Crispy Smashed Potato Bites
Ingredients
- 700g Small Baby Potatoes, about 14
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 80g Sour Cream
- 40g Mature Cheddar, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Chives, finely chopped
- 60g Cream Cheese
- 50g Smoked Salmon, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 50g Soft Goat's Cheese
- 20g Walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons Honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold salted water, and bring to the boil.
- Cook for 12–15 minutes until just tender enough to pierce easily with a knife, then drain thoroughly.
- Arrange the potatoes on the prepared baking tray with a little space between each one.
- Use the base of a glass or a potato masher to gently press each potato down until flattened but still holding together.
- Drizzle the smashed potatoes with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Roast for 20–25 minutes until deeply golden and crisp around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and leave the potato bites to cool for a few minutes before adding the toppings.
- For the cheddar and chive topping, spoon a little sour cream onto several potato bites and finish with grated Cheddar and chopped chives.
- For the smoked salmon topping, spread several potato bites with cream cheese, add a piece of smoked salmon, and finish with a few drops of lemon juice and chopped chives.
- For the goat's cheese topping, add a small spoonful of goat's cheese to the remaining potato bites and finish with toasted walnuts and a light drizzle of honey.
- Arrange the three varieties on a serving platter and serve while the potato bases are still crisp.
Tips
- Choose small potatoes of a similar size so they cook evenly and produce neat bite-sized canapé bases.
- Let the boiled potatoes steam dry thoroughly before smashing them, as excess surface moisture prevents the edges from becoming properly crisp.
- Add creamy toppings only shortly before serving so the potato bases retain their crunchy texture.
Variations
- Mediterranean Potato Bites: Top with whipped feta, chopped roasted peppers, olives, and fresh herbs.
- Mushroom Potato Bites: Spoon sautéed garlic mushrooms over the crispy potatoes and finish with crème fraîche and fresh thyme.
Storage
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange several different toppings on one large platter for an easy party canapé selection.
- Serve alongside olives, cheeses, cured meats, and fresh vegetables as part of a larger sharing spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are smashed potato bites?
Can I make smashed potato bites ahead of time?
How do I make smashed potatoes really crispy?
instructions_source: editorial-classic