Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes: The Ultimate Easy & Flavorful Side Dish

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience with these incredibly delicious Parmesan Crusted Potatoes. Marrying the humble potato with rich, savory Parmesan cheese creates a side dish that’s nothing short of culinary magic. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that elevates any meal, delivering a perfect balance of creamy interior and irresistibly crispy, cheesy crust. This recipe isn’t just easy to make; it’s bursting with flavor, promising a delightful crunch in every single bite.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes that have baked and cooled, in a serving bowl with a side of chive sour cream.

Be warned: these potatoes are seriously addictive. Much like your favorite potato chips, you might find yourself saying, “Once you pop, you just can’t stop!” My family devoured them in minutes and immediately requested them for next week’s dinner menu. They’re that good—a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors.

Why You’ll Love These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Unbeatable Flavor: The combination of starchy potatoes, savory Parmesan, and aromatic seasonings creates a flavor profile that’s simply irresistible.
Perfect Texture: Achieved through a clever par-boiling and baking technique, these potatoes boast a wonderfully creamy interior contrasted with a golden-brown, cheesy-crisp exterior.
Effortlessly Easy: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, even on busy weeknights.
Versatile Side Dish: These crispy potatoes pair beautifully with almost any main course, from grilled meats to roasted chicken or fish, making them a go-to for any occasion.
Crowd-Pleasing Snack: Serve them with a dipping sauce like chive sour cream, and watch them disappear at your next party or gathering.
Budget-Friendly: Made with common, affordable ingredients, this dish delivers gourmet taste without breaking the bank.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

This recipe truly exemplifies my belief that the best dishes often come from just a few high-quality ingredients. Potatoes, a touch of fat, well-chosen seasonings, and plenty of cheese are all you need for absolute perfection! The Parmesan cheese contributes significant saltiness to the final product, which is why I often opt for a salt-free garlic and herb seasoning. This allows me to control the overall salt level while still infusing the potatoes with fantastic aromatic notes.

Ingredients needed to make Parmesan Crusted Potatoes.

That salt-free garlic and herb seasoning is incredibly versatile and can enhance almost any dish. When it comes to the Parmesan, a crucial detail for maximum crispiness and flavor is to use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-shredded or pre-grated varieties. Freshly grated cheese lacks the anti-caking additives found in packaged options, which can hinder melting and crisping. For the finest crumb, toss a few chunks of high-quality Parmesan into a food processor and pulse until it reaches a fine, powdery texture.

Potatoes: Yukon Gold or fingerling potatoes are ideal. Yukon Golds offer an incredibly creamy interior, while fingerlings are perfect for bite-sized portions. Any small, waxy potato will work beautifully, but avoid starchy Russets as they can become too crumbly.
Olive Oil: Essential for coating the potatoes, helping them achieve a lovely golden crispness and ensuring the seasonings adhere well.
Garlic and Herb Seasoning: A robust, salt-free blend is recommended to manage the sodium content, given the inherent saltiness of Parmesan. Alternatively, fresh minced garlic and herbs like rosemary or thyme provide an aromatic boost.
Kosher Salt: Used in moderation to season the potatoes before baking, complementing the Parmesan.
Unsalted Butter: Melted on the baking sheet, butter is key for its rich flavor and for creating a non-stick surface that helps the Parmesan crust adhere perfectly and release easily.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: This is the star! Grate it fresh from a block for the best flavor, texture, and crisping capabilities. The fine grate ensures an even, consistent crust.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Creating these delightful potatoes involves a few simple steps, each designed to maximize flavor and texture. Follow along for the perfect crispy, creamy result.

1. Prepare the Potatoes

First, bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. While the water heats, cut your chosen potatoes in half lengthwise. This ensures even cooking and creates a flat surface for the Parmesan crust. Once boiling, drop the halved potatoes into the water and par-boil them for just a few minutes. This crucial step softens the interior, ensuring a beautifully creamy texture once baked, while allowing the exterior to crisp up perfectly in the oven. Unlike some of the initial reference pictures where the potatoes might appear whole, remember to cut them in half before boiling for the best results.

Potatoes placed in boiling water to be par cooked before smashing.

2. Prepare the Baking Sheet

While the potatoes are par-boiling, get your baking sheet ready. Use a large, rimmed baking sheet. Place the unsalted butter directly onto the sheet pan and slide it into your preheated oven for a few minutes until the butter is completely melted. Once melted, remove the pan and evenly dust the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the entire surface, creating a full, generous layer. Do not stir or mix; you want a distinct layer of cheese.

Solid butter placed on a rimmed baking sheet before melting.

Solid butter placed on a rimmed baking sheet after melting.

3. Season and Bake

Drain the par-boiled potatoes thoroughly and transfer them to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with your garlic and herb seasoning, and add a little kosher salt. Toss gently until all the potatoes are evenly coated. Then, carefully arrange the seasoned potato halves onto the prepared baking sheet, placing them cut-side down directly onto the layer of Parmesan cheese. Ensure there’s a little space between each potato to encourage crisping. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese on the bottom is beautifully crispy and golden, forming a delicious crust, and the potatoes themselves are tender and golden brown.

Seasoning halved potatoes with oil, salt, and garlic herb seasoning.

Seasoned potatoes, placed cut side down on a buttered sheet pan that has been dusted with parmesan cheese that will crisp when baked.

