Ever wonder how to roast potatoes like they do at the best restaurants? The good news is that we are going to share four different methods that will get you to roasted perfection. 

Who doesn’t love a perfectly roasted potato? That golden, crispy exterior while biting into a fluffy, tender interior is the dream bite. But achieving that ideal roast can sometimes feel like a dark art. Fear not, potato lovers! 

This comprehensive guide will walk you through four popular methods for roasting potatoes, ensuring you get perfect results every time, whether you’re using an oven, air fryer, grill, or pan.

The Basics: Roasting Potatoes

Before we dive into the specifics of each method, let’s cover some universal truths that apply to all roasted potato methods:

Choose the Right Potato: For classic roasts, starchy potatoes like Russets (Idaho) are fantastic for a super fluffy interior. Waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes hold their shape better and offer a creamier texture. We also love using Artisan potatoes for roasting.

Chop Evenly: Uniformly sized potato pieces are crucial for even cooking. Aim for 1 to 1.5-inch chunks.

Parboil (Optional, but Recommended!): A quick parboil before roasting helps tenderize the inside and softens the exterior, creating more surface area for crisping. Don’t overcook them – just until they’re fork-tender but not falling apart.

Dry Them Thoroughly: This is key for crispiness! After parboiling, drain them well and let them steam dry in the colander for a few minutes. You can even give them a gentle shake in the colander to rough up the edges a bit more.

Oil and Season Generously: Olive oil, avocado oil, or even a good quality beef fat or duck fat works wonders. Don’t be shy with salt and pepper! Experiment with garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or thyme for extra flavor. Check out our guide to Cooking with Herbs.

Don’t Overcrowd: Give your potatoes space! Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of roasting, resulting in soggy spuds. Cook in batches if necessary.

Related: How to Store Potatoes

How To Roast Potatoes: Oven-Roasted

The oven is the most traditional and reliable method for roasting potatoes, offering even heat and ample space for a large batch.

Steps to Oven Roasting Potatoes

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup, or just use a sturdy metal sheet. You can also use a baking dish or cast iron skillet.
2. Season: Transfer the dry potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings. Toss well to ensure every potato piece is coated.
3. Roast: Spread the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t touching.
4. Bake for 30-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until deeply golden brown and crispy. 
5. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Recipe to Try: Parmesan Oven Roasted Potatoes

How to Roast Potatoes: In the Air Fryer

The air fryer is a game-changer for smaller batches of crispy potatoes, offering speed and incredible crispiness with less oil, time and clean-up.

Steps to Air Frying Roasted Potatoes

1. Prep: Follow the parboiling and drying steps. For air fryer, it’s even more crucial that the potatoes are completely dry.
2. Season: In a bowl, toss the parboiled and dried potato chunks with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any chosen seasonings.
3. Air Fry: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Don’t overcrowd!
4. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5-7 minutes to ensure even browning and crisping.
5. Check & Serve: Continue cooking until they are deeply golden brown and crispy to your liking. Serve immediately.

Recipe To Try: Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

How To Roast Potatoes: On the Grill

Add a delicious smoky char to your potatoes by roasting them on the grill. This method is perfect for outdoor cooking and pairs beautifully with grilled meats.

Steps To Grilling Potatoes

1. Prep: Parboil and dry your potato chunks as described above.
2. Season: Toss the parboiled and dried potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings in a large bowl.
3. Grill Prep: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you have a grill basket or a cast-iron skillet suitable for grilling, use it. Otherwise, you can carefully place them directly on the grates, but watch for smaller pieces falling through.
4. Roast on Grill: Spread the potatoes in a single layer in your grill basket or skillet. Close the grill lid and cook for 20-30 minutes, tossing every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking and to develop those lovely grill marks and smoky flavor.
5. Serve: Cook until tender on the inside and nicely charred and crispy on the outside. Serve hot.

Recipe to Try: Grilled Potatoes

How To Roast Potatoes: Pan-Roasted

Pan-roasting gives potatoes a beautiful crust and a rich flavor, especially if you finish them with butter or fresh herbs. This method is great when you don’t want to turn on a larger appliance.

Steps to Pan Roasting Potatoes:

1. Prep: Parboil and dry your potato chunks as usual.
2. Heat Pan: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) over medium-high heat. Add olive oil or butter.
3. Sear: Once the oil is shimmering, add the dried potato chunks to the pan in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd; work in batches if necessary. Let them sear undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until a deep golden crust forms on the bottom. 
4. Roast & Season: Reduce the heat to medium. Add salt, pepper, and any optional aromatics like smashed garlic or herb sprigs. Toss the potatoes, then continue to cook, stirring every 5-7 minutes, for a total of 20-30 minutes, or until tender and deeply golden on all sides. 
5. Finish & Serve: If desired, add a knob of butter in the last few minutes for extra richness. Stir to coat. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Recipe to Try: Breakfast Potatoes

There you have it! Four fantastic ways to achieve roasted potato perfection. Each method offers a slightly different texture and flavor profile, but all promise that irresistible crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside magic. So grab your spuds, pick your method, and get roasting! You can’t go wrong!

Looking for more inspiration? Check us out on Pinterest or Instagram, and join our community of Produce Moms!