Here’s a recipe for The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever. These potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a golden-brown finish that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 lbs (1.2 kg) potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet are great options)
- 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley (optional)
- 2-3 garlic cloves, smashed (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Potatoes:
- Peel and Cut: Peel the potatoes (optional, you can leave the skin on if you prefer) and cut them into even-sized chunks, about 2 inches each.
- Rinse: Rinse the potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch. This helps them crisp up.
2. Parboil the Potatoes:
- Boil: Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges start to soften but the potatoes are still firm in the center.
- Drain and Roughen: Drain the potatoes and let them sit for a minute to dry out. Then, gently shake them in the colander to roughen up the edges. This rough texture is key to getting crispy potatoes.
3. Preheat the Oven and Oil:
- Heat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Heat the Oil: While the oven is preheating, pour the olive oil into a large baking tray and place it in the oven for 5 minutes to get the oil hot.
4. Roast the Potatoes:
- Coat the Potatoes: Remove the hot baking tray from the oven and carefully add the potatoes. Turn them over to coat in the hot oil. Sprinkle them with salt, garlic powder, paprika (if using), and black pepper.
- Roast: Roast the potatoes for 30-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
5. Add Herbs and Garlic (Optional):
- For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme and the smashed garlic cloves to the tray during the last 10-15 minutes of roasting.
6. Serve:
- Once the potatoes are beautifully crispy, remove them from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Use a Hot Oven and Tray: Preheating both the oven and the oil-coated tray ensures the potatoes start crisping up as soon as they hit the heat.
- Parboiling: Don’t skip the parboiling step! It helps create fluffy interiors while ensuring the edges are rough and crisp up during roasting.
- Don’t Crowd the Potatoes: Give the potatoes enough space on the tray to roast properly. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam instead of crisping up.
These crispy roast potatoes are guaranteed to be the best you’ve ever had, with the perfect crunch in every bite!