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[Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

Note: Duck fat will make for even tastier, crispier potatoes.

About the author: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt is the Chief Creative Officer of Serious Eats where he likes to explore the science of home cooking in his weekly column The Food Lab. You can follow him at @thefoodlab on Twitter, or at The Food Lab on Facebook.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Serves 8 to 10
Active time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds small red or Yukon gold potatoes
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (see note above)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup sliced chives, parsley, or tarragon (optional)

Procedures

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Season heavily with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until potatoes are completely tender, about 10 minutes after a boil is achieved (poke a potato with a sharp knife or cake tester to test for doneness).Drain in a colander set in the sink and let rest for 10 minutes to dry and cool slightly.

  2. Working one potato at a time, place potato on cutting board and smash firmly with the bottom of a heavy skillet to a thickness of about 1/2-inch thick. Transfer to a large plate or tray as you work.

  3. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add as many potatoes as will fit in a single layer. Cook, shaking pan occasionally, until bottom side is deep golden brown, about 6 minutes. Carefully flip with a thin metal spatula and cook until second side is golden brown and crisp, about five minutes longer. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to drain.

  4. Continue cooking potatoes in batches, adding more oil or fat as necessary, until all potatoes are cooked. Potatoes can then be left aside until ready to serve.

  5. To serve, adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions and preheat oven to 400°F. Spread potatoes over to large rimmed baking sheets. Transfer to oven and cook until heated through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, add herbs (if using), toss to distribute, transfer to a serving platter, and serve.