Why These Oven Roasted Baby Dutch Potatoes are a Game Changer

Hosting a dinner party often comes with the challenge of selecting side dishes that are both unique and universally appealing. Traditional options like plain fried or boiled potatoes, while comforting, often lack that special something. That’s where these oven roasted baby Dutch potatoes truly shine. They offer a delightful departure from the ordinary, presenting a dish that is at once simple, pure, and incredibly delicious.

The secret lies in the preparation method, which results in a glorious contrast of textures: a beautifully crispy roasted potato exterior that gives way to a wonderfully creamy and soft interior. The addition of roasted shallots introduces a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, making these garlic thyme potatoes an extraordinary accompaniment to virtually any main course. They’re far more sophisticated than your average potato side and incredibly versatile.

These roasted baby potatoes can complement a wide array of entrées. Imagine them alongside classics like coq au vin, a hearty Dutch steak a la Loetje, or even delicate salmon with herb butter and red wine. But their versatility doesn’t stop there; they’re perfect with roast chicken, grilled vegetables, lamb chops, or even as a standalone vegetarian dish with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives. You’ll find countless ways to enjoy this perfect roast potatoes recipe.

Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Garlic and Thyme Roasted Baby Dutch Potatoes

To craft these exquisite oven-roasted baby Dutch potatoes, you’ll need a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the signature taste and texture of this easy potato side dish. You’ll find the precise measurements in the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page, but let’s delve into what makes each ingredient essential:

• Baby Dutch Potatoes (or similar small new potatoes) : These are the stars of our dish. Small in size, typically no more than 1 inch in diameter, their delicate skin and creamy flesh make them ideal for roasting. They cook quickly and develop a fantastic crispy exterior while remaining wonderfully soft inside. While available year-round, they are at their peak freshness and flavor during May, June, and July. Look for firm, unblemished potatoes for the best results.
• Good Quality Olive Oil: Essential for both coating and flavoring the potatoes, extra virgin olive oil is recommended. It not only helps achieve that coveted crispy outer layer but also imparts a rich, fruity flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Don’t skimp on quality here, as it makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
• Fresh Garlic: Unlike many recipes that call for crushed garlic, this dish uses thinly sliced garlic. As the potatoes roast, the garlic slices toast slightly, mellowing in flavor and becoming wonderfully aromatic. This method allows the garlic to infuse a delicate yet distinct taste into every potato without overpowering the dish, contributing to that irresistible garlic thyme potatoes flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Fresh herbs are key to this recipe’s vibrant flavor profile. Fresh thyme sprigs lend an earthy, slightly lemon-peppery note that is simply divine when roasted. If fresh thyme isn’t available, you can substitute with dried thyme (use about one-third of the amount). Alternatively, fresh rosemary makes an excellent alternative, offering a slightly different but equally delicious aromatic touch.
• Shallots: Often overlooked, shallots are a crucial ingredient that adds a layer of sophisticated flavor. Compared to regular onions, shallots are milder, sweeter, and more delicate, making them perfect for roasting alongside the potatoes. As they caramelize in the oven, they contribute a wonderful sweetness and depth, enhancing the overall savory profile of the dish.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Simple yet indispensable. Proper seasoning brings out all the flavors of the ingredients. Adjust to your taste preferences.

Achieving Perfection: How to Prepare Baked Baby Potatoes with Garlic and Thyme

Crafting these crispy roasted potatoes is remarkably straightforward, but a few key steps ensure an impeccable result every time. The goal is a golden-brown, crispy exterior and a fluffy, soft interior. For a complete, printable recipe with a detailed step-by-step guide, please refer to the recipe card at the very bottom of this blog post.

