Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
If you’ve been hunting for a side dish that’s simple, flavorful, and downright addictive, this Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe has you covered. I first made these on a whim for a casual dinner with friends, and the whole pan disappeared before the main course was even served! The combination of tender fingerling potatoes with the crispy, nutty Parmesan cheese is just irresistible.
This recipe shines whenever you want something easy to prepare but impressive to serve. Whether it’s a weeknight meal, a holiday gathering, or even a backyard BBQ, these potatoes bring a touch of gourmet comfort without any fuss. Trust me, once you try my Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe, it’ll quickly become a staple in your cooking rotation!
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Texture: Roasting the fingerling potatoes cut-side down creates a crispy golden crust while keeping the insides creamy and tender.
- Simple Yet Flavorful: A balanced blend of spices and Parmesan cheese turns humble potatoes into a mouthwatering side dish.
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward: This recipe is straightforward but yields a crowd-pleaser, making it great for everyday meals or entertaining.
- Fresh Finishing Touch: Sprinkling chopped parsley adds vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor that brightens the dish beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe is how a handful of honest, quality ingredients come together to create a dish that tastes so much richer than the effort required. Plus, each ingredient plays its own role to elevate the potatoes—whether it’s flavoring, texture, or visual appeal.
- Fingerling potatoes: Their unique shape and buttery texture roast beautifully and hold up well to the double roasting.
- Olive oil: Helps the potatoes crisp up and carries the spices evenly.
- Kosher salt: Essential to bring out the potatoes’ natural flavor without overwhelming.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that deepens the flavor profile.
- Garlic powder: Gives a mellow garlic note that complements the cheese.
- Onion powder: Adds savory depth to the seasoning blend.
- Freshly ground black pepper: A little bite that balances the richness.
- Parmesan cheese: The star topping—crisps up when roasted for a nutty golden crust.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal brightness that prevents the dish from feeling heavy.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe is—don’t hesitate to mix up the spices or add your own touches based on what you like or what’s in season. It’s fun to experiment and make it truly your own!
- Variation: My go-to twist is adding a pinch of cayenne for some heat; it wakes up the earthiness of the potatoes beautifully.
- Herb swap: Try fresh thyme or rosemary instead of parsley for a woodsy aroma that pairs wonderfully with roasted potatoes.
- Dietary tweaks: For a dairy-free version, sprinkle nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for that cheesy flavor without the cheese.
- Seasonal additions: In cooler months, roasting these alongside garlic cloves or shallots adds cozy, caramelized flavors.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Potatoes
First things first, I always arrange my oven rack in the middle and preheat it to 400°F. Cutting the fingerling potatoes lengthwise is key here—it exposes more surface area to crisp up really well. Make sure your cuts are even so the potatoes cook at the same rate. Toss the cut potatoes in olive oil and sprinkle them with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, then give everything a good toss to coat evenly. I love to arrange them cut-side down on the baking sheet for maximum crispiness.
Step 2: Roast and Flip
Put those potatoes in the oven and roast for about 30 minutes until you start to see the bottoms turn golden-brown. You’ll want to keep an eye on them but resist flipping too early—this patience pays off with crispy edges. Meanwhile, grate your Parmesan finely (I find freshly grated Parmesan melts and crisps better than pre-grated) and chop your fresh parsley.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Finish Roasting
Once the bottoms are nicely golden, carefully flip each potato over so the cut-side is up. Spread the grated Parmesan evenly over the tops—don’t worry if some cheese falls on the pan, it crisps up into a delicious little snack! Roast for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, golden, and crispy. The contrast between the tender potato and crisp cheesy topping is worth every second.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Right after you pull them out, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over your Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe. It adds a fresh pop of color and lightness that rounds out the rich flavors so nicely. Then dig in while they’re warm and perfect!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Even Sizes Matter: Choosing fingerlings of similar size helps them cook evenly so you avoid biting into underdone potatoes.
