Making delicious honey gold bite-size potatoes in your oven is simple and easy. These little potatoes turn wonderfully soft inside and crispy outside when roasted. Adding a hint of honey brings a lovely sweet and savory taste. It’s a fantastic way to cook a side dish everyone will love. This guide shows you the best way to roast baby potatoes, making a perfect batch every time. Let’s get started on this easy roasted potato recipe!
Image Source: www.modernhoney.com
Why These Potatoes Are Special
Honey gold potatoes are small and have thin skin. This means you do not need to peel them. This saves you time! Their flesh is creamy and slightly sweet on its own. They are just right for roasting whole or cut into bite-size pieces.
Getting Ready to Cook
Cooking needs a little planning. Gather your simple items before you start.
What You Need for This Recipe
You do not need fancy things. Just a few basic items will do.
- Honey gold bite-size potatoes (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- Olive oil or other cooking oil (like avocado oil)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder (optional, but tastes great!)
- Paprika (optional, for color and mild flavor)
- Dried herbs (like rosemary or thyme, optional)
- Honey (about 2-3 tablespoons)
Tools for the Kitchen
These tools help make cooking smooth.
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife (if cutting larger ones)
- Large bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Large sheet pan honey gold potatoes can bake on (use two if needed so potatoes are not crowded)
- Spatula or large spoon for tossing
Preparing the Potatoes for Roasting
Clean and cut your potatoes first. This step is very important for cooking them well.
Making Potatoes Clean
Wash the potatoes under cool running water. Rub them gently with your hands or a brush. Get rid of any dirt. Since you eat the skin, cleaning is important. Pat them dry with a towel after washing. Dry potatoes get crispier in the oven.
Cutting Into Just Right Pieces
Most honey gold potatoes are already small. If they are all about the same size, you can leave them whole. If some are much bigger than others, cut the bigger ones. Cut them into pieces that are about the size of a bite. Try to make all the pieces similar in size. This helps them cook evenly. If pieces are too different, some will burn while others are still hard.
Adding Oil and Spice
This is where the flavor starts! Mixing the potatoes with oil and seasoning makes them taste amazing. This is the core seasoning for roasted potatoes.
Choosing the Right Oil
Olive oil is a popular choice. It tastes good and helps the potatoes turn golden brown. Avocado oil is also good because it can handle high heat. Use enough oil to lightly coat all the potato pieces. This helps the salt, pepper, and other spices stick. It also helps them crisp up.
Mixing in Flavor
Put your clean, dry, cut potatoes into a large bowl. Pour the oil over them. Add salt and pepper. How much salt and pepper? Start with about 1 teaspoon of salt and a half teaspoon of pepper for 2 pounds of potatoes. You can add more later if you like.
This is a good time to add other flavors too. Garlic powder gives a warm, savory taste. Paprika adds a nice color and a little bit of sweetness or smoke, depending on the type. Dried herbs like rosemary or thyme stick well to the oiled potatoes and give them a classic roasted flavor. Use about a half teaspoon to one teaspoon of dried herbs.
Tossing Everything Together
Use your hands or a spatula to toss the potatoes in the bowl. Make sure every piece is coated with oil and spices. Rub the seasoning into the potatoes. You want an even layer of flavor on all sides.
Getting the Pan Ready
The right pan makes a big difference. A sheet pan honey gold potatoes can spread out on is key for good roasting.
Using a Sheet Pan
A large, flat baking sheet works best. The single layer of potatoes on the pan is important. If potatoes overlap, they steam instead of roast. Steaming makes them soft, not crispy.
Making Sure They Do Not Stick
You can put foil or parchment paper on the sheet pan first. This makes clean-up super easy. It also helps stop the potatoes from sticking to the pan. If you do not have foil or paper, just put the seasoned potatoes directly onto the pan. Make sure the pan is clean.
Spreading Them Out
Pour the seasoned potatoes from the bowl onto the prepared sheet pan. Spread them out in a single layer. Give each potato piece some space. Do not let them touch if you can help it. Space lets the hot air reach all sides of each potato. This is how you get crispy oven roasted potatoes. If you have too many potatoes for one pan to spread out, use two pans. It is better to use two pans with space than one crowded pan.
