Smoky Roast Potatoes
These smoky roast potatoes are healthy, 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!
For more Mediterranean-style potatoes, try our Italian dressing potatoes or Greek lemon potatoes.

These Spanish roasted potatoes are quick and easy to make, but they're so good and 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. Simply 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 and smoky flavor and is used for seasoning everything from chorizo sausage to sauces, stews, and even eggs.
There are different varieties of Spanish pimentón that range in flavor from smoky to sweet, or even spicy. Spanish paprika is different than everyday paprika which tends to be flavorless and used mainly as a garnish.
More tasty smoked paprika recipes

Smoky roast potato ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make these flavorful smoky roast potatoes:
- Red potatoes – we love the texture and taste of red potatoes, but you can use another variety like white potatoes or yukon gold potatoes.
- Olive oil – a little bit of olive oil goes a long way and makes these potatoes crispy.
- Spices – Spanish paprika (pimentón), thyme, cayenne powder, and black pepper give these potatoes their wonderfully complex smoky flavor.
- Feta cheese + chopped parsley – optional, for serving.
How to make smoky roast potatoes
Paprika roasted potatoes are an easy and delicious side dish, and everyone loves them! Here's how to make them in a few simple steps:
- While your oven preheats, toss the potato wedges with olive oil and spices, and then season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer them to your baking sheet and roast them until they're soft on the inside but crispy on the outside.
- Sprinkle them with feta cheese and parsley (if using), and serve. That's it!
Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

FAQS
You can find it in the spice aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores. Just be sure it's made in Spain.
These potatoes are mildly spicy, but it will depend on your paprika. Some pimentó varieties are spicier than others. To make them not spicy (aka kid-friendly), omit the cayenne pepper and taste your paprika for heat. Adjust the amount of paprika depending on your desired heat level.
We love the tender skin and creamy center of red potatoes. Other potato varieties like white potatoes, yukon gold potatoes, or even russet potatoes will work as well.
What to serve with Spanish roasted potatoes
Take the struggle out of mealtime with a side dish that everyone loves! They're easy and healthy 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 nutritious meal.
Spanish recipes that pair perfectly with smoky roast potatoes
- Stuffed Spanish Pork Chops with Olives
- Spanish Baked Eggs with Roasted Garlic and Olives
- Spanish Chicken Bake with Kale and Olives

More oven roasted potatoes
- Extra Crispy Roast Potatoes with Cashew Sour Cream
- Roasted Mini Potatoes with Herbs and Garlic
- Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Smoky Roast Potatoes Recipe
If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!
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.
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. Ā The smoked paprika gives them such a good taste and aroma while cooking. Ā ‘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)
Iād 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.Ā
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. š
These sound amazing!!!! Smoked paprika is such a wonderful spice.
I’m not sure I can class the feta as optional though!! š
I have recently started a food sharing site and would love to have you contribute this and other recipes.
LOL I totally agree with you about the feta! I love how salty and delicious it is. š
I’ll definitely send some pics your way. Thanks for the heads up about your new site!
I think I’d make a meal out of these too! Ha!! Love this recipe, Kristen, and am all over that smoky paprika! Now, just which one to try… hot or sweet? Thank you my dear!
Ha ha thanks for not judging!!
I always go for hot paprika … but then I love spicy foods!! š
Smoked paprika is my favorite spice of all time! I cannot wait to give these potatoes a try this summer! Pinned!
Mine too! That smokiness just gets me every time. š Thanks for pinning!
I love smoky flavor! Pimenton is always in my pantry. These potatoes are roasted perfectly. Love the feta cheese on top.
Thank you so much! There really is nothing quite like pimentó, right?! I just love the stuff. š
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!!
Wow these are amazing! Can I borrow your Spanish brother so he can bring me spices! These look amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend š
Smoked paprika is seriously my favorite spice EVER! These gorgeous potatoes definitely look like THE ultimate side dish! I love how super-roasty and crispy they look on the outside! Totally up my alley. š Stunning photos too! Pinned.
It’s so good, right?!! Thank you so much for pinning. š