Frozen Roast Potatoes? Yes or No!

[ritzbiscuits]

I'm doing a pre Christmas, Christmas dinner this weekend for a couple of friends and our family. I haven't been well of late, so need this meal to be as simple as possible.

I wondered if it was worth using frozen roast potatoes to save some hassle in the kitchen. I have an air fryer so was thinking of using that rather than in the oven.

Can anyone suggest a brand of frozen roasts that are any good? I have tried Auntie Bessies in the past and thought they were alright. Good Housekeeping recommends Waitrose frozen ones.

Depends. If you're good a roast potatoes then properly cooked in goose fat wins. But for Christmas Dinner it's more about the occasion than the food being perfect and if frozen results in a happier day then go for that.

You can par boil and freeze your own potatoes. Much nicer.

I've never had nice ones, and I don't think they save much time as they go in the oven the same way.

I've often done the Mary Berry idea of cooking to barely done on Christmas Eve. Removing the whole tin, leaving it to cool in the fat and then reheating when required.

Roasts are the one item I would never have frozen.

I have never tasted a nice frozen roastie.

Ok, thanks everyone - I will avoid!

I can't find a decent one, so far!

Nope they’re not good

Love aunt bessies duck fat ones, delicious

No. There is nothing like the luxury of your own real roast potatoes. Delegate the peeling and par boiling, duck fat sizzling hot, sprinkle with sea salt and a sprig of rosemary, slam em in the oven for longer than advised and take all the glory for how fluffy and crunchy they are - that's what I do!

Lidl's frozen in goose fat ones! I don't bother anymore at Christmas. Make my own the rest of the year.

Yes, Lidl goose fat ones were actually great. And the M&S ones.

DM used frozen roasties one year. We could all tell they were not ‘her’ roasties, and she never made that mistake again

We've used Aunt Bessie's and they are ok. This year we've got Tesco finest goose fat ones.

You'll save yourself quite a bit of hassle by parboiling your potatoes today, then leave them to drain and thoroughly steam dry (they need to be really dry to crisp up when roasted) before putting in the fridge till needed. Then roast them in the usual way on the weekend. I always do this for Christmas/ big occasions.

Yes, you can partially roast your potatoes, freeze or refrigerate if next day, and then whack them in on the day to crisp up. I did it last year and they were perfect.

If you do the par boil-day before and fridge, don’t they go brown? . Less faffing with potatoes on the 25th = more sitting with a g&t!!

Normal frozen roast potatoes have a slightly odd coating and can't compare with home made.
Frozen Goose fat roasties are actually excellent....but they take as long to cook as home made ones so apart from avoiding peeling and a 10 minute parboil they don't save much time!

If you do the par boil-day before and fridge, don’t they go brown?
No they don't go brown. I have two bags of par-boiled potatoes that I did about two weeks ago (for Xmas/ Boxing Day), left overnight in the fridge and then the next day put in my big chest freezer. The potatoes are all totally white. It SAVES SO MUCH HAASLE ON THE DAY!!!

If you're not well don't bother with them or get someone else to make some and bring them along.

I have used this recipe on Christmas Day for the last three years and will be doing it again:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1789635/freezeahead-roasties

They actually tasted much better than normal ones for some reason - the freezing must aid the crispiness somehow!

That's really good to know- It's a great way to use up a bag of potatoes- i struggle to finish a bag before they sprout.