Crispy Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes: Your Go-To Easy Side Dish for Any Occasion

If you’re searching for a truly irresistible side dish that’s both simple to prepare and bursting with flavor, look no further than these spectacular roasted potatoes. Imagine: a golden-brown, crispy exterior that gives way to a wonderfully tender, fluffy interior, all infused with the mellow, aromatic essence of garlic and fresh rosemary. This recipe creates a side dish so delicious, it’s destined to become a staple at your dinner table and a cherished family favorite for weeknights and holidays alike.

Why These Roasted Potatoes Will Be Your New Favorite Recipe

What sets these garlic rosemary roasted potatoes apart is the clever use of garlic in two distinct forms: finely chopped and whole cloves. This dual approach unlocks a symphony of garlic flavors that elevate the dish beyond the ordinary. The minced garlic deeply infuses the butter and olive oil mixture, creating a pungent, savory base that coats every potato piece. Meanwhile, the whole garlic cloves, when roasted alongside the potatoes, transform into sweet, caramelized morsels, tender enough to bite into. This combination offers a complex garlic profile – from sharp and zesty to rich, sweet, and even a bit nutty – ensuring every bite is an exciting discovery. It’s this thoughtful layering of flavors that makes these crispy roasted potatoes truly unforgettable and a standout side dish for any meal.

Beyond the incredible garlic, the magic also lies in the texture. Achieving that perfect contrast between a super crispy, golden crust and a soft, yielding center is key to a remarkable roasted potato. This recipe provides the ideal balance, ensuring your potatoes are never soggy but always delightfully crunchy on the outside, a texture that everyone craves. They are incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with everything from a simple weeknight chicken dinner to a lavish holiday feast.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Roasted Potatoes

Creating the best roasted potatoes starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Small Red Potatoes: For this recipe, I highly recommend using small red potatoes. Their waxy texture helps them hold their shape beautifully during roasting, and their thin skin gets incredibly crispy, adding a delightful textural contrast. If red potatoes aren’t available, Yukon Gold potatoes are an excellent alternative, offering a creamy interior and lovely golden color. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, as they tend to fall apart or become too floury when roasted this way. Uniformly cutting your potatoes into roughly 1.5 to 2-inch pieces is essential for even cooking and consistent crispiness across the batch.
• Butter and Olive Oil Combination: The secret to both flavor and superior crispiness lies in using a blend of melted butter and olive oil. Butter contributes a rich, nutty flavor that olive oil alone cannot replicate, while olive oil has a higher smoke point, helping the potatoes brown without burning. This dynamic duo ensures your potatoes achieve that sought-after golden crust and deeply savory taste.
• Fresh Rosemary: The fragrant, earthy notes of fresh rosemary are indispensable for this dish. Its piney aroma pairs perfectly with garlic and potatoes, creating a classic and comforting flavor profile. If fresh rosemary isn’t an option, you can substitute with dried rosemary, but remember to use half the amount, as dried herbs are more concentrated. For example, if the recipe calls for two sprigs of fresh rosemary, use about one teaspoon of dried.
• Garlic Cloves (Whole and Minced): This is truly the star ingredient! Using a combination of both whole and minced garlic cloves is key to developing the multi-layered garlic flavor that makes this recipe so special. Minced garlic, mixed into the butter and oil, permeates every potato piece with its intense aroma and taste. The whole garlic cloves, on the other hand, roast until they become incredibly sweet, soft, and mellow, offering delightful bursts of flavor when you bite into them. Don’t skip this technique – it’s a game-changer for garlic lovers!
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Seasoning is paramount for bringing all these delicious flavors together. Kosher salt, with its larger flakes, distributes evenly and provides a clean, mineral taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and a hint of spice. While the exact measurements are left to your personal taste, don’t be shy with the salt; it’s crucial for enhancing the natural sweetness of the potatoes and garlic.

Expert Tips for Crispy, Flavorful Roasted Potatoes Every Time

Achieving perfectly crispy, tender, and flavorful roasted potatoes is an art, but with these expert tips, you’ll master it in no time:

