These Baked Parmesan Potatoes have a crispy, cheesy crust and tender centers that make every bite delicious. Made with just 5 ingredients, the halved baby potatoes bake cut side down in rich melted butter for a golden, flavorful finish. They're simple enough for weeknight dinners but tasty enough to serve to guests.
Baked Parmesan Potatoes at a Glance
- 🧄 Flavor & Texture: Buttery, garlicky, and cheesy with golden, crispy Parmesan crusts and soft, fluffy potato centers.
- 🛒 Main Ingredients: Baby potatoes, Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- ⏱️ Total Time: Approximately 50-55 minutes, including prep, baking, and resting.
- 🍴 Servings: About 6-8 servings
- 🥗 Dietary Info: Vegetarian and gluten-free
- 🍚 Best Served With: Juicy steak, brown sugar glazed pork chops, grilled chicken, baked ham, burgers, or roasted vegetables.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: No, these are best made fresh.
- ❤️ Why You Will Love It: These easy, five-ingredient potatoes deliver an irresistibly crispy, cheesy crust with just 10 minutes of prep and no flipping required.
Summarize and Save This Content On
Years ago, I came across a recipe for baked Parmesan potato halves in a Taste of Home magazine and decided to give it a try. They were an instant hit!
Over time, I've adapted the original recipe using just about every size of potato you can imagine, but I keep coming back to baby potatoes because they give you the best crispy, cheesy crust. This baby potatoes recipe with cheese has become a favorite, and I never seem to have any leftovers!
Parmesan cod and garlic Parmesan chicken are two more ways to use Parmesan cheese to create a crispy crust.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Works with any potato size: I've tested this method with different potato sizes, so you can adapt it to what you have on hand.
- Only 10 minutes hands-on: These potato halves take just 10 minutes of prep, leaving the oven to do most of the work while you get the rest of dinner ready.
- Get a golden crust without flipping: The potatoes bake cut-side down in melted butter and Parmesan, creating a crispy, cheesy crust without needing to turn them halfway through.
- Just 5 pantry ingredients: You only need five simple ingredients to make this easy side dish, with no complicated steps or special equipment.
Ingredients
The key ingredients in this recipe for Parmesan roasted baby potatoes are listed below.
- Parmesan cheese: Use real Parmesan from the refrigerated section, finely grated. Shelf-stable grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can keep the cheese from melting and crisping properly.
- Potatoes: Choose potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Cut them in half and place them flat-side down on the baking sheet to help the Parmesan form a golden, crispy crust. These little potatoes in the air fryer are another recipe using halved mini potatoes.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter both work. Melt it before adding the Parmesan so the cheese sticks to the potatoes and crisps as they bake.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Crispy Potato Halves Variations
- Loaded: Sprinkle the baked potatoes with 4 slices of crumbled crispy bacon and 2 tablespoons of diced green onions just before serving. Add a side of sour cream for dipping.
- Spicy: Add ¼-½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter before tossing with the potatoes for a little heat.
- Lighter flavor: Replace the butter with 3 tablespoons of olive oil for a lighter garlic coating that still helps the potatoes brown.
- Cheese swap: Swap the Parmesan for finely grated Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a similar crisp finish. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda melt well but won't crisp up the same way.
- Sweet potatoes: Swap the 2 pounds of regular potatoes for 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Cut them into similar-sized halves or wedges, then follow the same garlic butter and cheese method, checking for doneness as they may cook at a different rate.
How to Make Baked Parmesan Potatoes
To make these baked potato halves in the oven, start by gathering all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 1: Prep the potatoes. Slice your baby potatoes in half. If using larger potatoes, cut them into similar-sized pieces.
Step 2: Line the pan and add melted butter. Line the bottom of your casserole dish with parchment paper to start. Pour the melted butter on top and then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, and seasonings evenly over the melted butter.
Step 3: Add the potatoes. Arrange the potatoes cut-side down on top of the melted butter mixture.
Step 4: Bake the potatoes. Place the potatoes in the oven to bake for 35-40 minutes or until they're fully cooked and tender. Let them rest for about 5 minutes in the pan, then serve for dinner with air fryer sirloin tips!
