One of the best sides to accompany any meal are these Crispy Greek Lemon Smashed Potatoes! Crispy and golden on the outside, while soft and fluffy on the inside. Better than any roast potato!
The BEST thing about smashed potatoes is that they have the perfect balance between crispy French fries and fluffy roast potatoes, only they’re NOT dry as roast potatoes tend to be. These Crispy Greek Lemon Smashed Potatoes disappear in seconds!
My house seems to be full of citrus this week. Between this Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon, and another recipe coming your way tomorrow, we are loving the smells coming out of our kitchen.
Traditional Greek roast potatoes may not come in ‘smashed’ style, but with these Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes STILL going nuts all over the place, I know that THIS little invention will become your new favourite!
All of the flavours of Greek roast potatoes are packed into these golden Greek lemon smashed potatoes…. BUT these are SUPER CRISPY and extremely addictive!
Usually with Greek potatoes, they are baked in a lemon/broth mixture with oregano and garlic….or sometimes sprinkled with semolina for an added crispy finish. The difference here is….I’ve minimised the traditional recipe to suit the cooking requirements needed for smashed potatoes to guarantee a super crispy and golden edge, while keeping all of those important flavours packed into these potatoes.
They are so versatile you can serve them with absolutely ANYTHING! This Greek chicken comes to mind.
A few tips:
- I used butter in this recipe, because garlic butter is unbeatable in flavour. However, you can substitute with olive oil if you wish!
- I’ve added a lot more garlic in these than traditional Greek potatoes. Feel free to reduce the garlic down to 2 cloves instead of 4.
- Semolina is optional. If using, sprinkle a light coating over your potatoes before baking.
- For even crispier potatoes, remove potatoes form the oven half way through baking, spray with a little extra cooking oil, and continue broiling (or grilling) in the oven until nice and golden brown.
Crispy Greek Lemon Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized potatoes (Yukon Gold or Carisma)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (or 2 tablespoons olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)
- 4 cloves garlic , crushed*
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano , divided
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- A light spray of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon semolina (optional -- for crispy potatoes)
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to broil (or grill) settings to medium-high heat (about 200°C | 400°F).
- Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to the boil; cook, covered for 30-35 minutes or until just fork-tender. Drain well.
- Lightly spray a large baking sheet or tray with cooking oil spray. Arrange potatoes onto the sheet and use a potato masher to LIGHTLY flatten the potatoes in one piece (not too hard or they will end up mashed).
- Mix together the butter, lemon juice and garlic. Pour the mixture over each potato. Sprinkle with half of the oregano, salt and pepper. Lightly spray with olive oil spray, and sprinkle with semolina (If using).
- Broil (or grill) until they are golden and crispy (about 15 minutes). Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining oregano.
- To serve, season with a little extra salt and pepper; serve immediately.
Notes
**For even crispier potatoes, remove potatoes from the oven half way through cooking, spray with a little extra cooking oil, and continue broiling (or grilling) in the oven until nice and golden brown.
Nutrition
Evelyn Horlacher says
They look delicious. Are you cutting your potatoes or leaving them whole?
Steve says
No one has answered the most important question I think of this dish. Are the potatoes peeled or not peeled before boiling?
Please can someone answer this.
Joyce Ford says
I didn’t bother peeling them and they turned out great. Yukon Gold potatoes have very tender skins.
Cynthia Fiekers says
Definitely peeled. It adds to the crispiness!!!
Cathey says
Great addition to my meal. I normally make Greek lemon potatoes, these were less time consuming, less cost and better tasting. Served with grilled butterflied lamb, cucumber salad, Greek salad and tzatziki. Just broiled an additional few minutes, since I can’t consume semolina. Thanks Karina.
Debra says
This potatoes are worth the work. They are so delicious.
Lauren Simonian says
Would you be able to boil the potatoes & smash ahead of time? I wanted to make this for a dinner party and do most of the work in the morning?
Karina says
Yes, of course! That sounds delicious! I hope you enjoy them with all your friends!
Ian says
I love these & cook them up as a side to a BBQ, I use baby red potatoes YES PEPS with the SKIN ON & some grated cheese then GRILL ( I’m Australian } but am going to try your Greek style for Dinner tonight with your Greek Lamb Chops … YUMMO
Tymeron Smith says
Nice! That sounds fantastic! You are a true Australian!! Enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing!
Katherine says
Are the potatoes peeled?
Glenn says
This looks amazing. Do we peel the potatoes? Thank you.
Vanessa Davis says
This looks awfully good. I’m sure I’ll check it out. It looks flexible and I’ll probably add more seasoning, to match my taste.
Margaret Ann @ MAK and Her Cheese says
Something about the word “smashed” sounds so indulgent! And there’s no such thing as too much garlic as far as I’m concerned. 😉 Thanks for the recipe!
– MAK
Kathleen says
Looks so good. I can’t tell- are potatoes peeled?
Sonja Mathews says
Very good recipe, my family loved these potatoes
Cassie @ Be Forever Healthier says
I think these potatoes will be happening tonight! I love all greek food and my beautiful Yaya makes the best I’ve ever tasted!
Glenda Harding says
I just love love all of your recipes thank you
Brooke says
This looks yummy! Would this taste better with sweet potato?:)
Miriam says
These look so yummy and so easy!
Do you think it would work to use olive oil instead of butter to make them non-dairy?