Golden, crisp, and unapologetically cheesy, these Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes are my idea of pure comfort food bliss. Each bite delivers a tender baby potato with a shatteringly crunchy parmesan crust, perfect for snacking or elevating any meal. If you’ve ever dreamed of the ultimate potato side, let me share with you this irresistible recipe that’s stolen the show at every table in my home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Spectacularly Crunchy: The parmesan creates an addictive crust that’s crispy right out of the oven—no soggy potatoes here!
- Foolproof and Fast: With minimal prep and just one pan, these potatoes are so easy, even on busy weeknights.
- Crowd-Pleaser Alert: Whether you serve them as a side or a party snack, they disappear within minutes. True story!
- Customizable Magic: Switch up the herbs or spice in the parmesan coating and make them truly yours every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes comes from a simple line-up of ingredients, each chosen for ultimate flavor and that signature golden crunch. Don’t skip a thing—every element here plays its own delicious part.
- Baby potatoes: Their naturally creamy texture and petite size roast up tender, and cut sides soak up flavor and create maxi crispiness.
- Olive oil: This ensures that the potatoes and parmesan both crisp up beautifully while adding a subtle depth of flavor.
- Grated parmesan: The sand-like grated variety is key for a crunchy, cheesy crust that clings to each potato—avoid the shredded kind for best results.
- Garlic powder: A dusting guarantees that perfect savory aroma, infusing every bite without overpowering.
- Dried oregano (or thyme): Just a hint of dried herbs adds another dimension to the potatoes—I love the Mediterranean notes these bring!
- Paprika: A pop of color and a mild warmth that makes the crust totally tantalizing.
- Salt and black pepper: Seasoning the parmesan layer brings out the very best from both spuds and cheese.
- Sour cream and green onions (optional): A cool and creamy dip flecked with fresh greens makes these potatoes the ultimate snackable treat.
Variations
One of the joys of this recipe is how easy it is to riff on flavor combinations or adapt it to different needs. Consider this your blank canvas for potato perfection!
- Spicy Parmesan Potatoes: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the parmesan mix for a fiery twist.
- Herby Delight: Swap oregano or thyme for fresh rosemary or basil for a brighter, more herb-forward flavor.
- Vegan-Friendly: Use a plant-based parmesan substitute and a non-dairy yogurt for the dip to keep everyone happy at the table.
- Ultimate Garlic Lovers: Double up on the garlic powder or add finely minced fresh garlic to the olive oil before coating for extra punch.
How to Make Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C/400°F (or 180°C for a fan-forced oven). Drizzle a little olive oil onto a glass baking dish—this extra step ensures that the parmesan mixture will adhere well and creates that golden, irresistible crust. Tilt the pan until the oil covers the base, reaching every little corner.
Step 2: Mix Up the Parmesan Coating
In a small bowl, combine your grated parmesan, garlic powder, dried oregano or thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until everything is completely mixed—the aroma is a hint at how flavorful your potatoes will be!
Step 3: Create the Crust Layer
Scatter the parmesan mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Here’s a crucial tip: Once you’ve sprinkled it, don’t try to spread or press it down—the cheese will naturally meld and form a crispy layer as it bakes.
Step 4: Arrange the Potatoes
Take your halved baby potatoes and place each one cut-side down onto the parmesan crust, gently pressing each into the mixture so they “anchor” in place. For extra crunch and color, drizzle a bit more olive oil on top, or give them a quick spray, then finish with a dusting of salt if desired.
Step 5: Roast to Perfection
Slide the dish into the hot oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye out for a deep golden color through the glass—this means the parmesan has crisped up and the potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 6: Rest, Flip, and Serve
Once baked, let the potatoes rest for about 5 minutes so the crust can set. Use a spatula or egg flip to “cut” between clusters of potatoes, then carefully scoop and flip them so the cheesy side faces up. Pile them high on a platter and, if you like, sprinkle with extra green onions and serve with the cool, creamy dipping sauce.
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
- The Right Parmesan Texture: Always use finely grated, sand-like parmesan for maximum crunch—shredded cheese just doesn’t melt and crisp the same way.
- Glass Pan Advantage: A glass baking dish makes it much easier to tell when your parmesan crust has reached that perfect, deeply golden hue (and also releases the potatoes more easily than metal).
