Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has shared her remarkably simple method for creating the perfect roast potatoes, a revelation that hinges on just two common kitchen ingredients. For many across the UK, achieving that ideal combination of a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior remains a culinary challenge, but Prue's technique promises to deliver guaranteed results every time.
The Two-Ingredient Revelation
In a recent TikTok video that has garnered thousands of views, the celebrated chef and broadcaster demonstrated her straightforward approach. Prue explained that while she begins with the traditional method of parboiling the potatoes until the edges begin to soften, her crucial twist involves a two-ingredient coating.
"You boil them until they're a bit cooked around the outside," Prue advised in the clip, "and then put the lid back on and give them a mighty shake. You're just trying to rough up the edges." This 'chuffing' stage is vital for creating a textured surface that becomes wonderfully crisp.
Her secret, however, lies in what comes next. "Then you get a handful of breadcrumbs and put it in with your potatoes. Add some melted butter, just to make sure they're all greasy," she revealed.
Why This Method Works So Well
The combination of breadcrumbs and butter proves to be a culinary masterstroke. The breadcrumbs form an additional layer that crisps up beautifully in the oven, creating a golden, crunchy crust far superior to a standard roast potato. Meanwhile, the butter not only promotes even browning but also infuses the potatoes with a rich, indulgent flavour.
This technique effectively builds upon the foundational steps that experts always recommend: parboiling and roughing up the potatoes to maximise their surface area. By adding the breadcrumb-and-butter coating before roasting, the potatoes are transformed into something exceptionally crunchy and flavoursome.
After tossing the prepared potatoes with the two key ingredients, Prue instructs home cooks to roast them until they are "nice and brown and crisp." The result, as she proudly displayed, is a batch of what she calls "perfect roast potatoes."
Public Reaction and Further Tips
The online response to Prue's method has been enthusiastic, with many viewers confessing they had never encountered this approach before. One commenter wrote, "Yum. I've never made mine like this, but I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing," while another admitted, "Never heard of this method!"
For those looking to experiment further, Prue's basic recipe offers a fantastic foundation. You can easily customise the flavour by incorporating grated cheese or dried herbs into the breadcrumb mixture for an extra punch. This straightforward trick is an effortless way to introduce more texture and taste to your Sunday roast centrepiece.
Ultimately, Prue Leith's recipe, shared on November 24, 2025, stands as a testament to the idea that sometimes the most impactful culinary upgrades come from the simplest of additions already sitting in your cupboard.
