Name: Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled); 1½ cups unsalted butter (melted, 3 sticks); 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon herbs de provence; 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 2 cloves garlic (minced); Fresh herbs such as rosemary and sage

There's something utterly magical about potatoes cooked to perfection, especially when they're tender, buttery, and infused with herbs. The Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe is exactly that kind of magic — crispy on the edges, soft and buttery in the center, and downright irresistible every single time.

A white plate with a decorative rim holds about two layers of golden brown, round potatoes that look fried or roasted. The potatoes have a crispy, shiny surface spotted with small bits of chopped garlic and black pepper. Tiny green herb sprigs, possibly thyme, are scattered lightly on top. The potatoes sit in a light brown sauce that glistens under soft lighting, with visible small garlic pieces and a few herb leaves. The plate is on a white marbled surface 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 Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled this recipe out when friends came over or on busy weeknights. It feels fancy enough to impress but is surprisingly easy to make, and the flavors are just pure joy.

Golden, buttery perfection: The potatoes become tender inside with crispy, caramelized edges that everyone raves about.
Simple ingredients: Using classic staples like butter, fresh thyme, and garlic means you don’t need a long ingredient list to shine.
Versatile side dish: It pairs beautifully with everything from roast chicken to grilled veggies.
Step-by-step roasting method: Gives even cooking and that unbeatable “melting” texture that’s hard to replicate any other way.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe plays its role perfectly. The richness from butter and the earthy brightness from fresh herbs balance the mild creaminess of Yukon Gold potatoes wonderfully. Picking quality ingredients here really makes a difference, so don’t skimp!

Flat lay of a stack of peeled Yukon Gold potatoes cut into thick disks, a few whole brown garlic bulbs with two cloves separated, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white bowl filled with low-sodium chicken broth, a tiny white bowl holding fresh green thyme sprigs, a small white bowl with coarse kosher salt crystals, a tiny white bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a miniature white bowl containing crushed red pepper flakes, a small bunch of fresh rosemary and sage sprigs arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed 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 m7354615311229779997

Yukon Gold potatoes: Their natural creaminess allows them to “melt” beautifully while roasting—and their waxy texture holds up well without falling apart.
Unsalted butter: Gives you control over the salt level and adds luxurious richness to every bite.
Fresh thyme: Adds that subtle herbal note that pairs perfectly with roasted potatoes.
Kosher salt & black pepper: These bring out the natural potato flavor and balance the richness.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Adds moisture and flavor during roasting without overwhelming the dish.
Minced garlic: Brings a warm, savory depth that elevates the entire recipe.
Crushed red pepper flakes & Herbs de Provence: Optional, but they add a nice kick and complexity if you choose to include them.
Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage): Use what you love—fresh herbs really elevate this basic side dish into something special.

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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

What I love most about the Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe is how easily it adapts to personal taste. Sometimes I tweak the herbs or spice level depending on the season or what protein I’m pairing it with. You should definitely feel free to do the same—it’s all about making it your own.

Variation: I once added a sprinkle of smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne for a subtle smoky heat, and it completely changed the vibe in the best way.
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try swapping the butter for olive oil—though it won’t be quite as rich, it’s still wonderfully flavorful.
Herbs swap: If fresh thyme isn’t available, dried thyme works fine—just use about a third of the amount.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a close-up view of golden-brown roasted potato rounds arranged closely on a baking tray. Each potato piece is thick, roughly circular, and has a crispy caramelized surface with specks of black pepper and small bits of chopped garlic scattered on top. The potatoes have a slightly oily shine from the roasting, with a textured and slightly rough surface. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep your potatoes just right

First, I get the oven roaring at 500°F and prep a baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray—that step saves so much hassle later. Then, peeling Yukon Golds and slicing them into 1-inch disks with squared-off ends makes sure they roast evenly. Trust me, similar size pieces mean consistent melting and browning.

Step 2: Butter bath and layering

I toss the potato disks in melted butter combined with fresh thyme, kosher salt, and pepper. The butter clings to each piece, building that rich, golden crust. I arrange the potatoes in a single layer with some space between them—I learned the hard way that crowding the pan leads to soggy potatoes, and we don’t want that.

Step 3: Roast, flip, and repeat

After roasting for 20 minutes to get those bottoms beautifully browned, I carefully flip the potatoes using a flat metal spatula (this keeps them intact) and roast for another 15 minutes. Then, it’s time for the flavorful broth- and garlic-infused liquid—pour it over before roasting for the last 15 minutes, which gently tenderizes and infuses flavor without drowning the potatoes.

Step 4: Let them rest and serve

Once they’re tender and the sauce has thickened slightly, I always let these melting potatoes rest for about five minutes—this helps the sauce settle and keeps each bite perfectly luscious. Just before serving, spoon a bit of that buttery sauce over the top for extra yum.

Top Tip

After making the Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe multiple times, I've found a few little tricks that really help get that perfect melting texture and crispy edges—these are worth remembering.

Even slicing: Cut your potatoes as evenly as possible so they cook uniformly—you can try using a mandoline for consistency if you’re short on time.
Don’t crowd the pan: Leaving space between potato slices is crucial to achieve crisp edges rather than steaming them.
Gentle flipping: Always use a thin spatula to flip carefully without breaking the potatoes, so you preserve that beautiful shape.
Broth timing: Add the chicken broth and garlic after partial roasting to infuse flavor AND prevent sogginess—this balance is key.

How to Serve Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing these potatoes with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or a few extra thyme leaves—it adds a fresh pop of color and brightness. Sometimes a little flaky sea salt on top just before serving intensifies the flavor even more.

Side Dishes

This recipe is my go-to side for roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a simple pan-seared salmon. It’s also fantastic alongside steamed green beans or a crisp arugula salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to serve these potatoes in mini cast iron skillets or small ramekins to keep them warm at the table. Lining the serving dish with fresh rosemary sprigs adds a lovely aroma that impresses guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them—they keep well for up to 3 days. When refrigerated, the potatoes firm up a bit but still reheat nicely.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these once or twice with decent results. Lay the cooked, cooled potatoes on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven for best texture.

Reheating

To bring leftover melting potatoes back to life, I spread them on a baking sheet and heat at 375°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through and edges crisp up again. Microwaving will soften them too much, so I avoid that whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What potatoes are best for the Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe?

Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal because their creamy texture allows them to roast evenly and develop that perfect melt-in-your-mouth quality. Starchy potatoes like Russets can fall apart, and waxier ones like red potatoes might not get as tender.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! To make vegan Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe, substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality plant-based butter or olive oil. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Why do I need to flip the potatoes during roasting?

Flipping the potatoes halfway ensures even browning and cooking on both sides. It also helps develop that signature crispy edge and soft interior texture that makes this recipe special.

Can I prepare the potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the potatoes a few hours ahead—slice and toss them in butter and herbs, then store them covered in the fridge. Just bring them to room temperature before roasting, and proceed with the recipe as usual for best results.

Final Thoughts

The Oven-Roasted Melting Potatoes Recipe feels like a little love letter to simple, soulful cooking. It’s one of those dishes I come back to again and again because it never fails to impress—whether it’s a casual dinner, holiday feast, or just because. Honestly, once you try these potatoes, you’ll want to keep them on constant rotation too.