This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Roasted potatoes are a versatile side dish that pair with just about everything you want to serve it with. My recipe for roasted potatoes is simple but the seasoning mix is what make these extraordinary!
Roasting potatoes gives them a crispy exterior while still keeping the potato inside tender and fluffy. All you’ll need is some potatoes, oil, salt, and my favorite seasoning mix and you’ll be ready to make your own roasted potatoes right at home in no time. Roasting also allows you to really define the flavor profile of the dish. Whether you want something more on the savory side or something more herby and fresh, adding your own combination of seasonings can elevate simple roasted potatoes from mundane to delectable!
Roasted potatoes can be served all sorts of ways from topped with cheese, herbs, or your favorite sauce – you can even play around with different types of potatoes like sweet or yellow-fleshed varieties for something unique! Roasted potatoes truly offer a tasty yet flexible dish that anyone can enjoy and make their own!
You truly can’t go wrong with roasted potatoes. They’re a versatile side dish that pairs well with just about anything, and they’re easy to make. But not all roasted potatoes are created equal. In this post, we’ll explore the different types of potatoes you can use for roasting, the best cooking methods, and of course, my recipe to get you started. So whether you’re a roasted potato novice or an experienced cook, read on for everything you need to know about making the perfect roasted potatoes!
Types of Potatoes for Roasting
There are many different types of potatoes out there, but not all of them are good for roasting. Here are a few of the best options:
Yukon Gold Potatoes: Yukon golds are medium-sized potatoes with yellow flesh and golden skin. They’re known for their buttery taste and creamy texture, which makes them ideal for roasting. They hold their shape well during cooking, so they’re perfect for dishes like roasted potato salads or smashed potatoes.
Russet Potatoes: Russets are large potatoes with thick skins and light brown flesh. They’re one of the most common types of potatoes, and they’re often used for baking and frying. But they also make great roasted potatoes! Russets have a fluffy texture when cooked, so they’re ideal for mashed potato dishes. Just be sure to give them a good scrub before cooking to remove any dirt or debris from their skins.
Red Potatoes: Red potatoes are small to medium-sized potatoes with red skins and white flesh. They’re relatively low in starch, which means they won’t get as crispy as other types of potatoes when cooked. But that also makes them perfect for dishes like potato salad, where you want the potato chunks to hold their shape. Reds also have a slightly sweet taste that pairs well with savory flavors like rosemary or thyme.
Cooking Methods
Now that you know what types of potatoes to use, it’s time to talk about cooking methods. The two most popular methods for cooking roasted potatoes are baking and frying, but there are pros and cons to each method.
Baking: Baking is the healthier option because it doesn’t require as much oil. But that also means that your potatoes won’t be as crispy as they would be if you fried them, however, I’ve got the trick below to help you get that extra crispy exterior.
Frying: Frying is the quickest way to get crispy potatoes. If you decide to fry your potatoes, be sure to use a high temperature oil (like avocado oil or canola oil) so it doesn’t burn.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Potatoes
- Oil
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
How to make the best ever roasted potatoes
Set oven and prepare baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a high temperature because that is what you’ll need to achieve the extra crispy exterior. Lightly spray the bottom of your baking sheet with cooking spray.
Prepare seasoning and potatoes. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the seasoning. In a large bowl, add your potatoes, drizzle with oil, then sprinkle the seasoning on top. Using your hands, toss the potatoes together with the seasoning until well-coated.
Bake. Pour the potatoes onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.
Common Questions
How do you get a crispy exterior? High temperature is your friend. The oil on the potato’s exterior will crisp it up. You want that crispy exterior so don’t be afraid to use a higher temperature.
Can you leave the skin on the potato? Yes, absolutely. I actually keep the skin on for mini red potatoes, mini rainbow potatoes, and fingerlings. I just prefer peeling the skin on my russet potatoes.
How do you know when the potatoes are done? When you can stick a fork into it and easily slide it in and out, it’s done!
My potatoes are taking longer to cook! This may be because of how thick you cut them. If they aren’t cooked through at the end of baking time, let them cook longer.
If you love potatoes and are looking for more potato recipes, these may be of interest to you:
- Duck Fat Potatoes
- Pesto Pasta with Potatoes and Green Beans
- Fried Mashed Potato Balls
- Roasted Five Spice Potatoes
The Best Roasted Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled, rinsed, and diced into quarter cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 °F (218 °C) and lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, toss together potatoes oil, and seasoning.
- Pour potatoes onto baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake on the middle rack in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.
Have you tried slicing (like you would for scalloped) the potatoes? …just curious.
i have not…i reckon it might be a bit too thin and turn out kind of like potato chips
Thank you Julie for taking the time to answer such a basic question. I appreciate the insight and input!
in your oven settings do you always use fan force.
Yes, I typically always use fan force (convection) setting.
Not going to use this recipe cause it’s LOCKED!and I’m not signing up to anything so see ya
lol ok bye
I also had a question about the “quarter,” and the response in the comments was not really clear to me. Would love additional photos for this recipe!
sorry it’s confusing. basically like how it is in the photos. slice the potato lengthwise, then horizontally, then lengthwise again to get the quartered shape
Very tasty! I used aluminum foil on the pan.