The Ultimate Guide to Crispy Garlic & Rosemary Roasted Baby Potatoes

Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly flavorful and perfectly crispy roasted baby potatoes! Infused with a generous amount of garlic and aromatic fresh rosemary, these little spuds are a game-changer for any meal. My simple method involves a quick parboil, thorough seasoning, and just 25 minutes of baking, ensuring a fluffy interior and a delightfully crunchy exterior every single time.

These garlicky rosemary roasted baby potatoes aren’t just a side dish; they’re a culinary experience. Whether you’re planning a sophisticated holiday feast or simply need a quick, delicious addition to a weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers. For a truly unforgettable meal, pair them with our garlic butter steak tips – a combination that’s guaranteed to impress!

If your heart beats for the irresistible combination of garlic, fresh rosemary, and tender potatoes, then you’ve landed on the perfect recipe. These roasted baby potatoes are lavishly coated in a fragrant blend of finely minced fresh rosemary, a double dose of garlic (both fresh and granulated!), and premium-quality olive oil. The secret to achieving truly extraordinary roasted potatoes lies in two crucial elements: investing in a good quality olive oil for rich flavor and generously seasoning them with plenty of Kosher salt. Don’t be shy with the salt; it brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes and enhances all the other flavors.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Roasted Baby Potatoes

• Nutrient-Rich & Wholesome: Potatoes are often misunderstood! They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, and are packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese. Enjoying these delicious potatoes means you’re also fueling your body with goodness.
• Versatile Flavor Enhancer: While these potatoes are undeniably delicious straight from the oven – warm, crispy, and aromatic – their versatility allows for endless pairing possibilities. Serve them with a simple dollop of ketchup for a classic touch, or elevate their flavor profile with a tangy remoulade sauce, a creamy aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. They also shine alongside hearty roasts, grilled chicken, or fresh salads.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish for a busy weeknight dinner or an elegant, crowd-pleasing accompaniment for a holiday meal, these roasted baby potatoes fit the bill perfectly. Their preparation is straightforward, yet the results are always impressive, making them a go-to recipe for both casual family dinners and special gatherings.
• Incredible Texture: The parboiling step is a game-changer, guaranteeing a wonderfully fluffy and tender interior. Combined with high-heat roasting, this method creates an irresistibly crispy, golden-brown exterior that makes every bite a textural delight.
• Bursting with Flavor: The generous use of fresh garlic and rosemary, complemented by the richness of olive oil and perfectly balanced seasoning, ensures every potato piece is a burst of savory, aromatic deliciousness.

Key Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Using high-quality ingredients can truly elevate this simple dish from good to extraordinary. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips:

• Potatoes: I specifically recommend using baby potatoes, also commonly known as creamers or petite potatoes. Their small size makes them ideal for roasting whole or halved, providing a perfect bite-sized portion with a great skin-to-flesh ratio for maximum crispiness. Both red and yellow baby potatoes work beautifully for this recipe. Ensure they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking. If you can’t find baby potatoes, you could use larger potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces, but adjust parboiling and baking times accordingly.
• Garlic: To achieve that intensely garlicky flavor, I use a combination of both fresh garlic (finely minced) and granulated garlic powder. Fresh garlic provides a pungent, bright flavor, while garlic powder offers a more mellow, pervasive garlic note that adheres well to the potatoes. If you prefer a less intense garlic flavor, you can choose to use just fresh or just granulated, adjusting the quantity to your taste. For an even more robust garlic punch, consider adding a pinch of onion powder as well!
• Rosemary: This herb is non-negotiable for its distinct piney, fragrant notes that complement potatoes wonderfully. I highly recommend using fresh rosemary sprigs, finely minced. The fresh oils and aroma are far superior to dried rosemary, which can be woody and less potent. If you don’t have rosemary or want to experiment, other fresh herbs like thyme, sage, or even a mix of tarragon and parsley can be used, but fresh rosemary is truly the star here.
• Olive Oil: The quality of your olive oil makes a significant difference. A good quality extra virgin olive oil not only acts as a binding agent for the seasonings but also contributes a rich, fruity depth of flavor to the potatoes and helps them achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust. Avoid using low-quality oils here, as their flavor can detract from the dish.
• Salt: For best results, use Kosher salt. Its coarser texture allows for better adherence to the potatoes and a more controlled seasoning. Salt is crucial for flavor and for drawing out moisture, contributing to crispiness. Don’t be afraid to season generously – bland potatoes are a common pitfall! Table salt can be used, but you’ll need less of it as it’s finer and more concentrated. A touch of freshly cracked black pepper is also highly recommended.
• Baking Soda: This is an optional but highly recommended secret weapon for achieving maximum crispiness! Just half a teaspoon of baking soda added to the boiling water helps to break down the pectin on the potato’s surface, releasing starches into the water. This creates a rougher surface texture that, when roasted, results in an incredibly crispy exterior. It’s a simple trick that yields professional-level results!

