The Secret To Making The Best Roast Potatoes (British Roast Potatoes)

Discover the secret to British Roast Potatoes, also known as British Roasties. With just a few key steps, you can achieve perfectly crispy and fluffy roast potatoes every time.

British Roasties Ingredients

I fell in love with British Roasties while traveling to the United Kingdom. They are a beautiful golden brown color on the outside, a crispy crust on the outside, yet they are fluffy on the inside. This side dish can accompany pretty much any main course and the ingredients are super simple.

• Bacon grease, beef drippings, or olive oil
• Potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (preferably a floury variety)
• Salt

When I was visiting the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, they had the cutest Irish cook books in the gift shop. Of course, one or two went home with me, and this recipe is the first one I mastered. The cook book is called The Irish Granny’s Pocket Farmhouse Potato Recipes.

Tips and Tricks for the Best British Roast Potatoes

Two Step Cooking Process

By cooking in two separate steps, it ensures the potatoes are both fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. First, the potatoes are cooked in salted, boiling water. Secondly, they get roasted in the oven.

Roughen the Edges

After boiling, drain the potatoes well. Then, return them to the saucepan, cover with a lid, and shake well. This smashes the surface which helps creates texture, helping to ensure a crispy exterior.

Floury Potato Variety

Floury potato varieties have a lower moisture content and a higher starch content. Using a floury potato such as Russet potato lends to a fluffy texture after baking or roasting.

Salt Generously

Using an adequate amount of salt to taste right as the roastie potatoes come out of the oven takes them from ok to down right tasty. I prefer sea salt or celtic salt.

Using the right fat

You’ve got options when determining which fat to use to fry up these roasted potatoes. I personally like to use leftover bacon grease. I cook my bacon in the oven on a slated broiler pan. The grease drips into the pan beneath; then I use this same pan of grease to make these perfectly roasted British potatoes.

Floury Potato Variety

Floury potato varieties have a lower moisture content and a higher starch content. Using a floury potato such as Russet potato lends to a fluffy texture after baking or roasting.

Salt Generously

Using an adequate amount of salt to taste right as the British roastie potatoes come out of the oven takes them from ok to down right tasty. I prefer sea salt or Celtic salt.

Using the right fat

You’ve got options when determining which fat to use to fry up these roasted potatoes. I personally like to use leftover bacon grease. I cook my bacon in the oven on a slated broiler pan. The grease drips into the pan beneath; then I use this same pan of grease to make these perfectly roasted British potatoes.

How to Make British Roast Potatoes?

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Add the fat (bacon drippings, beef drippings or olive oil) to a roasting pan or baking sheet pan. Place the pan in the oven while it preheats or until the fat melts.
3. Cook the peeled potatoes in a large saucepan of lightly salted water for 6-7 minutes. Do not overcook; you want the potatoes to still be firm in texture.
4. Drain the potatoes using a colander. Return the potatoes back to the saucepan, cover with a lid, and shake the potatoes firmly to roughen the surface of the potatoes.
5. Carefully, remove the pan of hot oil from the oven. Slide the potatoes into the hot fat, basting them on all sides.
6. Return to the preheated oven, and cook for 35-50 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking when they are browned and crisp on the outside.
7. Remove from the oven when both sides are golden brown. Sprinkle immediately with salt. Serve hot.

Storage Instructions

Let the leftovers cool completely. Transfer the British Roasties to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for british roast potatoes recipe, scroll the the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• Use a floury potato variety if possible. Russets are considered a floury potato.
• Peel the potatoes before boiling.
• Don’t boil the potatoes until soft or even fork tender; the texture should still be firm.
• Toss the potatoes in the pan by giving the pan and lid a good shake.
• Be extremely careful when removing the hot pan of oil from the oven. You don’t want to get burned.
• Salt generously before serving.

Recipe Variations for British Roasted Potatoes

• Use bacon drippings, beef fat, goose fat, duck fat or olive oil. If you don’t have these, vegetable oil or sunflower oil will work too.
• Try alternative fats such as avocado oil or coconut oil, if desired.
• Season with fresh cracked black pepper.
• Sprinkle with onion powder or garlic powder before roasting.
• Garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary or parsley.
• Dip in a variety of sauces including ketchup, English mustard, English mayo or brown sauce. Or, serve with gravy.

Should you boil potatoes first before roasting?

It’s not 100% necessary but it will ensure both a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior.

How to get super crispy roast potatoes?

After boiling the potatoes, drain well, and then shake them up in the pan. This creates a sandpaper texture on the outside that will crispy up nicely in the oven.

Kitchen Tools Needed for this Recipe

• Vegetable Peeler
• Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
• Large Pot with a lid
• Colander
• Sheet Pan
• Tongs

Our Favorite Potato Recipes

Potatoes are always are go-to side dish and we have so many recipes featuring potatoes here on our site. While we love British roast potatoes, thes Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are delicious too.

Breakfast Potatoes with Peppers and Onions

Crispy Fried Potatoes

Funeral Potatoes

Campfire Potatoes