Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe

I absolutely love this Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe because it transforms simple potatoes into a flavor-packed, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside side dish that feels special enough for company yet easy enough for any weeknight dinner. The magic is in slow-roasting the potatoes in apple cider and broth, then smashing them and bathing them in golden brown butter infused with fresh sage and thyme—trust me, your kitchen will smell like heaven.

When I first tried this recipe, I discovered how beautifully the salty parmesan and fragrant garlic powder complement the buttery herbs, creating layers of flavor with a satisfying crunch. You’ll find that this Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe works perfectly alongside roasted chicken, steak, or even as a cozy vegetarian main with a crisp salad—it’s just that versatile, and my family goes crazy for it every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe are straightforward but thoughtfully selected to balance freshness, richness, and a bit of tang. Using apple cider and either chicken broth or dry white wine during roasting keeps the potatoes juicy and adds subtle layers of flavor.

• Small to medium potatoes: Yukon gold or russet work best because they hold shape but also become tender and fluffy when cooked.
• Apple cider: Adds a natural sweetness and acidity that gently braises the potatoes for moist insides.
• Chicken broth or dry white wine: Either option deepens flavor and tenderizes the potatoes; I often use broth for a comforting touch.
• Sea salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out all the flavors perfectly.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Used for drizzling over smashed potatoes, helping them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
• Salted butter: This is the star ingredient for browning and infusing that irresistible nutty, savory flavor.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top just before roasting to add a cheesy, crispy layer.
• Fresh sage leaves: The earthy, peppery notes pair perfectly with the butter to create that signature flavor.
• Fresh chopped thyme: Adds a subtle aromatic brightness that balances the richness.
• Garlic powder: Gives a gentle garlicky warmth that enhances the overall taste without overpowering.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe is, and I encourage you to play around with fresh herbs, cheeses, or even spices based on what you have on hand. Tweaking it a bit makes it your own without losing the delicious crispy, buttery core.

• Herb Swap: I’ve swapped sage with rosemary or tarragon when fresh sage wasn’t available—each variety brings a unique twist that’s equally tasty.
• Cheese Variation: Sometimes I switch out Parmesan for Pecorino Romano or sharp cheddar for a different cheesy note.
• Garlic Upgrade: Adding a few minced fresh garlic cloves during the butter browning step pumps up the garlic flavor affectionately.
• Vegan Option: Use olive oil or vegan butter instead of salted butter—just be sure to crisp them longer for that perfect texture.

How to Make Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Potatoes Slowly

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange whole small to medium potatoes in a casserole dish with a lid, then pour the apple cider and your choice of chicken broth or dry white wine over them. Cover and roast for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are very soft when pierced with a fork. This gentle braising in flavorful liquids makes the insides tender and juicy while preparing them for smashing.

Step 2: Smash and Season Your Potatoes

Increase your oven temperature to 425°F. Carefully remove the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Use the back of a fork or a potato masher to gently smash each potato to about half an inch thick—don’t worry about perfection; rustic is the charm here. Drizzle olive oil evenly over them to help crisp the edges, then add slices of salted butter on top, ensuring every potato gets some buttery goodness.

Step 3: Add the Flavorful Toppings

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes, then dust with garlic powder. Nestle fresh sage leaves and sprinkle chopped thyme over everything—these herbs will crisp up in the oven, adding irresistible aromatic crunch. Roast the potatoes for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy all over.

Step 4: Finish with Brown Butter and Seasoning

While the potatoes roast, melt the remaining salted butter in a small pan over medium heat until it turns a beautiful golden brown and smells nutty—this is where the intense flavor comes from! Spoon this brown butter along with the crispy sage leaves over the roasted potatoes just before serving. Give them a final sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate all the complex flavors.

How to Serve Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan and toss a few crisped sage leaves on top just before serving for a gourmet touch. A light dusting of flaky sea salt right at the end really wakes up all the flavors, and sometimes I add a small drizzle of good quality olive oil for a silky finish.

Side Dishes

These crispy smashed potatoes are a dream partner to roasted chicken, grilled steak, or pan-seared salmon. I’ve also served them alongside sautéed greens or a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich butteriness.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve arranged these potatoes on a large platter, garnished with the crispy herbs and Parmesan, then added lemon wedges on the side for a pop of color and brightness. They also look adorable served individually in small ramekins for a more elegant plating.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They keep surprisingly well, though I recommend reheating them to bring back their signature crispness.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my go-to for this recipe because I find the texture suffers a bit, but if you do freeze, flash freeze on a baking sheet first then transfer to a freezer bag to prevent sticking. Reheat from frozen and add a drizzle of butter or oil.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is in a 400°F oven for about 10-15 minutes to restore crispness. You can also reheat on a cast iron skillet over medium heat, flipping once to get both sides crispy again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Brown Butter Sage Smashed Potatoes Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite ways to make potatoes feel special without complicated techniques. It’s a little bit rustic, a lot delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and find it as comforting and impressive as I do—it’s the kind of recipe that turns simple ingredients into memories shared around the dinner table.

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