Honey Mustard Roasted Potatoes elevate the humble potato into a show-stopping side dish that perfectly balances sweet honey with tangy mustard in a glossy glaze that caramelizes beautifully during roasting. These golden, crispy-skinned potatoes develop an irresistible exterior coating that’s both sticky and savory, while maintaining fluffy, tender interiors that soak up every bit of the flavorful honey mustard mixture. What makes this recipe truly special is how the natural sugars in the honey caramelize during the high-heat roasting process, creating deeply browned, crispy edges while the mustard adds complexity and prevents the sweetness from becoming overwhelming. The combination creates a sophisticated flavor profile that pairs beautifully with everything from roasted chicken and pork to grilled vegetables and holiday meals. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your weeknight dinner routine or need an impressive side dish for entertaining, these Honey Mustard Roasted Potatoes deliver restaurant-quality flavor with the simplicity of one-pan cooking that makes them as practical as they are delicious.
Serving Quantity: Serves 6-8 as a side dish
Ingredients
For the potatoes:
- 3 pounds small to medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the honey mustard glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- Extra thyme sprigs for serving
Equipment Needed
You’ll need a large rimmed baking sheet, a whisk for mixing the glaze, a large mixing bowl, and a silicone brush for applying the glaze. Having parchment paper or a silicone baking mat will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Selecting and Preparing the Potatoes
Choose potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking. Yukon Gold potatoes work exceptionally well because their thin skins crisp beautifully while their creamy flesh remains tender. Red potatoes are another excellent choice for their waxy texture and colorful presentation.
Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat them completely dry. Leave the skins on for extra texture, flavor, and nutrition. If using larger potatoes, cut them in half or quarters to ensure pieces are roughly the same size for even roasting.
The Pre-Roasting Setup
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. The high temperature is crucial for achieving crispy exteriors while ensuring the interiors cook through properly.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the clean, dry potatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. The oil helps conduct heat and promotes browning, while proper seasoning enhances the natural potato flavor.
Creating the Perfect Honey Mustard Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. The combination of mustards provides both smooth creaminess and interesting texture, while the vinegar adds brightness that balances the sweetness.
Add the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh thyme, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Whisk until all ingredients are completely combined and the mixture has a glossy, pourable consistency.
Initial Roasting Phase
Arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they don’t overcrowd. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting, which prevents the desired crispy exterior from developing.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the potatoes are starting to turn golden and are almost tender when pierced with a fork. The exact timing depends on potato size, so check for doneness rather than relying solely on time.
Applying the Honey Mustard Glaze
Remove the potatoes from the oven and brush them generously with about two-thirds of the honey mustard glaze, making sure to coat all surfaces evenly. The potatoes should be hot enough to help the glaze adhere and begin caramelizing immediately.
Reserve the remaining glaze for a final application later in the cooking process. The staged glazing technique ensures maximum flavor penetration while preventing the honey from burning during the longer cooking time.
Final Roasting and Caramelization
Return the glazed potatoes to the oven and continue roasting for 15-20 minutes, until they’re deeply golden brown and the glaze has caramelized into a beautiful, sticky coating. The surface should look glossy and slightly bubbly.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the potatoes with the remaining glaze for an extra layer of flavor and shine. Watch carefully during this final stage to prevent the honey from burning, which would create bitter flavors.
Achieving Perfect Texture
The finished potatoes should have crispy, caramelized exteriors with a beautiful golden-brown color and fluffy, tender interiors. When properly cooked, they’ll have a slight resistance when pierced but will give way easily to a fork.
The glaze should have reduced and thickened into a glossy coating that clings to the potatoes without being overly sticky or burnt. If the glaze seems to be browning too quickly, reduce the oven temperature slightly.
Resting and Final Touches
Let the roasted potatoes rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This brief cooling period allows the glaze to set slightly while the potatoes remain hot and the flavors continue to develop.
The resting time also makes the potatoes easier to transfer to a serving dish without the glaze being too molten and messy to handle properly.
Serving and Presentation
Transfer the honey mustard roasted potatoes to a warmed serving platter, scraping up any caramelized bits from the baking sheet to drizzle over the top. These browned bits add incredible flavor and visual appeal.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and chives for color and freshness that balances the rich, sweet glaze. Add a few fresh thyme sprigs as garnish to tie in with the flavors used in the glaze.
Flavor Profile and Pairing
These potatoes offer a complex flavor profile that combines sweet, tangy, savory, and slightly spicy elements. The honey provides natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully, while the mustard adds depth and prevents the dish from being cloying.
They pair exceptionally well with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, grilled salmon, or any protein that benefits from a sweet and tangy accompaniment. The flavors also complement autumn and winter vegetables beautifully.
Make-Ahead Strategies
The honey mustard glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. The potatoes can be partially roasted earlier in the day, then glazed and finished just before serving.
For best results, complete the final glazing and caramelization just before serving to maintain the optimal texture contrast between crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover roasted potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 400-degree oven for 10-15 minutes to restore some of the original crispiness, though they won’t be quite as perfect as when freshly made.
The potatoes can also be reheated in a large skillet over medium heat, which helps re-crisp the exteriors while warming the interiors thoroughly.
Seasonal Variations
During different seasons, try adding seasonal herbs like rosemary in winter or fresh sage in fall. Spring versions can include fresh dill or tarragon, while summer preparations might benefit from fresh oregano or basil.
The basic honey mustard glaze can be customized with different mustard varieties, such as grainy French mustard for more texture or spicy brown mustard for additional heat and complexity.
Nutritional Benefits
Potatoes provide essential nutrients including potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, especially when the nutritious skins are left on. The honey adds natural sweetness while providing antioxidants, and the herbs contribute additional vitamins and minerals.
By roasting instead of frying, this preparation method maintains the nutritional benefits while creating incredible flavor and texture through caramelization and proper seasoning.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your glaze is burning before the potatoes are fully cooked, reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees and cover loosely with foil. If the potatoes aren’t crisping properly, make sure they’re not overcrowded and that they were thoroughly dried before seasoning.
For even browning, flip the potatoes at least once during cooking and rotate the baking sheet if your oven has hot spots that cause uneven cooking.