- Perfect Potato Prep: Make sure your potato halves are all similar in size—this ensures even roasting and perfectly tender centers across the batch.
- Don’t Rush the Rest: Giving the potatoes five minutes to rest after baking lets the cheesy crust set firm and makes flipping them a breeze!
How to Serve Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Garnishes
Sprinkle your potatoes with a flourish of finely chopped green onions, chives, or even a touch of fresh parsley for a bright pop of color and a fresh finish. A pinch of extra parmesan on top just before serving adds one last punch of cheesy flavor, too!
Side Dishes
Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes shine alongside everything from grilled chicken, steak, or juicy roasted fish to a simple garden salad or soup. They even make a dreamy addition to any brunch spread—just add eggs and you’re set!
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with presentation! Thread them onto skewers for party nibbles, pile them in rustic baskets lined with parchment for casual family-style eating, or arrange them in concentric circles on a platter around a bowl of dipping sauce for a wow-worthy starter that’ll vanish in no time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you wind up with leftovers (it’s rare!), let your Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes cool, then pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate. Try to keep them in a single layer so the cheesy crust stays as crisp as possible.
Freezing
While these potatoes are at their crunchiest fresh from the oven, you can freeze leftovers if needed. Arrange them cheese side up on a lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat from frozen for best results, though note they won’t be quite as crisp as day one!
Reheating
To bring back the crunchy magic, reheat potatoes cheese side up in a hot oven (200°C/400°F) for 5 minutes, or until sizzling and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you can—it softens the crust, which we definitely don’t want!
FAQs
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Can I use larger potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Absolutely! Just cut larger waxy potatoes into evenly sized chunks—this helps them cook at the same rate and gives you plenty of “cut side” surface area to soak up that luscious parmesan crust.
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My potatoes stuck to the pan—help!
A generous drizzle of oil in the bottom of your glass baking dish, plus ensuring the parmesan mixture is well spread and not pressed down, should help them release easily. Letting the potatoes rest a few minutes after baking also firms up the crust and makes lifting a breeze.
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Why is my parmesan crust not crispy?
This commonly happens if you use shredded (instead of finely grated) parmesan, or if the oven isn’t hot enough. Make sure to use the “sand-like” style parmesan and bake until you see a deep golden color through the glass pan for maximum crunch!
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What dipping sauces pair well with Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes?
Classic sour cream with green onions is always a crowd-pleaser, but you could also try ranch, garlic aioli, or even a bold marinara for an Italian twist—the cheesy, herby flavor plays well with all kinds of dips.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving potatoes with serious crunch and deep, savory flavor, you have to make these Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes. They’ve never let me down, and I can’t wait for them to become a favorite in your home too. Happy roasting—and save me one, would you?
PrintCrispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes are a delicious side dish or snack featuring baby potatoes coated in a Parmesan cheese mixture and roasted until crispy and golden. Served with a creamy dipping sauce, these potatoes are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Baby Potatoes:
- 750 g / 1.5 lb baby potatoes, halved (about 3.5cm / 1.75″, 20 – 24 potatoes)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Parmesan Mixture:
- 1/2 cup / 50 g grated parmesan, the sand-like type
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or sub with onion powder)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt (I use table salt, leave out to lower sodium)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Dipping Sauce (Optional):
- 3/4 cup sour cream, or sub with plain yoghurt, or a combination of both
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions/scallions, plus more for garnish (or chives)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/400F (180C fan-forced).
- Mix Parmesan Mixture in a bowl.
- Drizzle oil in 22 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ glass baking dish. Tilt pan to spread all over the base.
- Scatter the Parmesan Mixture over the base. Spread evenly.
- Place potatoes cut side down, pressing firmly.
- Bake potatoes for 35 – 40 minutes or until soft and golden.
- REST for 5 minutes then cut between every 4 potatoes and flip them cheese side up.
- Serve with Dipping Sauce and extra green onions.
Notes
- Use sand-like grated parmesan for best results.
- Works well in a metal pan too.
- Leftovers can be reheated for a crisp finish.
- Nutrition information based on 5 servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 153g
- Calories: 219 cal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 343mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg