Name: Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4-5 lb new potatoes, quartered or halved; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp chili powder; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; ¼ cup olive oil; Scallions, chopped, for garnish

There’s something so satisfying about golden, crispy potatoes sizzling away in the oven, right? This Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe is hands down one of my favorite ways to start the day—loaded with bold spices and topped with fresh scallions for that perfect morning crunch.

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a small, golden-brown piece of cooked food that has a slightly crispy texture with visible seasoning and gentle ridges across the surface. In the blurred background, several more pieces of similar cooked food in varying golden and brown shades are scattered on a dark tray. The overall scene sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these crispy smashed breakfast potatoes—they quickly became the star side during weekend brunches with friends. You don’t need fancy ingredients, just a little love and a few simple steps to get truly crave-worthy potatoes.

Perfectly crispy texture: Baking after smashing locks in a delightful crunch that still keeps the inside fluffy.
Flavor-packed seasoning: The blend of paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder adds a subtle kick without overwhelming.
Easy to prep ahead: Boil the potatoes earlier, then smash and bake when you’re ready to eat, saving precious morning time.
Versatile side dish: Pairs wonderfully with eggs, bacon, or on its own for a hearty vegetarian option.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right potatoes and fresh garnishes makes all the difference here. I always go for new potatoes because they hold their shape perfectly when boiled and smashed. Plus, using a robust seasoning mix means you can easily customize the spice level to your taste.

Flat lay of fresh new potatoes halved and quartered, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, bright green chopped scallions in a white ceramic bowl, and a white bowl containing a colorful mix of coarse kosher salt, cracked black pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

New potatoes: Their waxy texture helps them stay intact during the smashing process while getting fluffy inside.
Kosher salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the potatoes without being too salty.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and sharpness to balance the spices.
Paprika: Brings a smoky depth and vibrant color to the potatoes.
Chili powder: Gives a subtle heat that wakes up your taste buds in the morning.
Garlic powder: Perfect for that savory punch without overpowering the dish.
Red pepper flakes: For a little extra kick—feel free to dial it down or skip if you prefer mild.
Olive oil: Helps crisp up the potatoes beautifully and adds a fruity richness.
Scallions: Fresh and vibrant, they add a nice pop of color and mild onion flavor as a garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to dial up the heat, add fresh herbs, or make them extra indulgent, these potatoes welcome your personal touch.

Spicy Kick: I love adding an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce before baking for a bold, fiery twist that wakes up my taste buds every morning.
Herb Lovers’ Delight: Fresh rosemary or thyme sprinkled on top before baking adds a wonderful earthy aroma and depth of flavor. I often toss some chopped herbs in olive oil before coating the potatoes.
Cheesy Upgrade: For a richer version, sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar or parmesan over the potatoes during the last 5 minutes of baking. Melty, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying!
Milder Option: If you prefer something gentler on the palate, simply reduce or leave out the red pepper flakes. The other spices still provide great flavor without the heat.
Make Ahead: Boil the potatoes ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, just smash, season, and bake for a quicker breakfast prep.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

A white plate holds a simple meal with four main parts. On the right side, there is one fried egg with a white cooked edge and a runny yellow yolk in the center. On the left side, there is a pile of crispy golden brown fried potatoes with some green herb bits sprinkled on top. Above the potatoes, there are three bright orange wedges of fruit, likely orange slices, arranged neatly. A shiny silver fork rests on the right edge of the plate. The plate is on a light beige cloth with a soft texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Boil Your Potatoes

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil—this is key to seasoning from the start. Add your quartered or halved new potatoes and boil for about 12 minutes, until they’re just fork-tender. You want them soft enough to smash but still holding their shape. Once done, drain and let them cool just enough to handle.

Step 2: Gently Smash the Potatoes

Grab a sturdy spatula or the flat bottom of a glass, and carefully press down on each potato chunk. The goal here is to flatten them out so they have more crispy edges once baked—but don’t squash them so much they fall apart completely. A light but firm touch works best! This step creates all those delicious crunchy nooks we’re aiming for.

