Homemade Roast Potatoes
Perfectly golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and seasoned to absolute perfection — homemade roast potatoes are the side dish that always steals the show. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday dinner, a holiday feast, or simply a weeknight meal, these potatoes deliver flavor and crunch that elevate any plate.
Roast potatoes are comfort food at its finest. With just a few humble ingredients, you can turn ordinary spuds into crispy, golden bites that are impossible to resist. The key is all in the technique: the right potato, a hot oven, and a little pre-roast boil make all the difference.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Roast Potatoes Recipe
These roast potatoes are everything you want: tender and steamy on the inside, with a crisp, almost shattering crust. They’re versatile enough to pair with anything from roast beef to vegetarian mains. Plus, they only require basic pantry ingredients, making them as easy as they are delicious.
What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use for Roasting?
For the best results, go with starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. They crisp up beautifully on the outside while staying soft inside. Avoid waxy varieties like red or new potatoes, which tend to stay firm and don’t yield that signature fluffy texture.
Ingredients for the Homemade Roast Potatoes
To make truly standout roast potatoes, you only need a handful of ingredients, but each one plays an important role in the final flavor and texture.
- Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Cloves
- Fresh Rosemary or Thyme
- Baking Soda
Potatoes are the heart of this recipe. Starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold are best for a crispy crust and soft interior.
Olive Oil helps create that deep golden crust. Use a good quality oil for better flavor and high-heat stability.
Salt enhances every bite and helps draw out moisture for crisper edges.
Black Pepper adds a subtle kick and pairs beautifully with the savory garlic and herbs.
Garlic Cloves infuse the oil and potatoes with rich aroma and depth.
Fresh Rosemary or Thyme add an earthy, fragrant note that takes these over the top.
Baking Soda helps break down the potato surfaces during boiling, leading to extra crispy exteriors once roasted.

How To Make the Homemade Roast Potatoes
Step 1: Prep and Cut the Potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized chunks. Aim for pieces about 2 inches in size to ensure even cooking and a nice balance of crispy edges to fluffy center.
Step 2: Parboil for Fluffiness
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a generous pinch of salt and a small pinch of baking soda. Boil the potatoes for about 8-10 minutes, just until the edges start to soften. Drain and let them sit for a minute to dry slightly.
Step 3: Rough Them Up
Shake the drained potatoes gently in the colander to rough up the surface. This creates all those delicious craggy bits that turn crispy in the oven.
Step 4: Flavor the Oil
In a roasting pan, heat olive oil in a 425°F (220°C) oven for about 5 minutes. Carefully add garlic cloves and herbs to the oil just before tossing in the potatoes to infuse flavor.
Step 5: Roast to Golden Perfection
Add the potatoes to the hot oil, tossing them gently to coat. Roast for 45-55 minutes, flipping halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp.
Step 6: Season and Serve
Remove from the oven, season with extra salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately while hot and crisp.
How to Serve and Store Homemade Roast Potatoes
This recipe feeds about 4 to 6 people, depending on portion size and what else is on the table. They are best served fresh and hot out of the oven, when their edges are crackling crisp.
If you do have leftovers, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and retain their crunch, use an oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
What to Serve With Roast Potatoes?
Classic Sunday Roast
Pair with roasted beef or chicken, steamed vegetables, and gravy for a traditional favorite.
Grilled or Baked Fish
The crisp potatoes contrast beautifully with flaky, tender fish like cod or salmon.
Vegetarian Mains
Try them alongside a hearty lentil loaf or grilled vegetable platter for a meatless meal.
Breakfast or Brunch
Serve leftovers with eggs, sautéed greens, and a dollop of sour cream for a savory start to the day.
Holiday Spread
They fit right into Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, next to stuffing, cranberry sauce, and turkey.
Sausage and Mustard
A cozy, comforting combo that’s hard to beat. Add a spoonful of grainy mustard for kick.
Salad and Protein Bowl
Top off a warm grain bowl or salad for a satisfying crunch.
Want More Side Dish Ideas?
If you love these homemade roast potatoes, you might enjoy these flavorful companions too:
- Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes for a hands-off, savory twist.
- Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake if you’re after hearty comfort.
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce for Steak to elevate your meat-and-potato night.
- Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) for a lighter balance.
- Delicious Old-Fashioned Corn Fritters for a golden crispy side with a Southern feel.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest side dish board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use rosemary or thyme? Any special seasoning mix you tried?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too — let’s help each other roast better!
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting sides and mains on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your next go-to recipe.
Conclusion
Homemade roast potatoes are a timeless classic that transforms any meal into something special. Crispy, golden, and full of flavor, they’re a celebration of simplicity done right. Whether you’re serving them at a festive feast or casual dinner, these will always earn a spot on the plate.

Homemade Roast Potatoes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
These homemade roast potatoes are golden, crispy, and fluffy inside—perfect for holiday dinners or weekday meals. Using starchy potatoes, olive oil, and herbs, this easy roast potato recipe is a must-try side dish. Learn how to make perfectly crispy potatoes in the oven with this simple and satisfying technique.
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks about 2 inches in size.
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add salt and baking soda.
3. Add potatoes and boil for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly softened.
4. Drain and let them rest for 1 minute to steam dry.
5. Shake the potatoes in the colander to rough up their surfaces.
6. Place a roasting pan with olive oil in a 425°F (220°C) oven to heat.
7. After 5 minutes, add garlic and herbs to the hot oil.
8. Add potatoes to the hot oil, toss to coat, and roast for 45–55 minutes.
9. Flip halfway through roasting for even browning.
10. Remove from the oven, season with additional salt and pepper, and serve hot.
Notes
Let the potatoes steam dry for a minute after boiling to enhance crispiness.
Use baking soda in the boiling water to break down the surface for a better crust.
Don’t skip preheating the oil—it ensures a sizzling start for that crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg


