Name: Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes halved; 6 tablespoons salted butter melted, save 1 tablespoon for brushing on top; ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon oregano; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; Ranch Dip for serving

There's something irresistibly comforting about crispy, cheesy potatoes with a hit of savory herbs. This Parmesan Potatoes Recipe brings together buttery, golden-brown baby potatoes with a flavorful Parmesan crust — it’s one of those sides that always gets devoured first. Let me walk you through how I make this my go-to for family dinners and casual get-togethers.

The image shows a white plate filled with about 16 golden brown roasted potato slices arranged in a slightly overlapping way. Each potato slice has a grid pattern etched on its surface and some parts are crispier and darker brown. A white bowl of white creamy sauce with green herb sprinkles sits on the upper right side of the plate. A silver serving spoon holds three potato slices on the left side of the plate. A small white bowl of chopped green herbs is placed near the top left corner on a white marbled surface. A folded cloth with white and blue stripes is seen at the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times these Parmesan potatoes have saved dinner plans — they’re quick, reliable, and absolutely delicious. Honestly, the golden crust with that cheesy, buttery blend is what keeps me coming back to this recipe, and I’m betting you’ll feel the same way once you try it.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen, so no last-minute grocery runs needed.
Golden Crispy Texture: The potatoes get that perfect crisp on the outside with a tender inside every single time.
Flavorful Cheese Kick: Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty bite that elevates this side dish beyond just basic roasted potatoes.
Versatile Pairing: This recipe goes beautifully with a range of mains — from grilled chicken to steak or even a simple veggie plate.

A white plate is filled with many small, round, golden-brown fried potato slices that have a slightly crispy texture and a grid pattern on top. In the center of the plate, there is a white bowl filled with thick white sauce sprinkled with small green herbs and cracked black pepper. A woman's hand is holding one potato slice, dipping it halfway into the sauce, showing the sauce coating the potato. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a blue and white striped cloth partially visible beneath the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe’s magic is really in how a handful of ingredients come together to create crispy, cheesy perfection. Here’s why each one plays a vital role, plus a couple of tips for picking the best options.

Flat lay of halved baby potatoes with smooth yellowish skins, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a neat mound of finely grated pale Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl containing dried oregano leaves, another small white bowl with light beige garlic powder, a small white bowl of off-white onion powder, a tiny pinch of fine white salt in a white bowl, a small white bowl with freshly cracked black peppercorns, and a small white bowl filled with creamy ranch dip placed evenly around, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Baby Potatoes: I like baby potatoes here because they roast evenly and get a great crispy edge while staying soft inside.
Salted Butter: Melting butter deepens the flavor and helps to create that golden crust on the potatoes.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best for melting and flavor, bringing a rich, sharp note to the dish.
Oregano: Adds a subtle herbaceous background that complements the cheese and butter nicely.
Garlic Powder: This gives a mellow garlicky punch without overpowering everything.
Onion Powder: Brings a mild sweetness and depth that rounds out the spices.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, just the right amount helps all flavors shine without being salty.
Ranch Dip (for serving): Optional, but I love dipping these potatoes in ranch to add a cool, creamy contrast to that warm, crispy exterior.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’m all about making recipes fit your style — and these Parmesan potatoes are no exception. Whether you like them extra cheesy or with a spicy twist, this recipe is so forgiving you can tweak it however you want.

Variation: One time, I mixed in some smoked paprika, which gave a beautiful smoky warmth. Totally recommend if you like a bit of a kick!
Vegan Option: Swap the butter with olive oil or vegan butter, and use a plant-based Parmesan alternative — it’s nearly as good.
Add Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary sprinkled on top before baking adds a lovely aromatic touch.
Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat that pairs surprisingly well with the creamy cheese.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes and Butter Bath

Start by preheating your oven to 425˚F. While that’s warming up, take a sharp knife and gently score the cut side of each halved baby potato — this helps absorb all the buttery, cheesy goodness later. Place 5 tablespoons of the melted salted butter into a 9x13-inch baking dish and pop it into the oven for about 5 minutes so the butter melts and gets hot. This little step gives you a beautiful base for coating the potatoes.

Step 2: Mix the Parmesan Paste and Coat Your Pan

Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven (ouch, use oven mitts!). Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper — it should turn into a thick, flavorful paste. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of your pan with a spatula. This forms a crust on the potatoes as they bake, so don’t skip it.

Step 3: Arrange Potatoes and Bake

Place the potatoes cut-side down right into the baking dish on top of the Parmesan paste. Take the reserved tablespoon of melted butter and brush it over the top of the potatoes to encourage browning. Bake for about 35 minutes until they’re beautifully golden and crisp on the outside. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily pierce them with a fork but still feel tender.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Gently separate the potatoes with a spatula and serve them warm alongside your favorite ranch dip if you like. Trust me, that tangy dip makes a world of difference.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make the difference between just good Parmesan potatoes and knock-it-out-of-the-park ones. If you want perfection, pay attention to these.

Score the Potatoes: Don’t skip scoring the cut side; it helps them soak up that cheesy butter paste for deeper flavor.
Preheat Butter in the Pan: Melting the butter in the hot oven before adding the cheese mix really kicks off the browning process and crisps up your potatoes.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-grated bags don’t melt the same or offer that nutty flavor, so freshly grated is worth the extra effort.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give each potato a bit of space so they crisp up rather than steam. I learned this the hard way!

How to Serve Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes a light drizzle of good-quality olive oil right before serving adds a nice silky finish, especially if I’m skipping the ranch dip. What I love is how these simple touches make these humble potatoes feel special.

Side Dishes

These Parmesan potatoes pair perfectly with almost anything, but some of my favorite combos are grilled lemon herb chicken, roasted veggies, or even a juicy steak. They also make a fantastic side for casual burgers or a weekday meatloaf dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like to serve these potatoes in a big rustic wooden bowl lined with parchment paper and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top. It’s casual but inviting. You can also stack them on a platter with toothpicks for easy party snacking — they disappear fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Parmesan potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge and they last up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you’ll find they still have great flavor, just not quite as crisp.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before, but because of the cheese and butter, the texture is best when eaten fresh or refrigerated and reheated within a few days. If you do freeze, flash freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag to prevent clumping.

Reheating

For the best texture, I always reheat these potatoes in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes on a baking sheet — it crisps them back up nicely. Microwaving works too for speed, but you’ll lose some crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?

You can, but baby potatoes roast more evenly and get crispier edges because of their size and thin skins. If using larger potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces and adjust cooking time accordingly.

Is Parmesan cheese essential for this recipe?

Parmesan cheese provides a distinctive nutty and salty flavor that is key to this recipe’s charm. You could experiment with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano, but it won’t taste quite the same.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Replace butter with olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute and use a vegan Parmesan-style cheese. The texture and flavor might differ a bit but still delicious.

How do I get the potatoes extra crispy?

Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, brush them with the reserved melted butter, and bake at a high temperature (425°F). Preheating the melted butter in the pan before adding potatoes also helps achieve a crispier crust.

Final Thoughts

This Parmesan Potatoes Recipe has become one of those comforting dishes I return to when I want something simple yet impressive. It’s a little crispy, a little cheesy, and full of flavor — perfect for casual dinners or company alike. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it finds a spot in your home as a beloved side dish!