There’s something undeniably comforting about crispy, buttery potatoes fresh from the oven, especially when they’re kissed with molten Parmesan. This Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to again and again because it’s both simple and irresistibly flavorful — perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve always loved roasting potatoes because the skin crisps up beautifully, and when you add Parmesan into the mix, it elevates this humble side dish to something truly special. This recipe is not just about great taste — it’s also incredibly easy, reliable, and versatile.
- Crispy & Flavorful: The combination of butter, Parmesan, and spices creates an irresistible crust that’s crunchy on the outside and tender inside.
- Quick & Easy: Just a few simple steps and common ingredients deliver a restaurant-quality side dish without the fuss.
- Perfect for Any Meal: These potatoes pair beautifully with everything from grilled chicken to weeknight pasta dinners.
- Customizable Comfort: You can easily swap herbs or add extras — making it your go-to side no matter the season.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe loves simple ingredients that play well together — the butter helps the potatoes crisp, the Parmesan adds nuttiness, and the spices bring just the right savory punch. Make sure to pick fresh baby potatoes with smooth skins for best roasting results.
- Baby Potatoes: Their small size cooks evenly and quickly, plus they have a perfect thin skin for roasting.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps the Parmesan mixture form a golden crust around the potatoes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Offers that sharp, savory flavor and melts into a crispy coating.
- Oregano: A warm, earthy herb that balances the buttery richness.
- Garlic Powder: Gives that subtle garlic flavor without overpowering the potatoes.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the overall savory depth of the dish.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out all the flavors.
- Ranch Dip (optional): Creamy dip that complements the crispy, cheesy potatoes perfectly.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your personal taste. I often add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme when I feel like a fragrant twist, and sometimes I sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Variation: One of my favorite adjustments is adding a dash of chili flakes before roasting for a subtle heat — it’s a game changer during colder months!
- Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a tasty vegan version.
- Herb Swaps: Feel free to switch oregano to Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like parsley for a lighter note.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Score the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 425˚F. While it warms up, take a small sharp knife to each halved baby potato and lightly score the cut side. This might sound extra, but trust me — it helps the buttery Parmesan mixture seep into every nook, making each bite full of flavor and extra crispy.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Mix the Cheese Paste
Place 5 tablespoons of salted butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and pop it in the oven for 5 minutes until melted. Carefully remove the dish, then stir in the Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the melted butter. Spread this cheesy, herby paste evenly on the bottom of the dish—this is your flavor base.
Step 3: Arrange Potatoes and Bake
Place the halved potatoes cut side down into the baking dish, nestled into the Parmesan paste. Brush the remaining melted butter on top of each potato half — this extra step ensures a golden, indulgent crust as they roast. Pop the dish in the oven for about 35 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye towards the end; you want a beautiful crust without burning.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, gently separate the potatoes and serve them warm, ideally with a side of ranch dip to creamy-dip into those crispy edges. This simple accompaniment perfectly balances the rich flavors and makes every bite more indulgent.
Top Tip
I’ve made this Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe countless times and learned little tricks that make a huge difference in texture and flavor. These tips helped me go from “meh” potatoes to a dish family and friends beg for!
- Don’t Skip the Scoring: Taking a few extra seconds to score the potatoes helps the cheese and butter mixture soak in for amazing crispy bits.
- Use a Porcelain or Glass Dish: It heats evenly, which prevents hot spots and burning, keeping your potatoes perfectly cooked.
- Brush Butter On Top: This step ensures a beautiful golden-brown finish and adds richness to every bite.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Give potatoes room in the baking dish so they roast instead of steam—this is key for crispiness.
How to Serve Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving — it adds a fresh color pop and subtle brightness that balances the richness wonderfully. Sometimes a dusting of extra Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice wakes the potatoes up too.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, pan-seared steak, or even alongside a vibrant salad for a lighter meal. I like serving it with roasted veggies or a simple sauté of greens for a complete plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or special occasions, I’ve arranged the potatoes on a large wooden board with sprigs of rosemary and small bowls of ranch dip and other sauces. It turns this humble side into a conversation-starter everyone reaches for first.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I’m ready to eat them, spreading them out on a baking sheet and reheating in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes brings back their crispiness beautifully.
Freezing
While I usually prefer fresh roasted, I have frozen these potatoes by letting them cool completely, then placing in a freezer-safe container. When thawing and reheating, use the oven to keep them crispy — microwaving tends to make them soggy.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers and maintain that crisp exterior, I always opt for the oven or a toaster oven. Just spread them on a baking sheet and pop them in at 350°F until heated through and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you want that crunch intact!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just chop regular Yukon gold or red potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Adjust the roasting time to about 40-45 minutes, checking for tenderness and crispiness.
You can substitute with Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese for a similar sharp, salty flavor. If you want to go dairy-free, try nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste without the dairy.
Salted butter adds both fat and seasoning, which enhances the flavor. If you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch more salt to your spice mixture to compensate.
Swap the butter for a good quality olive oil or vegan butter, and use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan substitute instead of cheese. Season as usual and roast until crispy.
Final Thoughts
This Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen rotation. It’s that perfect balance of fuss-free and undeniably tasty, making it my go-to side whenever I need a comforting hit of carbs with a touch of gourmet flair. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become one of your favorite side dishes too — warm, crispy, cheesy, and just downright delicious.
Print
Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and golden Parmesan Potatoes baked to perfection with a flavorful butter, garlic, and oregano paste, served best with a creamy ranch dip for a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Butter
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes halved
- 6 tablespoons salted butter melted (save 1 tablespoon for brushing on top)
Seasonings
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Serving
- Ranch Dip for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare butter: Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Using a small sharp knife, score the halved baby potatoes by making shallow cuts on the surface to help seasoning penetrate. Place the 6 tablespoons of melted butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set the dish in the oven for 5 minutes until the butter melts completely.
- Make the seasoning paste: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the melted butter. Stir and mix until well combined and they form a paste. Spread this paste evenly over the bottom of the baking dish using a spatula.
- Arrange potatoes and brush butter: Place the halved potatoes cut side down onto the paste in the baking dish. Brush the top sides of the potatoes with the reserved 1 tablespoon of melted butter for extra browning and crispiness.
- Bake potatoes: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes until they are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender inside.
- Serve: Separate the potatoes so they don't stick together and serve warm with ranch dip on the side, if desired, for a delicious accompaniment.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F, spread potatoes on a baking sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed.
- Use baby potatoes or small new potatoes for best texture and crispiness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
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