Easy Crispy Potatoes

Meal prep for the week just got a whole lot crispier with these easy crispy potatoes. They are my absolute favourite thing to make, especially when I am looking to add a little comfort food to my meals. In a few quick steps you can make these little wonders and add them to green salads, potato salads, simple hashes, beans, and even bowls. The crispiness takes everything to a whole other level!

I am going to tell you a little secret, I make these easy crispy potatoes every time I have company over at the house…. There are two reasons for that. First, they are so simple to make, you literally throw them in the oven and second, everyone loves potatoes!

I never actually thought about this but crispy potatoes are literally seasonless, they are as equally good in the winter and summer… so frankly I can’t see why they wouldn’t become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Should you boil potatoes before roasting?

Whenever roasting potatoes it is crucial to boil them first, for a couple of reasons. First, by boiling the potatoes you are ensuring that they are cooked evenly all the way through. Secondly, pre-cooking them shortens the wait time in the oven, because to get that crispy exterior takes 50-60 mins. The good news though it’s hands-free work. 

A good tip to remember when working with potatoes is that each variety roasts a little differently. In this recipe, I am using red baby potatoes. 

One more thing – Potatoes should always be added to cold water, then brought to a boil. This helps the starch stay in the potato and retain its structure.

How do you get crispy roast potatoes?

The key to crispy potatoes is to boil first to fork tender, then drain and dry the potatoes. Without drying the potatoes you are adding extra steam to the oven. Also, with the surface of the potato being wet it can’t form a crispy skin very easily. 

When drying the potatoes, it is important to pat dry, refrain from rubbing as this can remove the skin, and start breaking them apart.

How do I keep my potatoes crispy?

When you’re making crispy potatoes it’s important to make sure they stay crispy! There are two things you can do to make sure they retain their texture as much as possible… of course this is if you didn’t eat them all already, and intend on snacking on them later or throughout the week.

Once your potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in their pan until they have completely cooled. Next, take an airtight container and store in the fridge. This will ensure all the steam has been released from the potato and the container keeps the moisture from the fridge out. 

However, keep in mind when microwaving that sometimes moisture from other food on your plate can cause them to soften.

Other great recipes:

Croissant French Toast Bake

Homemade Artisan Crusty Bread

How to make them:

Okay, let’s get into it! To make the easiest crispy potatoes, it takes 5 steps. 

Chopping – No matter the size of your potatoes I always recommend chopping, in large chunks, ideally around the same size. For the red baby potatoes, I just sliced them in half. Learn more about potatoes.

Boiling – Add the potatoes to cold water (if you know you know… or you can read above :P), and bring to a boil, then add the salt.

Draining – Once they are fork tender, drain and pat dry.

Roasting – Add to a lined cookie sheet or baking dish. Top with oil, salt and pepper.

Cooling – Once done, remove from oven. They can be served right away or can be left stove top to cool, then packaged away for later.