Roasted Baby Potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes are an easy oven side dish with deeply golden, crispy cut sides and soft, fluffy centers. I use baby Yukon potatoes, roast them cut-side down at 400°F without flipping, then add butter near the end so the buttery flavor stays noticeable instead of cooking away.
I use a generous amount of oil here on purpose. As the potatoes roast against the sheet pan, the cut sides almost fry in the oil, which is what gives them that rich golden color and crisp texture. They take about 40 minutes from start to finish and work especially well alongside steak, chicken, or pork.
Ingredient Tips
How To Roast Baby Potatoes in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a sheet pan using some of the oil from the recipe.
- Prepare the potatoes. Slice the baby Yukon potatoes in half, then toss them with the remaining oil, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Arrange cut-side down. Place the potatoes on the sheet pan with the cut sides pressed directly against the pan. Leave them this way for the entire roast—there’s no need to flip them.
- Roast for 30 minutes. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed so the cut sides can develop that deep golden color and crisp texture.
- Finish with butter. Pour the melted butter over the potatoes and swirl the pan or spoon the butter over them while keeping the potatoes cut-side down. Return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes. They’re ready when the edges are crisp, the cut sides are deeply browned, and the centers are soft and fluffy.
How Long To Roast Baby Potatoes
At 400°F, these halved baby Yukon potatoes take about 40 minutes total.
I roast them cut-side down for the first 30 minutes without flipping, then add the melted butter and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes. The potatoes are ready when the cut sides are deeply golden, the edges are crisp, and the centers are soft and fluffy.
Tips for the Best Roasted Baby Potatoes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need to flip baby potatoes while roasting?
No. I keep these potatoes cut-side down for the entire roast because leaving that surface against the hot, oiled sheet pan is what gives them the deep golden color and crispy edges I’m looking for.
Can I use red baby potatoes instead of Yukon potatoes?
Yes. I’ve made this recipe with red baby potatoes as well. They hold a similar soft texture inside, but in my experience they don’t get quite as crisp as baby Yukon potatoes.
Why add the butter at the end?
I’ve tried adding butter at the beginning, but at 400°F much of that butter flavor cooks away. Adding it during the final 10 minutes lets the potatoes pick up the buttery flavor without exposing it to high heat for the entire roasting time.
How do I know when roasted baby potatoes are done?
Look for deeply golden cut sides, crisp edges, and a soft, fluffy center. I use those visual and texture cues along with the roughly 40-minute cooking time.
What To Serve With Roasted Baby Potatoes
These roasted baby potatoes work especially well with meats cooked at higher heat, which is why I think of them almost like steakhouse potatoes. The crisp, buttery potatoes are a natural side for steak, chicken, or pork.
They pair especially well with dishes like Parmesan Crusted Steak, Brown Sugar Pork Chops, baked chicken, or grilled chicken. Add a green vegetable or salad and you have an easy full dinner.
More Potato Recipes
- Smothered Potatoes – Tender Southern-style potatoes cooked down with onions until soft and flavorful.
- Ranch Potatoes – Seasoned potatoes with plenty of ranch flavor for an easy side dish.
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes – Crispy diced potatoes cooked quickly in the air fryer.
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy – Creamy mashed potatoes served with savory homemade gravy.
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Equipment
- Large sheet pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound Yukon potatoes baby Yukon potatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup oil use part of the oil for the pan
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Next, slice the baby potatoes down the center. Then toss in oil and add in the seasonings and herbs.
- Oil the sheet pan lightly as well. Then, place the prepped potatoes in the sheet pan cut-side down.
- Bake in the preheat oven for 30 minutes. Next, add in melted butter and swirl around the pan making sure the butter hits each potato then place back into the oven for 10 final minutes.
- Remove the potatoes and transfer to a plate. Allow them to cool then serve and enjoy.