How to Make TikTok’s Viral Crispy Smashed Potato Salad — 5 Vegan Variations

# What the trend is

TikTok's crispy smashed potato salad takes basic potato salad and adds crunch. Potatoes are boiled until tender, smashed to flatten and split the surface, then roasted so the edges crisp while the centers stay soft. The result is a contrast of textures that TikTok cooks pair with creamy, herb-forward dressings.

# Why it translates well to vegan cooking

The classic dressing—Greek yogurt plus mayo—is easy to replicate. Plant-based yogurt and vegan mayonnaise give the same creaminess. From there, lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, and crunchy add-ins provide the familiar potato-salad flavor without dairy or eggs.

# Five vegan versions and what makes each different

1) Dr. Vegan's dairy-free yogurt and mayo base

• Dressing: dairy-free yogurt plus vegan mayo, lemon, garlic, dill, parsley, chives, cucumber, and red onion.
• Why it works: keeps the familiar tang and herb freshness of the viral original while removing dairy.

2) Eat Figs Not Pigs' Old Bay variant

• Dressing/seasoning: Old Bay seasoning mixed into the potatoes or dressing. If Old Bay isn't available, a blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, dry mustard, and nutmeg mimics it.
• Why it works: Old Bay adds a savory, slightly spicy profile that lifts plain potatoes and gives picnic-friendly flavor.

3) Bosh's sesame mayo and black chili oil twist

• Dressing: sesame-flavored vegan mayo and a drizzle of black chili oil, tossed with spring onions.
• Why it works: sesame and chili oil add umami and heat, turning the salad toward Asian-inspired savory notes.

4) PlantYou's high-protein tofu-based sauce

• Dressing: pureed tofu blended with garlic, yogurt (plant-based), salt, and mustard to create a thick, protein-rich dressing.

5) This Savory Vegan's Yukon Gold approach

• Potato choice: Yukon Golds roasted to a crisp-to-creamy ratio, then mixed with a classic style dressing adapted to be vegan.
• Why it works: Yukon Golds have a naturally creamy interior that contrasts well with crisped edges, giving the ideal mouthfeel.

# Practical technique notes

• Boil intact small potatoes or halved larger ones until fork-tender. Cool slightly so they're safe to handle.

• Roast at a high temperature until the edges are deeply browned and crunchy. That contrast is the point.

# Assembly and serving tips

• Keep crunchy toppings (chives, thinly sliced onion, toasted seeds) separate until serving if you need reheating.
• Adjust acidity with lemon or vinegar to cut the richness of mayo-based dressings.

# Quick checklist before you start

• Potatoes: small/new or Yukon Golds
• Fat for roasting: oil, salt
• Cream base: dairy-free yogurt + vegan mayo or blended tofu
• Flavor drivers: herbs, garlic, lemon, Old Bay or sesame oil

# Final note

The viral recipe is less about a single set of ingredients and more about the technique: boil, smash, roast, and dress. Use the five vegan variations above to match the flavor profile you want—herb-forward, spicy, umami, or protein-rich.