Smashed Potatoes with Crème Fraîche

Thought potatoes couldn’t get any better? Just wait until you try these crispy smashed potatoes with crème fraîche. Irresistibly crunchy on the outside, yet fluffy and soft on the inside… The potatoes alone taste incredible! But we aren’t done yet. Top with zesty lemon and chive crème fraîche, tangy pickled red onion, salty smoked salmon and buttery caviar to create the most delicious canapé. Just make sure you make extra as I can guarantee a few will go ‘missing’ along the way (quality control purposes, obviously!)

There are so many reasons why I love these smashed potatoes with crème fraîche. Not only do they taste amazing, but they are unbelievably easy to make. All you have to do is boil new potatoes until tender, then drain and leave to steam dry. Next, you lightly smash them before seasoning and shallow frying until gorgeously golden, crispy and crunchy. That’s all there is to it. Hence why they are ideal for easy entertaining. Plus everyone loves them. In fact, at Christmas, they are so popular they rival my honey mustard sausages! If you prefer, you can roast them in the oven like my crispy salt and vinegar smashed potatoes. Scroll down to learn how.

Once you have made your smashed potatoes, you can have fun with all sorts of different toppings. Smashed potatoes with crème fraîche, smoked salmon, pickled red onion, caviar, chives and lemon is a classic. However, there are so many other ideas to try. Plus, you can easily make them vegetarian and/or vegan friendly. Read on for some delicious ideas…

Why you will love these smashed potatoes with crème fraiche:

• They are super simple and will be ready in just 35 minutes! The perfect canapé for easy entertaining.
• They are also a delicious snack, light bite, sharer or side dish. 
• They are packed full of flavour and texture thanks to the crispy smashed potato, creamy sour crème fraiche, salty smoked salmon and tangy pickled onion and zesty lemon.
• They are really versatile - you can have great fun trying out all sorts of toppings.
• They can easily be adapted for vegetarians and vegans by opting for plant-based toppings.
• They are fuss-free and don't use any special equipment.
• The base recipe is budget-friendly and uses staple ingredients you are already likely to have to hand.

What you will need for these smashed potatoes with crème fraiche:

Baby potatoes - you want a fairly small waxy potato variety as it needs to hold its shape well and not completely disintegrate when smashed. It doesn’t matter if you get some bits that crumble, these will go extra crispy. 

Salt - this helps the smashed potatoes to crisp up and adds flavour. I recommend Maldon Salt Flakes. You can use their garlic or chilli flavours. They both work really well when making smashed potatoes. 

Freshly ground black pepper - this adds a subtle warmth. You could use mixed peppercorns for a more complex flavour.

Sunflower oil - because we’re shallow frying these smashed potatoes, you need a flavourless oil with a high smoke point. Both rapeseed and vegetable oil would work well too.

Crème fraiche - a dollop of tangy, zesty lemon and fresh chive infused crème fraiche is the perfect accompaniment for the smashed potatoes. It complements the smoked salmon beautifully but is equally delicious served as a dip for dunking the smashed potatoes into. Opt for full-fat crème fraiche for the best results.

Chives - these add a mild onion-garlic flavour to the crème fraiche. They also make a very pretty garnish for the finished smashed potatoes.

Lemon - a squeeze of lemon juice adds a lovely refreshing, zesty flavour to the crème fraiche. I also squeeze it over the smashed potatoes at the end to really lift them. You can also pop wedges of fresh lemon on the side so guests can add their own lemon juice.

Smoked salmon - a slice of smoked salmon adds a touch of luxury to these smashed potatoes with crème fraîche. Different varieties have different flavours/levels of smokiness so opt for one that you enjoy most.

Quick pickled red onions - these add a pop of colour and tangy flavour to these smashed potatoes with crème fraiche.

Caviar - a small spoonful of salty, buttery caviar makes these smashed potatoes with crème fraiche extra special. 

Scroll down to see recipe card for the exact recipe with a full list of ingredients and measurements

Substitutions and Variations:

• Potatoes - you can use any small waxy variety of potatoes. This is one of the most delicious recipes to make with Jersey Royals when they are in season. 
• Spring onions - you could sprinkle with some thinly sliced spring onions for a subtle onion flavour and slightly crunchy garnish.
• Fresh herbs - you can swap the chives for all sorts of different fresh herbs. Dill and/or roughly chopped coriander and parsley are all delicious.
• Dairy - you can swap the crème fraiche for other dairy products like cream cheese or crème fraîche. You can even try serving it with Boursin for a delicious garlic and herb flavour. 
• Pickle - you can swap the quick pickled red onion for pickled beetroot if you prefer. I love this superbeet kimchi from Vadasz. 
• Salmon - you can swap the smoked salmon for smoked trout. Alternatively, top with curls of gravadlax. My beetroot cured salmon gravadlax works really well. 
• Caviar -  obviously this is a super luxurious ingredient. However, you can use salmon roe or lumpfish caviar for more budget-friendly alternatives!
• Capers - you can sprinkle the smashed potatoes with a few capers. I love the tangy, salty flavour alongside the crème fraiche.

