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Smashed Potatoes Garlic Twist

Featured in: Side Dishes

Crisp on the outside, soft inside—these smashed sweet potatoes are cooked until tender, flattened, then broiled golden. Melted butter mixed with garlic and parsley gets drizzled on, followed by a sprinkling of Parmesan. The natural sweetness intensifies under the heat, creating a sweet and savory bite.
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Twistytaste.com
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:06:13 GMT
Sweet Potatoes Crispy with Garlic and Parmesan Pin it
Sweet Potatoes Crispy with Garlic and Parmesan | twistytaste.com

The ordinary sweet potato becomes something truly special in this well-rounded dish. You'll get sweet potatoes with amazingly crisp edges and soft middles, topped with fragrant garlic butter and rich Parmesan. I've tried countless sweet potato dishes over time, but this version has won my family over completely.

I've kept these smashed sweet potatoes in my regular cooking lineup after seeing guests practically battle for the final serving. When you mix garlic butter with Parmesan, regular sweet potatoes turn into something you can't stop eating.

Smart Ingredient Guide

  • Sweet potatoes: Go for ones that are hard and smooth, roughly the same size so they cook evenly
  • Butter: Try using fancy European butter for better taste and color
  • Fresh garlic: Pick bulbs that feel solid with tight cloves
  • Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano melts better and tastes stronger
  • Parsley: Look for bunches that are bright and springy for best flavor

Crafting Mouthwatering Smashed Potatoes

Getting Started:
Put your oven rack about 6 inches under the broiler. Turn broiler on high. Get everything ready - your big pot, baking tray, and something to smash potatoes with. Setting up first makes everything go smoothly.
Prepping Your Potatoes:
Rinse sweet potatoes well in cool water. Cut them into chunks about 1½ inches big. Make sure they're all similar sized so they finish cooking at the same time. Cut away any bad spots.
Basic Cooking:
Put cold water in a big pot with a tablespoon of salt. Add your potato chunks and heat until boiling. Lower the heat to keep it gently bubbling. Start checking if they're soft after 20 minutes. They should be tender but not mushy.
How To Smash:
After draining, put potatoes on a well-oiled baking sheet with space between them. Use a fork or masher to press down firmly but carefully. You want to create a rough surface without totally flattening them. Those little ridges will get super crispy.
Adding Flavor:
Mix melted butter with crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Pour this tasty mixture evenly over each smashed potato, making sure it gets into all the nooks. Add plenty of kosher salt and fresh black pepper.
Easy Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe Pin it
Easy Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe | twistytaste.com

My nonna always told me to finish any dish with the finest Parmesan you can afford. She always said this final touch was what turned simple veggies into dishes everyone remembered.

Tasty Serving Ideas

Show off these golden gems on a country-style plate with some fresh herbs scattered around. They go great with grilled meats, roast chicken, or as part of a meat-free meal. For something extra special, serve them with a side of sour cream or garlic mayo.

Tasty Variations

Try switching up the cheese - crumbled feta or blue cheese work well. Add some crushed red pepper if you want heat, or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness. You can also mix herbs like rosemary or thyme into your garlic butter.

Keeping Leftovers

Put any extras in a sealed container and they'll last up to 3 days. Warm them up in a hot oven to get them crispy again, and don't use the microwave as it'll make them soft. They taste best when freshly made, though.

Delicious Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe Pin it
Delicious Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Parmesan Cheese Recipe | twistytaste.com

These smashed sweet potatoes are comfort food at its best. When you mix naturally sweet potatoes with garlicky butter and salty Parmesan, you get a side dish I can't live without anymore. They show that sometimes the most basic ingredients, when treated right, make the most unforgettable food.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Should I boil or roast the potatoes first?
Boiling brings out the natural sweetness, but roasting works too. Either way, both methods create tender potatoes ready to crisp.
→ How do I keep them from falling apart?
Use a fork to carefully press on them. Since they’re soft after cooking, go slow to hold their shape.
→ Can they be prepped ahead of time?
Cooking them ahead is fine, but do the smashing and broiling right before serving so they stay crisp.
→ What kind of sweet potatoes should I use?
Pick wide and medium-length ones. The bigger and wider they are, the better they’ll smash and crisp up.
→ When are they ready to serve?
Once the tops are golden and have that crunchy texture. It usually takes around 15 minutes under the broiler.

Smashed Potatoes Garlic Twist

Soft sweet potatoes crisped up under the broiler, flavored with garlic butter and Parmesan for a tasty combination.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Fusion

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Potato Foundation

01 Spray bottle of light olive oil for super crispy edges
02 3 to 4 plump sweet potatoes, ideally wide for easy flattening

→ Garlic Butter Finish

03 4 garlic cloves, freshly smashed
04 3 spoonfuls of melted, golden butter
05 Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons
06 A handful of parsley, minced finely (about 1 tablespoon)
07 Season with salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Start by preheating the oven to high broil. Slice off the ends of the sweet potatoes, then cut them into large chunks (about 1.5 inches).

Step 02

If boiling (for extra sweetness): Add your potato chunks to salted water, boil covered for 20-25 minutes until a fork slides in smoothly. If roasting: Bake the pieces for 25-30 minutes until they're soft. Let them cool slightly before moving on.

Step 03

Line a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and place the cooked sweet potato chunks on it. Use a fork to gently flatten each piece - be careful so they don't fall apart.

Step 04

Mix melted butter with minced garlic and diced parsley. Drizzle it all over the flattened sweet potatoes, and don't forget to add a dash of salt and pepper. Give them a final spray of olive oil, too.

Step 05

Broil the potatoes for around 15 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown. Sprinkle Parmesan on top, then broil another minute or two until it's gooey and irresistible.

Step 06

Before serving, top with extra parsley and a touch of salt. Serve these crispy-outside, soft-inside bites while they're hot!

Notes

  1. Pick wider sweet potatoes for a larger surface area to crisp up beautifully.
  2. Boiling first helps boost the natural sweetness before broiling.
  3. You can do part of this ahead—boil and smash them, then broil right before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot (only needed for boiling)
  • Wide baking tray
  • Fork for pressing
  • Small bowl for blending butter and garlic

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Made with dairy (butter and Parmesan).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 4 g