If you’re looking for a show-stopping side dish that’s both irresistibly crispy and loaded with garlicky goodness, then you’re in for a treat with this Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish delivers layers of buttery, tender potatoes that crackle and crisp up beautifully—perfect for family dinners or when you want to impress guests without sweating it out in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try this, your potato game will never be the same!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Impressively Crispy Texture: The domino-style layering lets each slice get crispy edges while keeping the inside tender and buttery.
- Rich Garlic Butter Flavor: Infused with fresh garlic and thyme, every bite bursts with savory freshness that’s hard to resist.
- Easy Enough for Weeknights: Despite looking fancy, it comes together quickly and needs minimal hands-on time.
- Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this potato bake, and it’s always the first thing to disappear at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role: creamy butter for richness, garlic for that punch of flavor, thyme for an herby touch, and of course, gorgeous russet potatoes that crisp up like a dream. When you pick your potatoes, look for firm, unblemished russets—they give you the ideal starchy texture perfect for baking.
- Unsalted butter: Use real butter here for the best flavor; unsalted gives you full control over seasoning.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic grated or finely chopped releases vibrant aroma—no shortcuts with jarred garlic when you can help it!
- Russet potatoes: Their high starch content makes for fluffy insides and deliciously crisp edges.
- Kosher salt: Coarse enough to season evenly without over-salting, enhancing all the other flavors.
- Fresh thyme leaves: Adds a subtle earthiness and freshness to cut through the richness.
- Flaky sea salt: For finishing touch to give a lovely crunch and balanced saltiness on top.
Variations
I love how flexible the Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe is—you can tweak it to suit your mood or pantry. Feel free to experiment with herbs and add-ons to make it uniquely yours.
- Herb swaps: I sometimes swap thyme for rosemary or sage, which gives the potatoes a lovely piney aroma that pairs well with garlic.
- Cheesy twist: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar halfway through baking for a golden, melty layer—it’s a total crowd-pleaser!
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle warmth that wakes up your taste buds.
- Dairy-free option: Replace butter with olive oil and omit cheese for an easy dairy-free version that’s still packed with flavor.
How to Make Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Garlic Butter
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and positioning a rack in the center to get an even bake. While it heats up, melt your butter gently in a small pot over medium heat. Add the grated or finely chopped garlic and stir for about a minute until you see it start to froth and you smell that amazing garlic aroma. Be careful not to brown or burn the garlic here — that can make it bitter. Once fragrant, take the pot off the heat and set aside.
Step 2: Shape and Slice Your Potatoes
Peeling isn’t necessary here; I like to keep the skin on for texture and nutrients. Trim the ends of your russet potatoes, then carefully slice off the rounded sides to make a long square or rectangular block—this is how you get that domino effect. Next, either use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to slice the potatoes crosswise into thin 1/8-inch slices. Don’t worry if your slices aren’t perfectly uniform; pressing them back together into blocks will keep them neat and tidy.
Step 3: Arrange and Season the Potatoes
Line a sturdy baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the potato blocks into long rows—usually about 4 or 5 rows fit nicely on a standard sheet. Now here’s the fun part: gently press down on the blocks so the individual slices slide open like dominoes tipped over, giving you those crispy edges on every slice. Brush the tops with your garlic butter, but try to avoid spooning the chopped garlic over them since it can burn during baking. Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh thyme leaves evenly over the potatoes for aromatic depth.
Step 4: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Pop the tray into the hot oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. This slow crisping brings out a tender middle while transforming the outer edges into a golden-crisp masterpiece. I usually check around 30 minutes by poking a slice to ensure tenderness, but the sight and smell are your best cues. Once done, pull them out and immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for that perfect finishing crunch.
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe
- Use a sharp knife or mandoline: This helps you achieve uniform slices so potatoes bake evenly and look stunning.
- Avoid burning garlic: I always brush on the garlic butter but skip those little bits of garlic when basting the top—burnt garlic can turn bitter.
