There’s something almost magical about how potatoes can go from simple to sublime when roasted just right. This Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe is that magic moment—crispy edges, buttery softness inside, and a garlicky, herby sauce that literally melts in your mouth. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this showstopper side dish your new favorite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made these melting potatoes—they were the star of the dinner table, turning a simple weeknight meal into something cozy and special. The combination of butter, garlic, and fresh herbs makes these potatoes irresistible, and the roasting method gives them that perfect tender-yet-crispy texture you’ve been dreaming of.
- Buttery richness: The generous use of melted unsalted butter ensures each potato slice is tender and packed with flavor.
- Simple ingredients: It’s easy to find everything you need, and the flavors blend beautifully without a complicated ingredient list.
- Perfect texture: Crispy browned edges balanced by soft, “melting” centers—that contrast is what makes this recipe stand out.
- Versatility: These potatoes are a perfect side for everything from grilled chicken to holiday feasts and even casual dinners.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe plays an important role in creating that signature flavor and texture. I like to stick with quality fresh herbs and butter, and Yukon Gold potatoes are my go-to because they roast up beautifully without falling apart.
- Yukon Gold potatoes: Their natural buttery flavor and creamy texture make these perfect for melting inside while crisping outside.
- Unsalted butter: I always use unsalted to control the saltiness better, plus butter adds incredible richness and encourages browning.
- Fresh thyme: Its subtle earthiness complements the mild potato flavor without overpowering it.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth without excess salt; you could also use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses a gentle pungency that is key to that mouthwatering aroma.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: A hint of heat to balance the richness, but feel free to skip if you prefer milder flavors.
- Herbs de Provence: This brings a lovely floral and savory note that rounds out the herb flavors perfectly.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary and sage: For garnish and extra flavor, they connect beautifully with the main herbs and butter.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe is how forgiving and adaptable it is. I often play around with fresh herbs depending on what’s in season or in my garden, and sometimes I swap chicken broth for mushroom broth to add an earthier touch.
- Variation: For a dairy-free version, use olive oil instead of butter and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The potatoes still turn out beautifully tender and flavorful.
- Spicy twist: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or cayenne powder along with the red pepper flakes for a smoky depth that I adore.
- Garlic lovers: Increase the garlic to 4 cloves if you want your potatoes extra fragrant—you'll smell it before you even taste it.
- Cheesy upgrade: Towards the end of roasting, sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top for a crispy, umami boost that's irresistible.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat Like a Pro
Start by adjusting your oven rack to the middle position and preheating to a blistering hot 500°F. High heat is crucial here to get that golden crust. Spray a 12x8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray so the potatoes don’t stick, making flipping easier later on.
Step 2: Cut Potatoes Into Uniform Disks
I like to square off the pointed ends of the potatoes for even slices, then cut them into 1-inch-thick disks. Keeping them close in size helps them cook evenly — no one wants some pieces mushy and others crunchy. Patience here pays off in texture.
Step 3: Toss and Arrange
In a large bowl, toss your potato slices with melted butter, fresh thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. This bath ensures each disk is coated for flavor and browning. Then, place them in a single layer in your prepared pan with at least a half-inch gap between each potato — this space helps the heat crisp the edges evenly.
Step 4: Roast and Flip for Even Browning
Roast for 20 minutes until the bottoms start to brown. When you take them out, use a flat metal spatula to carefully flip each potato. It’s important to gently loosen them first so they don’t tear. This step helps get that perfect crust all over, and I promise it’s worth the little extra time.
Step 5: Add Flavorful Broth and Garlic
Whisk together low-sodium chicken broth, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and Herbs de Provence in a bowl. After flipping the potatoes again halfway through cooking, pour this mixture over them and continue roasting for 15 more minutes. The liquid steams the potatoes gently and infuses them with that irresistible garlic-herb flavor.
Step 6: Finish Roasting and Serve
Let the potatoes cook until tender and the sauce has slightly reduced—about 15 minutes more. Then, take the pan out and let everything rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon a little of the buttery sauce over the potatoes when plating to make each bite pure joy.
Top Tip
Through many batches of these potatoes, I’ve learned a few key tips that make the difference between a good side dish and a truly unforgettable one. Hopefully, these will help you nail this recipe the first time.
