Kosher Salt: Brings out natural potato sweetness and provides essential seasoning.
Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the roasted potato profile.
Rosemary: Aromatic herb that infuses earthy, woodsy notes into the potatoes.
Garlic Powder: Provides subtle, concentrated garlic essence without raw garlic bite.
For Optional Finishing Touches:
Sea Salt Flakes: Adds delicate crunch and bright saltiness as a final sprinkle.
Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh, green brightness and visual appeal to the dish.
Tools to Get That Perfect Potato Crunch
Large baking sheet: Essential for creating crispy, golden potatoes with maximum surface area for browning.
Large pot: Needed to parboil potatoes and soften their edges before roasting.
Colander: Perfect for draining potatoes after boiling and shaking to create rough edges.
Sharp knife: Used to cut potatoes into evenly sized chunks for consistent cooking.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps toss potatoes with oil and seasonings for even coating.
Measuring spoons: Accurate for measuring salt and other seasonings.
How to Roast Potatoes So They’re Golden & Crispy
Heat Up The Oven Crank your oven to a scorching 425F and slide a baking sheet inside to get super hot.
Rough Up The Potatoes Dump potato chunks into boiling salted water and let them dance around for 8-10 minutes until their edges look slightly fuzzy and soft.
Drain And Shake Carefully pour potatoes into a colander, then give them a vigorous shake to rough up their surfaces – this creates those amazing crispy edges.
Season And Oil Sprinkle potatoes with your favorite herbs and generously coat them in olive oil, making sure every inch gets a delicious slick of goodness.
Spread And Roast Carefully spread potatoes on the sizzling hot baking sheet, ensuring they aren't crowded. Roast for about 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway through to guarantee maximum crunchiness.
Finish And Serve Pull those golden beauties out of the oven when they're deep golden brown and crackling. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and serve immediately while they're at peak crispiness.
Tips and Seasoning Variations for Roast Potatoes
Potato Perfection Secrets: Shake the parboiled potatoes in the colander to rough up the edges, creating extra crispy surfaces that turn golden and delightful.
Flavor Boost: Infuse your roasted potatoes with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic for an aromatic twist that elevates the classic side dish.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap duck fat or goose fat with olive oil for a vegan-friendly version that still delivers incredible crunchiness and rich flavor.
Low-Carb Alternative: Try using cauliflower or turnip chunks instead of potatoes for a lighter, low-carbohydrate roasted vegetable side that mimics the crispy texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Parboil and rough up potatoes the day before, then store in the refrigerator covered. This technique allows starches to settle, guaranteeing even more spectacular crispiness when roasted.
Plating Crispy Roast Potatoes with Flair
Flavor Boost Companions: Pair these crispy potatoes with roasted rosemary chicken or grilled steak for a mouthwatering meal that elevates your dining experience.
Dipping Delights: Serve with homemade garlic aioli, herb-infused sour cream, or tangy mustard sauce to add extra excitement and depth to each bite.
Side Dish Symphony: Complement the potatoes with fresh green salad, steamed seasonal vegetables, or a colorful roasted vegetable medley to create a balanced and nutritious plate.
Brunch Brilliance: Transform these potatoes into a breakfast star by topping them with poached eggs, crumbled bacon, and chopped chives for a weekend brunch showstopper.
Save and Reheat Crispy Roast Potatoes Like a Pro
Fridge Fresh Storage: Transfer any leftover roast potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. These crispy delights stay tasty for 3-4 days when properly sealed.
Quick Reheat Trick: Revive cold potatoes by spreading them on a baking sheet and crisping in a 400F oven for 10-15 minutes. The oven method restores their golden crunch better than microwave reheating.
Freezer Friendly Option: Cooked potatoes can be frozen flat on a baking sheet, then transferred to freezer bags. They'll maintain quality for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Magic: Prepare potato chunks the night before and store in cold water in the refrigerator. This prevents browning and saves precious morning cooking time, making breakfast or dinner prep a breeze.
Potato Preparation: Select high-starch russet or Yukon gold potatoes, cutting them into uniform, robust chunks for consistent roasting and optimal crispiness.
Parboiling Process: Submerge potato pieces in generously salted boiling water, cooking for 8-10 minutes until exteriors become slightly roughened and edges soften, creating an ideal roasting foundation.
Surface Texturing: Drain potatoes in a colander, vigorously shake to generate tiny surface fractures that will transform into crispy edges during roasting.
Oil Preparation: Extract a preheated baking sheet and generously coat with high-smoke-point fat like duck fat, goose fat, or vegetable oil to guarantee maximum crispness.
Strategic Positioning: Spread potatoes in a single layer across the sizzling sheet, ensuring ample spacing to prevent steaming and promote golden, crunchy exteriors.
Seasoning Enhancement: Liberally sprinkle with salt and aromatic herbs such as rosemary or thyme to elevate flavor complexity.
Roasting Transformation: Bake in a scorching oven, occasionally rotating, until potatoes develop a uniformly bronzed, crisp exterior with a tender, fluffy interior (approximately 45-50 minutes).
Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and allow brief resting period to stabilize the potatoes’ magnificent crunch before serving.
Notes
Choose the Right Potato: Select high-starch varieties like russet or Yukon gold for maximum crispiness and fluffy interiors.
Master the Parboil Technique: Roughen potato surfaces by shaking vigorously in a colander to create crispy, textured edges during roasting.
Optimize Oven Temperature: Use a preheated baking sheet with high-smoke-point oil to guarantee golden, crunchy exteriors without steaming.
Spacing is Critical: Arrange potatoes in a single layer with enough room between pieces to prevent moisture buildup and ensure even, crisp roasting.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.