- Press potatoes gently: Don’t squish your potato blocks flat; the slight sliding apart creates crisp edges every slice will love.
- Check for tenderness early: Every oven is different, so poke a slice around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out the potatoes.
How to Serve Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of keeping it simple here; a sprinkle of flaky sea salt is a must for that perfect crunch. Sometimes I add freshly chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and a fresh herbal note. Occasionally, a little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving adds a lovely silkiness.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats like chicken or pork, but I also love serving it alongside a crisp green salad or sautéed greens for a balanced meal. It’s comfort food that holds its own, so whether it’s a holiday feast or casual dinner, these potatoes shine every time.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve layered this bake with thin slices of caramelized onions or sprinkled toasted pine nuts on top for an elegant textural contrast. You can even bake individual mini domino potato stacks in ramekins for charming single servings—perfect to wow your guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers covered tightly with foil or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The crispy edges soften a bit but reheating brings back much of the texture and flavor I love.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you’re batch cooking. Just cool the potatoes completely, portion them into freezer-safe containers, and freeze. They keep well for about 1 month.
Reheating
To reheat, I preheat my oven to 375°F and bake the potatoes uncovered for 15-20 minutes until heated through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it makes them soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Yes, but russet potatoes are the best choice because their high starch content gives you that perfect crispy edge and fluffy inside. Waxy potatoes like red or Yukon Gold won’t crisp up as well but can still work if that’s what you have on hand.
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How do I prevent the garlic from burning during baking?
The key is to infuse the butter with garlic first then brush the garlic-infused butter onto the potatoes but avoid putting the little garlic bits on top of the potatoes before baking. This way the garlic flavor comes through without burning and becoming bitter.
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can slice and arrange the potatoes in advance, then cover and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Just bring them back to room temperature before putting them in the oven to get an even bake.
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What’s the best way to serve leftovers?
Reheat them in the oven to bring back the crispiness. They’re fantastic as a quick snack or to accompany eggs for breakfast as well.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns simple potatoes into something truly magical: crispy, buttery, and packed with garlicky warmth. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to keep coming back to, whether it’s family dinner night or a holiday feast. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a comforting crowd-pleaser that always makes everyone smile.
Print
Crispy Garlic Domino Potato Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crispy Domino Potatoes recipe features thinly sliced russet potatoes arranged in a domino pattern, brushed with garlicky butter, seasoned with thyme and salt, then baked to golden perfection. The unique presentation makes it a stunning side dish with irresistibly crispy edges and tender centers.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 1/2 lb. russet potatoes
Garlic Butter
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
Seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
- Flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Garlic Butter: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C). In a small pot over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the grated or finely chopped garlic and cook while stirring until the butter is frothing and the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat to prevent burning.
- Slice Potatoes into Domino Blocks: Trim off the ends of each russet potato. Slice off the sides to form a long square block. Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice each potato block crosswise into 1/8-inch thin slices. Carefully gather the slices back into the original block shape.
- Arrange Potatoes on Baking Sheet: Place the potato blocks on a parchment-lined metal baking sheet in long rows, totaling 4 or 5 rows. Gently press down on each block so the thin slices slightly fan out like dominoes beginning to fall, creating an elegant, layered effect.
- Baste and Season: Brush the potatoes generously with the prepared garlic butter, avoiding the grated garlic solids to prevent burning in the oven. Season the potatoes evenly with kosher salt and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top for aromatic flavor.
- Bake Until Crispy and Tender: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender in the center and crisp and golden on top. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use a mandoline for precise, even 1/8-inch slices or a very sharp knife with steady hands to achieve similar results.
- Avoid brushing grated garlic directly onto the potatoes before baking to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Serve immediately while crispy for best texture; leftover potatoes can be reheated but may soften.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or as a standalone vegetarian side.
- Adjust thyme quantity based on preference or substitute with rosemary for a different herbal note.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe (about 150g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