How Long to Bake Parmesan Potatoes
Here's a guide on how long to cook the type of potato that you use. These Parmesan-crusted potatoes bake at 400°F, no matter their size!
| Potato Size | Cut | Bake Time |
| Baby or mini | Halved | 35-40 minutes |
| Medium potatoes | Halved | 50-60 minutes |
| Medium to large potatoes | Cut into 1-1 ½ inch pieces | 35-40 minutes |
Expert Tips
- Use parchment, not foil: Line your baking dish with parchment paper to help the Parmesan crisp and release easily. Avoid aluminum foil, which can make the cheese stick.
- Use a glass baking dish or a metal pan. Either works because the parchment keeps the crust from sticking. Pick one that holds every potato half in a single layer, cut side down, with no overlapping. A snug fit is fine. If you're using a dark metal pan, check a few minutes early, since it browns the Parmesan faster.
- Prepare the potatoes ahead: Halve the potatoes up to 24 hours in advance and keep them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator. Drain and dry them thoroughly before adding the garlic butter and Parmesan so the cheese can crisp properly.
- Storage directions: Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them for 1-2 months, keeping in mind that the texture may soften after thawing.
- Reheating the leftover potatoes: Place the potatoes cheese-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet and reheat at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crisp again.
If you're looking for another crispy baked potato recipe, try my smashed red potatoes as your next side dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Easy weeknight dinners: Serve these crispy potatoes alongside fried chicken breasts with steamed broccoli for a simple, satisfying meal.
- Holiday meals and special occasions: Add them to the table with Dr. Pepper glazed ham for a cheesy potato side that feels a little more special than plain roasted potatoes.
- Casual cookouts: Pair the potatoes with grilled burgers, smoked BBQ beans, and a fresh tomato salad for a hearty summer meal.
Baked Parmesan Potatoes Recipe FAQs
Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before adding the garlic butter and Parmesan. Also, use finely grated Parmesan and place the potatoes cut-side down in a single layer. If they don't all fit, use a second baking pan.
No, there's no need to boil the potatoes first. Cut them in half, coat them with garlic butter, and arrange them cut-side down over the Parmesan. The oven takes care of the rest!
Usually the potatoes were lifted too soon. The cheese is still soft straight from the oven and needs about 5 minutes to set onto the potato. It can also happen if the crust wasn't baked until deep golden, if you used shredded or canned Parmesan, or if some cut sides weren't sitting flat on the cheese. To serve, slide a thin spatula under each potato and lift it with its crust.
Yes! You can make a similar version in the air fryer, too. Try our air fryer Parmesan potatoes. They're a little different from these baked potato halves, but just as delicious.
Baked Parmesan Potatoes
Equipment
- rimmed baking sheet or pan that fits all of your potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby potatoes cut in half
- ¼-½ cup butter
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese Grated, add more if desired.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Prepare a pan with parchment paper that will fit all of the potato halves.
- Melt butter in the microwave and pour into the pan.
- Generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese and lightly sprinkle other seasonings all over the butter. I use garlic powder and Italian seasoning, but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Place potato halves face down on the butter, Parmesan and seasonings and put in the oven.
- Bake for 35-40 for mini potatoes and 50-60 minutes for regular potatoes to become tender.
- Keep potatoes inside the pan for at least 5 minutes after removing pan from the oven. If removed too soon, the Parmesan cheese won't stick to the potatoes. Serve with pan juices and ketchup or sour cream if desired.
Video
Notes
- Line the baking dish with parchment paper to help the Parmesan crisp up and release easily. Avoid aluminum foil, which can cause the cheese to stick.
- Excess moisture and stacking can keep the baked Parmesan potatoes from browning. Dry the potatoes well, use finely grated Parmesan, and arrange them cut-side down in a single layer with space between them.
- Press the cut sides gently into the cheese and let the potatoes rest briefly after baking so the Parmesan stays attached when you lift them out.
Maria Gibb says
Hi Karin and Ken, in your recipe, Baked Parmesan Potato Halves, you say to prepare a pan with parchment paper yet in your comments afterwards you say you’ll be disappointed if you use parchment paper? I’m very confused thank you for clearing this up for me.
Can’t wait to try them!!
Karin and Ken says
I can’t thank you enough for mentioning this. I’ve corrected the recipe. It was supposed to say disappointing result with tinfoil. Please let me know what you think of these potatoes after you try them. We love them! Thank you again. Enjoy your day! Karin