but you can use medium-sized potatoes cut into similar-sized pieces to achieve the same crispy smashed texture.

• How thick should I smash the potatoes?

Gently press until they’re about 1/2 inch thick, keeping them mostly intact. This creates more surface area for crispy edges while maintaining a soft interior.

• What if I don't have hot sauce for the buffalo coating?

You can substitute with sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or mix cayenne pepper with melted butter to create a similar spicy coating that gives the potatoes their signature buffalo flavor.

Smashed Buffalo Potatoes Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy, zesty smashed buffalo potatoes deliver a spicy kick that elevates classic comfort food to new heights. Potato lovers will savor these golden, crunchy bites drizzled with tangy buffalo sauce, creating an irresistible appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)

Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Topping and Sauce:

• 0.5 cup (120 ml) hot sauce (like Franks RedHot)
• 0.25 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 cup (50 g) crumbled blue cheese or feta
• 0.25 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (for drizzling)
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives or green onions, chopped
• Extra hot sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 425F (220C) and covering a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal potato roasting.
2. Submerge baby potatoes in a generously salted water bath, bringing liquid to a rolling boil and allowing potatoes to simmer until tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Carefully transfer boiled potatoes onto the prepared baking sheet, utilizing a sturdy fork or potato masher to gently flatten each potato, maintaining structural integrity while creating rustic, textured surfaces.
4. Lavishly coat the smashed potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with a harmonious blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
5. Roast the seasoned potatoes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure even crispiness and achieving a gorgeous golden-brown exterior.
6. Craft a zesty buffalo sauce by whisking together hot sauce, melted butter, and a touch of honey in a small mixing bowl, creating a balanced and tangy coating.
7. Extract potatoes from the oven and generously brush with the prepared buffalo sauce, allowing the potatoes to return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize and absorb flavors.
8. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with finely chopped parsley, sliced green onions, and crumbled blue cheese, creating a visually appealing and flavor-packed dish.
9. Serve immediately alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for an indulgent dipping experience.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by choosing mild or extra-hot buffalo sauce based on personal heat tolerance.
• For crispy exteriors, ensure potatoes are completely dry after boiling and use high-temperature baking.
• Create gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free hot sauce and checking butter ingredients.
• Transform into a vegan dish by substituting butter with plant-based margarine and dairy-free cheese alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg