A culinary expert has revealed a simple kitchen hack that promises to deliver the ultimate roast potato, boasting a crispy golden exterior and a perfectly fluffy centre. The trick, which involves just one extra ingredient, has taken social media by storm, captivating home cooks across the UK.
The Viral Recipe That Broke the Internet
Chef Oli Brandon, who shares content as @theptchef on TikTok, posted a video demonstrating his foolproof method. In the clip, which has amassed a staggering over half a million likes and more than 100,000 shares, he bites into a finished potato with an audible crunch, declaring it the sound of "the best roast potatoes you've ever had". The recipe's popularity shows no sign of slowing down.
The Magic Step: Baking Soda in the Water
The chef's secret weapon is a teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) added to the salted boiling water. This common cupboard staple works on a scientific level: it breaks down the pectin in the potatoes and helps bring starch to the surface. This process is key to creating that deeply golden, incredibly crisp coating that every roast dinner enthusiast craves.
Oli's step-by-step guide begins by cooking peeled potatoes in the baking soda water until they are fork-tender but not disintegrating. After draining, he gives them a vigorous shake in the colander to roughen up the edges, creating more surface area for crisping.
Flavour and the Final Crisp
To elevate the flavour, the chef infuses olive oil with finely chopped rosemary and garlic, toasting them until lightly golden. He then strains this aromatic oil over the parboiled potatoes, ensuring each one is generously coated. The crispy garlic and rosemary bits are saved for later.
"Make sure you spread that oil all over the potatoes, add salt and pepper and then bake them at 180°C for 20 minutes," Oli instructs. "Turn them over and bake them for another 20 to 30 minutes or until super crispy." Once out of the oven, the potatoes are tossed in a bowl with the reserved crispy herbs and garlic, and finished with an extra pinch of salt.
Viewers Are Convinced
The reaction from the online community was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed intense cravings, with one user, Emily, commenting: "It's 11pm and you've got me craving roast potatoes." Others who tried the recipe reported exceptional results.
One home cook, Aleena, raved: "I made these today, and all I can say is that these are the best roast potatoes I've ever had in my life." In a testament that will resonate in many households, another viewer even claimed the results surpassed a family favourite, stating: "I made these the other day and they were so nice, better than my mum's, and that's saying something." With endorsements like these, this simple hack is set to become a Sunday dinner staple.