- Don’t Skip the Cut-Side Down Step: It creates that crispy golden crust that’s the hallmark of this recipe.
- Fresh Parmesan is Key: Freshly grated cheese melts and crisps more beautifully than pre-shredded for maximum flavor and texture.
- Use Tongs or Spatula to Flip: Be gentle when flipping so the potatoes don’t break apart. I use a thin metal spatula for this step.
How to Serve Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I always reach for fresh flat-leaf parsley because its bright green color freshens up the warm, golden potatoes beautifully. Sometimes I scatter a few extra flakes of Parmesan for visual appeal too. A light drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil just before serving also adds shine and a subtle fruity note I love.
Side Dishes
These Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes go hand-in-hand with roasted chicken or grilled steak. They’re also fantastic alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a comforting yet balanced meal. I often serve them with a dollop of sour cream or a tangy yogurt dip for extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like to serve these potatoes right on a rustic wooden board sprinkled with more fresh herbs. You can even place them in small ramekins or mini cast iron skillets for an elegant touch that makes your guests feel special without extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days, although they’re best eaten within the first two to retain their crispiness. Just make sure they cool completely before sealing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze these potatoes because the texture can suffer a bit, but if you do want to, flash freeze them on a baking sheet first, then store in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to a month but are best reheated straight from the freezer to retain some crisp.
Reheating
To revive leftovers, I pop them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This brings back the crispiness of the cheese and warms the potatoes evenly. Avoid the microwave if you can to prevent sogginess.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of potatoes for this Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe?
Yes, although fingerling potatoes are ideal because of their size and texture, you can use small new potatoes or baby Yukon Golds. Just adjust the roasting time accordingly, and try to keep the pieces evenly sized for uniform cooking.
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Is it necessary to cut the potatoes in half lengthwise?
Cutting them lengthwise exposes more surface area, allowing the potatoes to develop that coveted golden crust while ensuring they cook through quicker. It also makes flipping easier to get nice, even roasting on both sides.
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the potatoes and seasoning the day before, then cover and refrigerate. When ready, roast as directed. However, adding the Parmesan cheese is best done right before the final roast to keep it crispy.
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What type of Parmesan cheese should I use?
Use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor and melting quality. Avoid pre-grated store-bought Parmesan with additives as it won’t brown and crisp as well.
Final Thoughts
This Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. I truly enjoy how it brings a little extra joy to simple potatoes without needing fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. If you want a side that’s sure to impress your family or guests—and have them asking for seconds—try this recipe soon. I promise you’ll be smiling when you taste that crispy, cheesy goodness straight from your oven!
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Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy roasted fingerling potatoes coated with smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powders, then topped with golden Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a flavorful and easy side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1 1/2 pounds fingerling potatoes (30 to 34 potatoes)
Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Toppings
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
- 5 to 6 sprigs fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F to ensure even roasting.
- Prepare potatoes: Cut the fingerling potatoes in half lengthwise and place them cut-side down in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Roast first side: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer with the cut-side down and roast for about 30 minutes until the bottoms start to turn golden brown.
- Grate cheese and chop parsley: While the potatoes roast, finely grate the Parmesan cheese (about 1 lightly packed cup) and pick and finely chop fresh parsley leaves until you have about 2 tablespoons.
- Flip and add cheese: Carefully turn each potato piece cut-side up using tongs or a thin metal spatula. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes, allowing some cheese to fall onto the pan for extra crispness.
- Final roasting: Roast the potatoes for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese turns crisp and golden brown and the potatoes are fully cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- Use fingerling potatoes or small new potatoes for best results as they roast evenly and become tender inside.
- Flipping the potatoes carefully helps achieve crispy edges on both sides and melts the cheese perfectly.
- If you want more intense flavor, add fresh garlic or rosemary before roasting.
- These potatoes can be made ahead and reheated in the oven to restore crispiness.
- Parmesan cheese provides a salty, nutty crust but can be substituted with Pecorino Romano if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
