Ingredients
- Baby Potatoes: 2 lbs, choose your favorite variety! Small, thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon Golds, red potatoes, or fingerling potatoes are ideal. They roast beautifully whole or halved and offer a creamy texture.
- Olive Oil: ¼ cup, extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its rich flavor and health benefits. It helps the potatoes crisp up and prevents them from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Fresh Rosemary: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped. Rosemary lends a piney, fragrant, and slightly peppery flavor that is classic with roasted potatoes. Fresh rosemary is highly recommended for the best aroma and taste.
- Fresh Thyme: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped. Thyme offers a delicate, earthy, and slightly lemony flavor that complements rosemary and potatoes perfectly. Fresh thyme is more aromatic than dried.
- Fresh Oregano: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped. Oregano brings a slightly pungent and peppery flavor with a hint of sweetness. It adds depth and complexity to the herb blend. Fresh oregano is preferred for its brighter flavor.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, savory kick. Mincing it ensures it infuses the potatoes with its flavor during roasting.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, kosher salt is recommended for its coarser texture and pure flavor. It enhances the taste of all the ingredients.
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its bolder and more aromatic flavor. It adds a subtle spice and depth.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven to Perfection: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving crispy roasted potatoes. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the potatoes inside to ensure even cooking and browning. Using convection bake if your oven has the option can further enhance crispiness by circulating hot air evenly around the potatoes.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. There’s no need to peel baby potatoes, as their thin skins become wonderfully crispy during roasting and are packed with nutrients. If your baby potatoes are on the larger side, you may want to halve or quarter them so they cook evenly and more quickly. For smaller baby potatoes, they can be left whole.
- Herb Infused Olive Oil Magic: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, finely chopped fresh rosemary, finely chopped fresh thyme, finely chopped fresh oregano, minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This herb-infused olive oil is the flavor base for your roasted potatoes. Whisk everything together well to ensure the herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed in the oil.
- Coat the Potatoes Generously: Add the prepared baby potatoes to the bowl with the herb-infused olive oil. Toss the potatoes thoroughly with your hands or a spatula, ensuring that every potato is generously coated with the oil and herb mixture. This step is essential for flavor and crispiness. Massage the oil and herbs into the potatoes to ensure they are fully covered.
- Spread in a Single Layer for Crispy Goodness: Spread the coated baby potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the potatoes instead of roasting them, resulting in less crispy potatoes. If necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure a single layer. Spacing the potatoes allows for proper air circulation, which is key to achieving that desirable golden-brown and crispy exterior.
- Roast to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and beautifully golden brown and crispy on the outside. The roasting time may vary slightly depending on the size of your potatoes and your oven. To ensure even browning, you can flip the potatoes halfway through the roasting time, around the 20-minute mark.
- Optional Broiling for Extra Crisp: For an extra level of crispiness, you can broil the potatoes for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Keep a very close eye on them while broiling, as they can burn quickly under the broiler. Broiling will give them a lovely, slightly charred edge and enhance their crispy texture.
- Garnish and Serve Immediately: Once the potatoes are roasted to perfection, remove them from the oven. You can garnish them with a sprinkle of extra fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or chives, for added freshness and visual appeal. Serve immediately while they are hot and crispy. These Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 28g