Make autumn warmer with homemade roast potatoes

If you’re looking forward to a proper roast dinner this autumn, it’s probably the roast potatoes that you’re really excited about.

There’s nothing quite like the perfect roastie, nice and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle.

But if you want the perfect roast potato, you don’t have to buy pre-made ones in a packet or fork out for an expensive pub meal. 

They’re really easy to make yourself - and it’s much cheaper too.

What you'll need

• 1kg potatoes
• Two or three tablespoons of oil
• seasoning, such as basil, rosemary or thyme
• garlic granules

How to make them

1.  Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan).
2.  Peel the potatoes and cut them into similar-sized chunks.
3.  Put them into a pan of boiling water and cook for around eight to 10 minutes.
4.  Drain the potatoes and give them a good shake in the pan to rough up the edges.
5.  Add the oil and seasoning to a roasting tin.
6.  Add the potatoes to the roasting tin and toss them around so they’re coated in the oil and seasoning.
7.  Put in the oven for about 40 minutes until they’re golden and crispy on the outside.

Why it’s cheaper to make your own roasties

A 1kg packet of branded pre-made roast potatoes can easily set you back about £4.

And if you go out for your Sunday roast, you’re paying a huge premium.

But 1kg of standard potatoes usually costs between 65p and £1 at major supermarkets, depending on whether you get them loose or pre-packed.

So if money is tight, just getting some normal spuds in would be a great way to enjoy this hearty treat without the big price tag - and you can make them just how you like them too.

What oil should I use?

You don’t need an expensive bottle of oil to make top-notch roasties.

A basic vegetable oil works perfectly well, or a few squirts from a bottle of spray oil.

It all does the same job.

Make the most of your potatoes

If you've got a big bag of potatoes, roasties are a great option if you want to use them up before they start sprouting or going soft.

And even if you end up cooking more than you need, the leftovers can be used in other meals, such as bubble and squeak, a breakfast hash with eggs or a potato curry.

So there’s plenty of meal options with just a single large bag of spuds that can help you keep your food bill down.