3 days Ago By Vita Molyneux
Social media is overrun with tips and tricks on how to make the perfect crispy roast potatoes, from boiling them in stock or gravy to parboiling until they're practically mashed. However, Ann Russell, the TikTok cooking and cleaning extraordinaire, who has won hearts with her amazing advice and kind nature, has said there is one method that people seem to forget - and it will ensure the perfect potatoes every time. In a video posted on TikTok she said that so many people have so many incredible recipes - but one thing they all forget to mention is moisture - or lack thereof.
She said: "The reason roast potatoes go crunchy is that the starch when it hits the fat, it explodes and goes crispy, which is why you parboil them. But the one thing people forget to mention, if your potatoes aren't going crispy there might be too much moisture in your oven - it's why air fryer potatoes often work because you cook less of them and air fryers don't build up steam. ”It's why when you’re doing Christmas dinner your potatoes can often go soggy because you've got other things in the oven at the same time.
” She said that no matter which method you choose if you’re cooking them in the oven and are struggling to get them crispy, check the moisture levels by opening the oven door - there should be no steam whatsoever. She said: ”If the steam is there, it will force itself back into the potatoes and make them go soggy.” She recommends you do all your potato prep, including parboiling before taking everything else out of the oven.
From there, Russell recommends flapping the door to dispel any steam, and then bringing the oven back up to temperature. Another tip is to not overcrowd your potatoes - less is more when it comes to the perfect crunch..
