Fingerling potatoes aren’t as commonplace as say those giant brown baking potatoes or small little red potatoes that work so well in the roasting pan. But, they’re different, they’re fun, and they’re super easy to cook with. The other big bonus is that they’re kind of adorable, making them way more fun to plate for a nicely styled meal (and dinner table Instagram shoot).
But before we get too far in, let’s talk about what fingerling potatoes actually are. Sometimes the names of certain foods date back decades – if not centuries – and are somehow tied into the farmer who produced it or the chef who first cooked with it. Not so with fingerling potatoes. These things are straight to the point. They look like small, stubby fingers (hence the name!), and thus the name “fingerling” was born. Or so it goes.
They taste pretty much the same as the larger mashing variety, but the benefit is that because they’re so small and narrow, they cut down on a lot of prep work. Just wash them and peel them (if that’s your thing) and they’re ready to go.
How to Cook Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerling potatoes can really be cooked in the exact same ways you’d cook a baking potato. They can be roasted, boiled, mashed, or fried – but because of their shape and size, it kind of doesn’t make sense to mash or fry them. Let them keep their shape while cooking, as they’ll look nicer and more appetizing once they’re plated. The two best methods for cooking fingerling potatoes are: roasting them and boiling them.
How to Roast Fingerling Potatoes
Roasting fingerling potatoes is a great option and is how most people end up cooking them. Start by preheating the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the washed fingerling potatoes lightly with olive oil, minced fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the potatoes to a roasting tray and put into oven. Immediately lower the heat to 425 degrees and cook for 20 minutes. When they’re done, the outside should be slightly crispy and the inside should be soft. Serve as a side to an entree, warm.
How to Boil Fingerling Potatoes
Boiled fingerling potatoes are incredibly simple, and best served with a sauce to either dip the potatoes in or drizzle over before serving. To start, bring a large pot of water to boil. Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes (don’t bother cutting them – they’re already the perfect size) and boil for 30 minutes or until you can easily stick a fork in the potatos. Serve with a side of melted lemon butter to drizzle over the warm potatoes right before serving.
