Vegan Roast Potatoes

For years, Sunday roasts at our house were a sacred tradition, but when we transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, I was determined to keep all the best parts of those meals alive – just without the animal products. One of the biggest challenges? Recreating those perfectly crispy, golden roast potatoes that everyone fought over. Let me tell you, there were a few… less-than-stellar attempts. Soggy bottoms, uneven browning, bland flavor – you name it, we experienced it. But after countless tweaks and taste tests (my family were very patient guinea pigs!), I finally cracked the code. These Vegan Roast Potatoes are not just good for vegan roast potatoes; they are simply phenomenal roast potatoes, period. They boast impossibly crispy exteriors that shatter with each bite, giving way to fluffy, cloud-like interiors bursting with savory flavor. Even my most skeptical, potato-loving uncle declared them “better than the real thing!” Now, this recipe is a staple in our home, not just on Sundays, but any night we crave that ultimate comfort food. Get ready to experience roast potato perfection – the vegan way!

Ingredients for Vegan Roast Potato Perfection

To achieve truly exceptional vegan roast potatoes, you need to start with the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each component is crucial:

• Potatoes (2 kg, about 4.5 lbs): The star of the show! For the best roast potatoes, choose starchy potatoes like Maris Piper, Russet, or Yukon Gold. These varieties have a lower moisture content and fluff up beautifully when cooked, creating that perfect contrast between crispy outside and soft inside. Avoid waxy potatoes like new potatoes or fingerlings, as they tend to stay firm and don’t crisp up as well.
• Vegan Oil (150 ml, about 2/3 cup): Fat is your friend when it comes to crispy roast potatoes! Choose a high smoke point oil suitable for roasting at high temperatures. Excellent options include sunflower oil, rapeseed oil (canola oil), or light olive oil. Avoid extra virgin olive oil as it has a lower smoke point and can burn at high roasting temperatures. The oil coats the potatoes, helping them to crisp up evenly and develop that golden brown color.
• Salt (2 tbsp): Essential for flavour! Salt not only seasons the potatoes but also draws out moisture, contributing to a crispier texture. Use sea salt or kosher salt for best flavour.
• Black Pepper (1 tbsp): Adds a touch of warmth and depth of flavour. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferable for a more vibrant taste.
• Dried Rosemary (2 tbsp): Rosemary brings a classic, herbaceous aroma and flavour that pairs wonderfully with potatoes. Dried rosemary holds up well during roasting and infuses the potatoes beautifully. You can also use fresh rosemary, but dried is more potent in this application.
• Garlic Powder (1 tbsp): Garlic powder adds a savory, umami depth that enhances the overall flavour profile. Garlic powder distributes evenly and provides a consistent garlic flavour throughout the potatoes.
• Onion Powder (1 tbsp): Similar to garlic powder, onion powder adds another layer of savory complexity and subtle sweetness. Onion powder complements the garlic and rosemary, creating a well-rounded flavour.

Instructions for Crispy Vegan Roast Potatoes

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create vegan roast potatoes that are guaranteed to impress:

