Description
This easy roast potatoes recipe delivers crispy, golden baby potatoes infused with garlic and fragrant thyme. Perfect as a side dish for any meal, these roasted potatoes are simple to prepare, requiring only a handful of ingredients and an hour in the oven to achieve delicious results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1 kg / 2 lb baby potatoes (or other small potatoes), halved
Seasonings & Herbs
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves with skin on, smashed
- 5 thyme sprigs (or 3 rosemary sprigs for dried herbs)
- Finely chopped parsley or fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C / 400°F (180°C fan) to ensure it’s hot enough for roasting.
- Smashed garlic preparation: Place the side of a knife on an unpeeled garlic clove and firmly press down with the palm of your hand until the garlic bursts open slightly but remains mostly intact. This helps release flavor without losing the garlic.
- Toss potatoes with seasonings: Arrange the halved baby potatoes on a baking tray, pushing them close together. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with salt and black pepper. Toss the potatoes to coat them well with oil and seasonings, then mix in the thyme sprigs and smashed garlic cloves. Spread the potatoes out evenly on the tray to allow for proper roasting.
- Roast the potatoes: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes. Remove the tray and toss the potatoes to promote even cooking. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 25 to 35 minutes, or until the potatoes achieve a crisp, golden-brown exterior and are cooked through.
- Serve: Once roasted, sprinkle with finely chopped parsley or fresh thyme if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: Use baby potatoes or any small potatoes for even roasting and crispiness.
- Note 2: Smashed garlic adds flavor without burning quickly during roasting.
- Note 3: Fresh thyme is preferred but rosemary can be used as an alternative.
- Note 4: If potatoes stick to the tray, use a spatula to carefully loosen them. For extra golden and crisp potatoes, ensure they are not overcrowded and the oven is fully preheated before roasting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: easy roast potatoes, crispy roast potatoes, garlic roasted potatoes, thyme potatoes, simple side dish
