The 7 Best Oils For Roasting Potatoes
The best oil for roast potatoes is a neutral one with a smoke point above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Vegetable, canola, grapeseed, sunflower, and avocado oil all clear that line.
Olive oil roasts well too, but it browns faster and brings its own flavor to the pan.
Get this wrong and the oil starts smoking before the potatoes crisp. That is the whole problem.
There are two factors to take into consideration when choosing the best oils for roasting potatoes, first is the flavor, and second is the smoke point. Together, these two factors work together to roast you some delicious, crispy potatoes!
Taking both of these factors into the account, which are the best oils for roasting potatoes? The best oils to choose for roasting potatoes include vegetable oil, canola oil, and olive oil. These all give great flavor to the potatoes and have a medium or high smoke point, which gives you crispy potatoes without the potatoes burning.
Understanding the flavors and smoke points of the different oils can help you choose which would be the best for you to use.
The Importance Of Smoke Point When Roasting Potatoes
Many of us would not have considered smoke point as a factor in choosing the right oil, but it is a very important factor!
The smoke point of an oil is when the oil becomes too hot, and when it begins to smoke, and then burn. With potatoes, if the oil used to roast the potato is subjected to a temperature equal to or higher than its smoke point, it will begin to burn.
When the oil begins to burn, the potatoes will then begin to burn. You need to choose an oil for roasting that has a smoking point higher than the temperature you prefer to roast your potatoes at.
It is always better to choose an oil that has a medium, medium-high, or high smoking point, to ensure that your potatoes do not burn in the oven when roasting. You need to give your potatoes exposure to a higher temperature to have a crispy, golden finish, and that is where the smoke point comes in.
The 7 Best Oils For Roasting Potatoes – Reviewed
To help you choose the best oils for roasting potatoes, we have listed the ones that work best to give you golden, flavorful, and crispy roasted potatoes without burning.
Below is a quick summary of the best oils to use for roasting potatoes, along with their smoking points!
| Oil Type | Best Product | Smoking Point |
| Vegetable Oil | Pure Wesson Vegetable Oil | 400 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Canola Oil | Amazon Grocery Canola Oil | 400 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Sesame Oil | Kevala Organic Extra Virgin Sesame Oil | 410 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Grapeseed Oil | Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil | 420 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Olive Oil | Happy Belly Olive Oil | 450 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Sunflower Seed Oil | 365 Organic Sunflower Seed Oil | 440 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Avocado Oil | BetterBody Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil | 520 degrees Fahrenheit |
1. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is one of the most common household oils. It is made from a blend of various refined oils, and it has a very neutral taste that won’t overpower potatoes and other food items, or substantially change their flavor.
Vegetable oil has a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is perfect for those who want to roast potatoes at a relatively medium heat, without the potatoes burning, and without the potatoes taking on too much of the flavor of the oil.
A great vegetable oil to keep at home for your roast potatoes is the Happy Belly Vegetable Oil.
Pure Wesson Vegetable Oil
This large bottle of oil gives you 128 fluid ounces of vegetable oil, so you will have a good stock to keep in the kitchen!
The Happy Belly Vegetable Oil is a light tasting oil that is made from soybeans. It is great to use for cooking and frying and works well when roasting potatoes and other vegetables.
It is a cholesterol-free food and contains only 14g of fat per serving and 0g trans-fat per serving. Made from soybeans, it definitely is a light vegetable oil, but still with the great benefits of usual vegetable oils.
It is non-greasy and light and will help to give you some traditionally roasted potatoes which are not overpowered with an oily flavor, and which have a wonderful crispness without burning.
2. Canola Oil
Canola oil is similar to vegetable oil with both its taste and its smoke point, which is also around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also a neutral-tasting oil that will not flavor the potatoes at all, and instead allow the potatoes to take on the flavor of the spices that you use.
This is a good oil to use if you prefer to roast potatoes at medium heat, as it will protect the potatoes from burning at medium heat.
Canola oil is worth keeping in the kitchen for all sorts of cooking, and the Amazon Grocery canola oil is an easy one to keep stocked.
Amazon Grocery Canola Oil
The Amazon Grocery canola oil is refined and completely neutral, which is what you want under a tray of potatoes. Nothing from the oil ends up in the flavor.
It comes in a 48 ounce jug, so one bottle covers a lot of roasting.
Canola sits at the same smoke point as vegetable oil, so treat the two as interchangeable here.
Refined oils like this one handle a hot oven better than cold pressed oils, which start to smoke sooner.
If you keep one all purpose oil in the pantry for roasting, this is a fine pick.
3. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is another neutral-flavored oil that has a considerably high smoke point, at around 410 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher smoke point makes it ideal for roasting, as it can cook at a higher temperature without burning.
The flavor of sesame oil gives a delightful flavor to your potatoes! You can achieve a great sesame flavor by using toasted sesame oil, but this has a lower smoke point and is more prone to burning.
You need a good sesame oil for roasted potatoes, and Kevala Organic Extra Virgin Sesame Oil is a solid one to cook with.