Setting the Oven Heat
The oven temperature is important for roasting small potatoes well. The right heat cooks the inside and crisps the outside.
Choosing the Right Temperature
A hot oven is best for roasting. For small potatoes like honey golds, a temperature between 400°F and 425°F (200°C to 220°C) works well. This high heat makes the outside brown and crispy quickly while the inside gets soft.
Let’s use 400°F (200°C) for this recipe. This is a good temperature for roasting small potatoes. Make sure your oven is fully heated before you put the potatoes in. A hot oven from the start helps the potatoes cook evenly.
Baking the Potatoes
Now the oven does the work! Baking takes time, but it is mostly hands-off.
Putting Potatoes in the Oven
Place the sheet pan with the spread-out potatoes into the hot oven. Put it on a middle rack. This spot usually gets the most even heat.
How Long They Need to Bake
How long to bake bite-size potatoes depends on their size and your oven. Generally, they take about 25 to 40 minutes. Smaller pieces or whole small potatoes will cook faster. Larger pieces will take longer.
Checking and Turning Them
After about 20 minutes, take a peek at the potatoes. They should start to look golden brown on the edges. Use a spatula to turn them over. This helps all sides get crispy and brown. Turning them also stops them from sticking to the pan.
Put them back in the oven. Keep baking and checking every 5-10 minutes. They are done when they are tender when you poke them with a fork and look golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Making Them Extra Special with Honey
Adding honey at the end gives them a lovely shine and sweet taste. This turns them into honey glazed roasted potatoes.
When to Add the Honey
Honey can burn if it is cooked at high heat for too long. So, add the honey near the end of the baking time.
When the potatoes are almost done – they look golden brown and feel tender – take the pan out of the oven. Drizzle the honey over the hot potatoes on the pan.
Tossing with Honey
Gently toss the hot potatoes with the honey using a spatula or spoon. Make sure all the pieces get coated in the sweet glaze. The heat of the potatoes will help the honey spread easily.
Quick Bake After Honey
You can put the potatoes back in the oven for just 3-5 more minutes after adding the honey. This helps the glaze set a little. Watch carefully so the honey does not burn. It will look sticky and shiny.
The Final Delicious Result
Your roasted honey gold potatoes recipe is almost complete! Take the pan out of the oven. The potatoes should be soft inside, crispy oven roasted potatoes outside, and have a beautiful honey glaze.
Serving Your Potatoes
Serve them hot right from the oven. They are wonderful as a side dish for almost any meal.
What Goes Well With Them
- Roasted chicken or turkey
- Grilled fish or steak
- Pork chops
- Meatloaf
- Any main dish!
They also work well as part of a larger spread for holidays or parties.
Why This Way Is So Good
Roasting in the oven is often called the best way to roast baby potatoes. Why?
- Ease: It is mostly hands-off cooking time.
- Flavor: High heat brings out the potato’s natural sweetness.
- Texture: You get that great contrast of soft inside and crispy outside.
- Simple Cleanup: Especially if you use foil or parchment paper.
- Healthy: Uses less oil than frying.
This easy roasted potato recipe truly delivers on taste and texture with little effort.
Making Them Even Better: Ideas to Try
You can change things up to make different flavors.
Adding Garlic
Put some minced garlic in with the oil and spices at the start. About 2-3 cloves, chopped fine. Or use garlic powder if you prefer. Garlic loves being roasted with potatoes.
Using Different Herbs
Fresh herbs can be used too. Chop fresh rosemary or thyme finely. Toss them with the potatoes before roasting. Fresh herbs give a brighter flavor than dried ones. You can also add chopped fresh parsley or chives after they are cooked for fresh color and taste.
A Touch of Spice
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Or use smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
Making Them Cheesy
Toward the end of cooking, you could sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes before the final quick bake. The cheese will melt and get a little crispy.
Lemon Zing
A little squeeze of lemon juice over the finished potatoes adds a bright, fresh taste that cuts through the richness.
Avoiding Problems When Roasting Potatoes
Sometimes things do not go perfectly. Here are some common issues and how to fix or avoid them.
Potatoes Are Not Crispy
- Problem: Potatoes are crowded on the pan.
- Fix: Use two pans next time so potatoes are in a single layer with space.
- Problem: Oven was not hot enough.
- Fix: Make sure the oven is fully preheated to 400-425°F.
- Problem: Potatoes were not dry after washing.
- Fix: Pat them very dry before adding oil. Water makes them steam.
- Problem: Not enough oil.
- Fix: Use enough oil to coat all pieces well.
- Problem: Did not cook long enough.
- Fix: Cook longer! They need time to brown and crisp. Turn them halfway through.
Potatoes Are Burnt Outside, Hard Inside
- Problem: Heat is too high for the size of potatoes.
- Fix: Lower the temperature slightly (e.g., to 400°F). Cut pieces slightly larger if they are tiny.
- Problem: Cooked too long without checking.
- Fix: Check them often after the 20-minute mark. Turn them.
- Problem: Uneven heat in your oven.
- Fix: Turn the pan around halfway through cooking.
Honey Burned
- Problem: Added honey too early.
- Fix: Add honey only when the potatoes are almost fully cooked and crispy. Only put back in the oven for a few minutes after adding honey.
Learning About Different Potato Types for Roasting
While honey golds are great, other small potatoes work well too.
Red Potatoes
Small red potatoes are also good for roasting. They have thin skin like honey golds. They tend to be a bit waxier inside.
Yukon Gold Potatoes (Small Ones)
Small Yukon golds have a lovely creamy texture. They roast well and have a slightly sweeter taste than red potatoes.
Fingerling Potatoes
These long, narrow potatoes come in different colors. They have thin skin and a firm texture. They roast very well. Cut them in half lengthwise if they are thick.
The key for any small potato is size. Use potatoes that are small or cut them into small, even pieces.
How Long Does It Really Take? A Closer Look
The total time for your oven baked bite-size potatoes can change.
Prep Time
Washing and cutting takes about 10-15 minutes.
Heating the Oven
Preheating your oven to 400°F can take 10-15 minutes.
Cooking Time
Baking usually takes 25-40 minutes. This is how long to bake bite-size potatoes. It depends on:
* The exact size of your potato pieces.
* How hot your oven really is (some ovens run hotter or cooler than the setting).
* How crispy you want them.
Always use the look and feel (fork tender test) of the potatoes to know when they are done, not just the clock.
Making More or Less
This roasted honey gold potatoes recipe can be easily changed for different amounts of people.
Serving Size
The recipe using 1.5 to 2 pounds of potatoes is usually enough for 3-4 people as a side dish.
Cooking More
If you need to cook more, use more potatoes, oil, and seasoning. Make sure to use large sheet pans. You might need two or even three pans. Remember, do not crowd the pans! If you use multiple pans, you might need to switch their positions in the oven halfway through cooking for even results.
Cooking Less
If you only need a small amount, just use fewer potatoes and less oil and seasoning. The cooking time might be slightly shorter for less potatoes, but still check for crispiness and tenderness.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any oven baked bite-size potatoes left, you can save them.
Storing Them
Let the potatoes cool down fully. Put them in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The honey glaze might make them a little sticky when cold.
Reheating Them
The best way to reheat roasted potatoes to keep them crispy is in the oven.
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread the leftover potatoes on a sheet pan in a single layer.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are hot all the way through and start to crisp up again.
You can also reheat them in a toaster oven or even an air fryer for best results. Reheating in a microwave will make them soft, not crispy, but it will heat them fast.
Summarizing the Simple Steps
Let’s quickly go over the easy steps for this easy roasted potato recipe:
- Clean and cut potatoes into bite-size pieces. Dry them well.
- Toss potatoes with oil, salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings in a bowl.
- Spread seasoned potatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan. Do not crowd the pan.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 400-425°F (200-220°C) for 25-40 minutes.
- Flip potatoes halfway through cooking.
- When potatoes are tender and crispy, take them out. Drizzle with honey and toss.
- Bake for 3-5 more minutes if you want the glaze to set.
