How To Make Squashed Potatoes

You can make squashed potatoes by boiling small potatoes until tender, then gently pressing each one flat and roasting or pan-frying them until golden and crisp.
 
It’s one of those side dishes that feels fancy but is actually ridiculously easy.
 
And once you know how to make squashed potatoes, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with regular roasted potatoes.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make squashed potatoes step by step, plus a few tips to get them perfectly crispy every time.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why You Should Make Squashed Potatoes

Squashed potatoes are worth making for a few really good reasons.
 

1. They Get Incredibly Crispy

When you make squashed potatoes, the flattening step creates way more surface area.
 
More surface area means more places for oil to hit the potato and more edges to turn golden and crunchy.
 
That’s the whole magic of squashed potatoes.
 

2. They’re Simple to Make

Learning how to make squashed potatoes doesn’t require any fancy equipment.
 
A pot, a baking sheet, and the bottom of a glass or a spatula are all you need.
 
So if you can boil water, you can make squashed potatoes.
 

3. They’re Flexible

You can make squashed potatoes with baby potatoes, Yukon Golds, or even fingerlings.
 
You can season them with garlic, herbs, parmesan, or just plain salt and pepper.
 
That flexibility is why so many home cooks love to make squashed potatoes.
 

How to Make Squashed Potatoes Step by Step

Here’s the simple process for how to make squashed potatoes at home.
 

1. Boil the Potatoes First

Start by placing your potatoes in a large pot and covering them with cold water.
 
Add a generous pinch of salt and bring everything to a boil.
 
Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until a fork slides in easily.
 
You want them fully tender before you make squashed potatoes, because undercooked potatoes won’t press flat properly.
 

2. Drain and Let Them Dry

Drain the potatoes and let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to steam dry.
 
This step matters more than people think when you make squashed potatoes.
 
Dry potatoes crisp up much better than wet ones.
 

3. Squash Each Potato Gently

Place the potatoes on a lined baking sheet with a little space between them.
 
Use the bottom of a glass, a measuring cup, or a spatula to press each potato down until it’s about half an inch thick.
 
Don’t press too hard or you’ll break them apart.
 
The goal when you make squashed potatoes is a flat, cracked, rustic-looking potato, not a mashed mess.
 

4. Add Oil and Seasoning

Drizzle each squashed potato with olive oil or brush it on.
 
Then season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or whatever you like.
 
This is where you can really make squashed potatoes your own.
 

5. Roast Until Golden and Crispy

Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes.
 
Flip them halfway through so both sides get crispy.
 
When they come out deep golden brown with crispy edges, you’ve officially learned how to make squashed potatoes.
 

Tips to Make Squashed Potatoes Crispier

A few small tweaks can take your squashed potatoes from good to unforgettable.
 

1. Parboil with Baking Soda

Adding a pinch of baking soda to the boiling water helps break down the potato surface.
 
That roughness is what helps squashed potatoes get extra crispy in the oven.
 

2. Use High Heat

If you want to make squashed potatoes that crunch, don’t be shy with the oven temperature.
 
425°F is the sweet spot for golden edges and fluffy insides.
 

3. Don’t Skip the Fat

Olive oil, butter, or even duck fat all work beautifully when you make squashed potatoes.
 
The fat is what helps the outside crisp and brown.
 

4. Give Them Space

Crowding the pan steams the potatoes instead of roasting them.
 
So use two baking sheets if you have to when you make squashed potatoes.
 

So, How Do You Make Squashed Potatoes?

You make squashed potatoes by boiling small potatoes until tender, pressing them flat, seasoning them, and roasting them at high heat until crispy.
 
It’s a simple process that delivers a side dish everyone at the table will fight over.
 
Whether you make squashed potatoes for a weeknight dinner or a holiday spread, they always deliver that crispy-outside, fluffy-inside texture.
 
Now that you know how to make squashed potatoes, grab a bag of baby potatoes and give this recipe a try tonight.