Fitness / May 2, 2023

Delicious Roasted Red Potatoes

The perfect side dish, these roasted red potatoes are easy to prepare and complement almost every entree. Sink your teeth into these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside morsels of deliciousness.

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My kids don’t like potatoes. That is, they THINK they don’t like potatoes. They like potatoes when they are in “french fry” form but a spud on a plate doesn’t wow them as it does me.

Which is why this recipe comes in handy so often. I don’t mind making french fries every now and again but I’d like to expand potatoes’ role beyond just that while still making something my kids will eat without the preliminary moans and groans.

These potatoes taste great, thanks to the mix of seasoning, AND they have that crispy exterior and soft, melts-in-your-mouth interior that my kids like about fries. These roasted potatoes are also a more elegant side than fries and so, they make an ideal side for those slightly more formal Saturday night dinner parties.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Red-skinned potatoes are a great potato for roasting. They hold their shape well and have a soft interior and a crispy golden brown exterior.
The lemon zest adds another dimension to the flavor profile, complementing the rosemary, garlic, and black pepper.
It is the PERFECT side dish; it doesn’t overpower nor take attention away from the main dish but is tasty in its own right.

Are Roasted Red Potatoes Healthy?

All the ingredients are healthy, including the olive oil, which contains good fats. Like any oil, though, don’t overdo it.
Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C (not a lot of people know that!), especially after you add the lemon zest.
Herbs promote health and eating a wide variety is really good for us. So this is a good way to eat rosemary. You can also scatter some fresh on the top.

INGREDIENTS

All healthy, basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen (except maybe the potatoes. Kind of a key ingredient.)

3 lbs red-skinned potatoes, washed
¼ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zested
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 sprigs rosemary

Delicious Roasted Red Potatoes ingredients

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Quarter your potatoes of they are large; half them if they are small. You will want them all the same size to ensure they cook consistently.

Toss

Toss the potatoes in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until they are completely coated.

Roast

Spread the coated potatoes out on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until soft inside and crispy on the outside.

Variations

You can use any kind of potato you like, but the best for roasting other than the red skins are Yukon gold and fingerling.
You can also use a variety of herbs, like thyme, parsley, chives, and/or oregano.
Instead of lemon zest, you could add a little spice like red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.

What To serve with roasted red potatoes

Remember when I said that you can serve almost anything as the main dish alongside these potatoes? I wasn’t kidding. Here are some options:

Crispy Air-Fried Fish: Whip up this delicious and easy-to-make crispy cod in no time! It’s a great healthy alternative to the usual battered, deep-fried fish and can be quickly adapted for a gluten-free diet.

Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak: Enjoy the delight of an oven-cooked sirloin steak without having to step outside to the grill with this recipe. You’ll get the perfect sear and mouthwatering tenderness straight from your oven.

Easy Sesame Chicken: Savor the juicy and flavorful grilled sesame chicken breasts with a simple, tasty ginger marinade. Not sure what to do with that plain chicken breast? We’ve got you covered.

FAQs

Can I prepare the potatoes beforehand?

I definitely recommend serving this dish straight away for the potatoes to be crispy. They tend to get rubbery after a little while. I would suggest repurposing any leftovers as ingredients in a potato salad.

Some of my potatoes are cooked and some aren’t.

Ensure that the potatoes are arranged in a single layer while cooking and that they are flipped at least twice during the process. Also, compare the sizes of the potatoes, as larger pieces may not cook thoroughly if there is a significant size difference.

Can I make these in the air fryer?

Yes, you can. Just cook them in batches so that they are still in a single layer. Also, toss them often during cooking so that they cook evenly (remember, most of the heat from an air fryer comes from the top).

How to Store Roasted Red Potatoes

Let the potatoes cool completely. Store in an airtight container. To layer them, separate with wax or parchment paper. They should keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the potatoes, though I recommend doing so before seasoning them. They should keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, put them on a baking sheet and heat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. As I note above, the texture of the potatoes will change and may not be as good (they’ll definitely not be as crispy). Using them as the base of a potato salad may be a better option.