Do You Need To Soak Baby Potatoes Before Roasting Them?
Many chefs adore roasted baby potatoes as a side dish because of their creamy cores and crispy exteriors. However, if you’ve ever looked through culinary forums or asked professionals for tips, you’ve probably seen a common query: Do you need to soak roasted small potatoes before baking them?
It’s an interesting question. And the answer isn’t as easy as you might expect. The decision on whether to soak your potatoes or not depends on several factors, including the desired texture, cooking method, and time spent on preparation. Let’s examine the pros and cons of soaking newborn potatoes before roasting and determine which is best for you.
What Is The Purpose Of Soaking Potatoes?
It’s not uncommon to soak potatoes – whether they are russets of full size or smaller baby potatoes – in order for them to lose excess surface starch. This surface starch will cause potatoes to stick when roasted and may prevent them from crisping.
By soaking the potato in cold water between 30 minutes and a couple of hours, this starch layer is reduced. What’s the result? You can expect crisper outsides, and a more consistent golden-brown finish.
But baby potatoes differ from larger potatoes. They tend to be waxier, with thinner skins and a waxier consistency. As a result, they have less starch. This brings up the question of whether soaking is even necessary.
Texture Goals: Crispy Vs. Creamy
It’s important to decide what texture you are looking for. If you’re looking for extremely crisp edges and are halving or slicing the baby potato, soaking may improve that crunch. Reduced starch allows for a more even roasting of the potatoes and helps them not to steam up while cooking.
In contrast, if your preference is for baby potatoes with an interior that’s soft and buttery, but with just a hint of crisp on the outer surface, it may not even be necessary to soak them. Even though you don’t need to soak the potatoes, roasting them immediately after washing will give you a lovely golden finish.
Why You Might Want To Bathe
It is possible to benefit from soaking small potatoes in water before roasting them.
1. You’re reducing them to smaller pieces
Starch will be more exposed on potatoes with a larger surface area. A quick soak draws out some starch for better crisping.
2. Convection Oven
If you have a convection heater (a fan for air circulation), soaking your potatoes beforehand will help to ensure they roast evenly.
3. You’re Roasting in Large Batches
Starch excess can cause baby potatoes to stick when they are roasted in a tray. Soaking will reduce the stickiness of potatoes and improve their overall texture.
When It’s Okay To Skip A Soak
Although there are some situations where soaking may be necessary, you don’t always need to do it. Here are a few situations when soaking may be unnecessary.
1. You’re Running Short of Time
You can’t expect home cooks to have the luxury of additional prep time. It can save you 30+ minutes if you skip the soak.
2. You Prefer a Softer Texture
Some people enjoy a creamier texture rather than a crisp bite. Baby potatoes are best roasted with their skins slightly softened, and have less crunch. These potatoes are perfect for delicate dishes.
3. You’re Roasting Whole Potatoes
If you are roasting baby potatoes whole, their skins can help retain moisture while reducing the risk of sticking. In these instances, soaking will offer little benefit.
How To Roast Baby Potatoes: The Best Method
If you are unsure if you should soak small potatoes, try both methods. Then compare the results. Here are a few tips for oven-roasted baby potato perfection:
- Dry the Potatoes Thoroughly: Do not soak potatoes. Moisture destroys crispness.
- High heat: Cook at 400°F (20°C or more) to achieve a golden crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: space the potatoes apart so they roast rather than steam.
- Add Oil Generously: Pour olive oil all over to get a uniform browning.
- Season Smart: The classics are salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary; paprika is a nice touch.
Final Thought
Do you need to soak the small potatoes before baking them? The answer is dependent on your goals. If you want to achieve maximum crispiness and you’re prepared to spend some extra time preparing the potatoes, then soak them. If you’re looking for an easy side dish with a lot of flavor, then roasting baby potatoes without soaking will also work well.
