Description
This recipe for the best roast potatoes features crispy, golden exteriors with fluffy interiors. Using a combination of a quick parboil, a coating of flour for extra crispiness, and roasting in hot olive oil, these potatoes make a perfect side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) potatoes (any variety – white, washed potatoes pictured)
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup (125 ml) olive oil
- 2 tsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes, plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) or 200°C (400°F) fan-forced. Place the roasting pan inside the oven to heat. Make sure the pan is large enough to hold the potatoes without overlapping for even roasting.
- Prep the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. For larger potatoes, cut them into eighths to ensure they cook evenly.
- Boil the potatoes: Place the cut potatoes in a large pot and cover with just enough water to submerge them. Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook gently for 2 minutes. Set a timer to be precise.
- Heat the roasting pan with oil: While the potatoes simmer, add the olive oil to the preheated roasting pan inside the oven. Keep the pan in the oven so the oil heats thoroughly, which is key for crispiness.
- Flour the potatoes: Drain the potatoes in a colander and shake them around to rough up the edges—this creates more surface area for crisping. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of flour over the potatoes and stir gently to coat them evenly. Some potatoes might break apart slightly, which is acceptable.
- Roast the potatoes: Carefully transfer the floured potatoes into the hot oil-filled roasting pan. The oil will likely splatter so take caution. Turn the potatoes in the pan to coat them well with oil. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sea salt flakes over them. Place the pan back in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Remove, turn the potatoes over, and repeat this process every 15 minutes until golden and crisp, which should take about 45 minutes total depending on your oven.
- Serve: Once perfectly crispy, sprinkle additional sea salt on top to taste and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using olive oil adds rich flavor but you can substitute with other oils like vegetable or sunflower if preferred.
- Preheating the pan and oil is crucial for achieving a crispy crust on the potatoes.
- The flour coating helps to create extra crunchiness on the potato surfaces.
- Be careful when adding potatoes to hot oil as it will splatter.
- Adjust roasting time based on your oven’s heat strength and the size of your potato pieces.
