The perfect crispy roasted potatoes? It’s a lot to promise, and this recipe 100% delivers! The secret is to par-boil the potatoes before roasting so they are fluffy and soft inside but have that irresistible crispy seasoned coating on the outside.

A close up of a tray of crispy red roasted potatoes in a metal pan.

Why this Recipe Works

This recipe works like a charm because of the par-boiling. Par-boiling means that you boil your raw potatoes in hot water until they are soft enough to be pierced with a fork. They are therefore partially cooked before you transfer them to be roasted.

Par-boiling the potatoes cuts down on roasting time and ensures that the outside can get crispy without overcooking the interior. The crispy, fluffy combo with every bite is just the best!

I love roasting potatoes when I have something already in the oven. I just throw them in during the last 30 minutes the chicken is cooking and they are ready to go in time for dinner. Just par-boil them, first!

Ingredients & Substitutions

A wooden bowl of red potatoes next to pink salt and half an onion.

potatoes – you can use any small potato like fingerling, small red potatoes, small Yukon gold potatoes, or small purple potatoes.

onion – optional in this recipe, but adds another delicious flavor. Just don’t cut them too small or they will burn.

How to Make this Recipe

Preheat the oven to 425F. Chop the potatoes so that they are all the same size, ~1 1/2 inch pieces. Just barely cover the potatoes in a pot with water. Add salt, and bring to a boil.

A large silver pot of halved red potatoes in water.

When it comes to a full boil turn the heat to simmer and simmer for 1-2 minutes until fork-tender.

Drain. Add the (optional) onion, cut in 1/4 inch thick half-moons. You don’t want the onion slices to be too small or they will burn. Then coat the potatoes in oil and season with salt. Transfer to a sheet pan.

A close up of a sheet pan of halved raw potatoes and onions.

Bake for a minimum of 35 minutes – however long it takes them to get golden and crispy.

A white and brown bowl of small roasted potatoes.

More Potato Recipes

I love using potatoes in my recipes. It’s an inexpensive ingredient that can be dressed up in so many different ways. Here are some favorite ways to serve them!

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Tray of roasted potatoes.

Crispy Roasted Potatoes

5 from 21 votes
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The perfect roasted potatoes? It's a lot to promise, and this recipe really does deliver! The secret is to par-boil the potatoes before roasting, so that they are fluffy and soft inside but have that crispy seasoned coating on the outside.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 263kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. small potatoes like red, yukon gold, fingerling
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • Salt
  • 1 onion sliced, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425F.
  • Chop the potatoes so they are all the same size, ~1 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Just barely cover the potatoes in a pot with water. Add salt, and bring to boil.
  • When it comes to a full boil turn the heat to simmer and simmer for 1-2 minutes until fork-tender.
  • Drain. Add the (optional) onion, cut in 1/4 inch thick half-moons. You don't want the onion slices to be too small or they will burn. Then coat the potatoes in oil and season with salt.
  • Transfer to sheet pan.
  • Bake for a minimum of 35 minutes – however long it takes them to get golden and crispy.

Notes

Roasting works best with small potatoes like fingerling, red potatoes, purple potatoes, yukon gold potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes.
Don’t cut the onion too small or it will burn. I usually slice them in half-moons that are at least 1/4 inch thick.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 1072mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a Review to let us know how it came out, if you have a successful substitution or variation, or anything else.

29 Comments

  1. Just wondering if the potatoes can be parboiled the day before and refrigerated, then roasted the following day.

  2. 5 stars
    My hubby is always asking for roast potatoes. I don’t normally parboil first but mine take much longer to get crispy. Tried this, and definitely making them this way again next time roast potatoes are on our menu (which is often!)

  3. 5 stars
    These potatoes turned out so yummy. The outside was perfectly crispy while the inside was soft and creamy. We used Yukon Golds and we served them along our pork chops. The dinner was so good we are doing a repeat next week.

  4. 5 stars
    Made these roasted potatoes and they were amazing! Super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This is definitely going to be on rotation in our home.

  5. 5 stars
    I made these to go with our roast duck today. They were perfect, lovely and crisp on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!

  6. 5 stars
    Such simple and delicious roasted potatoes! My whole family was fond of these potatoes. Will definitely make your recipe again next time!

  7. I think I could be happy eating these roast potatoes with every meal. I really think they are the answer to every “what’s for dinner?” question my family throws at me. : )

    1. Hi Gayle. You should be able to use an air fryer. However, I don’t think you would need to par-boil them first. Cook at 400F. If you give it a try, please report back and let us all know… would love to try it, myself!

5 from 21 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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