How To Make Perfectly Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes

Follow these detailed steps to achieve the most irresistible crispy roasted baby potatoes:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). High heat is essential for achieving a crispy exterior. While the oven heats, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, ensures easy cleanup, and helps the potatoes crisp up evenly without burning.
2. Wash, Slice, and Prep for Boiling: Thoroughly wash your baby potatoes to remove any dirt. For smaller baby potatoes, you can leave them whole, but for creamers or slightly larger ones, slice them in half (or into quarters if they are bigger than 1.5 inches) to ensure even cooking and more surface area for crispiness. Place the cut potatoes into a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by about an inch. Stir in a generous pinch of salt (about 1 teaspoon for every pound of potatoes) and the optional but highly recommended 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
3. The Crucial Parboiling Step: Bring the pot of water and potatoes to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a steady simmer and cook the potatoes for 6-7 minutes. The goal is for them to be “fork-tender” – meaning a fork can easily pierce them, but they still hold their shape and aren’t mushy. Be extremely careful not to overcook them; if they start to fall apart in the water, they’ve gone too far. Overcooked potatoes will result in a mushy texture rather than a fluffy interior.
4. Drain and Dry Thoroughly: Once fork-tender, immediately drain the potatoes in a colander. This step is critical for crispiness: allow the potatoes to steam dry for a few minutes in the colander. Gently shake the colander to rough up their edges slightly – this creates more surface area for crisping! Transfer the drained and slightly dried potatoes to the prepared baking sheet. Ensure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded, as overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than roasting.
5. Season Generously for Maximum Flavor: Drizzle the potatoes evenly with the good quality olive oil. Sprinkle them with the minced fresh garlic, garlic powder, minced fresh rosemary, and a liberal amount of Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything together vigorously directly on the baking sheet to ensure every potato piece is beautifully coated. This vigorous tossing also helps to further rough up the edges, promoting that desirable crispy crust. Taste a small piece (if safe) or the seasoning on your finger and adjust salt or garlic if needed. Remember, proper seasoning is key!
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange the seasoned potatoes on the baking sheet with the cut sides down. This allows the cut surface to get beautifully caramelized and crispy. Bake for an initial 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the potatoes using a spatula to brown the other sides, then continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and incredibly crispy. The exact time may vary slightly depending on your oven and potato size.
7. Cool Slightly and Enjoy: Once perfectly roasted, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the potatoes to cool for just a few minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps them to firm up and achieve their ultimate crispiness. Serve warm and savor every bite!

Do I Have To Parboil The Potatoes? The Secret to Superior Texture

In short, yes, absolutely! If your goal is to achieve roasted potatoes that are incredibly creamy and fluffy on the inside while sporting a perfectly crisp and golden exterior, then parboiling is a non-negotiable step. Many home cooks skip this step, but it’s the professional secret to truly exceptional roasted potatoes. Parboiling gives the potatoes a head start on cooking through, ensuring the inside is tender before the outside has a chance to burn. More importantly, it creates a roughened, starchy surface that, once coated in oil and roasted at high heat, transforms into that coveted shatteringly crisp crust. Skipping this step often results in potatoes that are either undercooked and hard in the center or overcooked and burnt on the outside, lacking that delightful contrast in texture.

Top Tips for the Best Roasted Baby Potatoes

Elevate your roasted potato game with these expert tips and tricks:

• Flavor Boost with Finishing Oils: The moment these potatoes come out of the oven, they are screaming for an extra touch of flavor. I personally adore drizzling them with a good quality truffle oil – it adds an earthy, luxurious aroma that is simply divine. Of course, this is optional, but highly recommended for truffle lovers! If truffle oil isn’t your preference, consider finishing them with a drizzle of roasted garlic-infused olive oil or a bright, zesty lemon olive oil. The heat of the potatoes will release the aromas beautifully.
• Parmesan Perfection: For an extra layer of savory deliciousness, try adding about 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the potatoes immediately after they come out of the oven. The residual heat will slightly melt the cheese, creating a fantastic salty, umami coating. Toss gently to combine.
• Serve Them Warm: For the absolute best texture and flavor, enjoy these roasted baby potatoes warm. As they cool, the crispiness will naturally diminish, though they will still be delicious.
• Season, Season, Season! I cannot emphasize this enough: be generous with your seasoning, especially salt! Potatoes are notoriously bland if not seasoned adequately. A good amount of Kosher salt enhances all the other flavors – the garlic, the rosemary, and the natural sweetness of the potatoes themselves. Don’t be shy; taste and adjust as needed.
• Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference: While dried herbs and powdered garlic have their place, using fresh garlic and fresh rosemary in this recipe truly makes a world of difference. The vibrant aromas and potent flavors of fresh ingredients elevate this simple side dish to something truly special.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For maximum crispiness, it’s essential to spread the potatoes in a single layer on your baking sheet. If they are piled on top of each other, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy potatoes rather than crispy ones. If you have a large batch, use two baking sheets.
• Rough Them Up: After draining the parboiled potatoes, give them a good, gentle shake in the colander. This step helps to “rough up” their exterior, creating more tiny crevices and surface area that will become wonderfully crispy in the oven.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers of these delectable roasted baby potatoes, they can be easily stored and enjoyed later. Place any cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, spread them on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soggy. If you wish to freeze them, allow the potatoes to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.

More Delicious Potato Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you’re a potato lover like me, explore these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Indulge in the silkiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes you’ll ever make, perfect for any occasion.
• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes – A rich, creamy, and undeniably cheesy classic that makes the ultimate comforting side dish, especially for holidays.
• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes – Quick, healthy, and incredibly easy to make in under 15 minutes, these sweet potatoes are a versatile treat.
• Twice Baked Potatoes – Fluffy baked potatoes generously stuffed with a savory, cheesy mixture and then topped with even more melted cheese – pure potato heaven!

Have you tried these irresistible garlic and rosemary roasted baby potatoes? Please take a moment to leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a thoughtful review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback is truly appreciated! And don’t forget to connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration!