Parmentier Potatoes - Roasted Cubed Potatoes

What are parmentier potatoes?

Parmentier potatoes are red or white potatoes chopped into small cubes, fried in butter or oven-cooked in oil with your choice of herb and spices.

It's a great side dish for any main course and perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

This potato dish is simple to make and easily tailored to your taste by varying herbs or spices.

• Potatoes - Use white potatoes like Maris Pipers or Yukon Gold for best results. Peeling is optional.
• Oil - Olive oil is preferred, but rapeseed, sunflower, vegetable oil, or melted butter can be used. Avoid extra virgin olive oil.
• Garlic - Fresh chopped garlic adds flavour. Add it later in the cooking process to prevent burning.
• Herbs - Fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley are recommended. Dried herbs can be used - just use half the quantity.
• Shallot - Finely chopped shallot adds sweetness and depth. Red, white, or brown onions can be used as substitutes.
• Salt & Pepper - Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt flakes are ideal. Season before roasting and again before serving.

Parboiling

Parboiling the potatoes before oven roasting is optional.

It may seem a bit long-winded; however, we find it the best way to prepare crispy-skinned cubed potatoes that are smooth and fluffy inside.

Once you have drained the salted water from the potatoes, it is best to pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel.

Transfer them into a bowl, add oil and give a good stir so they are well coated.

Grease a baking tray using oil on a kitchen towel, place them evenly spaced so they are not touching and add black pepper all over.

Cooking time

Preheat oven at 200°C /180°C fan / 400° F/ Gas Mark 6. How to convert Celsius - Fahrenheit.

Cook potatoes for 20 minutes without seasonings; if added too early, they will burn. 

Turn the potatoes in the roasting tin, add the shallots, garlic and herbs scattered on top and return to the oven for another 15 minutes until golden brown.

If you choose not to add anything they will be like mini roast potatoes!

Parmentier Potatoes Seasoning

Here are a few ideas for adjusting the ingredients to suit the cuisine. Remember to add the addition for the final 10 minutes of cooking time only.

French - Shallot, garlic and herbs. Serve with Rump Steak and Peppercorn Sauce  

Spanish - Paprika, garlic and chopped chorizo. Alongside Gambas pil pil

Italian - Basil, red chilli flakes and parmesan cheese. Paired with Parmesean Chicken

Mexican - Chilli powder, cinnamon and coriander leaf. Wonderful with Nachos

Indian - Curry powder, garlic and coriander. Great with Tandoori Chicken Tikka Kebab

Asian - Chinese 5 spice, ginger and garlic. Served with Salt and Pepper Wings

Also great as mini roast potatoes with a roast dinner.

Make Ahead Cubed Potatoes

Parmentier potatoes can be made in advance, parboil and kept in the fridge or freezer, ready to pop into the oven to finish cooking.

Fridge

After parboiling and draining the potatoes, keep in the fridge, and when ready, cook as in the recipe card in the oven.

Or complete the cooking process and reheat in the oven for 10-15 minutes from chilled.

Freezer 

Similarly, you can freeze parmentier potatoes after parboiling; they may need an extra 5-10 minutes cooking from frozen.

Or if already roasted, then frozen, reheat in the oven for 15-20 minutes. 

History of Parmentier Potatoes

Despite being imported from South America in the 16th century, potatoes failed to catch on in Europe at first. In France, they only used potatoes as animal feed because they thought potatoes caused leprosy.

During the Seven Years' War, Antoine Augustin Parmentier, a French pharmacist and chemist, was captured and held prisoner. During captivity, he discovered that eating potatoes caused him no ill health.

After returning to France, Parmentier began advocating for the potato as a food crop.

He successfully lobbied the French government to lift the ban on potatoes in 1772.

One of the many ways Parmentier prepared potatoes was named 'Pommes Parmentier or 'garniture Parmentier' after him.

Potato side dish recipes

Are you looking for more ways to use potatoes for side dishes? Check out our extra crunchy roast potatoes, Slow cooker Jacket Potatoes, healthy air fryer roast potatoes or our Air Fryer Chips - Healthy Homemade Chunky Cut

We also have finger-licking spicy wedges, the kid's favourite cheese and mashed potato pie. Or a simple, easy creamy Mashed Potato.

We hope you enjoy this parmentier potatoes recipe; let us know what herbs and spices you add to yours when you make them!