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Begin by peeling your potatoes. Once peeled, cut them into evenly sized chunks, about 5-6 cm (2-2.5 inches). The uniform size is crucial for even cooking. Larger pieces will take longer to cook, while smaller pieces may burn before the larger ones are cooked through.
2. Wash and Soak (Optional but Recommended): Place the chopped potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or even up to a couple of hours. Soaking helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes. This is a key step for achieving extra crispy roast potatoes because excess starch can create a gluey coating that prevents crisping. After soaking, drain the potatoes thoroughly and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear.
3. Parboil the Potatoes: Place the drained potatoes in a large saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are slightly tender around the edges but still firm in the center. You don’t want to fully cook them at this stage. Parboiling is another crucial step. It partially cooks the potatoes, softening the insides and roughing up the outsides, which creates more surface area for crisping during roasting.
4. Drain and Rough Up: Carefully drain the parboiled potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the empty saucepan. This next step is the secret to achieving ultra-crispy edges! Gently shake the saucepan and toss the potatoes around to slightly “rough up” their surfaces. This scuffing creates more jagged edges and increased surface area, which will become wonderfully crispy in the oven. You can also gently use a spoon to lightly crush the edges.
5. Preheat Oven and Roasting Pan: Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F) or 200°C (390°F) for fan-assisted ovens. While the oven is preheating, place your roasting pan in the oven to heat up as well. Heating the pan before adding the oil and potatoes is essential for achieving maximum crispiness. The hot pan instantly starts to cook the potatoes when they are added, creating a crisp exterior.
6. Add Oil and Seasoning to Hot Pan: Carefully remove the hot roasting pan from the oven. Immediately add the vegan oil to the hot pan. The oil should shimmer in the hot pan. Add the parboiled and roughed-up potatoes to the pan, carefully tossing them in the hot oil to ensure they are evenly coated. Sprinkle generously with salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.
7. Roast to Golden Perfection: Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the roasting pan. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the potatoes instead of roasting them and prevent them from crisping up properly. If necessary, use two roasting pans. Roast in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway through, or until they are golden brown and crispy all over. The roasting time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your potato chunks. Keep an eye on them and roast until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
8. Rest and Serve: Once the roast potatoes are cooked to golden perfection, remove them from the oven and let them rest in the pan for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the potatoes to become even crispier. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible crispy, fluffy, and flavourful vegan roast potatoes!

Vegan Roast Potato Nutrition Facts (per serving)

These nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients used and serving size. Values are based on a serving size of approximately 150g (about 1 cup) of cooked roast potatoes, assuming 6 servings from the recipe.

• Calories: Approximately 250 kcal
• Fat: 14g

Please note: This nutritional information is for guidance only. For precise values, use a nutrition calculator with the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.

Preparation Time Breakdown

From start to finish, making these incredible vegan roast potatoes takes a little time, but the results are well worth it! Here’s a breakdown of the preparation time:

• Prep Time (Peeling, Chopping, Soaking): 20-30 minutes (includes soaking time, which is passive). Active prep time is about 10-15 minutes.
• Parboiling Time: 10-15 minutes (including bringing water to a boil).
• Roasting Time: 40-50 minutes.
• Resting Time: 5 minutes.

Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.

While the total time might seem a bit lengthy, much of it is passive time (soaking, parboiling, roasting). The active cooking time is relatively short, making this recipe manageable even on a busy weeknight. You can also reduce the prep time by skipping the soaking step, although it is highly recommended for optimal crispiness.

How to Serve Your Crispy Vegan Roast Potatoes

Vegan roast potatoes are incredibly versatile and make a fantastic side dish for a wide variety of meals. Here are some delicious serving suggestions:

• As part of a Vegan Sunday Roast: No vegan Sunday roast is complete without roast potatoes! Serve them alongside a hearty vegan nut roast, lentil loaf, or stuffed butternut squash. Don’t forget the vegan gravy and your favorite roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and broccoli.
• With Vegan Gravy: Drench your crispy roast potatoes in a rich and flavourful vegan gravy. Whether you make your own from scratch using vegetable broth and nutritional yeast, or opt for a high-quality store-bought vegan gravy, it’s a match made in heaven.
• Alongside Vegan Sausages: Roast potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to vegan sausages. Serve them with your favourite plant-based sausages and a dollop of vegan mustard or ketchup.
• With Vegan Steak or Chicken Alternatives: Pair your roast potatoes with vegan steak or chicken alternatives for a satisfying and hearty meal. The crispy potatoes provide a wonderful textural contrast to the softer vegan protein.
• As a Side to Plant-Based Burgers: Elevate your vegan burger night by serving roast potatoes instead of fries. They offer a more substantial and flavourful side option.
• With Dips: Serve your roast potatoes with a selection of delicious vegan dips like vegan aioli, hummus, baba ghanoush, or a creamy vegan cashew dip. They are perfect for dipping and dunking!
• In Salads (Cold): Leftover roast potatoes can be transformed into a delicious cold potato salad. Chop them up and toss with vegan mayonnaise, fresh herbs, and your favorite salad vegetables for a flavorful and satisfying salad.
• As a Snack: Let’s be honest, sometimes the best way to serve roast potatoes is simply on their own, straight from the oven! They are irresistible as a snack, especially when still warm and crispy.