Kevala Organic Extra Virgin Sesame Oil
The Kevala sesame oil is cold pressed and unrefined, so it keeps a light nutty flavor without the heaviness of toasted sesame.
A little goes a long way. Cut it with a neutral oil if you want the sesame sitting in the background rather than running the dish.
It is organic and single ingredient, which is about all you need from a bottle of sesame oil.
4. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil has a clean flavor, but a very distinctive taste. It is fast becoming a favorite among chefs and home cooks because of its light but flavorful profile.
It has a higher smoke point, sitting at around 420 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is a great option to use to roast potatoes at a higher temperature, to give them a perfectly crisp finish with a greater depth of flavor that other oils do not give.
You can’t go wrong with Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil!
Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil
The Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil has a delightfully light, subtle flavor that is perfect for high-heat cooking and roasting.
It is crafted from grapes which are imported from France, and which are of the highest quality.
The high smoke point means that the oil can be used at a high-heat in roasting to perfect the crispiness and golden finish of your potatoes, without the chance of them burning.
Grapeseed oil is a rich source of vitamin E, fatty acids, and Omega 7. It is a healthy oil option, and you only need a small amount to roast some delicious potatoes!
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is loved by many home chefs! It is considerably cheaper than extra-virgin olive oil but has a higher smoke point. The smoke point of olive oil is around 465 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably high!
Normal olive oil does not have the same rich flavor as extra virgin olive oil, but it still does give some flavor to roasted potatoes and is a very good choice for roasting potatoes on high heat.
It is so important to choose a good quality olive oil and to ensure that it is not mixed or cut with other oils. The Happy Belly Olive Oil is good olive oil to keep in the kitchen.
Happy Belly Olive Oil
Happy Belly Olive Oil is a blend of pure olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, so you get the rich taste with the high smoke point as well.
It is a Mediterranean blend imported from Spain and is great for roasting at high heat.
It is a certified OU kosher and is made with only the highest-quality ingredients.
It has a really great taste that works to flavor roasted potatoes and gives them a delightful golden, crispy finish which we all love.
6. Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil is a neutral-flavored oil and has a high smoke point of 440 degrees Fahrenheit, so it suited to roast potatoes at a high temperature. It is also great to use for sautéing and frying at high temperatures.
One thing to remember is that sunflower seed oil does expire faster than most other oils, so you will need to make sure you use the bottle you purchase within a year.
365 Organic Sunflower Seed Oil
The 365 sunflower oil from Whole Foods is organic and neutral, and it holds up at the heat roast potatoes actually need.
It is a single ingredient oil, so nothing competes with your seasoning.
It ships as a two pack of smaller bottles, which is easier to finish before sunflower oil turns.
The flavor is mild and slightly nutty. Potatoes come out golden without tasting of the oil.
7. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is for those who want to roast at very high heat. Avocado oil has a very high smoking point, at 520 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a higher-value oil, so might not be suited to be used every day, and should be used sparingly.
Avocado oil does give potatoes a wonderfully rich taste and coats the potatoes well for even roasting, and perfect crispiness can be achieved with high roasting levels.
As avocado oil is expensive, it is really worthwhile to buy one of high quality, to ensure you get the most value for your money!
BetterBody Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil
Experience better cooking with the BetterBody Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil. It is very similar to olive oil, but with a mild, smooth flavor and a considerably higher smoke point.
The flavor of the avocado oil enhances the food and gives roasted potatoes a smooth and earthy flavor. It is naturally refined, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Use the avocado oil for high-heat roasting, to achieve the crispiest golden potatoes possible, without any burning, or use it to make some delicate salad dressings! It is a very versatile oil and has many uses in the kitchen.
Related Questions
Which oil is best for roasting?
Olive oil is considered to be one of the best oils to use for roasting, whether it be roasting chicken, meat, or vegetables. Olive oil helps food to cook up with a crispiness that we all love, but it also gives the food a great flavor as well.
The flavor of olive oil is unique and is something that you do not get from the cheaper, more refined oils. It also has a high smoke point to allow for high-heat roasting.
Which is the best potato to use for roasting?
The best potato to use for roast potatoes is Yukon gold. They fall fairly center in the spectrum of the types of potatoes, and they have a creaminess and soft texture that works well with roasting, but Yukon gold potatoes also roast up to have a crisp skin as well.
How do you stop roast potatoes from sticking?
You should add oil directly to the pan to prevent sticking. Toss the potatoes in oil as well. Soaking the potatoes in water removes some of the starch, which is what also causes the potatoes to stick to the bottom of the pan.
The Best Oils For Roasting Potatoes – Conclusion
Roast potatoes are hard to perfect, and one important factor to perfect roasted potatoes is to use the right oil.
The above 7 oils are all great options to use to roast potatoes. They have medium to high smoke points and have varying levels of flavor, to suit your personal tastes.
Choose an oil that will help you make some crispy, golden roast potatoes with the flavors you love, and keep a bottle handy in the pantry for when the roasted craving hits! Most of the oils can be used to create other delicious meals as well!
More potato reading: roasting mini potatoes, reheating roast potatoes, air fryer smashed potatoes, and cooking potatoes for potato salad.
