Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
🌱 Compost & Soil Improvers
Give your garden beds a boost before winter with compost and organic matter.
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🌿 Autumn Plant Feed & Fertiliser
Prepare your soil for autumn planting with suitable fertilisers and soil nutrients.
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🥬 Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
Keep growing through autumn by starting suitable hardy crops under cover.
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🥔✨ Best Oils & Fats for Perfect Christmas Roasties
🎄 Introduction: The Secret Ingredient to Crispy Christmas Roasties
Even if you parboil perfectly and rough up the edges just right, your roast potatoes will only reach peak Christmas crispiness if you choose the right fat.
The fat you use affects:
✔ crispiness
✔ flavour
✔ colour
✔ how fast they cook
✔ the overall Christmas dinner experience
Below is your complete guide to the BEST (and worst!) oils and fats for Christmas roast potatoes.
⭐ Check Out Our Recommended Products
• Premium Goose Fat
The most luxurious and crispiest option.
Click here to see them
• Beef Dripping
Rich, bold flavour and incredible crunch.
Click here to see them
• High-Heat Vegetable & Rapeseed Oils
Reliable and perfect for vegetarians.
Click here to see them
🥇 1. Goose Fat — The Ultimate Christmas Choice
The classic, unbeatable option.
✔ crispiest results
✔ rich Christmas flavour
✔ high smoke point
✔ browns beautifully
✔ coats potatoes evenly
Why it’s the best:
Goose fat gives the iconic golden, shattering-crisp crust that screams Christmas Day roasties.
🥈 2. Beef Dripping — Deep Flavour & Incredible Crunch
Bold, savoury and perfect for roast dinners.
✔ amazing crispiness
✔ deep beefy flavour
✔ great for extra-brown potatoes
✔ widely available around Christmas
Best for:
Anyone who loves strong flavour and a traditional Sunday roast style.
🥉 3. Duck Fat — A Rich, Silky Alternative
Slightly mellower than goose fat, but still fantastic.
✔ reliably crispy
✔ rich but subtle flavour
✔ high smoke point
✔ perfect for smaller batches
Flavour profile:
Smooth, luxurious, and slightly sweet.
🏅 4. Rapeseed Oil — Best Vegetarian Option
The top non-animal fat choice.
✔ very high smoke point
✔ neutral flavour
✔ creates crisp, even roasties
✔ affordable and easy to find
Why it’s great:
It performs almost as well as animal fats without the richness — ideal for guests with dietary needs.
⭐ 5. Vegetable Oil — Good All-Rounder
Common, dependable and consistent.
✔ good for crispiness
✔ no strong flavour
✔ budget friendly
Best for:
Large batches or everyday roasties.
🤝 Honourable Mention: Olive Oil (Use with Caution)
Extra virgin is a no-go (too low smoke point).
But light olive oil can work:
✔ mild flavour
✔ decent crispiness
Only use:
If you don’t have any high-heat oils or fats available.
❌ Worst Oils for Christmas Roasties
❌ Butter
Burns easily → black bits, bitter flavour.
❌ Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Smokes at low temps → soft potatoes.
❌ Coconut Oil
Strong flavour + weird texture.
❌ Low-Fat Sprays
Do not crisp properly.
❌ Sunflower Oil (for some ovens)
Lower smoke point than rapeseed oil.
🔥 How Much Fat Should You Use?
For proper Christmas crispiness:
👉 2–4 tablespoons per roasting tin
Hot fat should just coat the bottom of the tray — enough for a sizzle but not swimming.
🍽 How to Use Fat Correctly for Maximum Crunch
- Put fat into the roasting tin
- Heat in oven at 220°C until smoking hot
- Add parboiled potatoes carefully
- Turn until evenly coated
- Roast for 45–55 minutes, turning once
This method works with all the fats listed above.
🎄 Flavour Guide: Which Fat Should You Choose?
| Fat/Oil | Crispiness | Flavour Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Fat | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong, festive | Christmas Day |
| Beef Dripping | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Bold, savoury | Sunday roast lovers |
| Duck Fat | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Rich, subtle | Luxury roasties |
| Rapeseed Oil | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mild | Vegetarian Christmas |
| Vegetable Oil | ⭐⭐⭐ | Neutral | Everyday roasties |
| Olive Oil | ⭐⭐ | Mild | Emergency backup |
🌟 FAQs
What fat gives the crispiest roast potatoes?
Goose fat — unbeatable for crispiness and flavour.
What’s the best fat for vegetarians?
Rapeseed oil.
Can I mix fats?
Yes — goose fat + rapeseed oil is an amazing combo.
Is beef dripping better than goose fat?
For some people, yes — it gives deeper flavour.
But goose fat is slightly crispier.
How much fat is too much?
If potatoes are swimming, they’ll go greasy.
Stick to a light coating.