Cheesy Smashed Potato Bites

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Savory, melty, and crispy, these Cheesy Smashed Potato Bites are the perfect option for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. You could even serve them as a side dish, or a fun finger food main course!

Cheesy smashed potato bites arranged around a glass dish with dipping sauce. — This easy recipe combines fluffy small potatoes with crispy bacon and melty cheese!

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Craving something with classic, familiar flavors that's as filling as it is tasty? These smashed potato bites are the ultimate party food, game day appetizer, and more!

Similar to my Loaded Potato Skins, this is a surefire hit with any crowd. Your guests will love the crispy potatoes paired with savory toppings!

And if you love these flavors, you should also try my Easy Loaded Potato Soup for an even more comforting take on this dish.

Table of Contents

Why this Recipe Works

Easy to make, this recipe combines classic ingredients into a bold and tasty dish that can be served as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or even a main course!

These smashed potato bites are easy to customize with all your favorite toppings, your preferred seasonings, and more. You'll love how easy it is to prepare this dish that any company is guaranteed to love!

Ingredients Needed

Labeled ingredients for smashed potato bites on a dark wooden counter. — With common, simple ingredients, this is a great appetizer for pleasing a crowd or a fun one to try when you're looking for new side dish recipes.

Creamer Potatoes: This refers to any petite potatoes that are about 1 inch in size. Creamer potatoes are usually Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes.
Olive Oil
Seasonings: I used a combination of salt, black pepper, paprika, and Old Bay to give these potato bites a nice flavor base.
Bacon: A classic topping for baked potatoes, bacon provides a fantastic dimension of saltiness.
Garlic: Fresh minced is always recommended.
Butter
Chives: Green onions can also be used.
Shredded Cheese: Just about any kind of shredded cheese will work great here, but cheddar cheese is a classic choice.

How to Make Cheesy Smashed Potato Bites

Steps 1 and 2 for making cheesy smashed potato bites. — Coating the potatoes with olive oil and butter ensures nice crispy outsides.

Step 1: To a pot of boiling, salted water, add your baby potatoes. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain and toss in a large mixing bowl with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Meanwhile, in a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and combine with minced garlic and Old Bay.

Steps 3 and 4 for making smashed potato bites. — I like to cook my bacon, but you could also use bacon bits to cut out a step here.

Step 3: Heat a large pan over medium-high and add chopped bacon.
Step 4: Cooked for 7 to 8 minutes or until crispy, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Steps 5 and 6 for making smashed potatoes. — A thin layer is the key to making sure your cheesy smashed potatoes are nice and crispy.

Step 5: Arrange the potatoes on a large baking sheet and use a heavy glass or mason jar to carefully smash each potato.
Step 6: Brush the potatoes with the garlic butter mixture.

Steps 7 and 8 for making smashed potato bites. — This tasty side dish or appetizer is a perfect addition to any special occasion, or just when you want a tasty snack!

Step 7: Bake, then remove the potatoes from the oven and sprinkle with cheese.
Step 8: Bake another 5 minutes or so, or until cheese is melty. Top with bacon bits, fresh chives, and your chosen toppings.

Recipe Tips

Spatula lifting a single smashed potato bite from the baking sheet. — Customize with your favorite toppings and add a dollop of sour cream to top it all off!

Allow people to choose their own toppings for their potato bites for a customized experience.
Serve alongside a dip like ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or just plain sour cream.
Be sure to press the potatoes nice and flat (aim for about 1/4 inch thick). This will ensure they get super crispy in the oven.
Don't cut the boiling process short--fluffy, tender potatoes are crucial to the smashing process!
Any sturdy object with a flat, clean bottom works well for pressing the potatoes. Use a glass jar, a measuring cup, or a small bowl.
Switch up the seasonings and personalize your potatoes as much as you like. For some heat, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. More flavor can also be achieved with garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano. Italian seasoning is also a good way to easily pack a lot of flavor into your potatoes.
Top with fresh chopped chives, parsley, green onions, or dill.
Store leftover crispy smashed potatoes in an airtight container. Pop them back in the oven to reheat.

Close up of a hand holding a potato bite. — Pair your potatoes with your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate appetizer or snacking experience.

Recipe FAQ's

Why won't my potatoes smash?

This likely means you didn't boil them long enough! Be sure they're fork tender all the way through before attempting to press them down.

How do I get my potatoes more crispy?

If you reach the end of the baking process and want an even crispier result, broil the potatoes for a few minutes. Just keep a close eye on them because they can easily burn this way.

Can these be made in the air fryer?

Yes you'll have to make them in smaller batches. Preheat the air fryer and place a single layer of smashed potatoes in the basket. Fry at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes then add the cheese and fry another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

How to store and reheat these smashed potatoes

Store leftover crispy smashed potatoes in an airtight container. Pop them back in the oven or air fryer to reheat.

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