Melting potatoes recipe with garlic and herbs (2024)

This melting potatoes recipe is one of the easiest, most delicious ways to get a lot of bang for your buck with a quick side dish. The oven does the majority of the work for you, all you have to do is flip them a couple of times. That tiny bit of effort is rewarded with the most perfectly crispy outside, tender and creamy inside, roasted potato dish to ever grace your dinner table.

I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.

You may also be interested in my potato spinach casseroleand mybrown butter fingerling potatoesrecipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my potato recipes in one place.

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Why you should make this recipe

Calling all potato lovers! This recipe is perfect for those who love crispy potatoes that are packed with flavor, garlicky and super easy.

  • Easy – This recipe requires minimal effort. Toss the potatoes and give them a few flips on the baking sheet. It really couldn’t be easier.
  • Scalable – Having a big gathering at your house, like a holiday or celebration? You can scale this melting potatoes recipe up to suit your needs, no matter how many guests you are serving.
  • Gluten-free – Potatoes are naturally gluten-free.

Best melting potatoes recipe

This recipe is easy, mostly hands off, full of nutrients and naturally gluten-free. And, the herbs and garlic give the potatoes a ton of flavor.

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Melting potatoes go with everything. From a fancy holiday dinner to a side for burgers, they are always perfect.

These potatoes melt in your mouth. I prefer Yukon Golds for this recipe because of their creamy texture. When baked, the inside is soft and tender, while the exterior of the potatoes are as crunchy as the caramel on top of a crème brûlée.

Ingredients

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  • Yukon Gold potatoes – This is my go-to potato for this recipe. You can also use Russets, if you prefer.
  • Unsalted butter – Unsalted butter lets you control the amount of salt in the recipe.
  • Oil – I use grapeseed oil as my neutral oil, but canola and vegetable oil are also good options.
  • Chicken or vegetable broth/stock – I like chicken stock, as it has more body, but use whatever you prefer.
  • Garlic – Use as much or as little as you like. I like A LOT.
  • Salt and pepper – Everything needs to be seasoned.
  • Fresh and/or dried herbs – I love fresh herbs, I think they add a freshness to dishes and give them a little “lift”. Use what you like.

Seriously the BEST potatoes I’ve ever had!! They are a weekly staple in our house!

– Reader Liz

How to make

Here’s a quick summary of how to make melting potatoes. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

As with every recipe, read all the way through it before you begin. Make sure you have your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This recipe isn’t difficult at all, but you don’t want to discover after having the potatoes in the oven for 30 minutes that you forgot the chicken broth.

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  1. First, whisk together the melted butter, oil, herbs, salt and pepper.
  2. Next, add the sliced and peeled potatoes, and toss to combine.
  3. Place the potatoes on an unlined metal baking sheet.
  4. Roast at high temp, flipping over to crisp both sides before adding stock.
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Melting potatoes recipe FAQ’s

What are melting potatoes?

Melting potatoes are an easier version of a French dish called fondant potatoes. It’s the same basic concept, except all of the cooking is done in the oven – versus stovetop, then oven.

Can I make these in advance?

You can, however, you’ll likely lose the crispy outside. Think about re-heating French fries – they are never quite as crispy as when they were freshly cooked.

How long will they last?

If properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the leftover potatoes will last about a week.

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Chef’s Notes

I usually put these at the end, but I really wanted to make sure you saw this. Before we get to the recipe, let me suggest two pieces of equipment for this: A heavy sheet pan and a fish spatula.

Why? I know I’m not the only person who has thatone sheet pan that always warps in a hot oven making a loud pop and scaring all the neighborhood dogs. I highly recommend a heavier, sturdier (commercial) sheet pan for this because the oven is going to be VERY hot.

Next, the fish spatula. But, it’s for fish, right? Well, it is for everything actually. It is one of the best kitchen tools you’ll ever own and you’ll wonder why you never bought one before. What makes this thing so magical? It’s thin and flexible, which means you can get under those potatoes to turn them without leaving the crispy bottom stuck to the sheet pan.

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Variations and substitutions

  • Make it vegan – Swap out butter for oil or use a non-dairy butter alternative.
  • Use these potatoes as a base for my vegetarian poutine recipe instead of fries.

Serving suggestions

This melting potatoes recipe is perfect for Sunday dinners, holiday dinners or even weeknights. It is honestly one of my favorite ways to have potatoes and I hope it’ll be one of your favorites, too.

You can pair this with everything from a beef tenderloin or a pork loin roast, to roast chicken or burgers.

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Helpful tools and equipment

  • Sheet pan – Heavy duty sheet pans that don’t warp in the oven.
  • Flexible spatula – This is the one I own. It is a bit pricier than the one I linked to above, but it has lasted me over 20 years in professional kitchens.
  • Medium sized mixing bowl

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

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Melting potatoes recipe

Cheryl Bennett

This melting potatoes recipe is one of the easiest, most delicious ways to prepare potatoes. Perfect for your holiday table, but easy enough for weeknight supper.

4.52 from 50 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 305 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold Idaho Potatoes peeled
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil canola, vegetable, grapeseed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped (or 1 1/2 tsp. dried)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon salt I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt, if you use Morton’s salt or table salt, reduce amount to 1 1/2 tsp.
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 6 cloves garlic smashed (or more if you really like garlic!)
  • ¼ cup parsley chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup scallions thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 500°F (475°F for convection).

