This skillet potatoes recipe is simple to prepare and just plain delicious! There’s nothing quite like oven-roasted smashed baby potatoes. They’re generously coated in plenty of fresh herbs, crispy on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. It’s an easy side dish sure to be a favourite for weekday dinner or special occasions, alike!

Smashed roasted baby potatoes with herbs on a blue plate.

Today, I’m sharing another easy side dish recipe.

There’s nothing fancy here. No kitchen tricks.

Just humble ingredients, prepared simply (just like these roasted garlic mashed potatoes).

These smashed baby potatoes are pillowy soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Those little imperfect bits when you smash them?

Those are the best bits. They get all crispy and tasty and are just plain addictive. Trust me, I’ve eaten enough of these roasted baby potatoes.

Growing up, potatoes were definitely a staple with dinner. Were they roasted all crispy and delicious? No way. Boiled.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Boiled potatoes in Jiggs Dinner (a Newfoundland classic) is pretty awesome. But skillet roasted potatoes with lots of fresh herbs? Yep. That’s where it’s at, my friends.

These oven roasted baby potatoes are sure to be on repeat in your home as they are in ours.

So, without further adieu, let’s get on with the recipe!

Ingredients for This Skillet Potatoes Recipe

Baby potatoes (about 1 pound or 20 potatoes)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Fresh or dried herbs

Ingredients for a skillet potatoes recipe.

How To Make Them

Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

Boil the baby potatoes for a little, then drain.

Note: Boil the potatoes for about 7 to 8 minutes just to kinda take the rawness out of them and give them a head start on cooking.

Close-up of baby potatoes cooking in a pot of water.

Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, black pepper and plenty of fresh herbs. Place in a cast-iron skillet and roast for 20 minutes.

Baby potatoes with herbs in a cast-iron skillet before being roasted.

After 20 minutes, carefully remove the cast iron pan from the oven and smash a little (I like to use a potato masher to gently smash).

Tip: Those little imperfect bits when you smash baby potatoes? That’s the best! That’s where all the crispiness happens.

Smashed baby potatoes with herbs in a cast-iron skillet.

Turn potatoes over and roast for another 20 minutes or until cooked through. Garnish with more fresh herbs, if you like! That’s it!

Do I Have to Peel the Baby Potatoes?

Nope! The skin on baby potatoes are so thin so you can leave it on. Just clean them up and use in this recipe.

Best Pan To Use

My go-to pan for this skillet potatoes recipe is cast iron!

I recommend a 10 to 12-inch pan.

Close-up of a smashed roasted baby potato with thyme.

Can I Use a Sheet Pan Instead?

Absolutely! Though I love using a cast-iron skillet, you can use a sheet pan instead.

If you want to make a this potato recipe for a crowd (and perhaps double the recipe), by all means, use a large sheet pan.

Tips and Variations

I like to give the baby potatoes just a little smash. If you smash more, then you may have to roast a little less (because they’ll be thinner).
I used what herbs were fresh in my garden, like tarragon, rosemary and thyme. Use what you enjoy or have on hand.
Don’t have fresh herbs? Use dried herbs. Since dried herbs are typically more potent than their fresh counterparts, use one-third the amount of dried herbs for the fresh herbs. So, instead of 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs, use 1 tablespoon of dried herbs (1 teaspoon each of dried tarragon, thyme and rosemary).

A fork stuck into a roasted baby potato.

More Vegetable Side Dishes

If you make this skillet potatoes recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

This recipe was originally published in July 2015 but has been updated.

Skillet Potatoes Recipe (Smashed Baby Potatoes)

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

This skillet potatoes recipe is simple to prepare and just plain delicious! There's nothing quite like smashed baby potatoes. They're generously coated in plenty of fresh herbs, crispy on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. It's an easy side dish sure to be a favourite for weekday dinner or special occasions, alike!

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 48

Total Time 53

Course Side Dish

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound baby potatoes, about 20 potatoes
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt, plus some to season water
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, plus more to taste for optional garnish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus more to taste for optional garnish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus more to taste for optional garnish

Instructions

Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water (there should be an inch or two of water above the potatoes, basically ensuring that they are fully submerged and covered by the water). Bring to a boil, season with a little salt and cook for 7 to 8 minutes (the potatoes are not cooked at this point; we're just giving them a head start). Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit at this point too.
Drain potatoes well, place in pot and drizzle with olive oil, salt, black pepper, tarragon, thyme and rosemary. Place cover on pot and shake to coat or simply stir with a spoon to ensure potatoes are well covered.
Transfer potatoes to a cast-iron skillet (use a 10-inch skillet or 12-inch (for more room), ensuring you get every last bit of those delicious herbs. Ensure that the potatoes are in a single layer so they roast up nicely.
Place skillet in the oven and roast the potatoes for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove potatoes. Use a potato masher and gently press down each potato, smashing them a little. Turn potatoes over.
Place skillet back in the oven and roast the potatoes for another 20 minutes.
Once done, transfer potatoes to a serving dish or plate and garnish with more fresh herbs (if desired). Serve and enjoy!

Notes

I like to give the baby potatoes just a little smash. If you smash more, then you may have to roast a little less (because they’ll be thinner).
I used what herbs were fresh in my garden, like tarragon, rosemary and thyme. Use what you enjoy or have on hand.
Don’t have fresh herbs? Use dried herbs. Since dried herbs are typically more potent than their fresh counterparts, use one-third the amount of dried herbs for the fresh herbs. So, instead of 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs, use 1 tablespoon of dried herbs (1 teaspoon each of dried tarragon, thyme and rosemary).

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword easy side dish, oven roasted potatoes recipe, smashed baby potatoes

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