Easy Roasted Potatoes

Learn how to make the easiest Roasted Potatoes with just 3 ingredients and 25 minutes! Trust me, these potatoes never disappoint and couldn't be easier to prepare. Serve them with rotisserie chicken and roasted vegetables for a quick and easy dinner. 

The first time I started seeing recipes for roasted potatoes with mustard, I have to be honest, I wasn't really sure how I felt. Sure I loved oven-roasted potatoes and I definitely love mustard, but I couldn't really wrap my head around putting them together.

But then one night staring at a bag of baby potatoes that only had a couple of days left and smelling the chicken that was roasting in the oven, I decided to take the plunge. And let me tell you, I am so glad I did.

Not only do these potatoes cook in just 25 minutes, but they also have so much flavor. It's such a genius combination with the savory mustard and creamy, earthy potatoes. It just works. Plus since the mustard does most of the work, there is no need to chop a bunch of herbs, mince garlic, or measure out lots of spices. They are so easy and so good and always crisp. 

The Secret to Super Crispy Potatoes

• Cut side down: The key to getting potatoes nice and crispy with a fluffy interior is to place the cut side down on the baking sheet. This allows the potato to get really crispy.
• Preheat the baking sheet: Place your baking sheet in the oven as it preheats. This helps to form that crispy edge as soon as the potatoes hit the pan. Just be careful placing the potatoes on the pan since it is hot. 
• Single layer: Do not overcrowd the baking sheet. The potatoes need to be in a single layer and have some space. When they are crowded, they will steam instead of roast and you won't get that delicious crispy texture. 
• Don't flip too early: If you find the potatoes are tricky to flip after just 10 minutes, just leave them. Forcing them to flip over can cause the crispy outside of the potato to stick to the pan and no one wants to lose the crispy edges. 

Every time I serve these, we are fighting for the last potatoes. This side dish is easily in my family's top ten dishes. I guess this shouldn't be surprising since we all love mustard and crispy potatoes, but I just never predicted they would be so good. 

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here is everything you need to make these tasty roasted potatoes.

• Potatoes: This recipe will work with most types of potatoes. Baby potatoes are my go-to but you could also use Yukon gold potatoes, russet potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or red potatoes.
• Mustard: The best options are Dijon mustard or whole-grain mustard. Choose something you enjoy eating. Our go-to is Maile whole-grain mustard. I do not recommend making these with yellow mustard.
• Olive oil: Make sure to toss the potatoes with olive oil until they are well coated. Another neutral oil like avocado or vegetable oil will also work, but extra virgin olive oil adds the best flavor.
• Salt and pepper: If your potatoes taste bland at all, they probably need more salt. Kosher salt or sea salt will give the best flavor and fresh black pepper.
• Optional additions: Add some garlic powder, onion powder, sweet or smoked paprika, or a touch of cumin if you like. Just remember the mustard has a lot of flavor already so you don't need much. 

How to Make Easy Roasted Potatoes

These potatoes couldn't be easier to make!

1. Prep and Season Potatoes

Start by washing the potatoes and making sure they are very dry. Cut the potatoes into small chunks. Add them to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add any additional seasoning you like.

2. Roast until Fork Tender

Make sure to preheat the oven and for the best results, also place the baking sheet in the oven so it is nice and hot. This helps to almost "sear" the potatoes immediately and create that delicious crunchy texture. You should hear them sizzle when they hit the pan.

Once the oven and pan are nice and hot, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Quickly add the potatoes, cut side down, in a single layer on the pan. Return the pan to the oven.

Roast for about 15 minutes and then flip the potatoes. If they are sticking at all, wait a little longer until they release easily from the pan. Then continue roasting until the potatoes are golden brown and fork tender.

Tip: If your potatoes always seem to stick to your pan, then use parchment paper when roasting. They will still get nice and crispy and you don't have to worry about them sticking.

Main Dishes to Serve with Roasted Potatoes

In my opinion, roasted potatoes go with pretty much any main dish and I will always happily enjoy them no matter what the entree.

Here are some of my favorite things to pair with crispy potatoes.

