🥔🔥 Best Potatoes for Roasting (UK Guide)

🥔 Introduction: Choosing the Best Potatoes for Roasting

Not all potatoes roast the same. In the UK, selecting the right type of potato makes all the difference between crispy, golden crunch and soggy, dull roast spuds. The best roasting potatoes have the perfect balance of starch and moisture, helping them crisp up beautifully on the outside while staying fluffy inside.

This guide explains the best potatoes for roasting in the UK, why they work so well, and how to pick them at the supermarket or veg stall.

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🥇 Best Potatoes for Roasting in the UK

The ideal roasting potatoes are floury or semi-floury varieties with a higher starch content. They crisp beautifully and develop that classic roast texture.

🍟 1. Maris Piper

Often considered the ultimate roasting potato in the UK.

✔ Crispy outside, fluffy inside
✔ Holds shape well
✔ Perfect for high-temperature roasting

Maris Piper is a favourite in British kitchens for classic roasties with goose fat or oil.

🥈 2. King Edward

A traditional favourite with excellent roasting results.

✔ Fluffy texture
✔ Golden, crisp edges
✔ Great all-round roast potato

Ideal for Sunday roasts and holiday dinners.

🥉 3. Rooster

Common and versatile UK variety.

✔ Crisps well
✔ Reliable and dependable
✔ Works in most roasting styles

A great go-to if Maris Piper or King Edward are unavailable.

🟡 4. Desiree

Semi-floury with good roasting ability.

✔ Slightly waxy but still crisps
✔ Holds shape nicely
✔ Good for mixed roast trays

Perfect when you want slightly creamier interiors.

🥔 What Makes a Good Roasting Potato?

📌 Starch Content Matters

• High-starch (floury) potatoes = crisp edges + fluffy core
• Low-starch (waxy) potatoes = less crisp, more firm

For roasties, go floury or semi-floury.

🍳 Surface Texture

Rough, starchy surfaces help oil and fat cling, improving crispiness.
Parboiling then shaking potatoes in the colander roughs the edges for extra crunch.

🔥 Heat and Fat

High oven temperatures (e.g., 220°C / 200°C fan / Gas 7) and hot fat (goose fat or oil) help create that iconic roast finish.

❓ FAQs

Are Maris Piper the best roast potatoes?

Yes — they’re widely regarded as the top choice in the UK.

Can waxy potatoes be used for roasting?

They roast, but won’t crisp as well as floury types.

Is roasting time affected by potato type?

Yes — waxier varieties may take a little longer to crisp.

Should I parboil before roasting?

Yes — parboiling and shaking before roasting boosts crispiness.