Nothing says comfort food like potatoes, in any forms. However, there’s something about roast potatoes that just hits the spot every time, and they’re at their absolute best when they’re crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
The way you cook potatoes really makes all the difference. We all know potatoes are versatile, so if you’re looking for a quick roasted snack, you can use an air fryer. If you have more time on your hands, they’re just as good—if not better—in the oven.
Whichever way you choose to cook them, follow this simple recipe for the fluffiest roast potatoes you’ll ever make.
Ingredients:
- 3 large potatoes (a floury, starchy type like Russets or Maris Piper)
- Olive Oil
- Garlic (cloves or powder)
- Rosemary
- Paprika (smoked, if you’d like)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Roast Potato Seasoning (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F, because a super hot oven is the optimal environment for crispy potatoes. If you’re using an air fryer, preheat it at 380°F for 3 minutes.
- Chop your potatoes into medium-large chunks. The pieces should be big enough that they’re not all crunch, and not so big that they can’t go crispy and fluffy while cooking.
- Parboil the potatoes in a big pot of salty water. Don’t skip this step, because parboiling is the key to getting your potatoes crispy and fluffy at the same time. You’ll know they’re done when they’re tender but not mushy.
- If you’re using an oven, pour some oil into your pan whilst the potatoes are parboiling so it’s super hot by the time they go in.
- Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl, or a pot with a lid.
- Shake! Give the potatoes a really vigorous shake until the edges are roughened—this is the essential step to give the roasties their famous fluffiness.
- Add any seasonings you’d like, and of course a drizzling of oil. We think a generous sprinkle of rosemary and paprika is the perfect flavor combination.
- Spread the potatoes out on the pan and use a spoon to pour some of the hot oil over them. Roast for 45-50 minutes, or until they’re crispy and golden.
- For air fryer users: place the seasoned spuds in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, before flipping them and cooking for another 10, until they look perfectly golden.
- Enjoy!
