Garlic Smashed Potatoes (Oil Free)

Oil free garlic smashed potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Perfectly browned and bursting with garlic flavor, its hard not to eat these directly from the sheet pan!

I am absolutely obsessed with potatoes. They are probably my favorite food on the planet, and I do not discriminate. I like them mashed, boiled, fried, tater totted, baked and any other way you can possibly think of. Give me sweet potatoes, Yukon golds, red, russet or baby potatoes. I will eat any potato you put in front of me. (Unless of course it has any animal products on it, and then I'll pass. But sadly.)

And I really like potatoes smashed. I love how they are all fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. A dream come true. I'm not exaggerating.

Ingredients

You will need these simple ingredients to make smashed potatoes without oil:

• Baby Potatoes are perfect for smashing for this appetizer.
• Aquafaba replaces the oil in this recipe.
• Ground Spices add to the flavor of these potatoes without having to chop fresh garlic by hand.
• Chives are optional but add some extra flavor.

How to Make Oil Free Garlic Smashed Potatoes

These whole food plant based smashed potatoes are easy to make and largely hands off. The recipe begins by getting the potatoes nice and soft in an Instant Pot or boiling them on the stove. Both methods work just fine, its simply a matter of preference.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 425F (220C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Parchment paper is especially important in oil-free roasting to ensure your food does not stick to the pan.

Once the potatoes are very tender, and a fork easily slips in when pierced, drain and place on a the prepared sheet pan. Using a potato masher or the bottom of a cup, smash the potatoes until they are smashed but still in one piece.

In a small bowl, stir together garlic powder, onion powder, salt and aquafaba. Brush this mixture over the smashed potatoes, then flip and brush the other side. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bottoms of the potatoes are crispy and brown. Flip and roast an additional 8-10 minutes. Serve oil free smashed potatoes sprinkled with chives, if desired.

What the Difference Between Mashed and Smashed Potatoes?

While, they sounds similar, smashed and mashed potatoes are different. Mashed potatoes are mashed by hand or whipped with a mixer until smooth - depending of course on how lumpy you like your mashed potatoes! So mashed potatoes would be considered a puree of sorts.

Smashed potatoes are potatoes that are smashed down to create a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Additionally, mashed potatoes are boiled and mashed, whereas smashed potatoes are boiled, smashed and then roasted to achieve their crispy, crunchy exterior. Both make excellent side dishes, and I've even made an entrée out of smashed potatoes using my potato nacho recipe.

Make Ahead

The potatoes can be cooked in the Instant Pot or boiled up to three days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve them: smash, brush with the aquafaba mixture and roast as directed. If you're cooking them straight from the refrigerator they may need to cook a little longer to bring them up to temperature and achieve the proper crispiness.

Serving Suggestions

Smashed potatoes are wonderful alongside a massaged kale salad and grilled portobello mushrooms; or at breakfast with tofu scramble or savory mushroom and spinach muffins.

More Vegan Appetizers