Ultimate Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes: Cheesy, Crispy, and Irresistible!

These Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes are the ultimate dish for any potato lover. Yukon Gold baby potatoes are boiled until tender, then smashed down, baked to perfection, and topped with butter, cheese, and bacon.

Photo byMaria's Mixing Bowl

If that description doesn’t make you hungry, we don’t know what will. We make these potatoes all the time because they’re the perfect fusion of baked and mashed potatoes. With the soft, fluffy inside, roasted skin on the outside, and all that cheese and bacon… Well, you won’t find a better potato recipe anywhere!

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Baby Yukon Gold potatoes bake up so soft and fluffy on the inside.
• They’re loaded with crispy bacon, melty cheddar cheese, and of course, butter!
• They make a great side for any chicken, beef, or pork recipe.
• You can serve them as a side or as fun appetizers at parties.
• Bacon, bacon, bacon!

🛒Ingredients

The ingredients needed for this recipe couldn’t be simpler. They’re all kitchen staples in most homes. And let’s face it, if you’re looking at this recipe, you probably have everything you need already!

• 1 ½ pounds yellow baby potatoes washed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 ½ tablespoons butter melted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• 8 strips bacon cooked until crisp then crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives chopped

🔪 How to Make Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes

Making these smashed potatoes is so easy, and the results are absolutely delicious. It only takes a few steps and about 35 to 40 minutes from start to finish.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Step 2: Boil

Add the whole baby potatoes and boil them for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes well and dry the outsides.

Step 3: Smash the Potatoes

Brush a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place the cooked baby potatoes onto it. Smash the potatoes down with a fork, being careful to keep them in one piece.

Step 4: Bake

Brush the tops of the potatoes with the rest of the olive oil and bake them for 15 minutes.

Photo byMaria's Mixing Bowl

Step 5: Top

Remove the potatoes from the oven and brush them with melted butter. Then, top them with salt, pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon.

Step 6: Bake Again

Bake the topped potatoes for another 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are golden brown.

Step 7: Top

Top the potatoes with chopped chives and serve.

📝Variations

• Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
• Cheese: Use your favorite bold cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and the like.
• Ham: Using ham in place of bacon is so good!
• Sour Cream: Top your potatoes with sour cream before adding the chives.

If you love roasted potatoes, then check out our oven ranch potatoes.

🥄 Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Skillet
• Large pot
• Large baking sheet

🥫 Storage

Refrigerate these bacon cheddar smashed potatoes for up to 5 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, wrap the potatoes individually in plastic wrap, then freeze them for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

To reheat the potatoes, defrost them if frozen. Then, place them on a baking sheet and cook at 350 until heated through.

Photo byMaria's Mixing Bowl

Serve With

Serve these cheesy, bacon-topped smashed potatoes with your favorite beef, pork, and chicken recipes. They work well with steaks, chops, roasts, fried chicken – just about anything!

💭 Tips

• Boil your potatoes until they’re fork tender and no further. It’s important that they remain somewhat firm to maintain their shape when they’re smashed.
• Don’t over-smash the potatoes. Press them down with a fork just enough to flatten them a bit and slightly smash them. You want them to remain intact.
• The potatoes are done when they’re crispy around the edges.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

What are smashed potatoes?

Smashed potatoes are boiled until fork-tender, then pressed down to create a flattish, craggy surface before being topped with other ingredients and baked again.

How do you keep smashed potatoes from being too soft?

To ensure the perfect texture, boil your potatoes until fork tender. This means a fork easily pierces the potatoes without them falling apart.

What are the best potatoes for smashed potatoes?

Starchy potatoes create the best texture for smashed potatoes. Use potatoes like Yukon Gold, russet, or Idaho potatoes for the best results.

🍽 More Recipes

Do you enjoy potatoes? Then these delicious recipes:

• Sour Cream and Chives Smashed Potatoes
• Amish Mashed Potatoes
• Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham