Smoky Roast Potatoes
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These smoky roast potatoes are delicious and always a hit! Red potato wedges are sprinkled with Spanish paprika, thyme, and cayenne, then roasted until crispy. They’re the perfect easy side dish for brunch or dinner, and they’re ready in just 45 minutes!
These Spanish roasted potatoes are quick and easy to make, but they taste like they’ve spent an hour in the smoker. They’ve got lots of rich, complex flavor, with a crispy exterior, and a soft, almost creamy center.
The not-so-secret ingredient is Spanish paprika. It’s widely available, so you won’t be running around town looking for it. It’s way different (in a wonderfully smoky way) than everyday paprika.
Most of the cooking time is hands-off. Toss the potato wedges in olive oil and spices, and pop them into the oven. You’ll know when they’re done because they’ll be golden brown with crispy bits on the outside.
Last but certainly not least, we sprinkle some salty feta cheese and parsley over them before serving. It’s an optional, but very delicious step.
What is smoked paprika?
Smoked paprika is a staple spice in Spanish cuisine. It’s made from pimentón (a type of red pepper native to Spain) that is smoked over oak fires and ground into powder. It has a distinctly earthy, smoky flavor and is used to season everything from chorizo sausage to sauces, stews, and even eggs.
Different varieties of Spanish pimentón range in flavor from smoky to sweet to spicy. Spanish paprika is different than everyday paprika, which tends to be flavorless and used mainly as a garnish.
More tasty smoked paprika recipes
What to serve with Spanish roasted potatoes
Take the struggle out of mealtime with a side dish that everyone loves! They’re easy and perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend brunches. They taste great with just about everything from egg dishes, to meat mains, fish, and seafood.
We’ve even served them in a bowl instead of rice, layered with greens like arugula and other veggies for a hearty meal.
Spanish recipes that pair perfectly with smoky roast potatoes
Smoky Roast Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 medium red potatoes (quartered)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Spanish paprika (pimentón)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (roughly chopped)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder (more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: feta cheese and parsley (to serve )
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Add the potatoes, olive oil, Spanish paprika, thyme leaves, sea salt, cayenne, and pepper to a large bowl and toss till everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the potatoes to the baking tray and roast for 35 minutes, or until they are soft in the center and crispy on the outside.8 medium red potatoes, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon Spanish paprika, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Sprinkle some feta cheese over top (if you’re using it) and a little parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
If you love potatoes as much as we do, make sure to check out all of our potato recipes!
Can these be made the day before and then reheated in the oven?
While I think they are best fresh, they can be reheated.
This recipe is delicious, I made it exactly as you stated including the feta cheese.
These roast potatoes were simply amazing. Added some onion & garlic powder as well, but the smoked paprika is truly the star of the show here…
Really tasty potatoes. The smoked paprika gives them such a good taste and aroma while cooking. ‘Loved the crispy/ creamy combination.
Hello Kristen,
I made this yesterday morning… Outstanding girl… I only had russet potatoes on hand. I followed your recipe to the tee… I will be making this again, But’ I’ll add 1/2 tsp of the cayenne pepper next batch I’ll make… Thank you for sharing Kristen… (smiling)
I’d like to make these potatoes in the airfryer… any offer of advice for temp and length of cooking time?
They look delicious!
Hi Cindy! I have limited experience with cooking in an air fryer so I can’t say for sure. I’d recommend using the spices in this recipe then following the cooking instructions in an air fryer roasted potatoes recipe. You can sprinkle some feta cheese on them after so they taste even more like this recipe!
So simple but still very tasty. Served them with your pork chops. Will make them again.
Smoked paprika is one of my favorite spices! And potatoes are my all time favorite for every meal!
It’s turned into mine lately too! I seriously can’t seem to make a meal without it lately lol. 🙂
LOL I totally agree with you about the feta! I love how salty and delicious it is. 🙂
I’ll definitely send some pics your way. Thanks for the heads up about your new site!
Ha ha thanks for not judging!!
I always go for hot paprika … but then I love spicy foods!! 🙂
Mine too! That smokiness just gets me every time. 🙂 Thanks for pinning!
Thank you so much! There really is nothing quite like pimentó, right?! I just love the stuff. 🙂
It’s so good, right?!! Thank you so much for pinning. 🙂
These look amazing Kristen, I actually happen to have some red potatoes in my pantry so now I know just what to do with them! I love the color, too (thought they were sweet potatoes at first).
I love when I see a recipe I want to make and have everything I need to make it. It’s the best! I hope you like them as much as I do!!