Here's how to make Smashed Potatoes with Creme Fraiche:

Here's a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe below for detailed instructions.

ONE: Boil the potatoes in generously salted water for around 15 minutes. Drain and leave to steam dry. Top only a lined baking sheet in an even layer.

TWO: Using the base of a measuring cup or small glass, press the potatoes to flatten them (don’t worry if they break up a little, those bits will crisp up!). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

THREE: Next, in a large non-stick frying pan with relatively high sides, pour in a generous glug of olive oil and set over a medium heat until shimmering.  You arent deep frying it but you want a generous glug of oil. Fry until golden each side.

FOUR: Meanwhile, make the chive crème fraiche: pop the crème fraiche in a medium sized bowl. Add the chives and lemon juice, to taste. Mix well then I like to pipeit so it looks nice and neat but a spoon works too!

FIVE: Carefully arrange a small slice/curl of smoked salmon on top, then a small spoonful of pickled red onions.

SIX: Top with a small spoonful of caviar. Sprinkle with freshly snipped chives. Season with freshly ground black pepper and squeeze over a little lemon juice. Enjoy! 

Cooking Tips:

• Flavouring the potatoes: if you want to add flavour to the potatoes, add them to the water before boiling. This could be a generous amount of dried or fresh herbs or a couple of cloves of garlic. As the potatoes cook, they will become infused with the flavour. Alternatively, after smashing on the baking sheet, sprinkle with smoked paprika before shallow frying. This works really well with Mexican-inspired toppings and dips like guacamole. 
• Perfectly crisp: smashed potatoes are famous for their gloriously golden colour and crispy texture so don’t be afraid to let them go really crisp in the pan. As long as you watch them closely, they shouldn’t burn.
• Toppings: there are so many different toppings you can add to these smashed potatoes (scroll down for ideas). Alternatively, you can serve them as a side with all sorts of dishes (think roast potatoes / rosti / hash brown vibes).

How to roast Smashed Potatoes in the oven

I find shallow frying smashed potatoes makes them even crispier (plus it is quicker). However, you can roast them in the oven which is easier if cooking for a crowd. All you need to do is preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan. After boiling, draining and smashing, tip into a roasting tin and drizzle generously with olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper (you can also add dried mixed herbs, fresh rosemary or thyme or a sprinkling of smoked paprika for extra flavour). Pop in the oven and roast for about 40 minutes or until gloriously golden and crisp. The exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes. Continue with the recipe with your desired toppings. 

What toppings can I add to these smashed potatoes?

I have gone for a classic combination of crème fraîche, smoked salmon and caviar for these smashed potatoes. However, you can enjoy getting creative with all sorts of toppings. Here are some of my favourites:

• Roast beef and horseradish cream - my twist on those adorable mini Yorkshire pudding canapés. Mix together sour cream (or crème fraîche) with horseradish and/or mustard. Pop a little bit onto each smashed potato, then top with a small slice of roast beef. Delicious! 
• Beetroot - a delicious vegetarian topping is roasted or pickled beetroot with soft goats cheese and freshly plucked thyme. You can switch up the goats cheese for cream cheese (this Paysan Breton one is divine!) or Boursin. It can even be made vegan-friendly using a plant-based soft cheese or dairy product.
• Brie and cranberry - this is one of my favourite festive combinations. Top with a slice of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce (homemade or shop bought). Then pop under the grill or melt with a blowtorch before serving. Perfect for vegetarians!
• Cheese - I am of the opinion that few things in life aren’t improved by a generous helping of cheese (bonus points if it is melted and gooey). The contrast of a crispy smashed potatoes combined with molten, bubbling cheese is just so good. Sprinkle some grated hard cheese over the potatoes or add a small slice of soft cheese like brie. Then pop under the grill or melt with a blowtorch before serving. Alternatively, dip the smashed potatoes into a molten cheese fondue or baked Camembert. Perfect for fans of my Camembert en croute (whole baked Camembert in puff pastry).
• Chutney and cheese - top with a slice of brie, a spoonful of caramelised onion chutney and some freshly plucked thyme. Then pop under the grill (or heat with a blow torch) until the brie turns molten and gooey. You can switch up the caramelised onion chutney for all sorts. Sweet chilli chutney, spiced tomato jam, fig jam - anything that would work on a cheese board or Ploughman’s. 
• Roasted cherry tomatoes and guacamole - pop some sliced cherry or baby plum tomatoes in a roasting tin, add a bashed clove of garlic and some sprigs of fresh thyme, season generously, drizzle with olive oil and roast until starting to soften. Top each smashed potato with a spoonful of guacamole. Then add some roasted tomatoes. The perfect vegan-friendly topping.
• Crispy bacon and spring onions - a sprinkling of crispy, salty, smoky bacon, thinly sliced spring onions and a dollop of cream cheese is a delicious way to top these smashed potatoes.
• Prawn cocktail - smash and avocado until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, mix up coldwater prawns with Marie Rose sauce. Add a spoonful of the avocado onto each smashed potato, then top with the prawn cocktail. Dust with smoked paprika or cayenne pepper. Squeeze over a little lemon juice, then serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other recipes you might enjoy:

