Crispy roasted potatoes are the perfect side for just about any main dish, and can be made in many different ways. This is my go-to for simple, roasted potatoes you can make any day without any special prep (no soaking or parboiling required!) - oven roasted and air fryer instructions both included.

Roasted potatoes in bowl with serving spoon.

I'm fully aware there are no less than a million recipes out there for roasted potatoes, most of which claim to get you the crispiest, crunchiest little potato nuggets of your life.

As someone who has tried about 500,000 of those recipes, I can confidently tell you that all roasted potatoes are equally delicious, even the less crispy of the crispiest. So when it comes to the potato I want to make (and eat!) on a random Tuesday, I'm going simple.

Let's make easy, no-frills roasted potatoes that everybody will still go crazy for.

Cut raw potatoes in glass bowl with seasonings.

Choose your potato

You can roast just about any kind of potato, but I prefer either a russet potato or a yukon gold for the crispiest roasted potatoes. I tend to keep the latter on hand at all times because they are also my favorite for mashed potatoes and Indian potato dishes, AND their thin skin crisps up perfectly.

You can also get those bags of small potatoes that are basically marketed for roasting! These are incredibly convenient as they require less chopping, but again, use what you've got or what you prefer.

If you are a sweet potato person, you can use the same techniques here but just know they won't get as crispy.

(Try these Gochujang roasted sweet potatoes!)

Crispy roasted potatoes on baking sheet.

How to make oven roasted crispy potatoes

Cut potatoes: You can cut them into whatever size you want, but keep in mind the smaller they are the quicker they will cook. I aim for ½-inch pieces for the temperatures/times below. Because I am not perfect, mine never end up being the same size but I actually kind of like that. Slightly different sized pieces mean some will be crispier than others, which I love.
Season how you wish: One of the keys to super delicious roasted potatoes is enough fat, so oil is key here. You can also use melted butter for great flavor, but be careful with butter if you roast on a high heat (more on that below). Season with salt, pepper and any other seasoning you like. For really simple roasted potatoes I do a little garlic (fresh or powder) and red pepper flakes. If I want a little more flavor, I add my house seasoning.
Spread on baking sheet: Make sure all the potatoes are in a single layer to allow them to roast instead of steam. I also suggest taking the time to make sure you have as many of the flat, cut sides down on the pan to ensure maximum browning. You can 100% use parchment paper for easy cleanup, but I actually like roasting potatoes on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Roast: The beauty of my everyday roasted potatoes is that I make these at different temperatures depending on whether or not I have something else in the oven. Guide below, but go with your gut and pull the potatoes when they look and taste perfect to you:
- 450 degrees F for 20-25 minutes
- 425 degrees F for 30 minutes
- 400 degrees F for 35 minutes
- 375 degrees F for 40-45 minutes
- 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes

For all of these, toss potatoes at least once for even roasting. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.

How to make air fried roasted potatoes

To make air fried potatoes, you'll prep the potatoes the exact same way you do with oven roasted. To cook:

Add potatoes to air fryer tray or basket. Make sure they are in as even a layer as possible (if your air fryer basket is small, it's okay if there is some overlap).
Cook at 400 for 10 minutes.
Remove tray and toss potatoes (or shake basket) and then cook for another 10 minutes or until they are as crispy as you'd like!
Taste and add more salt if needed.

Close up shot of roasted potatoes on plate.

The perfect side dish

If you need some ideas for main courses to pair with everyday roasted potatoes, check these out!

Got leftovers? Check out this post for the best ways to reheat leftover roasted potatoes!

Close up shot of crispy roasted potatoes in plate with spoon.

Everyday Roasted Potatoes (Oven & Air Fryer)

Author: Mansee Muzumdar
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Oven / Air Fryer

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb potatoes (I use Yukon Gold, but others will work)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1-2 teaspoons seasoning (you can use a mix of your favorite, such as garlic powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, cumin & more!). For ease, use a spice mix like my house seasoning.

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Instructions

Oven roasted potatoes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (see post for instructions for roasting at different temperatures). Lightly grease a baking sheet with oil or line with parchment paper.
Cut 1 lb of potatoes into ½-inch pieces. In a bowl or on the baking sheet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and any other seasonings you'd like to add. Toss well to ensure all potatoes are coated well.
Arrange potatoes in a single layer on baking sheet and turn flat, cut sides down on the pan.
Roast for 30-35 minutes, tossing at least once, until potatoes are browned and crispy on the outside.
Taste and add more salt if needed.

Air fried roasted potatoes

If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 400.
Cut 1 lb of potatoes into ½-inch pieces. In a bowl or on the baking sheet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and any other seasonings you'd like to add. Toss well to ensure all potatoes are coated well.
Arrange potatoes on tray or in basket in as single a layer as possible. If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, a little overlap is okay.
Cook for 10 minutes, remove and toss potatoes or shake basket. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown and as crispy as you'd like.
Taste and add more salt, if needed.