When you’re looking for a comforting, delicious snack or side that’s bound to impress, these loaded smashed potato cups are your go-to recipe. Perfect for family gatherings, parties, or even a cozy night in, these crispy, golden potato cups come packed with flavor and texture. With a savory filling of mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with Parmesan, and served alongside a tangy sour cream and chive dip, each bite is a little piece of comfort.
Read on to discover how to make these easy potato cups that will elevate any meal and keep guests coming back for more. Let’s dive into the details so you can serve up this irresistible dish for your next gathering.
Why You’ll Love These Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
These smashed potatoes offer a fun twist on traditional baked or stuffed potatoes. They’re baked to crispy perfection in a muffin tin, giving them that unique shape and a perfect little pocket for all the delicious fillings. Plus, they’re vegan-friendly and versatile, so you can swap out ingredients to fit your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are a few more reasons to love these potato muffins:
- Simple and Affordable: Made with easy-to-find ingredients like potatoes, mushrooms, and spinach, this recipe is budget-friendly while still being impressive.
- Perfectly Crispy and Savory: Baking the potatoes twice gives them that crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture that everyone loves.
- Packed with Flavor: The filling adds a savory boost, while sun-dried tomatoes bring a hint of tanginess, making each cup a burst of flavor.
- Dipping Perfection: The sour cream and chive dip is a refreshing complement to the warm, crispy potatoes, adding just the right creamy touch.
How to Make Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
These loaded smashed potatoes are easy to prepare with just a bit of time and a few simple steps. You’ll start by parboiling the potatoes, smashing them down into muffin cups, and baking them to crisp perfection. After that, fill them with the mushroom-spinach mixture, sprinkle on some vegan Parmesan, and bake once more to get that golden, cheesy goodness.
Tips for Perfect Loaded Smashed Potato Cups:




Serving Suggestions for Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
These potato muffins are delicious on their own, but you can easily make them part of a larger spread. Serve them alongside a fresh salad for a light lunch, or pair them with hearty main dishes for a balanced dinner. They’re also fantastic as an appetizer platter with other dips like guacamole or salsa for added variety.
And don’t forget the dip! A classic sour cream and chive mixture adds a refreshing tanginess that contrasts with the rich, savory filling in the cups. It’s also easy to customize with herbs or a bit of garlic for extra depth. Fuel your body with the best plant-based goodness — head to Dr. Vegan for amazing recipes!
FAQs about Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
Yes! You can prep the potatoes and filling in advance. When ready to serve, simply bake the potato cups for a few minutes to crisp them up, and enjoy them warm with the dip.
Absolutely! Regular sour cream works just as well if you’re not making a vegan version of this recipe.
If you’re not a mushroom fan, try using finely chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or even artichokes for a different but equally tasty filling.
Final thoughts on this Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
Loaded Smashed Potato Cups are the ultimate comfort food with a plant-based twist. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and bursting with bold flavors in every bite, they’re easy to make, perfect for sharing, and a delicious way to elevate any meal or gathering. Whether you’re serving them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a hearty side, or a satisfying snack, these little bites are guaranteed to impress.
Ready to explore more delicious, plant-powered recipes and nutrition tips? Head over to Dr. Vegan to discover a world of healthy, sustainable, and 100% vegan inspiration.
Loaded Smashed Potato Cups
Equipment
- Pot for boiling
- 12-slot muffin tray
- Measuring cup or shot glass for smashing
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet for sautéing
Ingredients
Potatoes:
- 12 small potatoes
- Olive oil for greasing muffin tray
- Salt to taste
Filling:
- 1 cup mushrooms ~150g, chopped and sautéed
- 1 cup baby spinach ~30g, added to mushrooms while sautéing
- 3 oz sun-dried tomatoes ~85g, chopped
- 1/2 cup vegan Parmesan cheese ~45g, (or nutritional yeast, if preferred)
Garnish:
- Chili pepper flakes optional
Sour Cream & Chive Dip:
- 16 oz sour cream ~450 g, (or unsweetened coconut yogurt as an alternative)
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped ~15 g
- 2 scallions diced (green section only)
- 1-2 onion powder
- 1/2 salt
Instructions
Prepare Potatoes:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, filled about 1/3 of the way up. Lightly oil a 12-slot muffin tray. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cook Potatoes:
- Scrub and clean the potatoes. If they’re too large for the muffin slots, cut them in half. Add them to the boiling water with 1 salt, bring back to a boil, and cook for about 7 minutes or until just fork-tender. Drain and transfer to the muffin tray.
Smash Potatoes:
- Use a measuring cup (or similar tool) to press down and create an indent in each potato, forming a small hollow. Season with Salt.
First Bake:
- Place the muffin tray in the oven and bake the potatoes for 15–20 minutes, or until they start to get crispy.
Add Filling:
- While potatoes are baking, sauté the mushrooms until golden, then add the baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove potatoes from the oven, then spoon the mushroom-spinach mixture into each potato indent.
- Top with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan:
- Add a small spoonful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes over each potato, then sprinkle with vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast.
Second Bake:
- Return the muffin tray to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the potatoes are crispy and the cheese is melted.
Prepare Dip:
- While the potatoes are baking, mix the sour cream (or coconut yogurt), chives, scallions, onion powder, and salt in a bowl.
Serve:
- Garnish the potatoes with chili pepper flakes if desired, and serve warm with the sour cream and chive dip.
How much onion powder and salt for the dip?
Can you make them and reheat the next day