Get ready to fall in love with this Spiral Potatoes Recipe—a show-stopping, crispy baked snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Imagine golden Yukon gold potatoes twisted into mesmerizing spirals, coated with savory Parmesan and smoked paprika, and roasted to perfection. If you’re searching for a unique and jaw-droppingly delicious side, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun, Eye-Catching Presentation: These spiral potatoes are guaranteed to impress guests and delight kids with their curly, twirled shapes!
- Savory, Crispy Flavor: Each bite is packed with bold seasoning, cheesy goodness, and golden crunch on the outside.
- Simple Ingredients, Maximum Wow: All you need are a handful of pantry staples to transform ordinary potatoes into something spectacular.
- Customizable for Everyone: You can easily tailor the spiral potatoes recipe with your favorite spices, cheeses, or herbs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This spiral potatoes recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, but each ingredient plays a key role in achieving that irresistibly crispy, flavorful finish. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- 4 (10- or 12-inch) wooden skewers: These help form and bake the spirals, making them easy to handle and fun to serve.
- 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes: Yukon golds have a buttery flavor and hold their shape beautifully during spiraling and roasting.
- 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese: This adds a salty, cheesy crust that bakes up golden and delicious.
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika: Infuses a deep, smoky aroma and brings gorgeous color to the potatoes.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Rounds out the flavor with subtle garlicky notes in every bite.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances and balances all the other seasonings for perfect savory taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes: Gives a gentle kick of heat (use more or less to taste).
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided: Ensures even crisping and rich flavor—don’t forget to brush between the spirals!
- 1/4 bunch fresh parsley: Lends a burst of freshness and a pop of green color just before serving.
Variations
One of the best parts about the spiral potatoes recipe is how easy it is to riff on it and make it your own. Use what you have, spice things up for your mood, or tweak it to fit dietary needs—the sky’s the limit!
- Cheesy Upgrade: Swap in grated sharp cheddar or Asiago cheese for a different cheesy vibe.
- Spice Lovers: Add a pinch of cayenne or extra red pepper flakes for a bolder kick.
- Herby Finish: Sprinkle with chopped chives, dill, or even rosemary for extra freshness and aroma.
- Vegan Twist: Replace the Parmesan with a vegan cheese and use olive oil or vegan butter for brushing.
How to Make Spiral Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Skewer the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F so things are nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Insert a wooden skewer lengthwise right through the center of each potato. If those potatoes are tough to pierce, don’t stress—just pop them in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time until the skewer slides in smoothly (but don’t let them cook too much, or they’ll get mushy!).
Step 2: Spiral Cut the Potatoes
Carefully place each skewered potato on a cutting board. Hold your chef’s knife at a 30-degree angle and cut about halfway down, slowly rotating the potato as you slice to create one continuous spiral. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but you’ll get into a rhythm. Retrace your cut gently, making sure you don’t slice through the skewer. Then, with your fingers, delicately fan out the spirals along the stick, taking your time to reveal all those gorgeous potato ribbons.
Step 3: Season and Coat the Potatoes
In a shallow bowl, mix together the Parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. Brush each potato generously with olive oil, being sure to get between every swirl (don’t be shy here!). Next, roll the potato in your cheese-spice mixture and shower extra seasoning between all the little potato waves—this is where the flavor magic happens.
Step 4: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Line up the potato skewers on the rim of a 9×13-inch baking dish so they’re elevated and don’t touch the bottom. Bake for 30–45 minutes, checking for a tender inside and a perfectly crisp, golden exterior. Meanwhile, finely chop your fresh parsley for that finishing flair. When the potatoes are done, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately—get ready for applause!
Pro Tips for Making Spiral Potatoes Recipe
- Choose the Right Potato: Yukon golds are ideal for this recipe because their waxy texture helps the spirals hold together, so avoid starchy russets for best results.
- Microwave Trick: If skewering is tough, just a quick microwave zap—no more than 45 seconds total—makes sliding the stick in easy without overcooking the potato.
- Brush Every Crevice: Take the time to paint olive oil and sprinkle the cheesy seasoning into every nook and cranny—this ensures even crispiness and flavor throughout the spiral.
- Oven Positioning: Suspending the potatoes above the bottom of the baking dish allows hot air to circulate for uniform crisping—don’t skip this step!
How to Serve Spiral Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A generous shower of chopped fresh parsley right before serving—not only does it add vibrant color, but it’s a lovely flavor contrast to the rich, cheesy coating. For a little extra dazzle, try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of extra parmesan on top.
Side Dishes
These spiral potatoes love company! Serve them alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. If you’re feeling extra, pair them with tangy dipping sauces—think aioli, chipotle mayo, or your favorite ranch.
Creative Ways to Present
This spiral potatoes recipe is pure party food! Serve the spiraled skewers standing upright in mason jars or mugs for a buffet, or pile them on a platter with picks and a trio of dips for crowd-pleasing snacking. For a fun dinner idea, let everyone season their own potato spiral before baking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover spiral potatoes, pop them in an airtight container once they’ve cooled. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, and you’ll be glad to have them for snacking or as a quick side with another meal!
Freezing
While the texture is best fresh, you can absolutely freeze these spiral potatoes. Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Reheat straight from the freezer—just give them a few extra minutes in the oven to crisp back up.
Reheating
To bring your spiral potatoes back to life, arrange them on a baking sheet and warm at 375°F until hot and crisp. The oven keeps them crunchy (way better than the microwave!), and a quick sprinkle of fresh herbs never hurts before serving.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different type of potato for this spiral potatoes recipe?
Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because of their buttery texture and ability to hold shape, but you can experiment with red potatoes or even small white potatoes. Avoid very starchy varieties like russets, as they may break apart when spiraling.
-
What’s the secret to getting super crispy spirals?
Brushing olive oil generously and making sure every part of the spiral is coated with the cheese mixture is the key! Suspending the skewers in the baking dish so the potatoes don’t touch the bottom also helps crisp all sides evenly.
-
Can I prepare these ahead and bake later?
You can spiral and skewer the potatoes up to 1 day in advance and store them (covered) in water in the fridge. Dry well, season, and bake just before you want to serve for the freshest, crispiest results.
-
Are spiral potatoes recipe gluten-free?
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written—just double check your cheese and spices to ensure there are no sneaky additives if you’re sensitive.
Final Thoughts
If you love classics with a twist, the spiral potatoes recipe is bound to become your newest obsession. Gather your favorite toppings, invite a few friends, and watch these stunning potato spirals disappear within minutes. Try it soon—you’re going to love every crunchy, cheesy bite!
Print
Spiral Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These crispy spiral potatoes are a fun and delicious twist on classic baked potatoes. Perfect as a side dish or a unique appetizer, these potatoes are seasoned with Parmesan, paprika, and garlic for a flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 (10- or 12-inch) wooden skewers
- 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes
- 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/4 bunch fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F.
- Prepare Potatoes: Skewer each potato with a wooden skewer. Cut spirals into the potatoes, then coat with olive oil.
- Create Seasoning Mixture: Mix Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- Coat Potatoes: Brush each potato with oil, roll in Parmesan mixture, and place on a baking dish.
- Bake: Bake until crisp and tender, about 30-45 minutes.
- Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Microwave the potatoes briefly to ease skewer insertion.
- Ensure cuts are close together for best results.
- Keep an eye on cooking time to prevent over-softening.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
