Sometimes, the best things in life—and on the dinner table—are the simplest. We all love those show-stopping mains, but honestly, a meal isn’t complete without a side dish that’s totally dependable, bursting with flavor, and doesn’t require a whole evening of work. That’s exactly what these Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes are! They fly off the plate every time we serve them.
I still remember the first time I made them for a family gathering. That sunny Sunday afternoon, my kitchen started smelling absolutely intoxicating—that gorgeous blend of fresh rosemary mingling with the earthy scent of those little gems roasting. As I tossed the baby potatoes with olive oil, garlic, and thyme, I felt such a strong connection to my nonna, who always made simple ingredients sing. Trust me, these are naturally gluten-free, making them a fantastic choice for busy weeknights or for anyone navigating dietary needs. As a Gluten-Free Culinary Storyteller, making sure these old-world flavors work in my modern, gluten-free kitchen is my specialty, and this recipe is proof that comfort food never needs to be complicated! You can learn more about my journey over at my About Page.
Why You Will Love These Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
I promise you, these potatoes aren’t just an afterthought side dish; they become the star! They are so easy, requiring almost zero attention once they hit the oven. Why is this my go-to recipe for almost every gathering? Well, look:
- They transform simple baby potatoes into something completely irresistible.
- The flavor profile is just spot-on—that punch of fresh garlic and rosemary is heaven!
- Seriously, they’re ready in under an hour total, making them perfect for any Easy Weeknight meal.
- They achieve that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside magic every single time.
- They are completely gluten-free, so everyone at the table can enjoy them without worry.
- You only need one sheet pan for the whole batch (though I often use two, see later!), which means cleanup is a breeze!
Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Okay, let’s talk about what makes these Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes truly sing! When you are dealing with such simple ingredients, the quality really shines through, especially with our herbs. Don’t even think about skipping the fresh rosemary and thyme; the dried stuff just doesn’t have that bright, amazing aroma we are going for. Since this is a naturally gluten-free recipe, we want those fresh flavors to carry the dish!
The potato selection is super important, too. I am super specific here: you want those little petite potatoes, the ones that are about an inch to an inch and a half round. If they are too big or too starchy, they steam instead of roast, and we have no time for steamed potatoes here!
For the Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
- 3 pounds petite potatoes (look for the small ones, about 1 or 1.5 inches round—they cook the best!)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
- To taste salt
- To taste pepper
Essential Equipment for Your Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
You don’t need fancy gadgets, thank goodness! For this Simple Side, you just need the basics: your reliable oven and a good heavy-duty baking sheet. Now, here is my one big secret if you are making a giant batch like I often do for parties: don’t try to cram everything onto one pan! If you overcrowd your potatoes, they steam instead of roast, and we want that glorious crispy crust, right? So please, use two baking sheets if you have to!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Simple Side Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Now that we have our gorgeous ingredients ready, let’s get them into that oven! This is the easy part where the oven does all the heavy lifting. We’re aiming for tender centers and super crispy, golden edges, which you can learn more about from folks like other dedicated home cooks, but my way is the best, trust me!
Preheating and Potato Preparation
First things first: Crank that oven up to 425 degrees F. Let it get nice and hot while you prep the veggies because we want instant sizzling when they hit that pan. Next, you need to prep your potatoes. Remember how I said we love those petite ones? Take all 3 pounds and cut them in half. If you grab one and it looks bigger than about 1.5 inches across—maybe it’s a rogue giant—just slice that one into a few smaller, uniform pieces. This is key so they all cook evenly!
Tossing and Seasoning the Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Grab your largest mixing bowl—or just use one of your baking sheets if you’re feeling lazy like I sometimes am! Toss those cut potatoes with the olive oil, all that perfectly minced garlic, your fresh rosemary, and thyme. Don’t forget the salt and pepper! You need to toss this until literally every little potato piece is coated well. Now, this is nonna’s trick for incredible Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes: lay them out on the sheet pan in a single layer, and make sure the cut, flat side is facing down. That maximized contact with the hot metal is what creates that lovely crust.
Achieving the Perfect Roast
Pop that sheet pan into your hot oven for about 25 minutes total cooking time. But here’s the most important part: leave them alone for the first 18 minutes! Seriously, don’t touch them! We need that bottom to brown beautifully. After that 18 minutes, you’ll check, flip them over gently, and roast for the remaining time until they are fork-tender and golden all over. Once they are done, pull them out for a quick 5-minute cool-down before serving. You can find more great simple side dish recipes on my site!
Tips for Success with Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Getting truly crispy results is all about respecting the heat and the process! I learned the hard way so you don’t have to. My absolute number one tip for these Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes is back to overcrowding: if you pile them high, they steam. You need space! That’s why I always push for that single layer, flat-side-down contact with the pan. More pans, more crunch, less steaming, I always say!
Also, please, please use the fresh herbs listed. If you are prepping your herbs, the smell alone is half the joy of this dish. If you *must* use dried herbs, that’s fine, but remember you only need about one-third of what the fresh measurement calls for. Finally, that initial roasting time—the first 18 minutes where you don’t flip? That’s where the golden crust is made. Don’t peek! If you’re into making things ahead, these reheat beautifully in the air fryer from my meal prep inspiration posts.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Oh, leftovers! The best part of making a good side dish is knowing you have another mini-dinner waiting for you tomorrow. If you happen to have any of these amazing Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes left over—which is rare in my house—storing them is super simple. Just let them cool down completely first, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about two days. You can find my general tips for dinner leftovers on the blog!
