Can You Use Baking Potatoes for Roast Potatoes?

Roast potatoes are a delicious side dish with a winning combination of textures—all crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

If you fancy some roasties but only have baking potatoes in your cupboard, you might wonder, can you use baking potatoes for roast potatoes?

Well, we have good news: you can use baking potatoes for roast potatoes. Although explicitly labelled for making baked potatoes, the only thing different is their size.

Baking potatoes can be used like any other potato and are suitable for various cooking methods: boiling, mashing, baking, frying and – you guessed it – roasting.

If you want to use baking potatoes to make roasties, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for our favourite roast potato recipe using baking potatoes and information on other top potato varieties for the crispiest-ever roasties.

 

Do Baking Potatoes Make Good Roasted Potatoes?

Baking potatoes have a high starch content, thick skins that go crispy in the oven, and a fluffy texture when cooked.

Once peeled, they are suitable for roasting because they tend to become crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside—the characteristics of a perfect roasty.

However, “baking potatoes” doesn’t refer to a strict variety of potatoes. Rather, British baking potatoes are selected for their size, and the variety of potatoes used depends on which supermarket you shop at.

For example, Tesco uses large white potatoes as their baking potatoes, but other supermarkets might use varieties like Russets and King Edwards.

Some potato varieties naturally make better roasties than others. Therefore, how good your roasted potatoes turn out partially depends on the specific variety of potatoes you have.

Nevertheless, all baked potatoes can be used for roasties if you know what to do with them—using the right cooking method is all you need to guarantee delicious results.

 

How to Make Roast Potatoes Using Baking Potatoes

Using baking potatoes for roast potatoes can produce delicious and crispy roasted potatoes. To make roast potatoes using baking potatoes, you can follow these general steps:

1. Preheat your oven to a high temperature of around 220°C. Pour oil on a baking tray or roasting dish and place it inside the oven as it heats up.
2. Meanwhile, peel the baking potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks. Try to ensure that all the chunks are evenly sized—this helps to ensure even parboiling and cooking for the best results possible.
3. Fill a large pan with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, drop the chunks of potato into the salted water and parboil them for about 5 minutes. Larger chunks of potato might need an extra minute or two—check they’re done boiling by performing a stab test.
4. Drain the potatoes in the sink using a colander and let them air dry for a few minutes. Shake the potatoes gently in the colander or pan to make the outsides all fluffy.
5. Put on oven gloves and remove the baking tray from the oven and place the potatoes in a single layer in the oil. Use tongs to turn each potato chunk and coat the outside in the hot oil. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices you want to use.
6. Return the baking tray or roasting dish to the oven and roast in the preheated until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy (around 30 to 35 minutes), turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

 

Which Type of Potatoes Are Best for Roasting?

All potatoes can be roasted—the recipe is far more critical than the potato you use. White potatoes can be transformed into incredible roast potatoes if you know the right cooking process.

The most important steps are parboiling the potatoes, shaking them after draining to “fluff them up,” and heating the oil in the oven first to get a beautifully crispy exterior.

However, the best types of potatoes for making roasties are those with higher starch content and a lower moisture content.

This combination helps the potatoes easily achieve a crispy exterior while maintaining a fluffy and tender interior.

Some popular varieties for roasting that make it easy to get great results include:

• Russet potatoes: Also known as Idaho potatoes, Russet potatoes have a high starch content, making them excellent for achieving a crispy texture on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside. Their large shape and thick skins also make them great for baking.
• Yukon Gold potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes have a medium starch content and a buttery flavour, which works well for roasting. They have a creamy texture that makes for delicious roast potatoes. However, their skins are thin, meaning they’re not the best option for baking.
• Maris Piper: This is the most popular variety of potato grown in the UK, available in all major supermarkets and grocery stores. It is known for its high starch content. Maris Piper potatoes are often used for making crispy roast potatoes.
• King Edward: Another common variety in the UK, King Edward potatoes have a fluffy texture, making them suitable for roasting. They also make fantastic baked potatoes—some supermarkets will use this variety for their baking potatoes.
• Red potatoes: Red potatoes have a lower starch content but can still be used for roasting. They have a waxy texture and a slightly sweet flavour. Cutting them into smaller pieces and roasting them at a higher temperature can help achieve a crispy result.

Remember to cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure even cooking, and consider parboiling them before roasting to help achieve a crispier exterior.

Additionally, the choice of oil and seasonings can impact the flavour and texture of the roasted potatoes, turning them into a crispy, golden, and flavourful side dish.