If you enjoyed my smashed potatoes with crème fraîche you will love my cheesy smashed potatoes with Parmesan, garlic and homemade aioli and crispy salt and vinegar smashed potatoes. Also don’t miss my giant skillet potato latke. 

Made this recipe and loved it?

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Smashed Potatoes with Crème Fraîche

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These gloriously golden and deliciously crispy smashed potatoes with crème fraîche are one of the best ways to enjoy potatoes. They are the perfect snack or base for a light bite or canapé… Although I also make them as a side as they are too good to resist.

• Author: Margie Nomura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4-6 (depending how you serve them) 1x
• Category: Christmas
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: worldwide
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the smashed potatoes:

• 750g baby potatoes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive  oil, for frying (not extra virgin, save that for dressings etc)

For the chive crème fraiche:

• About 150ml full-fat crème fraiche
• About 1 tbsp freshly snipped chives
• Lemon juice, to taste

To serve: (optional)

• Smoked salmon, cut into small slices
• Quick pickled red onion
• Caviar
• Freshly snipped chives
• Lemon juice, to taste

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Instructions

1. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper and set aside.
2. Pop the potatoes into a large saucepan. Add a generous pinch of salt and fill with water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes - or until tender all the way through. The exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes. Drain well and leave to steam dry for a couple of minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the chive crème fraiche: pop the crème fraiche in a medium sized bowl. Add the chives and lemon juice, to taste. Mix well then cover and chill in the fridge.
4. Tip onto the lined baking sheet in an even layer. Using the base of a measuring cup or small glass, press the potatoes to flatten them (don’t worry if they break up a little, those bits will crisp up!). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Line a separate baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
6. Next, in a large non-stick frying pan with relatively high sides, pour in a generous glug of olive oil and set over a medium heat until shimmering.  You arent deep frying it but you want a generous glug of oil
7. Using a spatula slide in as many smashed potatoes as you can fit in a single layer. Shallow fry for about 5 minutes - or until golden brown underneath. Using a palette knife or spatula, carefully flip and continue to shallow fry on the other side for a further 5 minutes - or until crispy and golden on both sides. Remove from the pan using a spatula and place on the lined baking sheet to drain off any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining potatoes.
8. Arrange the smashed potatoes onto a serving plate and top each with a spoonful of the chive crème fraiche. Alternatively, spoon the crème fraiche into a piping bag and pipe a dollop onto each smashed potato. Carefully arrange a small slice/curl of smoked salmon on top, then a small spoonful of pickled red onions. Top with a small spoonful of caviar. Sprinkle with freshly snipped chives.
9. Season with freshly ground black pepper and squeeze over a little lemon juice. Enjoy!

Notes

Keeping the smashed potatoes warm: if shallow frying in batches, pop the drained cooked smashed potatoes onto a lined baking sheet and keep warm in a low oven. However, these are delicious served at room temperature - a bit like crisps!

Roasted smashed potatoes: although I find frying these smashed potatoes makes them even crispier, you can absolutely bake them instead. It actually makes it easier to cook for a crowd. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan. After boiling, draining and smashing, tip into a roasting tin and drizzle generously with olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then roast for about 40 minutes or until gloriously golden and crisp. The exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes.

Make it plant based: you can easily make these smashed potatoes vegetarian by skipping the smoked salmon and caviar. Equally, they can be vegan too - just use a plant based dairy for the crème fraiche. Then have a look at my other topping ideas in the post.

Make it your own: the toppings I have suggested in this recipe are just a guide, feel free to get creative with your own ideas (see FAQs). Alternatively, serve these smashed potatoes without toppings as a side for all sorts of mains.

A note on serving size: if serving these as a canapé, allow 2-3 per person, so you can judge the number of potatoes you need rather than doing it by weight.