Quick Smashed Greek Potatoes with Feta and Rosemary Recipe

Introduction

These quick smashed Greek potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish, bursting with vibrant flavors from feta, rosemary, and lemon. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside, they bring a fresh Mediterranean twist to your meal.

Ingredients

• 8-12 medium roasting potatoes
• 200 g (7 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tbsp small capers or sliced black olives
• 2 large cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced into very thin rounds
• Small rosemary sprig, torn
• 1 lemon, cut into quarters
• Olive oil, to drizzle
• Salt and pepper, to season

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Drizzle a large skillet or roasting tray with a little olive oil.
2. Step 2: Rinse the potatoes and pierce them all over with the tip of a sharp knife.
3. Step 3: Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with two sheets of damp paper towel, and microwave on full power for 7-12 minutes. Depending on your microwave, you may need to do this in batches.
4. Step 4: Check the potatoes after 7 minutes. If you can easily pierce them with a knife, remove them; otherwise, continue microwaving.
5. Step 5: Transfer the potatoes to the prepared skillet or tray and smash them gently with a potato masher, exposing some flesh but keeping their shape.
6. Step 6: Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the garlic slices and torn rosemary over the potatoes, and nestle the lemon wedges among them.
7. Step 7: Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the potato skins start to color.
8. Step 8: Add the crumbled feta, sliced onion, and capers on top, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
9. Step 9: Squeeze fresh lemon juice from the roasted lemon wedges over the potatoes and serve immediately.
10. Step 10 (Air fryer option): Instead of using a skillet or roasting tray, place the smashed potatoes directly in your air fryer basket and follow the remaining steps as above.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, finish the potatoes under the broiler for 1-2 minutes before serving.
• Swap the capers for pitted Kalamata olives if you prefer a milder briny flavor.
• Add a sprinkle of dried oregano for a more pronounced Greek herb flavor.
• Use small baby potatoes or fingerlings for a quicker cooking time and a different texture.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the skins from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a regular oven instead of a microwave to cook the potatoes?

Yes, you can boil the potatoes until tender before smashing and roasting, but microwaving speeds up the process significantly.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

You can pre-cook and smash the potatoes ahead of time, then assemble and roast shortly before serving to retain their crispy texture.

Quick Smashed Greek Potatoes with Feta and Rosemary Recipe

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4.6 from 55 reviews

This recipe for Quick Smashed Greek Potatoes with Feta and Rosemary offers a delightful combination of crispy smashed potatoes, tangy feta cheese, aromatic rosemary, and fresh lemon. Ideal as a flavorful side dish, it uses a simple microwave pre-cooking step followed by oven roasting or air frying to achieve golden, crispy potatoes infused with bold Mediterranean flavors.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes

• 8–12 medium roasting potatoes

Cheese and garnish

• 200 g (7 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tbsp small capers or sliced black olives
• 1 red onion, sliced into very thin rounds

Herbs and aromatics

• 1 small rosemary sprig, torn
• 2 large whole cloves of garlic, sliced

Others

• 1 lemon, cut into quarters
• Olive oil to drizzle
• Salt and pepper to season

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare skillet: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Drizzle olive oil over a large skillet or roasting tray to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare potatoes for cooking: Rinse the potatoes thoroughly and pierce them all over with a sharp knife tip to allow steam to escape during cooking.
3. Microwave the potatoes: Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with two sheets of damp paper towel. Microwave on full power for 7-12 minutes, checking at 7 minutes to test tenderness with a knife.
4. Check doneness: If potatoes are easily pierced, remove from microwave; if not, continue cooking until tender but not overdone.
5. Smash the potatoes: Transfer potatoes to the oiled skillet or roasting tray and gently smash them using a potato masher, exposing some flesh but keeping their overall shape intact.
6. Season and add aromatics: Drizzle olive oil over the smashed potatoes, season with salt and pepper, then scatter sliced garlic and torn rosemary on top. Nestle lemon wedges among the potatoes.
7. Roast the potatoes: Place the skillet or tray in the oven and roast for 10 minutes until the potato skins begin to color and crisp.
8. Add feta and finish roasting: Remove the skillet briefly, sprinkle crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and capers over the potatoes, then return to the oven for a further 5 minutes to warm the toppings.
9. Serve with fresh lemon juice: Squeeze fresh juice from the roasted lemon wedges over the potatoes for a bright finish and serve immediately.
10. Alternative air fryer method: Instead of using the oven, after microwaving and smashing the potatoes, place them directly in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with oil, season, add garlic, rosemary, and lemon wedges, then air fry until crispy. Add feta, onion, and capers towards the end, then continue air frying briefly. Finish with squeezed lemon juice before serving.

Notes

• Microwave times may vary depending on the size and power of your microwave; adjust accordingly to ensure potatoes are tender but not overcooked before smashing.
• If you prefer a smokier flavor, consider using smoked paprika sprinkled on the potatoes before roasting.
• Capers can be substituted with sliced black olives for a milder taste.
• The recipe can be prepared in an air fryer for a crispier texture and faster cooking time.
• Use a potato variety suitable for roasting and smashing, such as Yukon gold or red potatoes, for the best texture.

Keywords: Greek smashed potatoes, feta potatoes, rosemary potatoes, roasted potatoes, Mediterranean side dish, quick smashed potatoes