Smashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Edges

Why I Love These Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

These aren’t your ordinary potato appetizers. This smashed potato recipe transforms simple baby potatoes into crispy, cheesy, smoky discs of pure deliciousness. Combining the crispy edges, melted cheese, bacon, and a hint of smoke creates an appetizer guaranteed to be the star of any gathering. What makes these smashed potatoes truly extreme is the multi-step cooking process that builds layers of flavor and texture.

Extreme Smashed Potato Ingredients

• 12 Baby Red & Yellow Potatoes. (I used Melissa’s Baby Dutch Yellow and Red Potatoes)
• 4 strips of bacon for the bacon bits
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated
• 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese Grated
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Salt, Pepper and Garlic Rub

Substitutes

• Baby Dutch Potatoes: Use small red or yellow creamer potatoes.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon, leftover brisket, or pulled pork
• Cheeses: Swap with your favorite hard and melting cheeses

Equipment

• Smoker or conventional oven. (I am using my Green Mountain Grills Ledge Prime 2.0)
• Baking sheet

How to Make Extreme Smashed Potatoes

Preparations

• Cook bacon until crisp and chop it up into small bits. Save the bacon grease. 
• Wash and dry the baby potatoes
• Prepare seasonings and grate all the cheese

Cooking the Smashed Potatoes

Step 1: Initial Bake

• Toss the potatoes in the bacon grease
• Season with salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning
• Smoke the potatoes whole at 225°F for 30 minutes

Step 2: Smashing

• Remove potatoes from the smoker
• Toss with olive oil
• Place 2 tsp of parmesan cheese on baking sheet
• Place potatoes on the parmesan cheese
• Smash with the bottom of a bowl

Step 3: Second Bake

• Place back on the smoker at 500ºF for 15 minutes or until the parmesan cheese starts to brown.

Step 4: Add Bacon & Cheddar Cheese

• Add bacon bits and cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Final Bake

• Place back on the smoker at 500ºF for 15 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown.

Smashed Potatoes Recipe Variations

• Swap the smoker for an oven
• Use different potato varieties
• Try different cheese combinations
• Add jalapeños for a spicy kick

What to Serve With Smashed Potatoes

• Sour cream dipping sauce
• Charcuterie board
• Grilled meats

How To Garnish Smashed Potatoes

• Sour Cream
• Chives or parsley flakes
• Jalepeño
• More bacon bits

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these in an oven? Yes! Follow the same steps using a conventional oven. Adjust temperatures slightly: 225°F for initial cooking, 450°F for final crispings.

How do I store leftovers? Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Serving Size

• Appetizer: 2 potatoes per person
• Scale the recipe by multiplying ingredients proportionally

Storing and Reheating

• Refrigerate in a sealed container.
• Reheat at 375°F for 10 minutes in the oven. Do not use a microwave, otherwise you will lose the cripsy aspect of this appetizer.

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

• Pulled Pork Pizza
• Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
• Baby Back Ribs
• Smoked Pig Shots
• Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• Garlic & Herb Potatoes