Lemon Za’atar Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are an art form. My ideal, oven-baked spud is creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside, properly seasoned, and finished with a kick of something acidic. That’s why these lemon za’atar potatoes are my absolute go-to.

These potatoes make for a tasty, starchy side for a low-key dinner or your next holiday spread. You can dress ‘em up with some crumbled feta and fresh dill, though it’s certainly not necessary.

I prefer a waxy potato like Yukon Golds for this recipe, but you can use russets instead—they’re just a bit starchier.

My Secret to Oven-Roasted Potatoes

My favorite oven-roasting technique for potatoes is adding a bit of water to the sheet pan. When the pan hits the oven, the water starts to evaporate and creates steam. This yields potatoes with creamy, soft interiors. 

In this recipe, I mix water with fresh lemon juice to not only introduce some steam to the situation but a whole lot of bright, acidic flavor. Sure, you can always finish off your roasted ‘taters with a squeeze of lemon before serving, but this way the lemon is infused into every inch of potato. 

Turn Up the Heat

The second key to these roasted potatoes is a hot oven. We’re talking 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the oven is at such a high temperature, it’s a good idea to check on the potatoes at least every 10 minutes. High heat is how you’re going to achieve a delightfully golden brown exterior, but if you don’t keep a close eye your potatoes can burn pretty quickly, too.

Especially during the last 20 to 30 minutes, get in there a couple of times and flip the potatoes so that all sides get some color. If a potato is starting to look a little dark, you may want to pull it off the sheet pan before the rest of the potatoes finish cooking.

Tips for Sheet Pan Roasting

When it comes to roasting anything, I like to say that you know your sheet pans best. If you find that you have a lot of “stickage” issues, it’s not a bad idea to lay down a piece of foil or a silicone baking mat. I have used my sheet pans for years and I know that as long as I use enough fat (like olive oil) on whatever I’m roasting, I won’t have any issues. 

This recipe is inevitably going to dirty up your pans. That said, it’s nothing a quick soak, a hearty scrub, and a little bit of elbow grease can’t rescue. Try using a fish spatula to help wiggle any stubborn potatoes free from the pan (as long as your sheet pans aren’t non-stick).

Cooking with Za’atar

Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture of sesame seeds, oregano, cumin, coriander, and sumac. Most groceries stores sell it in the spice aisle–I happen to love Trader Joe’s za’atar. 

The spice mix is added halfway into roasting the potatoes. This is because if it is added at the start the sesame seeds will burn before the potatoes finish cooking. Sprinkle the potatoes with an extra pinch of za’atar after they’re done cooking for an added punch of bright, earthy flavors.

Can’t Get Enough Spuds? Try These Recipes

• Crispy Hasselback Potatoes
• Green Mashed Potatoes
• Potato Confit
• Oven-Fried Potato Chips
• Provencial Potato Salad