Crispy Roast Potatoes for Holiday Feasts

Nothing says holiday comfort like crispy roast potatoes. They are golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside, making them the perfect side dish for festive meals. Whether you’re preparing for a large family gathering or a cozy dinner, this recipe guarantees crispy roast potatoes that will be the star of the show.

Why This Recipe Works

Creating crispy roast potatoes is an art, and a few key techniques make this recipe stand out. Here’s why it’s foolproof:

Large potato chunks: These maximize the contrast between the crispy exterior and creamy interior.
Parboiling in alkaline water: This step breaks down the potato’s surface, creating extra starch that helps the potatoes crisp up beautifully.
Choice of fats: You can use oil, duck fat, goose fat, or beef fat to bring different flavors to your potatoes. Infusing the fat with garlic and herbs gives the potatoes even more depth of flavor.

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Best Potato Varieties

The type of potato you choose significantly affects the texture of your crispy roast potatoes. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular varieties:

Russet Potatoes: These produce the crispiest crusts and have a fluffy interior. They roast up pale golden brown, making them ideal for the perfect crispy roast.
Yukon Gold Potatoes: These have a slightly darker color when roasted and a creamy, flavorful interior. While they have a slightly less crisp exterior than russets, they’re still an excellent choice.
Red Potatoes: These potatoes are not suitable for crispy roast potatoes as their low starch content prevents them from achieving the desired crunch. They tend to become soft and lose their crunch quickly.

Tip: Stick to russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (or a mix of both) for the best results.

Parboiling the Potatoes: The Key to Crispy Texture

The secret to achieving crispy roast potatoes is in the parboiling process. By boiling the potatoes first, you soften the insides while roughening up the exteriors, which helps in creating a crunchy texture once they are roasted.

What You’ll Need:

Water: To boil the potatoes.
Baking Soda: This is key to raising the pH of the water, which speeds up the breakdown of pectin in the potatoes. This process helps form a starchy slurry on the surface of the potatoes, giving them an ultra-crisp texture when roasted.
Salt: For seasoning during the parboiling process.

Step-by-Step Parboiling Instructions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add salt and baking soda to the water.
Carefully add the potato chunks to the boiling water.
Boil for about 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart.

This parboiling method is essential for getting that perfect balance of crispy outside and creamy inside. It’s the foundation of a truly great roast potato.

Preparing the Roasting Fat

Once the potatoes are parboiled, the next step is to infuse the oil or fat. This adds an extra layer of flavor to the potatoes and helps them crisp up during roasting.

Infusing Fat with Garlic and Herbs

Fat options: You can use extra-virgin olive oil, duck fat, goose fat, or beef fat—each will lend its own distinct flavor to the potatoes. For a traditional, deep flavor, duck or goose fat is an excellent choice, but olive oil works well for a lighter, more versatile version.
Garlic and Herbs: To infuse the oil or fat, heat it gently with fresh garlic and rosemary until the garlic turns golden. This releases the flavors, which will be absorbed by the potatoes during roasting.

How to Infuse:

Heat the fat in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and finely chopped rosemary to the fat.
Stir frequently until the garlic becomes golden brown (about 3 minutes).
Strain the fat to separate the garlic and rosemary, and keep the infused oil or fat for roasting the potatoes.

Now that the potatoes are prepped, infused with flavor, and ready for roasting, let’s move on to the next steps to get the crispiest potatoes ever!

Roasting the Potatoes to Perfection

Now that your potatoes are parboiled and infused with aromatic fat, the final step is roasting them to golden, crispy perfection. While the roasting process is relatively simple, it requires some attention to detail to ensure the potatoes get crisp all over.

Ideal Roasting Temperature

For crispy roast potatoes, you want the oven to be very hot. High heat encourages the potatoes to crisp up quickly without drying out the insides. The ideal temperature for roasting is 450°F (230°C). If you’re using convection, reduce the temperature to 400°F (200°C) to prevent the potatoes from burning too quickly.

Roasting Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) or 400°F (200°C) if using convection.
Place the infused potatoes onto a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. It’s essential not to overcrowd the pan to allow the potatoes to crisp evenly.
Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes without moving them. This initial time allows the bottoms to crisp and form a crunchy crust.
After 20 minutes, carefully flip the potatoes using a thin metal spatula to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Continue roasting for another 30-40 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp all over.
Keep a close eye on the potatoes to ensure they don’t burn. The exact roasting time can vary depending on the size of the chunks and the type of potato you use.

Once your potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl.

Adding the Final Touches: Aromatics and Fresh Herbs

While the potatoes are roasting, we can prepare the finishing touches. Infusing garlic and rosemary in the fat adds flavor, but adding fresh parsley and seasoning at the end gives the dish a bright, fresh flavor.

