Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Potatoes

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is key to achieving crispy, golden-brown potatoes. While the oven is preheating, take your baby potatoes and give them a good rinse under cold water. No need to peel them – the thin skins of baby potatoes become wonderfully tender and slightly crispy when roasted. If you have larger baby potatoes, you might want to halve or quarter them so they are roughly uniform in size. This ensures they cook evenly. Place the rinsed and cut potatoes (if necessary) in a large bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the Herb and Garlic Mixture

Now, let’s create the aromatic herb and garlic mixture that will infuse our potatoes with incredible flavor. Take your fresh rosemary and thyme. If using fresh herbs, remove the leaves from the woody stems and finely chop them. Measure out approximately 2 tablespoons of each. Peel and mince your garlic cloves. You should aim for about 3 cloves of minced garlic. In a small bowl, combine the chopped rosemary, thyme, and minced garlic. Add the salt and black pepper to this mixture. If you want a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes here as well.

Step 3: Toss the Potatoes with Olive Oil and Herb Mixture

Pour the olive oil over the baby potatoes in the large bowl. Using your hands or a spatula, toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the olive oil. This oil coating is crucial for crisping up the potatoes during roasting. Next, sprinkle the herb and garlic mixture over the oiled potatoes. Again, toss everything together thoroughly so that the herbs and garlic are evenly distributed and clinging to the potatoes. Make sure every potato is generously coated with the flavorful mixture. The aroma at this stage is already enticing!

Step 4: Arrange Potatoes on a Baking Sheet

Spread the herb-coated baby potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. It’s important to arrange them in a single layer and not overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will steam the potatoes instead of roasting them, resulting in soggy potatoes rather than crispy ones. If necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure ample space for each potato. For even browning, you can line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, but it’s not strictly necessary.

Step 5: Roast the Potatoes to Perfection

Place the baking sheet(s) in the preheated oven and roast for 25-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and beautifully golden brown and crispy on the outside. Halfway through the roasting time, around the 15-20 minute mark, take the baking sheet out of the oven and toss the potatoes gently with a spatula. This ensures even cooking and browning on all sides. Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue roasting for the remaining time. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent burning, especially if your oven tends to run hot.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the potatoes are roasted to golden perfection and fork-tender, remove the baking sheet from the oven. The aroma of herbs and roasted potatoes will be absolutely divine! Let the potatoes cool for a minute or two before serving. This brief cooling period allows them to crisp up even further. Serve these Herb-Roasted Baby Potatoes immediately while they are hot and at their crispiest. They are fantastic as a side dish for practically any main course and are sure to be a hit with everyone. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra fresh herbs, if desired, and enjoy the deliciousness!