Step 3: Get Your Baking Sheets Ready

Drizzle olive oil over two baking sheets and pop them into the oven for 2 to 3 minutes to get the oil nice and hot. This sizzling surface is what gives the potatoes that golden, crispy crust we all crave. Hot oil is key, so don’t skip this!

Step 4: Arrange, Season, and Bake

Carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven and arrange your smashed potatoes evenly on them. Don’t overcrowd the pans so each piece crisps up perfectly. Generously sprinkle the seasoning mix—kosher salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes—over every potato. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over for even crispiness. After flipping, season again and return them to the oven for another 15 minutes. If you want your potatoes extra crispy, bake up to 25 minutes total, keeping an eye so they don’t burn.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve Warm

Once golden and crispy, take your potatoes out of the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped scallions over the top for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve immediately alongside eggs, bacon, or your favorite breakfast protein for a hearty, delicious morning meal.

Top Tip

Getting perfectly crispy smashed breakfast potatoes is all about technique and a few little tricks that make a big difference. Here are some tips I've found invaluable when making this recipe:

Use New Potatoes: They hold their shape beautifully after boiling and smashing, making for that ideal fluffy-but-crispy texture.
Gentle Smashing: I learned that pressing gently with a flat spatula or glass bottom keeps the potatoes intact without crumbling, striking the perfect balance.
Preheat the Baking Sheet: Heating the olive oil on the baking sheet in the oven before adding the potatoes helps jumpstart that golden crispiness.
Double Seasoning: Seasoning once before baking and again after flipping ensures every side of the potatoes is packed with flavor—don’t skip this step!

How to Serve Crispy Smashed Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a dark baking tray filled with smashed golden-brown potatoes spread out in uneven pieces. Each potato piece has a crispy, slightly browned skin on top, with soft, fluffy yellow flesh visible beneath. The potatoes are coated with a shiny layer of oil, giving them a glistening, slightly oily texture. Some pieces have a light sprinkle of seasoning that appears red or brown, adding specks of color. The potatoes vary in size and shape, creating an inviting rustic look. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

While the fresh chopped scallions are a wonderful classic garnish, you can elevate your crispy smashed breakfast potatoes by adding a sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar or crumbled feta for a tangy twist. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce also adds an exciting contrast that complements the spicy seasoning beautifully.

Side Dishes

These crispy potatoes make a fantastic hearty side alongside any morning favorites. Serve with fluffy scrambled or fried eggs, crispy bacon, or savory sausage for a complete breakfast spread. They also pair delightfully with a fresh spinach and tomato salad to add a bright, refreshing element to your plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover crispy smashed breakfast potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed well helps maintain their flavor and texture for your next meal.

Freezing

If you'd like to freeze these potatoes, flash freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, bake from frozen until heated through and crispy again.

Reheating

To reheat and bring back that amazing crispiness, place leftover potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them soggy rather than crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

While new potatoes work best because they hold their shape well, you can use Yukon Gold or red potatoes as substitutes. Just make sure they’re firm and not too starchy to keep the right texture.

How spicy are these smashed breakfast potatoes?

The recipe has a nice balance of heat thanks to the chili powder and red pepper flakes, but it’s easy to adjust. To tone down the spice, simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes according to your taste.

Can I prepare the potatoes ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can boil the potatoes ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to smash, season, and bake. This makes your morning prep much quicker and easier.

What if I want extra crispy potatoes?

For an extra crispy finish, you can bake the potatoes an additional 10 minutes (total of 25 minutes), or place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Just watch closely to prevent burning!

Final Thoughts

These crispy smashed breakfast potatoes have a special way of turning any morning into a celebration of flavor and texture. Whether you’re enjoying them on a leisurely weekend or powering up for a busy weekday, they bring warmth and comfort with every bite. I hope this recipe becomes your go-to side dish, delivering that perfect crispy, spicy kick alongside your favorite breakfast treats. Happy cooking and even happier eating!