Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Oh, Loaded Smashed Potatoes, the heart and soul of comfort food. Crisp golden potatoes smashed and baked to perfection, decked out with toppings that put regular old baked potatoes to shame. What’s not to love?! These are the perfect indulgent side dish for backyard barbecues, family Sunday dinners or any time you need to beat those comfort food cravings. Trust me, one bite of these Loaded Smashed Potatoes and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain old mashed potatoes.

The beauty of these potatoes is not just their delicious taste, but also their simplicity. Smashing and baking makes the potatoes wonderfully crispy, while a smear of butter, sprinkle of cheese, load of crispy bacon and hint of green onions bring the irresistible loaded flavour. So, ready to take your potato game to the next level?

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Yield: 16 small potatoes

Alright, enough chit-chat, let’s dive into this heavenly spud recipe, shall we?

Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need

• 16 small golden potatoes
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt to taste
• 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of cooked crispy bacon bits
• 4 green onions, chopped

Equipment: Oven, Baking Sheet, Potato masher

The golden potatoes are used for their crispy exterior and creamy interiors, olive oil for that perfect roast, and sea salt to elevate the flavours. The grated cheddar cheese melts into gooey delight while the crispy bacon bits impart the perfect crunch. The green onions are the icing on the cake, delivering a hint of freshness to this loaded treat. As long as you have an oven and a potato masher, making this dish is easy peasy.

How To Make Loaded Smashed Potatoes

1. Start by preheating the oven to 450��F. Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until they’re tender but not falling apart.
2. Once the potatoes are ready, drain them and lay them on a baking sheet. Use a potato masher to smash each potato flat. Don’t be shy, the more you smash, the crispier they’ll get.
3. Once you’ve smashed all your potatoes, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and crispy.
4. Pull them out of the oven and while they’re still hot, sprinkle each potato with a generous portion of cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Pop them back in the oven just until the cheese is beautifully melty.
5. Once you pull them out of the oven for the last time, sprinkle them with green onions and your loaded smashed potatoes are ready to serve.

Tips For The Best Results

• Choose small potatoes for the perfect crunch to soft ratio.
• Keep an eye on the potatoes while boiling, you don’t want them too soft.
• Experiment with your choice of toppings.

Storage Tips

• Store in a covered container in the fridge up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the oven until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you make Loaded Smashed Potatoes ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can boil and smash the potatoes ahead of time, then right before serving, drizzle with olive oil, bake, and add toppings.

Q: Can I use any type of potatoes?

A: Yes, but small golden potatoes give the best results for this recipe.

Q: What other toppings can I use?

A: You can use sour cream, different types of cheese, and even chilli for a spicy version.

Q: Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?

A: Absolutely, just omit the bacon and ensure your cheese is vegetarian/vegan.

Q: How do you reheat these?

A: Reheating in the oven until warmed is best.

Nutritional Facts of Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Each serving of Loaded Smashed Potatoes contains about 300 calories, 15g of fat, 30g of carbohydrates and 10g of protein.

In conclusion, Loaded Smashed Potatoes are a delectable twist to your plain old potatoes. They’re the perfect side dish or even a meal on their own if you’re just feeling like a potato kind of day. Top with sour cream or garnish with fresh parsley if desired. And remember, the best part about this recipe is that it gives you the freedom to experiment. Enjoy!