Roast potatoes

Tips: Perfecting roast potatoes

Learning how to make the perfect roast potatoes is super easy! Read our tips below and start cooking your new favourite side dish recipe.

Ensure even cooking and perfect crispiness

To achieve perfectly crispy roast potatoes, arrange them in a single layer with space between each potato on the baking sheet. This prevents the potatoes from steaming and ensures they roast effectively, contributing to a crisper texture. Halfway through the oven time, turn the potatoes so they brown on all sides. If they are not as golden or crispy as desired towards the end, increase the oven temperature slightly and continue roasting for an additional 5–10 minutes to perfect their crispiness.

Storage and freezing

Use the right storage and freezing methods to keep roast potatoes tasting great. After they cool, put them in a sealed container and refrigerate. This keeps them fresh for a few days, after which you can reheat them in the oven. For longer storage, freeze the potatoes. First, spread them on a tray to freeze them separately so they do not stick together. After they freeze, put them in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and seal it. This keeps the potatoes from getting freezer burn and keeps their quality. When you want to eat them, bake them straight from the freezer until they are hot and crispy again.

Try our no-frills recipe for roast potatoes

It does not take much to transform potatoes into your new favourite side dish. Our roast potatoes recipe takes regular potatoes and makes them into a true, golden, crispy delight with only a few ingredients. With a blend of sharp mustard powder and freshly ground black pepper, each bite delivers a delicious, flavourful punch, complemented by a deliciously rich, buttery finish. Perfectly seasoned and irresistibly tasty, these roast potatoes are a culinary classic that brings pure delight to your table with minimal fuss.

Golden crispy crust with a fluffy interior

These roast potatoes have an immediate crunch that yields a soft, comforting centre, offering a satisfying bite. The initial boiling softens the potatoes, setting the stage for a fluffy middle, while the high heat of the oven crisps the outer layer to a delightful crunch. The addition of a light coating of melted butter enhances the crust, ensuring it crisps up nicely without affecting the creamy, soft interior.

A beloved classic for Sunday roast

A Sunday roast is a traditional British meal that typically consists of roasted meat, roast potatoes, and sides such as Yorkshire pudding and gravy. It is not only Britain, though, that takes advantage of the weekend for fixed family get-togethers. Serve the traditional Sunday roast menu, or pair your roasted potatoes with your favourite types of meat, grilled vegetables, gravy, sauce, or something else. It is a time for families to come together, catch up on the week’s events, and enjoy a delicious meal together. So, try our recipe for your next family dinner and serve all family member’s favourite main dishes and other side dishes for a true weekend feast.

Get inspired for your next get-together with our recipes for this classic leg of lamb full of herbs, traditional toad in the hole, scrumptious Shepherd’s pie with lamb and mashed potatoes, and a sweet Victoria sponge for dessert.

Pair the roasted potatoes with scrumptious dishes

These roast potatoes pair excellently with juicy beef or tender lamb. Chicken, salmon, and pork also work well with these crispy potatoes. They also go well with the meaty, umami flavours of grilled portobello mushrooms or other fresh, grilled vegetables like asparagus or green beans, as well as steamed broccoli or oven-baked cauliflower.

You also never go wrong with a good sauce or gravy. Whether it is a rich, meaty jus or a lighter, herb-infused vinaigrette, it will only make them even more irresistible. Experiment with flavoured butter, creamy hollandaise, peppercorn sauce, a garlic aioli, or a herby chimichurri.

Roast potatoes are delicious both warm and cold, which means they are great in buffets or pot lucks, matching well with salads, cold cuts, and cheeses. No matter how you serve them, they blend seamlessly into anything from a casual barbecue to an elegant dinner party.

Get creative with the recipe

The best thing about a simple recipe like this is that you can easily change things up. When melting the butter before drizzling it over the potatoes, add fresh rosemary sprigs to infuse the potatoes with a deep, aromatic, earthy, and slightly piney flavour. Alternatively, add thyme for its earthy and slightly floral notes or sage for a slightly peppery taste with hints of mint. Consider parsley for a fresher, lighter touch that does not overpower other flavours, or tarragon with its slightly sweet flavour reminiscent of anise.

You can also add whole garlic bulbs, placing them amidst the potatoes. As they bake, the garlic cloves become sweet and mellow, lending a rich, caramelised flavour to the buttery potatoes. Squeeze the soft, creamy garlic over the potatoes after they finish roasting.

A simple but delicious final touch is a generous sprinkling of sea salt flakes before serving. The coarse texture and burst of saltiness enhance the other flavours and add a delightful crunch to the crispy edges of the potatoes.