• Roasted chicken: These potatoes are super flavorful, many times I will pair them with something simple like a roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken. Make a quick salad or throw some broccoli in the oven with the potatoes and dinner is ready.
• Fish or seafood: Fish is another great option for roasted potatoes, especially since it is low in calories and light. Salmon, white fish, or this Lemon Pepper Mahi Mahi would all work great.
• Vegetarian: For a vegetarian option, serve roasted potatoes alongside some crispy tofu and roasted veggies for a hearty meatless meal.
• Burgers: Instead of french fries, we always serve these crispy potatoes when we have burgers, especially these Healthy Ranch Burgers.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

There are so many ways to customize these potatoes to match any main dish. 

• Add herbs: Want to kick things up a notch? Although these potatoes don't need anything extra, if you just can't help yourself, you can try adding fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh oregano, or parsley.
• Mustard: Since mustard is the workhorse in this recipe when it comes to flavor, make sure to choose really delicious mustard. I have made these with both Dijon mustard and whole-grain mustard and we love both. The whole grain mustard has mustard seeds in it which will get nice and crispy in the oven and add a nice crunch to the potatoes. We haven't tried honey mustard yet, but that's next on the list.
• Add cheese: No one would be angry if you finished these potatoes with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkling of sharp cheddar. 
• Cut the potatoes small: If you don't have baby potatoes, you can slice regular potatoes into thin wedges, cubes, or chunks. You just want to make them small enough that they will cook up in 25 minutes. I imagine this would work really well with sweet potatoes as well but haven't had a chance to try it.
• Don't flip too soon: It's really important to put the cut side down when placing the potatoes on the baking sheet if you want to get them as crispy as possible. This will result in the most crispy edges. On the same note, don't flip the potatoes if they seem to still be sticking to the baking sheet. Forcing them off the baking sheet before they are ready will cause the delicious crispy outside to stick to the baking sheet.
• Add more veggies: Don't be afraid to add some extra veggies to the mix, just make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Carrots, cauliflower, onions, or butternut squash would be delicious. 

What potatoes are best for roasting?

There are tons of different potatoes out there and it can be tough to know what is the best for which cooking technique. My favorite potato for roasting is definitely a Yukon Gold. It gets super crispy on the outside, has thin mild skin, and maintains a creamy exterior.

I also like roasting red potatoes. They get the crispiest in my opinion but the inside can get a little mushy if cooked too long. Russett potatoes, baby potatoes, and fingerling potatoes are also good options for roasting.

How do you keep roasted potatoes from sticking to the pan?

Assuming you have tossed the potatoes in a little bit of olive oil or sprayed them with cooking spray, your potatoes are most likely sticking because they are not yet ready to be flipped.

Potatoes stick to the pan until they get crispy and the skin releases from the baking sheet. If the potatoes are stuck to the pan, just wait! Most likely if you just wait a few more minutes, they will easily flip.

This is one of the most common mistakes when roasting potatoes. People don't wait long enough and force the potatoes off the baking sheet, leaving the crispy skin behind.

You can also add a sheet of parchment paper to the baking sheet to 100% guarantee the potatoes won't stick.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Potatoes are not crispy enough after roasting.

Solution: Ensure your potatoes are thoroughly dried before roasting to remove excess moisture. Preheat the baking sheet so it is nice and hot when you add the potatoes. Additionally, toss them in a bit more oil or use higher heat in the oven for the final minutes to achieve that desired crispiness.

Problem: Potatoes are unevenly cooked, with some being too crispy and others undercooked.

Solution: Cut the potatoes into uniform sizes for even cooking. If some are browning too quickly, cover those with aluminum foil while allowing the others to continue crisping.

Problem: The seasoning doesn't stick well to the potatoes, resulting in uneven flavor.

Solution: Toss the potatoes in the seasoning mixture before roasting, ensuring each piece is coated evenly. Alternatively, sprinkle additional seasoning immediately after roasting while the potatoes are still hot.

Problem: Potatoes are taking too long to crisp up, delaying the entire meal.

Solution: Cut the potatoes into smaller pieces for quicker cooking. You can also parboil the potatoes briefly before roasting to speed up the crisping process. Increase the oven temperature for a final burst of heat to achieve the desired crispiness in less time.