The Pioneer Woman’s Quick & Easy Crash Potatoes Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s crash potatoes transform humble spuds into a crispy, golden delicacy that will revolutionize your side dish game.

These potatoes promise a delightful crunch with a soft, pillowy interior that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers an explosion of rustic flavor and satisfying texture.

The simple technique elevates ordinary potatoes into something extraordinary and irresistible.

Salt and herbs create a magical seasoning that complements countless main dishes.

Your dinner guests will marvel at this unexpectedly elegant preparation method.

The result is a crowd-pleasing side that looks professionally crafted yet requires minimal culinary skill: dive into this delectable potato adventure!

Why You’ll Love Pioneer Woman’s Crash Potatoes

• Crush and Create Crispy Goodness: These potatoes transform from simple boiled spuds into a crispy, golden delicacy with an irresistible texture that crackles when you bite into them.
• Herb-Packed Flavor Explosion: The combination of fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese delivers a mouthwatering punch of flavor that elevates these potatoes from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal effort.
• Ultimate Easy-Peasy Side Dish: This recipe requires just a few simple steps and basic ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Works brilliantly as a side dish for dinner parties, weeknight meals, or casual gatherings, appealing to both kids and adults with its crispy exterior and soft, creamy interior.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Crash Potatoes

• New Potatoes: Starchy, small potatoes perfect for achieving a crispy exterior and creamy interior.

• Olive Oil: Primary cooking fat for roasting and creating a golden, crisp surface.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty flavor and helps create a crispy, cheesy crust.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall potato flavor and helps create a crisp exterior.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, spicy undertone to complement the potatoes.
• Rosemary: Optional fresh herb that adds aromatic, earthy notes to the dish.

Crash Potatoes Recipe Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add 12 medium-sized new potatoes and cook until fork-tender (about 10-15 minutes). Potatoes are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork.

Step 2: Oil Up the Baking Surface

Grab a large baking sheet and drizzle of olive oil across the surface. Use a paper towel or pastry brush to spread the oil evenly, creating a non-stick coating.

Step 3: Crush and Flatten Potatoes

• Gently press down on each potato
• Flatten to about 1/2 inch thickness
• Rotate the masher 90 degrees
• Press again to create a rustic, cracked surface

Step 4: Season with Flavor

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Finely chopped herbs (rosemary, thyme, or parsley work great)

Step 5: Add Cheese and Crisp

Shower the potatoes with finely grated Parmesan cheese. Place the baking sheet on the top rack of a preheated 450°F oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden brown and crispy. The potatoes should have a crunchy exterior and creamy interior.

Tips to Nail Pioneer Woman’s Crash Potatoes

• Customize Flavor Layers: Experiment with global herb combinations like Mediterranean oregano, French herbes de Provence, or spicy Mexican chili powder to transform basic potatoes into culinary adventures.
• Maximize Cheese Crunch: Incorporate aged, hard cheeses like pecorino or gruyère for complex flavor profiles and superior crispy textures that elevate the entire dish.
• Perfect Potato Preparation: Boil potatoes until fork-tender but not falling apart, ensuring structural integrity for the smashing and roasting process.
• Create Textural Magic: Use a flat-bottomed glass or potato masher with gentle, varied pressure to produce uneven surfaces that guarantee maximum crispy edges.
• Optimize Roasting Success: Select a heavy-duty baking sheet with high sides to capture oil, distribute heat evenly, and prevent potential burning during high-temperature cooking.

How to Store Crash Potatoes the Right Way

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for your crash potatoes. This method removes air completely, preventing freezer burn and maintaining the crispy exterior. Press potatoes into a vacuum-seal bag, ensuring they're not crushed, and seal tightly for maximum preservation.
• Layered Storage: Create strategic protection by placing parchment paper between potato layers in your container. This prevents sticking and preserves the delicate crispy texture. Stack carefully, keeping potatoes in a single layer if possible to maintain their original shape and crunchiness.
• Temperature Control: Refrigerate promptly, keeping crash potatoes between 35-40°F for optimal preservation. Use shallow, wide containers that allow quick cooling and prevent condensation. Check potatoes daily, discarding any with signs of discoloration or unusual odors to ensure food safety and quality.

Fun Twists on Crash Potatoes

• Spicy Ranch Crash Potatoes: Mix ranch seasoning with olive oil before brushing. Add red pepper flakes and cayenne for extra heat. Sprinkle crumbled bacon bits on top for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Crash Potatoes: Replace rosemary with za'atar spice blend. Add crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan. Drizzle with Greek olive oil and sprinkle chopped fresh oregano before serving.
• Loaded Crash Potatoes: Top potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits after baking. Add a dollop of sour cream and chives. Create a loaded baked potato experience with these crispy smashed potatoes.
• Garlic Parmesan Crash Potatoes: Roast minced garlic with olive oil before brushing on potatoes. Double the Parmesan cheese amount. Finish with fresh chopped parsley for a classic Italian-inspired side dish.

Wrapping Pioneer Woman’s Crash Potatoes Recipe

Crispy, golden potatoes with herb-infused edges promise a culinary adventure that elevates simple ingredients into gourmet magic.

Pioneering home chefs can easily master this foolproof technique with minimal kitchen skills.

Parmesan-crusted edges provide irresistible crunch while tender potato centers melt in your mouth.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe transforms humble spuds into restaurant-worthy side dishes that spark conversation around any dining table.

Mediterranean herbs whisper sophistication through each beautiful bite, creating memorable meal experiences.

Hungry souls who dare to explore these crash potatoes will discover pure potato perfection – so snap those mouthwatering photos, share with friends, comment below, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crispy, golden crash potatoes from the Pioneer Woman bring rustic Irish charm to your dinner table. Salt-crusted edges and creamy interiors make these herbed potatoes an irresistible side dish you’ll want to devour immediately.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 whole new potatoes (or other small round potatoes)
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil

Seasonings:

• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Rosemary (or other herbs of choice), to taste

Cheese:

• Parmesan, finely grated

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Instructions

1. Submerge the new potatoes in a generously salted pot of water, ensuring they are fully covered. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over high heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by drizzling 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of extra virgin olive oil across its surface, using a pastry brush to distribute the oil evenly.
3. Carefully drain the boiled potatoes using a colander, allowing excess water to completely evaporate. Transfer each potato onto the prepared baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between them.
4. Using a sturdy potato masher or the bottom of a heavy glass, gently flatten each potato to approximately 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) thickness. Apply gentle, consistent pressure to create a rustic, uneven surface that will crisp beautifully.
5. Brush the smashed potatoes with additional olive oil, ensuring complete coverage. Generously season with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and finely chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
6. Sprinkle a liberal amount of finely grated Parmesan cheese over each potato, creating a delicate, crispy topping. Position the baking sheet on the top rack of the preheated oven.
7. Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan midway through cooking to ensure uniform browning. Remove when the potatoes display a golden, crispy exterior with slightly blistered edges.

Notes

• Advance prep makes entertaining a breeze with these make-ahead crispy potatoes that reheat perfectly.
• Extra-virgin olive oil ensures a stunning golden-brown color while boosting overall flavor complexity.
• Parmesan cheese creates irresistible caramelized spots that add a nutty, salty dimension to each bite.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme transform ordinary potatoes into an aromatic culinary experience.
• Kosher salt delivers superior flavor distribution and provides a delightful crunchy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg