Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
If you’ve been searching for that perfect side dish that pairs beautifully with just about any meal, look no further than Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes. This recipe transforms simple potatoes into golden, crunchy little bites bursting with buttery garlic flavor. Whether you want to impress guests or just elevate your weeknight dinner, these potatoes hit every note—from crispy edges to tender insides—making them a beloved recipe to keep in your kitchen arsenal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Outstanding Flavor: The garlic butter infusion adds a rich, savory depth that complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes perfectly.
- Perfect Crispiness: The secret technique ensures each piece gets irresistibly crunchy on the outside while remaining fluffy inside.
- Simple Ingredients: It only requires a handful of staple kitchen staples, making it easy to whip up anytime.
- Versatile Side Dish: These potatoes pair well with everything from steak and chicken to vegetarian mains and brunch plates.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily tweak the seasonings and herbs to match your mood or the occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes recipe plays a vital role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. From creamy butter for richness to garlic for that tasty punch, these essentials combine effortlessly to create a dish that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
- Potatoes: Use Yukon Gold or red potatoes for their buttery texture and ideal browning capability.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide the best aromatic and intense flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted butter gives richness and helps crisp the potatoes evenly.
- Olive oil: A bit of olive oil helps achieve the crucial golden crust without burning the butter.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
- Fresh herbs: Rosemary, thyme, or parsley add brightness and a lovely herbal note.
- Optional paprika: For a subtle smoky undertone and vibrant color boost.
Variations for Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
This dish is perfect for customization. Feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors or adapt it to suit dietary preferences—it’s easier than you might think, and each twist brings something new and exciting to the plate.
- Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a little heat and extra complexity.
- Cheesy delight: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or cheddar in the last few minutes of cooking for a melty, savory finish.
- Herb variations: Swap rosemary for dill or tarragon for a fresh twist that complements different meals.
- Low-fat version: Replace half the butter with olive oil to cut calories while keeping crispiness.
- Vegan adaptation: Use vegan butter and nutritional yeast for similar flavors without dairy.
How to Make Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
Step 1: Prep and Parboil Potatoes
Start by washing and cutting your potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Parboil them in salted water for about 8 to 10 minutes until they start to get tender but aren’t fully cooked—this step softens the inside while preparing the exterior for crisping.
Step 2: Drain and Rough Up the Edges
After draining, shake the potatoes in the pot or colander to roughen their surfaces. These slight nicks and cracks help create that irresistible crunchy texture when cooked.
Step 3: Heat Oil and Butter in the Pan
On medium heat, melt the butter alongside olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan. The combination prevents the butter from burning and adds both flavor and essential fat for frying.
Step 4: Cook Potatoes in Garlic Butter
Add the potatoes to the pan, ensuring they’re in a single layer. Toss minced garlic and herbs in and let everything cook undisturbed for several minutes before carefully turning to brown all sides evenly to a golden crisp.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Sprinkle salt, pepper, and optional paprika over the potatoes just before finishing. This final seasoning kick elevates the dish to savory excellence. Serve hot and enjoy the crunch!
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
- Use the right potatoes: Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or reds give the best texture for crispiness and flavor.
- Parboil for tenderness: Don’t skip boiling to get that perfect soft center and crispy edges.
- Rough up edges: Trembling boiled potatoes creates rough surfaces that brown better and crisp more deliciously.
- Butter plus oil: Combining butter with olive oil prevents burning and enhances flavor.
- Cook undisturbed: Let potatoes sit in the pan to develop a crust rather than stirring constantly.
- Fresh garlic last: Add garlic after initial browning to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Use fresh herbs: Rosemary or thyme add vibrant flavor that pairs well with garlic butter.
How to Serve Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley or chives sprinkled over hot potatoes add a pop of color and a fresh contrast to the rich butter and garlic flavors.
Side Dishes
These potatoes pair beautifully with grilled meats like steak, roast chicken, or pork, as well as alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh leafy salad for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve them stacked in a rustic bowl or layered on a platter with lemon wedges and herb sprigs to make the dish look as inviting as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover potatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. They may lose a bit of their crispness but still taste delicious reheated.
Freezing
While best fresh, you can freeze cooked potatoes by flash freezing them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Use within one month, and expect slight changes in texture after thawing.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat leftovers in a hot oven or skillet to revive the crispiness instead of using a microwave, which can make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen potatoes for this recipe?
Fresh potatoes work best for Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes since frozen ones often release excess moisture, making it difficult to get that satisfying crispness.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?
Potatoes are naturally higher in carbohydrates, so this recipe might not fit strict low-carb plans but works well in balanced diets.
What is the best garlic to use—fresh or powder?
Fresh garlic is preferred for its vibrant aroma and flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch with a slightly milder effect.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Replace butter with vegan margarine or olive oil and skip any dairy toppings for a delicious plant-based version.
How do I keep my potatoes from sticking to the pan?
Use enough oil combined with butter, and allow the potatoes to cook undisturbed long enough for a crust to form before flipping them gently.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about achieving the perfect balance of crispy edges and tender insides in Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes. They are comfort food at its finest, easy enough to make any day but impressive enough for company. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to sides to share with friends and family. So go ahead, get cooking, and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite!
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Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes
Crispy Garlic Butter Potatoes transform simple potatoes into golden, crunchy bites bursting with rich buttery garlic flavor. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside, this side dish pairs beautifully with a variety of mains and is easy to customize for any occasion.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Potatoes and Aromatics
- 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, washed and cut into chunks
- 4–5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
Cooking Fats
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Herbs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped (or parsley for garnish)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prep and Parboil Potatoes: Wash and cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Parboil them in salted water for 8 to 10 minutes until they start to get tender but are not fully cooked.
- Drain and Rough Up the Edges: Drain the potatoes, then shake them gently in the pot or colander to roughen the surfaces, helping create a crunchy texture when cooked.
- Heat Oil and Butter in the Pan: On medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan to prevent burning and add flavor.
- Cook Potatoes in Garlic Butter: Add the potatoes in a single layer to the pan. Toss in minced garlic and fresh herbs, allowing the potatoes to cook undisturbed for several minutes before turning to brown evenly on all sides until golden and crisp.
- Season and Serve: Just before finishing, sprinkle salt, pepper, and optional paprika over the potatoes. Serve hot and enjoy the crispy, buttery garlic flavor.
Notes
- Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red for the best crispy texture.
- Parboiling is essential for tender insides and crispy edges.
- Roughing up the potato edges creates more surface area for crisping.
- Combining butter with olive oil prevents butter from burning and enhances flavor.
- Cook potatoes undisturbed to form a crispy crust before turning.
- Add fresh garlic after initial browning to avoid bitterness.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme add vibrant complementary flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 150g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: crispy potatoes, garlic butter potatoes, easy side dish, roasted potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, garlic potatoes