When it’s time to eat them again, reheat them to bring back that glorious crispness. Skip the microwave entirely! I love popping them back into a 350-degree oven for about 8 minutes, or if you have an air fryer, that works even faster to crisp them up again. Yep, you can even freeze fully roasted potatoes, too, for up to three months!
Serving Suggestions for Your Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Honestly, these herb roasted baby potatoes are so versatile, they practically go with *everything*! Since they are a wonderful, hearty Simple Side, they are the perfect companion for simple proteins. They pair beautifully alongside a beautifully roasted chicken or maybe a nice piece of salmon. I often make them when I am putting together a fantastic, easy steak dinner.
If you’re looking for more easy main dish ideas that match that lovely roasted flavor, check out my favorites in the easy chicken recipes section! These little gems brighten up any plate!
Frequently Asked Questions About Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Whenever I share this recipe for Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes, a few questions pop up again and again. It’s totally normal! We all want to make sure our Roasted Vegetables turn out perfectly every time we follow a new recipe. If you ever have a question that isn’t answered here, feel free to reach out through my Contact Page!
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs in this Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes recipe?
Oh, I wish I could say yes emphatically, but fresh is always better for that bright flavor! If you absolutely have to reach for the dried jars, you must adjust the amount. Dried herbs are much more concentrated than fresh ones. My rule of thumb is to use only one-third of the amount called for in the recipe. So, if the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, use just a scant teaspoon of dried rosemary. Don’t add too much, or your potatoes will taste a bit dusty!
What is the best way to make these potatoes crispy?
Crispiness is the ultimate goal, right? If you take away just one thing from this whole guide, let it be this: do not overcrowd your baking sheet! If you pile those Baby Potatoes on top of each other, they will steam in their own moisture and end up soft. You need space between them so the hot air can circulate around every surface. Also, make sure you cut them evenly—a uniform cut means uniform cooking, which is way better for achieving that all-over crispy crust we love.
Can I substitute the rosemary and thyme with other herbs?
Absolutely, you can tailor these to whatever you have growing in your garden or whatever your taste buds prefer! Rosemary and thyme are my classic combo, but they work beautifully with many other flavors. If you want a slightly different twist on these Roasted Vegetables, try swapping out the herbs for 2 teaspoons of dried oregano mixed with 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram. Or, if you love Italian seasoning, a teaspoon of that blend mixed with a little extra garlic powder works wonders too. Just adjust your salt and pepper when you change the main flavor profile!
Estimated Nutritional Data for Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
It’s always smart to have a quick look at the nutrition, especially when you’re relying on simple, whole ingredients like these! When I put together my famous Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes, I focus on whole foods, so naturally, they are packed with goodness. Keep in mind, baking is an art, and so is nutrition! Since your potato size, the exact brand of olive oil you use, and how much salt you sprinkle on by heart will all vary, these numbers are just a friendly guideline. You can find more general information on healthy dinner recipes on my site.
Based on 6 average servings, here is what you can generally expect from a generous helping:
- Calories: Around 193 per serving
- Total Fat: About 7 grams
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 30 grams
- Protein: Around 4 grams
See? That’s a fantastic, hearty side dish that packs fiber (about 4 grams!) and potassium without weighing you down. You just can’t go wrong with these!
Share Your Experience Making This Simple Side
Now that you’ve got all the secrets to making glorious, crispy, and perfectly seasoned Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes, I really, really want to hear from you! Cooking brings us together, and sharing what worked (or maybe what funny disaster happened in your oven!) is part of the fun. This recipe holds so much history for me, and I love seeing how you make it your own.
Did you try adding a sprinkle of paprika for extra color? Or maybe you used a different fresh herb that you loved? Please take a moment to pop down into the comments below and leave your rating! A quick star rating tells me instantly if this Simple Side hit the mark for you. If you’ve got pictures, tag me on social media! Seeing those golden-brown beauties show up on your dinner tables makes my whole day. I’ve collected tons of amazing feedback and success stories right here on the site from readers just like you. Happy roasting!

Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut the petite potatoes in half. If any potatoes are larger than 1.5 inches round, cut them into smaller, uniform pieces.
- On a large baking sheet, or two if needed to avoid overcrowding, toss the halved potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt and ⅓ teaspoon of pepper, or adjust to your preference.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet(s), flat side down. Ensure the pan is not overcrowded for even roasting.
- Roast for about 25 minutes. After about 18 minutes, or when a golden brown crust forms on the flat side, flip the potatoes. Continue roasting until they are tender and golden brown all over.
- Let the potatoes cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Gluten-Free Culinary Storyteller & Recipe Heritage Specialist
Getting diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity in my late twenties felt like losing my Italian identity. Growing up in nonna’s Brooklyn kitchen, learning traditional techniques that suddenly became off-limits—I decided to fight for those family food traditions instead of giving up.
With my food journalism background and European baking training, I became obsessed with recreating authentic flavors in gluten-free formats. I’ve adapted 400+ traditional recipes from various cultures, with my gnocchi recipe winning “Recipe of the Year” from the National Gluten-Free Living Awards in 2022.
I collaborate with the Italian-American Cultural Center to document traditional family recipes and volunteer with the Westchester Celiac Support Group, teaching monthly pasta-making classes.
Food is the heart of family storytelling. No one should sacrifice their cultural heritage due to dietary restrictions.