Perfect Crispy Roast Potatoes (Printable)
Golden crunchy exterior with fluffy center. Classic British-style side dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 2.6 lbs floury potatoes (Maris Piper, Yukon Gold, or Russet), peeled and cut into even chunks
→ For Boiling
02 - 1 tbsp sea salt
→ For Roasting
03 - ⅓ cup vegetable oil, duck fat, or goose fat
04 - 1 tsp fine sea salt
05 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Aromatics
06 - 4 garlic cloves, smashed (unpeeled)
07 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Place potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add 1 tbsp sea salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until edges are just tender but not fully cooked.
03 - Drain potatoes well and let steam dry for 2 minutes in colander. Gently shake colander to roughen up surfaces for extra crispiness.
04 - Heat oil or fat in large roasting pan in oven for 5 minutes until shimmering hot.
05 - Carefully add potatoes to hot oil, turning to coat each piece evenly. Add smashed garlic and herbs if using.
06 - Roast for 20 minutes, then turn potatoes using spatula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
07 - Continue roasting for another 25-30 minutes, turning once more, until golden brown and crisp on all sides.
08 - Remove from oven and drain briefly on kitchen paper if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between shattering-crisp exteriors and clouds of potato fluff inside is practically magical
- Once you master the technique, you'll find yourself making these for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts
02 -
- Never skip the shaking step in the colander—those roughened surfaces are what transform potatoes from roasted to extraordinary
- Crowding the pan creates steam, which prevents crisping, so use two pans rather than overfilling one
03 -
- Choose potatoes that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly without some pieces burning while others finish
- The colander shake is the difference between good roast potatoes and great ones—give them some abuse