This simple Roasted Baby Potatoes recipe transforms humble spuds into crispy, golden nuggets of pure delight. With a perfect balance of herbs and seasonings coating each bite, these potatoes develop an irresistibly crunchy exterior while maintaining a fluffy, tender center. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile side dish pairs beautifully with practically any meal and requires minimal effort for maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Crispy: The high heat roasting method creates that golden, crispy exterior that everyone fights over.
- Incredibly Simple: Just toss potatoes with oil and seasonings, then roast – truly a hands-off cooking experience.
- Versatile: These potatoes complement everything from Sunday roast chicken to Tuesday’s quick grilled fish.
- Family Favorite: Even picky eaters can’t resist these flavorful, crispy potatoes.
- Budget-Friendly: Simple, affordable ingredients create an impressive side dish that’ll become a regular in your rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Baby Potatoes: The star of the show – their small size means more crispy surface area and faster cooking time. Look for potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.
- Olive Oil: Helps create that gorgeous crispy exterior while adding flavor. Use a good quality olive oil if you can, as you’ll taste the difference.
- Garlic Powder: Provides that savory depth without worrying about fresh garlic burning. It distributes evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Italian Seasoning: This herb blend adds aromatic complexity – the herbs infuse the potatoes with Mediterranean flavor as they roast.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and helps create that crispy exterior. Don’t skimp here!
- Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the potatoes.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Different Seasoning Blends
- Smoky: Swap Italian seasoning for smoked paprika and add a pinch of cumin.
- Herb Garden: Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage instead of dried Italian herbs.
- Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Parmesan Herb: Toss with grated parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes of roasting.
Different Potatoes
- Try fingerlings, red potatoes, or even large potatoes cut into chunks.
Add-Ins
- Toss with whole peeled garlic cloves, sliced onion, or bell peppers before roasting.
How to Make Roasted Baby Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 450°F – this high temperature is key for achieving maximum crispiness. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Halve your baby potatoes, keeping pieces similar in size for even cooking.
Step 2: Season the Potatoes
Place your halved potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to toss everything together, making sure each potato gets a good coating of oil and seasonings.
Step 3: Arrange and Roast
Spread the potatoes in a single layer, cut-side down for maximum crispy surface area. Make sure they’re not crowded – overcrowding leads to steaming instead of roasting. Pop them in the oven and roast for about 20 minutes, until the outsides are golden brown and crispy, and a fork easily pierces the center.
Step 4: Serve Hot
Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately while they’re at their crispiest!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Dry Your Potatoes: After washing, thoroughly pat them dry before adding oil and seasonings – moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Preheat Your Baking Sheet: For extra crispiness, place your baking sheet in the oven while it preheats, then carefully add the oiled potatoes.
- Give Them Space: Arrange potatoes in a single layer with space between each piece. Crowded potatoes will steam rather than roast.
- Cut-Side Down: Place the potatoes cut-side down on the baking sheet for the best browning.
- Don’t Disturb: Resist the urge to flip or move the potatoes during cooking – letting them sit undisturbed helps develop that perfect crust.
How to Serve
These versatile roasted potatoes complement almost any main dish beautifully:
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve alongside roast chicken, grilled steak, or baked fish.
- Add to a brunch spread with eggs and bacon.
- Offer as an appetizer with a creamy dipping sauce.
Finishing Touches:
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs like parsley or chives just before serving.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil or flavored oil.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer cooled potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. They won’t be as crispy as fresh, but they’ll still taste delicious.
Freezing
You can freeze roasted potatoes for 10-12 months in airtight containers or freezer bags. They’re great to have on hand for quick meals.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes. You can also use an air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 375°F. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it makes them soggy.
FAQs
Can I make these potatoes without cutting them in half?
You can roast baby potatoes whole, but they’ll take longer to cook (about 25-30 minutes) and won’t have as much seasoned surface area. If using tiny potatoes (under 1 inch), leaving them whole works perfectly.
Why aren’t my potatoes getting crispy?
Three common culprits: your oven temperature is too low, the potatoes are too crowded on the baking sheet (causing them to steam), or the potatoes were wet when you added the oil and seasonings. Make sure to dry them thoroughly after washing.
Can I prepare these potatoes in advance for a dinner party?
You can prep the potatoes up to a day ahead by washing, cutting, and storing them in cold water in the refrigerator. Just be sure to drain and thoroughly dry them before seasoning and roasting. For the best texture, roast them just before serving.
How can I tell when the potatoes are perfectly done?
The outside should be golden brown and crispy, and a fork should easily slide into the center with little resistance. If they’re browning too quickly but still firm inside, lower your oven temperature to 425°F and continue cooking.
Conclusion
These Roasted Baby Potatoes might just be the perfect side dish – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned just right. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, they’re my go-to when I need a reliable, delicious accompaniment to almost any meal. The best part? Their versatility means you can switch up the seasonings depending on your mood or main dish. Trust me, once you master this simple roasting technique, you’ll find yourself making these potatoes weekly – they’re that good! So crank up your oven, grab those baby potatoes, and get ready for a side dish that might just steal the spotlight.
PrintRoasted Baby Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side-dishes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these roasted baby potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any meal. Seasoned with a blend of garlic and Italian herbs, these potatoes develop a golden-brown exterior and creamy interior that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Simple to prepare yet bursting with flavor, this recipe transforms humble baby potatoes into an impressive and delicious accompaniment.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, cleaned and cut in half
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This high temperature is essential for achieving that perfect crispy exterior while maintaining a fluffy interior. The parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Season Potatoes: Place the baby potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and toss well with olive oil and seasonings, until coated on all sides. Make sure each potato half gets a good coating of oil and spices to ensure even flavor and crispiness. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly for the best results.
- Roast: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast for about 20 minutes or until fork tender and crispy on the outside. The potatoes should develop a beautiful golden-brown color. For even cooking, you may want to rotate the pan halfway through the cooking process, but avoid flipping the potatoes to ensure maximum crispiness.
Notes
- For best results, make sure potatoes are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme during the last 5 minutes of roasting can add an aromatic dimension to the dish.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese immediately after removing from the oven.
- Try adding smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy variation.
- Coat each potato with the spices so that they all get a good amount of seasoning.
- Don’t touch the potatoes while they’re roasting to ensure they get crispy and brown.
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Roasted potatoes will last 10-12 months in the freezer stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 280kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg