These mashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish you didn't know you needed! We took ours Garlic Bread Roasted Potatoes And turns them up a notch into mashed potatoes. We love them because they are so easy with very little prep time. These potatoes are roasted whole, then slathered with a buttery garlic herb sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. It's a plate-licking side dish that's a sure hit!
For some delicious garlic bread recipes, try ours Garlic Star Bread or us The Ultimate Garlic Bread.
Why our recipe?
- All the flavor of garlic bread is packed into a simple potato side dish.
- No cutting involved, just baking, smashing and drizzling.
With their crispy exterior and soft, fluffy inside, these garlic breaded mashed potatoes have great texture and unforgettable flavor! There is no cutting or complicated preparation involved. Simply bake, smash and drizzle for a side dish that's easy to make and super tasty. It's perfect served alongside a weeknight meal and fancy enough to impress guests.
Material notes
- Baby potatoes: Use red or yellow. These small potatoes are perfect for mashing because of their soft texture and thin skins. Aim for uniform size for even cooking.
- Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of extra salt to the garlic herb mixture.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor or you can use 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and flavor. Pre-cut varieties can be used but may not melt smoothly.
All about baby potatoes
Baby potatoes are those little potatoes floating around the grocery store that are about the size of a golf ball. These are what you're looking for to make mashed potatoes because they have thin skins and are the perfect size. You will find red, yellow and sometimes purple baby potatoes. All of them will work.
Loose in the bin: Some stores sell baby potatoes individually in bulk bins. This can be a great option so that you can select potatoes of almost the same size for cooking.
Pre-Bagged: Baby potatoes are often sold in 1- to 3-pound bags, either in the produce section or near other specialty potatoes. These bags may contain red, yellow or mixed varieties. Mixed bags can add a pop of color to your dish.
Microwave-Ready Pack: Baby potatoes are sometimes sold in microwaveable packaging, prewashed and ready to cook. They are convenient but can cost a bit more per pound.
Crushed tips
Bake until tender: Make sure you bake them long enough so that the potatoes are completely tender and fall apart. A fork should easily pierce through them without resistance.
Crush gently: Use a fork, a potato masher, or the bottom of a drinking glass to press each potato down. The goal is to level them up without leaving them intact. Don't press too hard, or all the way into the pan, or they will separate. Aim for about 1/2-inch thick.
Leave them in place: Give each potato enough space on the baking sheet to crisp up the edges during the second bake. Crowding the pan can result in steaming instead of crisping.
Baking time
Baking time for your mashed potatoes will depend on how big the potatoes are. If they are large, you may need to add some roasting time before breaking them up. Once they're soft enough to crush, you'll know they're ready.
Storage and reheating instructions
Keep in fridge Leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reheat in an air fryer In a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
Reheat in microwave Heat on a microwave-safe plate and in 30-second increments on high, checking and breaking them between turns.