1. Preheat the Oven and Baking Dish: This crucial first step often gets skipped but makes a huge difference for achieving crispy potatoes. Preheat your oven to 390 °F (200 °C) for a conventional oven or 360 °F (180 °C) for a convection oven. Place your empty baking dish inside the oven as it preheats. A hot baking dish helps the potatoes start crisping immediately upon contact, preventing them from steaming.
2. Prepare the Potatoes: Thoroughly brush the baby potatoes clean under cold running water. There’s no need to peel them; the skin adds texture and nutrients. Once cleaned, place them in a pot of boiling water and cook for precisely 10 minutes. This par-boiling step is essential: it softens the interior of the potatoes, ensuring they become wonderfully creamy inside without turning mushy, while the outer layer remains receptive to crisping in the oven.
3. Drain and Dry Thoroughly: After 10 minutes, drain the potatoes very well. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness! You can even let them sit in the colander for a minute or two to allow more steam to escape.
4. Combine and Season: Carefully transfer the drained, par-cooked potatoes to the preheated, hot baking dish. This contact with the hot surface already begins the drying and crisping process. Evenly distribute the thinly sliced garlic, quartered shallots, and fresh thyme sprigs among the potatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Coat with Olive Oil: Pour the olive oil over the potatoes and all the aromatics. Using your hands or a sturdy spatula, mix everything thoroughly, ensuring every potato, garlic slice, and shallot piece is well coated. This oil layer is vital for achieving that beautiful golden-brown and crispy finish.
6. Roast to Perfection: Return the baking dish to the preheated oven. Roast the shallot roasted potatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until they are gloriously golden-brown, deeply crispy on the outside, and fork-tender on the inside. For even crisping, you can give them a gentle stir halfway through the cooking time.

Tips for Extra Crispy Potatoes:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the potatoes space! If they are too close together, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in soft rather than crispy potatoes. Use two baking dishes if necessary.
• Flip Halfway: Gently tossing or flipping the potatoes halfway through cooking ensures all sides get exposed to the direct heat, leading to even browning and crispiness.
• High Heat is Key: Roasting at a higher temperature ensures the outside crisps up quickly while the inside cooks through.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Roast potatoes with thyme, shallots and garlic

Andréa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Baby Dutch Potatoes?

Baby Dutch potatoes are small, typically yellow-skinned potatoes, usually no more than 1 inch in size. They are prized for their creamy texture and thin, delicate skin, which makes them perfect for roasting as they crisp up beautifully without needing to be peeled. They are a type of new potato and are available year-round, with peak season in late spring and early summer.

Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

Yes, while baby Dutch potatoes are highly recommended for their ideal texture and size, you can certainly use other small, waxy potato varieties like new potatoes, fingerlings, or even quartered larger red or gold potatoes. Just ensure they are cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and adjust cooking times accordingly.

Is fresh thyme essential, or can I use dried?

Fresh thyme provides the best aromatic flavor for this dish, but dried thyme can be used as a substitute. If using dried, use about one-third of the amount of fresh thyme, as its flavor is more concentrated. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves, use about ½ teaspoon of dried thyme. Fresh rosemary is also a fantastic alternative.

How do I ensure my potatoes get really crispy?

Several factors contribute to crispy potatoes:

1. Par-boiling: Cooking them in boiling water first helps break down the starches slightly, leading to a fluffier interior and a more receptive surface for crisping.
2. Thorough Drying: After par-boiling, ensure the potatoes are very dry before tossing with oil and roasting. Moisture creates steam, which prevents crisping.
3. Hot Baking Dish: Preheating the baking dish in the oven before adding the potatoes creates an instant sizzle, which immediately starts the crisping process.
4. Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer with space between them. If they’re too close, they’ll steam instead of roast. Use multiple trays if needed.
5. Sufficient Oil: Olive oil helps conduct heat and achieve that golden-brown, crispy exterior.
6. High Temperature: Roasting at 390°F (200°C) provides enough heat to get them nice and crispy.

Can I prepare these potatoes ahead of time?

These oven roasted baby Dutch potatoes are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven for maximum crispiness. However, you can par-boil the potatoes a day in advance, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, proceed with the recipe from step 4, adding a few extra minutes to the roasting time if starting from cold potatoes. This can save you valuable time on a busy day.

More Delicious Potato Side Dish Recipes