These Greek-style lemony smashed potatoes are the perfect side to any meal. They’re crisp on top and creamy in the center. So delicious!

Watch the Video
If you’ve never had smashed potatoes before, get ready for the best way to eat a potato. These Greek lemony smashed potatoes are fun, easy to make, and have a big burst of flavor.
They are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and covered in a lemon garlic butter dressing. Whether you eat them as a snack or make them a side dish, you will never be disappointed.
What are smashed potatoes?
Smashed potatoes are baby potatoes that have been cooked whole in simmering water, smashed flat, covered in oil or dressing, then baked until crispy. Baby potatoes usually come in red or yellow, and you can use either.
Most people use a potato masher to smash these, but they tend to get stuck in the masher. The best way to smash them is to use a cup, mug, or bowl—something with a flat bottom.
The flavor combinations are endless, but these lemon garlic smashed potatoes are my favorite.
Greek lemon smashed potatoes will be your favorite!
You don’t have to try all of the different flavor combinations to know that this one will be your favorite, too. The delicious dressing makes these:
- Lemony
- Garlicy
- Buttery
- Crispy and creamy
- Perfect as a snack or side dish!
Simple ingredients
- Potatoes. I put whole potatoes in a pot of cold water to boil. Be sure the water is cold, or your potatoes won’t cook properly.
The dressing:
- Lemon juice. Always fresh, never from a bottle.
- Butter. I like to use salted butter in this dressing because I don’t think potatoes can have enough salt. However, you can use unsalted butter to control the salt.
- Olive oil. Use good olive oil for dressing.
- Crushed oregano. A good quality brand will have the most flavor.
- Garlic. I don’t think you can have too much garlic, so if you’d like even more garlic, feel free to do so.

More Smashed potato flavor
Even though these are my favorite smashed potatoes, you could always add grated parmesan, feta, or gouda during the final 5 minutes of roasting/broiling. You can sprinkle chopped parsley over them after you pull them out of the oven or serve on top of a dollop of tzatziki.
I love the buttery flavor, but I add a little olive oil to the dressing to help the tops get golden brown and crispy. However, you don’t have to add the oil; just add a little more butter. To make it completely vegan, use only oil in the dressing.
How to make Greek lemon smashed potatoes?
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender. About 20-25 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 500 °F, 250 °C.
- Drain the potatoes and place them on a baking tray.
- Using the bottom of a mug or a bowl, press the potatoes down to“smash” them. They should become about a half-inch in thickness.
- Combine the dressing ingredients and whisk them together.
- Pour about a tablespoon of the dressing over each potato and season them generously with salt.
- Roast them in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 15 minutes.
- Turn the broiler on and leave the potatoes on the middle rack. Broil them for about 5 minutes or until crisp on top and golden.
Serve these Smashed Potatoes with:
If you aren’t making these for a snack, they will go with any entrée as a side dish. Here are a few options:
- Greek Roasted Chicken with Onions & Peppers: Sheet-pan Meal Ready in 60 Minutes!
- Chicken in a lemon butter sauce
- Pan-fried Greek Lamb Chops
- Crown Roast Rack of Lamb
- Lamb Shanks

Greek Lemony Smashed Potatoes
These Greek-style lemony smashed potatoes are the perfect side to any meal. They're crisp on top and creamy in the center. So delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby potatoes
- salt, to taste
The Dressing:
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons dried crushed oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are fork tender. About 20-25 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 500 °F, 250 °C.
Drain the potatoes and place them on a baking tray.
Using the bottom of a mug or a bowl, press the potatoes down to "smash" them. They should become about a half inch in thickness.
Combine the dressing ingredients and whisk them together.
Pour about a tablespoon of the dressing over each potato and season them generously with salt.
Roast them in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 15 minutes.
Turn the broiler on and leave the potatoes on the middle rack. Broil them for about 5 minutes or until crisp on top and golden.
Serve with tzatziki or lemon wedges.
Enjoy and Kali Orexi!
Notes
During the final 5 minutes of roasting/broiling add a cup of crumbled feta cheese on tip of the potatoes. Garnish with c\hopped parsley and serve.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dimitra,
Love all your recipes, which turn out perfect, better than restaurant quality!!!!!
My daughter and myself, are celebrating our double birthdays on March 13, 2021, next week. I will be making your recipe for: Lemony Beeftekia, with lemony roasted potatoes, which I know will be perfection! My daughter has many food allergies including Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Ham and Tuna. For over 30 years I would make two different meals each Holiday of the Year.
I will turn 75 years old this March, and no more double meals. HaHa!
I tired Hyssop from Lebanon, as it is in the Bible. Than I ordered Zaatar from Lebanon and mixed in the USA. Although wonderful, it is too costly for me, as I eat 3-4 teaspoons per day. Would you make a recipe for your Zaatar? I am sure it would be delicious. Also, you are the kindest and most unassuming Lady Of Cooking. I call You the Greek Queen of Culinary. God Bless You and Your Family. Be Safe, debra mcgrath
Omg! That’s so sweet of you. Happy Birthday to you and your daughter!!!
I am Greek American and I love love love your recipes and your wonderful personality.
these are the best potatoes. Love them. Better than the potatoes at the local Greek restaurant
I’m an Irish and German American I love all your recipes and your articulate videos. Awesome
Hi Dimitra!
Love your reciptes and videos.
These smashed potatoes are so decilious!
I am seving them Sunday for Greek Easte with lamb.
Could I boil and smash them on Satureday and then finish them on Sunday?
YAMAS!
Hi Dimitra!
Love you recipes! I have made these potatoes twice. First time they were perfect. Crispy on the outside creamy inside.
For Greek Easter I pre-boiled and smashed day before and put them in the frig. Took them out brought them to room temp and put in oven and then broiler. They would no crisp up no matter how long I had them under broiler. Flavor good but missed the crunch. I think I over cooked them as they just fell apart when I smashed them so not much skin showing. I used only oil maybe that affected it? Please advise