- Consistent Slices: Take your time cutting your potatoes so the disks are uniform—this ensures even cooking and perfect texture every time.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Leaving space between the potatoes is essential for crisp edges; overcrowding leads to steaming, not roasting.
- Use a Flat Metal Spatula: This tool makes flipping easier and helps keep the disks intact without mushing them.
- High Heat Makes the Difference: Roasting at 500°F is key for that golden exterior—lower temps won’t give you the same melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Serve Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I love to finish these potatoes with a sprinkle of freshly chopped rosemary and sage from my garden. The herbs brighten up the richness, and the green flecks make the dish look as good as it tastes. A little sea salt sprinkled right before serving adds a perfect crunch.
Side Dishes
These melting potatoes pair wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a simple green salad for a lighter meal. On holidays, I serve them alongside glazed ham and roasted vegetables for a comforting crowd-pleaser.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these potatoes in neat concentric circles on a platter and topped them with a drizzle of the brothy sauce and fresh herbs. It’s simple but elegant, and guests always ask for the recipe when they see the presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They keep their flavor wonderfully but do lose a bit of crispness, which is easy to bring back on reheating.
Freezing
I’ve tried freezing these, but because of their buttery nature, the texture doesn’t hold up quite as well after thawing. I recommend enjoying fresh or refrigerated leftovers for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the potatoes on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 10–15 minutes. This refreshes their crispy edges beautifully and warms them through without drying out the buttery sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While Yukon Gold potatoes work best for their buttery texture and roasting qualities, you can use red potatoes or fingerlings. Just keep them cut similarly sized and monitor cooking times as they may vary slightly.
High oven heat and spacing the potatoes with gaps in between helps crisp up the edges. Tossing the potatoes in melted butter also keeps them moist, and flipping them ensures even browning without drying out any side.
Absolutely! Substitute the unsalted butter with a good quality olive oil or vegan butter, and swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth. The potatoes will still come out tender and flavorful.
To keep them crispy while reheating, I recommend using the oven at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make potatoes soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it’s the kind of dish that turns every meal into something memorable. It’s pure comfort with just a little bit of elegance. Give it a try, and soon you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe whenever you want to add a golden, buttery touch to your dinner table. Trust me—you’ll be hooked like I was.
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Oven Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Melting Potatoes are a rich and flavorful side dish featuring tender Yukon Gold potatoes roasted with butter, fresh herbs, garlic, and chicken broth. Perfectly crispy on the outside and melting soft on the inside, they complement any main course and are an irresistible addition to your meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled)
- 1½ cups unsalted butter (melted, 3 sticks)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon herbs de provence
- Fresh herbs such as rosemary and sage (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 500°F. Spray a 12x8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Prepare Potatoes: Square off the pointed ends of the peeled Yukon Gold potatoes and cut into 1-inch-thick disks, ensuring they are similar in size for even cooking.
- Toss Potatoes: Place the potato disks in a large bowl and toss with melted butter, minced fresh thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange in Pan: Lay the potatoes in a single layer in the prepared baking pan, making sure to leave at least ½ inch of space between each disk for proper roasting.
- First Roast: Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the bottoms start to brown around the edges.
- Flip Potatoes: Remove the pan from the oven and carefully flip the potatoes using a flat metal spatula without pulling them up. Loosen them gently from the bottom.
- Second Roast: Return the potatoes to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes to develop more browning.
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, herbs de provence, and any additional fresh herbs like rosemary and sage.
- Final Roast with Broth: Remove the pan from the oven, flip the potatoes again, and pour the broth and garlic mixture evenly over the potatoes. Return to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes until potatoes are tender and the sauce has reduced slightly.
- Rest and Serve: Take the pan out of the oven and let the potatoes cool for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon some of the flavorful sauce over the potatoes to serve.
Notes
- Use Yukon Gold potatoes for their creamy texture and ability to hold shape during roasting.
- Ensure potatoes are cut evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and browning.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary and sage add an aromatic depth—feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Do not overcrowd the pan so potatoes roast evenly rather than steam.
- Use a flat metal spatula to flip potatoes gently to avoid breaking them.
- Letting the potatoes rest after cooking enhances their flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 887 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 70 g
- Saturated Fat: 44 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 183 mg
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