• The Right Baking Pan Makes All the Difference: Instead of a standard flat cookie sheet, I strongly recommend using a jelly roll pan. These pans have raised edges, which are crucial for preventing oil and juices from spilling over into your oven, making cleanup easier. More importantly, their generous size allows the potatoes to spread out in a single layer without overcrowding. Crowding the pan is the enemy of crispy potatoes, as it traps steam, causing the potatoes to boil rather than roast and brown. Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate freely around each potato piece. Lining the pan with parchment paper also aids in achieving maximum crispiness and makes for effortless cleanup.
• Don’t Skimp on Seasoning: While it’s always to taste, proper seasoning is vital for unlocking the full potential of these flavors. Salt not only brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes and mellows the garlic but also enhances the overall savory profile. A good grind of fresh black pepper adds a pleasant warmth. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on your preference, but remember that a well-seasoned potato is a happy potato!
• Pre-Soaking for Extra Crispiness (Optional): For those who desire an even crispier result, consider pre-soaking your cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to an hour. This step helps remove excess starch, which can inhibit browning and crisping. After soaking, drain them thoroughly and pat them bone dry with a clean kitchen towel before tossing with oil and seasonings. This extra step is not essential for a delicious outcome with this recipe, but it’s a pro tip if you have the time!
• Cut Potatoes Evenly: Consistency is key to even cooking. Try your best to cut all the potatoes into similar-sized pieces, roughly 1.5 to 2 inches. This ensures that all potatoes cook through at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked while others are overcooked or burned.
• Coating is Crucial: When tossing the potatoes with the butter and olive oil mixture, ensure every single piece is thoroughly coated. This layer of fat is what helps them crisp up beautifully and absorb all the wonderful flavors of garlic and rosemary. Use your hands or a large spoon to mix them well in a spacious bowl.
• Repurpose Leftovers Creatively: While these potatoes are undeniably best enjoyed fresh from the oven, any leftovers can be transformed into new delicious meals. Reheat them for a quick and easy lunch side, chop them up and add them to egg dishes like scrambles or omelets, or toss them into a stir-fry for added texture and flavor. They also make a fantastic addition to breakfast hashes or even a hearty salad.
• Adjust Garlic to Your Liking: This recipe embraces a wonderfully mellow yet rich garlic flavor from both minced and whole cloves. However, if you prefer a milder garlic presence, you can certainly reduce the number of whole cloves, or even omit them entirely, focusing solely on the minced garlic for a more subtle infusion. Tailor it to your family’s palate!

How to Make These Irresistible Roast Potatoes

Follow these simple steps to create a batch of perfectly golden and flavorful roasted potatoes:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for immediate browning when the potatoes go in. Line a large jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking, promotes crispiness, and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Cut the Potatoes: Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut the cleaned small red potatoes into uniform 2-inch pieces. This size allows for optimal crisping on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. Place the cut potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
3. Create the Flavorful Coating: In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, 3 chopped or minced garlic cloves, the finely chopped fresh rosemary (my herb scissors are perfect for this!), and the olive oil. Stir this mixture well to ensure all the flavors are thoroughly combined and the garlic and rosemary are evenly distributed.
4. Add Whole Garlic Cloves: Add the remaining 7 whole, peeled garlic cloves directly to the bowl with the cut potatoes. These whole cloves will roast to a sweet, mellow perfection, offering a different depth of garlic flavor.

5. Coat the Potatoes: Pour the aromatic butter-oil mixture over the potatoes and both types of garlic in the large mixing bowl. Toss everything together thoroughly, making sure every single potato piece and garlic clove is evenly coated with the herb and garlic infused fat. This coating is what will deliver that beautiful golden color and crispy texture.

6. Arrange on Baking Pan: Spread the coated potatoes and garlic cloves in a single layer on the parchment-lined jelly roll pan. For optimal browning and crispiness, try to place as many potato pieces as possible with a cut side down. Ensure they are not overcrowded, leaving a little space between each piece for air circulation.
7. Season and Bake: Season the potatoes generously with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Place the pan in the preheated oven.
8. Roast to Perfection: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are beautifully golden brown and crispy on the exterior and tender when pierced with a fork. The side of the potatoes that was down on the pan should have developed a lovely deep brown color and crust.
9. Optional Broil for Extra Crisp: If you desire an even crispier finish and deeper browning, you can turn your oven to broil for the last few minutes. Keep a very close eye on them during this step, as they can go from perfectly crispy to burned very quickly.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Roasted Potatoes

These versatile roasted potatoes are the ideal accompaniment to a wide variety of main courses, enhancing any meal with their crispy texture and savory flavor:

• Grilled and Roasted Meats: Their robust flavor makes them a fantastic match for hearty meats. In the warmer months, when the oven isn’t too daunting, I love serving these alongside my favorite grilled chicken. They also perfectly complement juicy chicken recipes, whether baked or pan-seared.
• Fish and Seafood: For a lighter but equally satisfying meal, pair them with a beautifully cooked fish. My delicious baked Striper recipe truly shines when served alongside these flavorful potatoes.
• Hearty Roasts: These potatoes are a natural fit for classic roast dinners. They’re absolutely perfect alongside my tender crockpot roast beef or my always-juicy sirloin pork roast, soaking up all the savory pan juices.
• Holiday Feasts: During the holidays, these roasted potatoes are a welcome addition to any festive spread. They stand out beautifully alongside classic dishes like candied yams and a vibrant one-pan roasted broccoli dish, adding a gourmet touch without extra fuss.
• Comfort Food Classics: For ultimate comfort, consider serving these crispy potatoes alongside creamy, cheesy funeral potatoes, topped with a crunchy Ritz and cornflake crust. It’s a carb-lover’s dream for any holiday or family gathering!

I’m all about the sides! Whether it’s potatoes (my absolute favorite!), macaroni, a medley of fresh vegetables, or a comforting bowl of soup, a well-made side dish can truly complete a meal. Explore more of my side dish recipes here and discover new ways to elevate your everyday cooking.

I genuinely hope you get a chance to try this incredibly easy and delicious roasted potato recipe. If you’re eager for more free recipes and culinary inspiration, I’d love to send you updates! Simply subscribe to my free newsletter here, and I’ll send mouth-watering recipes directly to your inbox.

This post originally appeared here on Nov 8, 2017.