Garlic and Rosemary Infused Oil

After the potatoes have roasted, toss them with the reserved garlic-rosemary mixture and minced fresh parsley. This step enhances the flavor, giving them a wonderful savory and herbal aroma.

Tossing Tips:

Season with more salt and pepper: Taste your potatoes before serving and add a bit more salt or freshly ground black pepper if needed.
Herb Variations: If you prefer, you can use thyme, sage, or even oregano to complement the garlic and rosemary.

Serving the Perfect Crispy Roast Potatoes

These crispy roast potatoes make the perfect side dish for any holiday feast. Their rich flavor and crispy texture will elevate your meal and leave your guests craving more.

Pairing Ideas

Crispy roast potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some options to serve them with:

Mains: Roasted meats like roast chicken, turkey, or lamb make a perfect pairing.
Vegetarian Options: Try them alongside a creamy butternut squash soup or vegetable pot pie for a hearty, plant-based meal.
Sauces: Serve them with gravy, garlic aioli, or a rich mushroom sauce for an added depth of flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

Although crispy roast potatoes are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, you can still make them ahead of time and reheat them for serving.

Make-Ahead Instructions:

Parboil the potatoes and let them cool. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Infuse the fat and store it in a separate container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
When ready to serve, roast the potatoes at 450°F (230°C) for about 20-30 minutes to crisp them up again.

Leftovers:

Leftover crispy roast potatoes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even crisping.

The Secrets to Perfecting Crispy Roast Potatoes

Achieving the crispy texture that everyone loves in roast potatoes requires a little finesse and a few key tricks. Whether you’re preparing them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy family dinner, these tips will ensure you make the best crispy roast potatoes every time.

The Importance of Size and Shape

When preparing crispy roast potatoes, the size and shape of your cuts matter a great deal. Larger potato chunks create a greater contrast between the crisp exterior and the creamy interior, which is the hallmark of perfect roast potatoes. A good rule of thumb is to cut your potatoes into chunks of about 2 to 3 inches.

Optimal Roasting Conditions

Oven Temperature: For crispy edges, the oven should be very hot. A temperature of 450°F (230°C) is ideal for crisping the potatoes quickly without drying them out. If using convection, 400°F (200°C) will work better.
Spacing on the Baking Sheet: Ensure that the potatoes are spaced evenly on the baking sheet. If they’re overcrowded, they’ll steam rather than roast, losing that golden crispy texture.

Fresh Herbs for Extra Flavor

After the potatoes have been roasted to perfection, toss them in freshly chopped herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley. You can also add garlic for an aromatic boost. If you want to take them to the next level, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving for a fresh pop of acidity.

Troubleshooting: What If My Potatoes Aren’t Crispy?

Even with the best methods, sometimes potatoes don’t turn out as crispy as you’d like. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Not enough roughing up: After parboiling, make sure to rough up the surface of the potatoes by shaking them in the pot or a bowl. The more mashed potato-like texture you create on the outside, the crispier they will get.
Not enough heat: If your oven temperature isn’t high enough, the potatoes won’t crisp. Make sure the oven is preheated to the right temperature before adding your potatoes.

FAQs On Crispy Roast Potatoes for Holiday Feasts

How to get the crispiest roast potatoes?

To get the crispiest roast potatoes, follow these tips:

Choose the right potato: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best.
Parboil the potatoes in alkaline water: Adding a small amount of baking soda to the boiling water helps create a starchy slurry on the surface, resulting in a crispier texture.
Rough up the surface: After parboiling, shake the potatoes in the pot to break up the edges. This helps create more surface area for crisping.
Roast at a high temperature: Bake at 450°F (230°C) for optimal crisping.

How to make the best roast potatoes for Christmas?

For the best Christmas roast potatoes, use the following methods:

Use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for the best balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Infuse fat (like duck fat, beef fat, or olive oil) with garlic and rosemary for extra flavor.
Season well: Add salt and pepper to taste, and consider using a sprinkle of fresh herbs, like rosemary or parsley, after roasting.

Can I roast potatoes ahead of time and reheat?

Yes, you can! Here’s how:

Prepare the potatoes as you normally would and roast them.
Allow them to cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to serve, reheat them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes until crispy again.

How to keep roasted potatoes warm for a potluck?

To keep your roasted potatoes warm for a potluck:

Cover them loosely with foil: This keeps them warm without steaming them, which can make them soggy.
Use a slow cooker: Set the slow cooker on low and add the roasted potatoes with a little extra seasoning or fat to prevent them from drying out.
Serve immediately upon arrival: If possible, serve the potatoes as soon as you arrive to ensure they remain at their crispiest.

Can I make crispy roast potatoes in advance for the holidays?

Yes! You can make crispy roast potatoes in advance:

Prepare and roast the potatoes the day before.
Let them cool completely, then store them in the fridge.
When you’re ready to serve, reheat them in a hot oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes to re-crisp the potatoes before serving.