Additional Tips for Perfect Vegan Roast Potatoes

Want to take your vegan roast potato game to the next level? Here are some additional tips to ensure crispy, flavourful perfection every time:

1. Choose the Right Potato Variety: As mentioned earlier, starchy potatoes like Maris Piper, Russet, or Yukon Gold are your best bet for roasting. They have the ideal texture for achieving that crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
2. Don’t Skip the Parboiling: Parboiling is a crucial step that should not be skipped. It softens the inside of the potatoes and creates a slightly roughened exterior, which is essential for crispiness.
3. Rough Up the Potatoes Generously: Don’t be shy about roughing up the potatoes after parboiling. The more jagged edges, the more crispy surface area you’ll have.
4. Use a Hot Roasting Pan and Hot Oil: Preheating the roasting pan and adding the oil to the hot pan ensures that the potatoes start cooking immediately and crisp up beautifully.
5. Ensure Potatoes are Dry Before Roasting: After parboiling and roughing up, make sure the potatoes are relatively dry before adding them to the hot oil. Excess moisture can hinder crisping. You can pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel if necessary.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Overcrowding the roasting pan will cause the potatoes to steam rather than roast, resulting in soggy potatoes. Spread them in a single layer, and use two pans if needed.
7. Turn Potatoes Halfway Through Roasting: Turning the potatoes halfway through ensures even browning and crispiness on all sides.
8. Experiment with Different Herbs and Spices: While rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder are a classic combination, feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices to create your own signature flavour. Thyme, oregano, paprika, smoked paprika, or chili flakes can all add a delicious twist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Vegan Roast Potatoes

Here are some common questions people ask about making vegan roast potatoes:

Q1: Can I make vegan roast potatoes ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the potatoes up to the parboiling stage ahead of time. Parboil them, drain, and rough them up as instructed, then store them in the fridge in a container of cold water for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to roast, drain them well, pat them dry, and proceed with the roasting instructions.

Q2: Can I use fresh rosemary instead of dried rosemary?
A: Yes, you can use fresh rosemary. Use about 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, finely chopped. Add them to the potatoes along with the other seasonings before roasting. Dried rosemary is more potent, so you may need to use slightly more fresh rosemary to achieve the same flavour intensity.

Q3: What if I don’t have sunflower or rapeseed oil? Can I use another type of vegan oil?
A: Yes, you can use other high smoke point vegan oils such as light olive oil, avocado oil, or corn oil. Coconut oil (refined, not virgin) can also be used, but it may impart a slight coconut flavour. Avoid extra virgin olive oil as it has a lower smoke point and can burn at high roasting temperatures.

Q4: How do I get my vegan roast potatoes extra crispy?
A: Follow all the tips outlined in this article! The key elements for extra crispy roast potatoes are: choosing starchy potatoes, soaking them, parboiling them, roughing them up generously, using a hot roasting pan and hot oil, ensuring they are dry before roasting, and not overcrowding the pan.

Q5: Can I roast other vegetables with the potatoes at the same time?
A: Yes, you can roast other vegetables alongside the potatoes. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes are great options. Add them to the roasting pan at the same time as the potatoes, or slightly later if they cook faster. Be mindful of overcrowding the pan.

Q6: Are vegan roast potatoes gluten-free?
A: Yes, this vegan roast potato recipe is naturally gluten-free as it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.

Q7: Can I freeze leftover vegan roast potatoes?
A: While you can freeze leftover roast potatoes, the texture may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. They may not be as crispy as freshly roasted potatoes. If you do freeze them, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat them directly from frozen in a hot oven until heated through and crispy.

Q8: What is the best vegan gravy to serve with these roast potatoes?
A: There are many delicious vegan gravy options! You can make a simple vegan gravy using vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, soy sauce or tamari, and cornstarch or arrowroot starch to thicken. Alternatively, there are excellent store-bought vegan gravies available in most supermarkets. Look for brands like Bisto Vegan Gravy Granules or Plant Kitchen Vegan Gravy. Mushroom gravy, onion gravy, or vegetable gravy all pair wonderfully with roast potatoes.

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