Can I use russet potatoes instead of red potatoes?

You can use russet potatoes, but the texture will be different. Russets are more floury and less waxy than red potatoes, so they'll be fluffier inside but might not hold their shape as well when smashed. If using russets, you might want to leave them slightly larger and be more gentle when smashing.

How do I know when the potatoes are ready to smash?

The potatoes are ready when a fork easily pierces through with little resistance. If you're feeling any firmness in the center, give them a few more minutes in the oven. Properly cooked potatoes will smash easily without falling apart completely.

Can I make these potatoes ahead of time for a dinner party?

Absolutely! You can pre-bake the potatoes and even smash them ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply drizzle with the honey butter mixture (you may need to rewarm it if it's solidified) and do the final bake. This makes them perfect for entertaining when you want to minimize last-minute preparation.

My honey butter mixture is separating, is that normal?

Yes, this can happen because honey and butter don't naturally emulsify. Just make sure your butter is fully melted and give it a vigorous whisk right before pouring over the potatoes. Even if it looks slightly separated, it will come together beautifully during the final bake.

Honey Roasted Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Name: Honey Roasted Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15 small red baby potatoes; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

These Honey Roasted Smashed Potatoes are a game-changer for your dinner table. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and glazed with a sweet-savory honey butter sauce that caramelizes to perfection. This simple yet impressive side dish transforms humble potatoes into something truly special with minimal effort. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect accompaniment to virtually any main course!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Addictively Delicious: The combination of crispy, smashed potatoes with the sweet and savory honey-dijon glaze creates an irresistible flavor profile that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already – nothing fancy required, just everyday items that work magic together.
Perfect Texture Contrast: The crispy edges and creamy centers create the most satisfying bite every single time.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters can’t resist these potatoes – they’re familiar enough to be comforting but special enough to impress guests.
Versatile: Works beautifully alongside everything from roast chicken to grilled steak to baked fish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Red Baby Potatoes: Small, waxy potatoes with thin skins that crisp up beautifully when roasted. Their natural sweetness works perfectly with the honey glaze.
Butter: Creates the base for our glaze and helps achieve those perfectly crispy edges. Use unsalted butter to control the salt level in the dish.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create that gorgeous caramelization. Use local honey if you can for the best flavor.
Dijon Mustard: Provides a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey. The subtle heat and complexity makes the glaze something special.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and creates balance. Don’t skimp here!
Dried Oregano: Adds an aromatic, earthy dimension that complements the sweetness. Feel free to experiment with other herbs you love.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Herb Variations

Try rosemary, thyme, or a mix of Italian herbs instead of oregano for a different flavor profile. Fresh herbs work beautifully too – just double the amount if switching from dried to fresh.

Spicy Kick

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the honey butter mixture for a sweet-heat combination that’s absolutely addictive.

Cheesy Upgrade

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or crumbled feta over the potatoes during the last few minutes of baking for a savory, cheesy twist.

Garlic Lover’s Version

Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic to the honey butter mixture for an extra dimension of flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness.

How to Make Honey Roasted Smashed Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet. Wash your baby red potatoes thoroughly, then place them on the prepared sheet. Pop them in the oven for 30-40 minutes until they’re tender enough to smash easily with a fork. Remember that cooking time varies with potato size – smaller ones will be ready sooner.

Step 2: Make the Honey Butter Glaze

While the potatoes are roasting, prepare your glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and dried oregano until well combined. This mixture might look a bit separated at first, but keep whisking – it’ll come together beautifully.

Step 3: Smash and Glaze

Once the potatoes are tender, remove them from the oven but keep it on. Using a fork (or a potato masher if you prefer), gently press down on each potato to flatten it while keeping it in one piece. You’re looking for that perfect balance – smashed enough to create surface area for crisping, but still holding together.

Step 4: Final Baking

Pour your honey butter mixture evenly over the smashed potatoes, making sure each one gets a good coating. Return the baking sheet to the hot oven for another 5-10 minutes. This final blast of heat lets the glaze melt into the crevices and caramelize around the edges, creating those irresistible crispy bits.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Choose Uniform Potatoes: Select potatoes that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly. About 1½ to 2 inches in diameter is perfect.
Don’t Over-Smash: Press just enough to flatten while maintaining some thickness. If they’re too thin, they’ll dry out; too thick, and they won’t get crispy enough.
Use a Heavy Fork: A sturdy fork with widely spaced tines works best for smashing without making the potatoes fall apart completely.
Baking Sheet Real Estate: Leave enough space between potatoes so the edges can crisp up properly. If they’re too crowded, they’ll steam instead of roast.
Elevate with Finishing Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving adds texture and enhances the sweet-savory balance.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These potatoes shine alongside roasted meats like chicken, beef, or pork. The sweetness of the glaze works particularly well with slightly salty or savory main dishes.

For a Complete Meal

Pair with a simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a fresh garden salad to balance the richness of the potatoes.

Garnish Ideas

A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives adds color and freshness. For extra indulgence, add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The glaze will soak in more, making them even more flavorful.

Freezing

While possible, freezing isn’t ideal as the texture changes slightly. If you must freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until hot and re-crisped around the edges. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them soggy. If you’re in a hurry and must use the microwave, reheat at 50% power and finish under the broiler for a minute to restore some crispness.

FAQs

Can I use russet potatoes instead of red potatoes?

You can use russet potatoes, but the texture will be different. Russets are more floury and less waxy than red potatoes, so they’ll be fluffier inside but might not hold their shape as well when smashed. If using russets, you might want to leave them slightly larger and be more gentle when smashing.
How do I know when the potatoes are ready to smash?

The potatoes are ready when a fork easily pierces through with little resistance. If you’re feeling any firmness in the center, give them a few more minutes in the oven. Properly cooked potatoes will smash easily without falling apart completely.
Can I make these potatoes ahead of time for a dinner party?

Absolutely! You can pre-bake the potatoes and even smash them ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply drizzle with the honey butter mixture (you may need to rewarm it if it’s solidified) and do the final bake. This makes them perfect for entertaining when you want to minimize last-minute preparation.
My honey butter mixture is separating, is that normal?

Yes, this can happen because honey and butter don’t naturally emulsify. Just make sure your butter is fully melted and give it a vigorous whisk right before pouring over the potatoes. Even if it looks slightly separated, it will come together beautifully during the final bake.

Final Thoughts

These Honey Roasted Smashed Potatoes transform an everyday ingredient into something truly special. The contrast between the crispy edges and tender centers, combined with that sweet-savory glaze, creates a side dish that often steals the spotlight from the main course. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for special occasions. Give them a try – I bet they’ll become a regular request at your dinner table!