How To Make Perfect Roast Potatoes: Crispy On The Outside, Fluffy On The Inside

Roast potatoes are a timeless favorite, often stealing the spotlight on dining tables as the perfect accompaniment to any meal. While many recipes suggest using special ingredients like baking soda, flour, or even goose fat, achieving perfectly crispy and fluffy roast potatoes can be much simpler.

The key to making exceptional roast potatoes lies in the basics: the right type of potato, quality oil, and proper technique.

Choosing the Right Potato

Selecting the right potato is crucial for achieving the desired texture. Varieties like Russets, known for their crisp crusts, and Maris Pipers, prized for their high dry matter content, are excellent choices. These potatoes yield a fluffy interior with a golden, crunchy exterior. On the other hand, red potatoes, due to their low starch content, may roast to a darker color but lack the ideal crispiness.

Preparing the Potatoes

Start by preheating your oven to 200°C to ensure an even cooking process. Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into uniform pieces to ensure consistent roasting.

Place the potato chunks in a large mixing bowl or directly in a roasting tin. Drizzle generously with high-quality oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. For an elevated flavor, consider matching the oil to your cooking ingredients. For example:

• Use garlic-and-rosemary-infused olive oil if adding fresh garlic and rosemary to the pan.
• Try truffle-infused oil for a luxurious twist.

Roasting to Perfection

Once the potatoes are evenly coated, arrange them in a single layer on a roasting tray. Place the tray in the oven and roast for approximately one hour.

For best results:

Stir the potatoes after 30 minutes of cooking to ensure even browning.

Drizzle a bit more oil over the spuds and toss them gently before placing them back in the oven for the remaining time.

Serving Tips

Once roasted, the potatoes should be golden brown and irresistibly crispy on the outside, with a light and fluffy interior. Serve them immediately to enjoy their full flavor and texture.

How Much to Make

A good guideline is to prepare 200g to 250g of potatoes per person, roughly equivalent to two large potatoes. This ensures there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Perfect roast potatoes don’t require complex ingredients or techniques—just the right type of potato, some high-quality oil, and proper roasting. With this straightforward recipe, you can create roasties that are guaranteed to impress, whether it’s a family dinner or a festive gathering. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of this classic dish!