4. Rest and Serve

Once baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven. This next step is vital for ensuring the crispy Parmesan crust stays firmly attached to the potatoes. Let the potatoes cool on the pan undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This cooling period allows the cheese to set and firm up, creating a strong bond with the potato. After resting, gently use a thin metal spatula to lift and flip each potato. You’ll reveal a beautifully golden and crispy Parmesan crust. Arrange them on a serving platter, and they are ready to be devoured.

Close up of seasoned potatoes, placed cut side down on a buttered sheet pan that has been dusted with parmesan cheese that have crisped during baking.

After the potatoes have baked and the parmesan has gotten crispy, let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes them flip and find the crisped cheese stuck to the potatoes.

These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are incredibly versatile. If you’re serving them as an appetizer or snack, a bowl of homemade chive sour cream on the side is a must. The cool, tangy dip perfectly complements the rich, crispy potatoes. Alternatively, drizzle some of the sour cream directly over them for an added layer of flavor. They are addictively dippable and equally fantastic when served as a sophisticated side dish next to a wonderfully grilled steak, roasted chicken, or your favorite fish.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes in a bowl with one being dipped in chive sour cream.

Expert Notes & Tips for Perfect Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Achieving the perfect balance of crispy exterior and creamy interior requires a few key techniques and considerations:

The Importance of Par-Boiling: Boiling the potatoes for just a few minutes before roasting is critical. It partially cooks the potato, ensuring the center becomes beautifully tender and buttery while the high oven temperature creates that desired crisp exterior. Don’t skip this step for the best texture!
The Dynamic Duo: Butter and Oil: Using both butter and olive oil is essential. The olive oil helps the potato skins (or cut sides) crisp up beautifully. Meanwhile, the butter on the baking sheet provides rich flavor and acts as a barrier, ensuring the Parmesan melts and caramelizes into a crust that releases cleanly from the pan and sticks to the potato.
Serving Suggestions for Any Occasion: These potatoes are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a delicious snack or appetizer for game day parties, holiday gatherings, or backyard barbecues. A simple dip made by tossing some fresh chopped chives into sour cream elevates them into an elegant finger food. They also make an outstanding side dish for almost any meal, from weeknight dinners to special occasions.
Crispy ‘Potato Skin’ Bites: When done right, these potatoes transform into delightful little bite-sized crispy potato skins, making them fun and easy to eat.
Reheating Leftovers: Should you be lucky enough to have leftovers, reheat them in a hot oven (around 375°F / 190°C) or an air-fryer for about 5-10 minutes. This brings back their wonderful crispness, making them almost as good as fresh. Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soggy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For maximum crispiness, ensure the potatoes are arranged in a single layer on the baking sheet with a little space between each piece. Overcrowding will steam the potatoes instead of roasting them, resulting in a less crispy texture. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
Parchment Paper (Optional): While the butter helps prevent sticking, if you’re concerned, you can line the baking sheet with parchment paper before adding the butter and cheese. This will ensure an even easier release, though the direct contact with the buttered pan also contributes to the crust’s development.

Flavorful Substitutions and Variations

While this recipe is perfect as written, don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

Potato Varieties: While fingerling and Yukon Gold potatoes are my top recommendations for their creamy texture and small size, other small, waxy potatoes like red potatoes or new potatoes work wonderfully. They hold their shape well and develop a great crisp exterior. For the creamiest possible interior, Yukon Golds are truly unmatched.
Seasoning Alternatives: I love this salt-free garlic and herb seasoning for its balanced flavor. However, feel free to get creative. You could use fresh minced garlic (about 1-2 cloves per pound of potatoes) combined with fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika. An Italian seasoning blend is also a fantastic choice.
Cheese Options: Parmesan cheese lends its namesake to this dish and provides a unique sharp, nutty flavor and excellent crisping qualities. However, you can also achieve delicious results with other hard, grating cheeses. Grana Padano offers a slightly milder, sweeter flavor. Asiago cheese will provide a nuttier, tangier profile. Even a good quality Pecorino Romano can be used for a saltier, more pungent kick, though you might want to reduce the added salt if using Pecorino.
Herb Additions: Fresh herbs are a wonderful way to brighten this dish. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, chives, or thyme over the potatoes just before serving for an extra pop of color and aroma.
Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce mixed into the olive oil before tossing the potatoes can add a delightful kick.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes that have baked and cooled, in a serving bowl.

Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions

These crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be adapted for any meal or occasion. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Classic Side Dish: They are the quintessential accompaniment to a perfectly grilled steak, roasted chicken, or pan-seared fish. The rich, savory potatoes complement almost any protein.
Appetizer or Snack: Arrange them on a platter with a bowl of homemade chive sour cream for dipping. Simply mix finely chopped chives into sour cream with a pinch of salt and pepper. Other great dips include a creamy garlic aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, or even a simple ranch dressing.
Brunch Booster: Serve these alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit for a hearty and flavorful brunch spread.
Vegetarian Meal: Combine them with a fresh green salad and some roasted vegetables for a satisfying meatless meal.
Picnic or Potluck Essential: These potatoes travel well and are always a hit at potlucks or picnics. Just make sure to cool them before packing to maintain their crispness.

More of my Favorite Potato Recipes

Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Steak and Potato Soup

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Ranch Potato Salad

Potato Chip Chicken

Crispy Skin Baked Potatoes

Loaded Baked Potato Mashers

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Did you make this recipe? Let me know by leaving a review or comment! And be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: about 2 pounds (8 servings)