- Serve hot.
This process gives you flavorful honey glazed roasted potatoes with a great texture.
More Ideas for Flavor Combinations
Beyond the basic recipe, many flavors go well with honey gold potatoes.
Italian Style
Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Add fresh chopped parsley at the end.
Spicy Kick
Use olive oil, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Toss with the potatoes before roasting.
Herb Garden
Use olive oil, salt, pepper, and a mix of fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Roast as directed.
Smokey Paprika
Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This adds a deep, woodsy flavor.
Garlic Parmesan
Roast with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In the last 5-10 minutes, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Skip the honey or use a little less if doing this version.
Experimenting with different seasonings is part of the fun of making oven baked bite-size potatoes. Honey golds are a great base because they have a simple, pleasant flavor that works with many things.
Considering How Long to Bake Based on Size
The time how long to bake bite-size potatoes is greatly affected by their size.
- Whole Small Potatoes (Thumb-sized): May take 25-35 minutes.
- Halved Small Potatoes: May take 30-40 minutes.
- Quartered Larger Small Potatoes: May take 35-45 minutes.
Again, these are just guides. Always check with a fork for tenderness and look for golden, crispy edges. High heat is key to getting that desirable crispy oven roasted potatoes result within a reasonable time.
Understanding the Magic of Roasting
Roasting is a dry-heat cooking method. When you put food in a hot oven, the outside gets very hot. Water inside the food turns to steam and moves away. This helps the outside become dry and brown. This browning is called the Maillard reaction and adds lots of flavor. For potatoes, the high heat also breaks down starches inside, making them soft and fluffy. The combination of browning on the outside and softening inside is why roasted honey gold potatoes recipe is so popular. Adding oil helps the outside get even hotter and brown better, making it extra crispy.
Cleaning Up After Cooking
Using foil or parchment paper makes cleaning the sheet pan honey gold potatoes baked on very easy. Just lift the paper and throw it away. The pan should be pretty clean. If there are sticky bits, soak the pan in hot, soapy water for a bit before washing.
Final Thoughts on the Best Way
Making roasted honey gold potatoes recipe is a simple kitchen win. They are easy, taste great, and fit with many meals. Following these steps helps ensure you get that perfect texture – creamy inside and crispy outside – with that lovely honey glaze. It truly is the best way to roast baby potatoes for a sweet and savory treat. This easy roasted potato recipe proves that simple ingredients and a hot oven can create something wonderful. Enjoy your delicious oven baked bite-size potatoes!
Frequently Asked Questions
H4 Can I Use Other Types of Honey?
Yes, you can use any type of liquid honey you like. Different honeys have different flavors. Use your favorite! Maple syrup can also be used for a different sweet flavor.
H4 Do I Have to Use Oil?
Some oil is needed to help the potatoes crisp up and for the seasoning to stick. Olive oil or avocado oil are good choices for high heat. You need at least a little oil for the best texture.
H4 Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Roasted potatoes are best served fresh and hot right from the oven for maximum crispiness. You can wash and cut the potatoes a few hours ahead of time. Keep them in cold water in the fridge if cutting ahead, then drain and dry very well before roasting. Or, you can fully cook them, store them, and reheat as described above, but the texture might not be quite as perfect as fresh.
H4 What If I Don’t Have a Sheet Pan?
You can use any oven-safe pan that allows the potatoes to be spread out in a single layer. A large baking dish or casserole dish could work, but a flat sheet pan usually gives the best crispiness because air can circulate better.
H4 How Can I Make Them Even Crispier?
- Make sure potatoes are very dry after washing.
- Use enough oil.
- Do not crowd the pan. Use two pans if needed.
- Make sure the oven is hot enough (400-425°F).
- Cook them long enough until they are deeply golden brown.
- Turn them halfway through.
- Add a tiny pinch of baking soda to the water if boiling first (boiling first can help, but drying is key!). For this recipe, we just roast raw, which is simpler and often crispy enough.
H4 Is This Recipe Good for Meal Prep?
You can make a big batch and store the leftovers for quick meals during the week. Just remember they are best reheated in the oven or air fryer to regain some crispness.