Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
If you love crispy potatoes but don’t feel like standing over a hot skillet, these Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions are a great shortcut. They bake until tender, then get a quick blast under the broiler for those golden, crispy edges everyone loves.
With red potatoes, onions, bacon, butter, salt, and pepper, this recipe is simple, hearty, and full of old-fashioned comfort food flavor. It works just as well for breakfast as it does alongside dinner.
And because everything cooks in one casserole dish, cleanup is pretty painless too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This easy potato side dish is one of those dependable recipes you can make again and again.
- Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy here—just potatoes, bacon, onion, and butter.
- Hands-off cooking: Most of the work happens in the oven.
- Crispy and tender: The potatoes stay soft inside while the edges brown beautifully.
- Great for a crowd: Five pounds of potatoes makes plenty for family dinners or gatherings.
- Versatile: Serve them with breakfast, grilled meats, chicken, or holiday meals.
The bacon and butter also give the potatoes plenty of flavor without needing a long list of seasonings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few basics for this hearty potato recipe.
- 5 pounds red potatoes: Thinly sliced or cut into small cubes.
- 1 onion, finely chopped: Adds sweetness and savory flavor.
- 6 slices bacon, chopped: Brings smoky flavor and crisp texture.
- ½ cup butter, diced: Helps the potatoes cook evenly and adds richness.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Finish the dish with simple seasoning.
Tip: Try to cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
How to Make Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: About 50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8–10
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the red potatoes well.
You can leave the skins on or peel them if you prefer.
Slice them thinly or cut them into small cubes, then spread them evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
Step 3: Add the Onion, Bacon, and Butter
Sprinkle the chopped onion and bacon evenly over the potatoes.
Dot the top with the diced butter.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 4: Bake Until Tender
Place the covered casserole dish in the oven.
Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 5: Broil for Crispiness
Remove the foil and gently stir the potatoes.
Switch the oven to the broiler setting.
Broil for about 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until the potatoes develop golden, crispy edges.
Watch them closely during this step because the bacon and potatoes can brown quickly.
Step 6: Serve Hot
Remove the dish from the oven and taste for seasoning.
Add a little extra salt or pepper if needed.
Serve immediately while the potatoes are hot and crisp around the edges.
Tips for the Best Oven Fried Potatoes
A few simple tricks can help you get better browning and texture.
Cut the potatoes evenly. Thin slices or small cubes cook faster and more evenly than large chunks.
Don’t skip the foil at first. Covering the dish helps steam the potatoes so they become tender before browning.
Stir before broiling. This exposes more surfaces to direct heat.
Watch the broiler carefully. Once browning starts, things move fast.
Use a metal or broiler-safe baking dish. Not all glass casserole dishes are safe under a broiler, so check your cookware instructions first.
Don’t overcrowd too much. If your pan is packed very tightly, use a larger roasting pan for better browning.
Easy Variations to Try
This recipe is simple, but it’s easy to give it a different flavor.
- Garlic potatoes: Add 2–3 minced garlic cloves before baking.
- Cheesy potatoes: Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top during the final few minutes.
- Smoky potatoes: Add a little smoked paprika.
- Herb potatoes: Toss in rosemary, thyme, or parsley.
- Pepper and onion version: Add sliced bell peppers with the onions.
- Spicy potatoes: Sprinkle in cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
You can also swap red potatoes for Yukon Gold potatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
What to Serve With Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
These potatoes work with all kinds of meals.
For breakfast, serve them with eggs, sausage, biscuits, or pancakes.
For dinner, pair them with roast chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, steak, or grilled sausage.
They’re also a great holiday side dish alongside ham or turkey.
If you want something lighter on the side, add steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple salad.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
These potatoes are best fresh, but leftovers reheat well.
Refrigerator: Store cooled potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freezing is possible, but the texture may soften after thawing.
Reheating: Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and warm them at 375°F until heated through.
For extra crispiness, use the broiler for the final minute or two.
You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 375°F for about 5–7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different kind of potato?
Yes. Yukon Gold or russet potatoes both work well. Red potatoes hold their shape nicely, which makes them especially good for this recipe.
Do I need to cook the bacon first?
No. The bacon cooks along with the potatoes and releases flavor into the dish as it bakes.
Can I make this without bacon?
Absolutely. Leave it out and add a little extra butter or olive oil if needed.
Can I prepare the potatoes ahead of time?
Yes. You can slice the potatoes a few hours ahead and keep them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator.
Drain and dry them well before assembling the dish.
Why aren’t my potatoes crispy?
They may be overcrowded or too wet, or they may need a little more time under the broiler.
A larger pan can help if you’re making the full 5-pound batch.
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes. Olive oil works well and gives the potatoes a slightly different flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions are simple, hearty, and packed with comforting flavor.
The potatoes turn tender in the oven, while bacon, onions, and butter make every bite savory and satisfying. A quick broil at the end gives you those crispy browned edges without standing at the stove.
Serve them for breakfast, dinner, or a holiday meal, and don’t be surprised if the casserole dish comes back empty.
Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Wash the red potatoes thoroughly. Leave the skins on or peel them if desired.
- Slice the potatoes thinly or cut them into evenly sized small cubes, then spread them across the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the chopped onion and bacon evenly over the potatoes.
- Dot the diced butter over the top and season with salt and black pepper.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove the foil and gently stir the potatoes.
- Switch the oven to the broiler setting and broil for about 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until the potatoes develop golden, crispy edges and the bacon is nicely browned.
- Remove from the oven, taste, and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot.
