Foolproof Roasted Potato Recipe

Perfectly roasted potatoes can be a bit of an art form. They need to be crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. It’s a wonderful side dish recipe that pairs well with so many of my main dish recipes! And if you follow these tips you cannot go wrong!

For more potato recipes you may also like my easy Homefries Potatoes, Gratin Dauphinois, Potatoes Anna or my delicious Smashed Potato Recipe too!

roasted potatoes in a bowl

Recipe Pairing Ideas

an old sheet pan against two new sheet pans
An old used pan is better than a new pan for roasting potatoes.

Choose the Right Pan

  • The pan must be “well-loved” the more unsightly the better!
  • Stay away from those brand-new bright and shiny pans.
  • For perfectly roasted potatoes you need the patina of age!
  • These pans have built up a layer of protection and will create a better non-stick surface.
Dutch Baby Potatoes in a basket with rosemary in the background
The best potatoes for roasting are a small waxy potato like a Dutch Baby or a Yukon Gold potato.

Choose the Right Potato

  • Use Yukon Gold or “Dutch Baby” potatoes. These are waxy potatoes and will hold their shape when roasting.
  • Avoid a starchy potato like a russet. These are better for any recipe that involves mashed potatoes like my Hachis Parmentier or Homemade Gnocchi
  • Waxy potatoes are the best for achieving that crisp exterior and warm and fluffy interior.
drying potatoes on a cutting board
To get a crispy roasted potato be sure to pat it dry first. Otherwise, in will steam up instead of crisp up.

Remove the Moisture

  • The secret to getting a crispy roasted potato is to make sure they are not wet in any way!
  • This can be tough if you’ve just rinsed them
  • But be sure to pat them dry, otherwise, your potatoes will steam up instead of crisp up.
quartered potatoes on a sheet pan
The best size for roasted potatoes is a quartered cut. That way it will crisp up on all sides.

The Best Way to Flip The Potatoes

  • To get a perfectly roasted potato do not be tempted to flip them with a spatula, this is where the sticking occurs.
  • Instead, gently shake the pan every 10 mins. Those that are ready to flip, will flip, and those that aren’t won’t.
  • This avoids the potatoes tearing and creating a big mess as you try to flip ones that aren’t ready.
shaking potatoes in an oven
Instead of flipping the potatoes with a spatula, shake the pan every 15 minutes. The potatoes that are ready to flip will flip! And those that need more time, won’t until they are ready.

Serving Suggestions:

roasted potatoes in a terra cotta serving bowl
Add a little extra sea salt and chopped rosemary before serving.
roasted potatoes in a terra cotta bowl

Foolproof Roasted Potatoes

Yield: serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Perfectly roasted potatoes can be a bit of an art form. They need to be crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. That's why I love this Foolproof Roasted Potato Recipe. If you follow these tips you cannot go wrong!

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs (1360g) of small Yukon gold or “Dutch Potatoes”
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh rosemary, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F/(190C).
  2. Make sure that once your potatoes are rinsed off, you pat them very dry. If a potato is wet when it hits a hot oven, it will steam and not crisp. So be sure they are dry.
  3. Then cut your potatoes into quarters, this is really the best size for roasting. It will also create equal size pieces which is also important so that they roast at the same time and you don’t end up with some burnt and some under cooked.
  4. Place the potatoes in a large bowl, toss with the oil, rosemary and salt and pepper.
  5. Turn out the potatoes on your sheet pan in a single layer. Do not crowd! You want them to have the room to roast and not steam.
  6. Place in oven and allow to roast for 10 mins, untouched.
  7. DO NOT TOUCH THEM WITH A SPATULA TO FLIP! However tempting this may be! Instead at the 15 minute mark go in and shake the pan back and forth, the ones that are ready to flip, will flip, and those that aren’t won’t. This prevents the potatoes from sticking, the longer the cook they will unstick, but if they are sticking to the pan they are not done yet.
  8. Repeat the process of shaking the pan every 15 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and no longer stick, about 30-40 mins.
  9. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with a little sea salt. Serve with a roast chicken or any roast or grilled meat. Enjoy!

Notes

For this recipe use your most well-loved “seasoned” rimmed sheet pan. Newer pans with new metal are very porous, meaning they will grab food and it will stick to it. But an old pan, over the years, has been exposed to several hours of heat and oil and heat and oil, and it develops a kind of “patina” which creates a better non-porous, nonstick surface. So those pans that look a little ragged for the wear, don’t get rid of them! They are perfect for roasting potatoes.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 154Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
Brownie cake scooped into a mug with ice cream

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10 Comments

  1. Your recipe includes both 10 and 15-minute increments for shaking. Have you found one works better but only edited half the mentions, or is it really not important?

  2. I always appreciate your recipes, best, but I think mine is even better. Salt, pepper, paprika, and loads of sliced onions. The potatoes are infused with the onions, which turns so sweet as they cook.