BHA & BHT Free Smashed Crispy Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs
Crispy on the outside, fluffy and steamy in the middle — these smashed potatoes hit every texture you want from a great side dish. A dusting of smoked paprika and turmeric gives each piece a gorgeous golden color, while dried thyme and minced garlic layered in during roasting build serious depth of flavor. The whole thing comes together with extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and a bright squeeze of lemon at the end — every ingredient is whole and straightforward, with no synthetic preservatives hiding anywhere in the mix. That matters more than it sounds, because BHA and BHT show up in a surprising number of packaged seasonings, spice blends, and even some cooking oils, making scratch cooking the most reliable way to stay clear of them. Here, you control every component from the boiling water to the finishing flaky salt. The technique of not flipping the potatoes mid-roast is a small but brilliant move — the undersides get lacquered against the hot oiled pan while the tops blister under the oven's top rack heat. Finish with fresh parsley and a little lemon juice and you have a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1.5 lb baby yukon gold or baby red potatoes
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for the boiling water
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- flaky sea salt, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the potatoes are completely tender and a fork slides in with no resistance, 18–22 minutes. Drain and let them sit in the colander for 2–3 minutes to steam dry.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Pour 2 tbsp of the olive oil onto a large rimmed baking sheet and tilt to coat the surface evenly.
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