  • In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, oil, rosemary, dried thyme, salt and pepper.

  • Slice potatoes into 3/4" – 1" (about 2cm) rounds and toss in butter mixture. Lay potatoes on a metal baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 15 – 20 minutes.

  • Flip over, using a flexible (fish) spatula and return to oven for another 15 minutes.

  • Flip over again, then carefully pour broth onto sheet pan and add smashed garlic, making sure to coat the garlic in the butter/stock mixture.

  • Roast for an additional 10 – 15 minutes to get the tops super crispy. Most of the stock should be absorbed. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, if desired, and drizzle with remaining stock from the pan.

Video

Notes

To make the recipe vegan, use non-dairy butter.

*When adding the stock to the pan, carefully pour away from your body, the pan will be very hot and it will sizzle a bit.

Rosemary is a hearty herb and can withstand high heat, so you can use fresh rosemary or dried. Thyme is a delicate herb and will burn under high high, so dried is best.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 1349mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Thanks for stopping by! Have adeliciousday 🙂

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Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send youweekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello!All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe (other than for personal use) without prior written permission.Thank you!

Originally published 9/24/19.

Melting potatoes recipe with garlic and herbs (2024)

FAQs

What herbs go best with potatoes? ›

We suggest parsley, rosemary, and thyme as a classic and simple way to season the potatoes, but really, any herbs or spices are welcome here. Try hot smoked paprika and turmeric for spicy, herbal potatoes or za'atar and cumin for floral, smoky potatoes.

How do you keep garlic from burning when roasting potatoes? ›

How do you keep garlic from burning when roasting potatoes? I find crushing the garlic and tossing it with the oil and mustard helps prevent it from burning. If you find your garlic burns easily when roasting, you can always chop the garlic cloves into larger chunks!

Why boil potatoes with baking soda? ›

Meanwhile, the alkaline water helps the exteriors of the potatoes break down more, creating much more of the starchy slurry that leads to an extra-crisp exterior. About a half teaspoon of baking soda for two quarts of water was the right amount.

How do you speed up cooking potatoes? ›

With a fork, stab each potato in the center once, then flip it over and stab it on the other side. This allows steam to vent as the potato cooks. Microwave the potatoes on high for 5 to 6 minutes for up to 2 potatoes, 10 to 12 minutes for 4 potatoes. Don't microwave more than 4 potatoes simultaneously.

What is the best combination of herbs? ›

Some traditional combinations are:
  • basil – with chives, chilli, garlic, oregano.
  • bay – with parsley, thyme, garlic, oregano, marjoram.
  • chilli – with coriander, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mint, oregano.
  • chives – with basil, garlic, tarragon.
  • dill – with chives, garlic, parsley, tarragon.

Can you keep potatoes and garlic together? ›

Never store potatoes with fruit, onions, or garlic. Fresh fruit can give off ethylene gas, a natural substance that causes the fruit to ripen. The ethylene gas will cause the potato to sprout.

How long does it take for garlic to burn? ›

Unlike other veggies or meats that aren't completely ruined if you just so happen to give them a little extra char than you intended for, garlic cannot withstand even 10 seconds too long over a flame. It turns black almost immediately and acquires an off-putting, bitter taste that can ruin an entire dish.

Why do you put vinegar in potatoes when boiling them? ›

Vinegar helps boiled potatoes hold their shape

The presence of acid in boiling water can retain structure-providing carbs in potatoes, so they don't break down and soften as easily as they would in a pot of boiling water sans vinegar.

Why add vinegar to cooked potatoes? ›

The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying. Additionally, the vinegar can contribute to a golden-brown color on the exterior of the fries.

Why do you add vinegar to water when boiling potatoes? ›

The starch in potatoes is held together by pectin. When that pectin breaks down too quickly in the boiling process, mushy potatoes result. Adding vinegar to the water fixes that problem because, as López-Alt explains, “pectin breaks down much more slowly in acidic environments.”

Should you cover potatoes when cooking in the microwave? ›

Step by Step: Microwaving Potatoes

Cut potato in half lengthwise. Cover with the lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave. Potato is done when fork tender.

Do you cook potatoes on high or low heat? ›

Low and slow—that's the mantra of the Perfect Baked Potato. If you've got the time to spare, cook the potatoes at 300°F for 90 minutes. If you need to speed that up, bump it to 450°F for 45 minutes. (Note: Your baking time will vary depending on the size of your potato and how hot your oven runs.)

What does soaking potatoes before cooking do? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

What is the best season for potatoes? ›

Potatoes grow best during cooler weather. Plant potatoes 2-4 weeks before the last frost in the spring, when the soil temperature is at least 40 degrees F. In warm climates, potatoes are planted from January to March and harvested between March and June.

What can I use instead of thyme for potatoes? ›

Use rosemary in dishes such as roasted meats, potatoes, and bread for a similar aromatic profile. Oregano: Oregano, with its pungent and slightly bitter flavor, can complement savory dishes as a substitute for thyme.

Do you season potatoes before or after? ›

You'll chop the potatoes up, soak them in cold water, drain and dry them, and then coat them with the olive oil, garlic, and seasonings. Once that's done, bake them for 35 minutes while you get the rest of dinner together.

What is not compatible with potatoes? ›

Potato – Bush beans, celery, corn, garlic, marigolds, onions, and peas all do well planted near potatoes. Avoid planting potatoes near asparagus, Brassicas, carrots, cucumber, kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower, and turnips.

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