side dish recipes

Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes are my answer to the whole what do I make that everyone will actually like puzzle. I wanted something easy, cozy, and a little bit special without babysitting a skillet for half an hour. These are crispy on the edges, glossy with sweet honey, and dotted with salty, chewy bacon. They work for breakfast, dinner, or that in-between snacking time when you’re hovering by the oven because it smells too good to walk away. If you love that sweet-salty thing, this is your tray.

What are honey bacon roasted potatoes?

At the heart of it, this dish is simple: bite-size potatoes roasted hot until the edges turn crisp and golden, tossed with small pieces of bacon and a shiny glaze made from honey, a little Dijon, and garlic. The heat of the oven caramelizes the honey so it clings to the potatoes and bacon, and you get that perfect mix of crunchy, sticky, and savory in every bite.

I first made this on a chilly Sunday because I had a bag of baby potatoes and half a pack of bacon left over from breakfast. I figured I could throw everything on one sheet pan, add a quick glaze, and call it dinner with a salad. It turned into one of those recipes that people ask for before they even finish eating. When I say Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes are reliable, I mean they disappear fast, no matter the crowd.

You can use baby golds, reds, or small Yukon potatoes. If you only have larger potatoes, cut them into uniform chunks so they roast evenly. The bacon can be thick or thin, but I like regular-cut because it gets crispy without turning leathery. The glaze is a quick stir together: honey for shine, Dijon for tang, garlic for richness, plus salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika if you want a nudge of warmth.

Here’s the big promise: minimal steps and maximum payoff. You’ll preheat the pan, toss the potatoes with oil and seasoning, scatter bacon on top, and roast hot. Halfway through, you pour on the honey mixture so it caramelizes at the end instead of burning early. The result is a tray of crispy, sticky, irresistible little bites that shine on a weeknight and hold their own on a holiday table.

How to prepare potatoes for roasting

Choose, wash, and cut

Pick firm, smooth potatoes with no sprouts or soft spots. Rinse well and pat dry. The drying step is key for crisp edges. Cut into halves or quarters so the pieces are about the same size. Think roughly 1 to 1.5 inch chunks. Uniform pieces mean they roast at the same pace.

Optional parboil for extra crisp

Parboiling is a small step that makes a big difference. Drop the cut potatoes into boiling salted water for 5 minutes, then drain and let steam dry in the colander for a minute. Shaking the colander gently roughs up the edges, which translates into extra crunch in the oven. If you’re short on time, you can skip this and go straight to roasting. They’ll still be great.

Toss and preheat like you mean it

Preheat the oven to 425 F and slide your empty sheet pan inside while the oven heats. Hot pan equals instant sizzle when the potatoes hit, which equals better crisping. Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika or garlic powder. Carefully add to the hot pan, then scatter chopped bacon over the top so its fat drips down and bastes the potatoes as they roast.

• What you’ll need: baby potatoes, bacon, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, Dijon, honey, smoked paprika, fresh thyme.
• Timing: roast the potatoes and bacon for 20 minutes, stir, then drizzle on the honey mix and roast until sticky and crisp, about another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Pan choice: a heavy, light-colored sheet pan will give you the most even browning.

If you’re a crispy potato person, you’ll probably also enjoy these crispy breakfast potatoes for mornings when you want that diner-style crunch.

Tips for perfect honey bacon roasted potatoes

Use enough oil. Potatoes need a thin, even coat of oil to get crisp. Too little oil and they steam. About 2 tablespoons per pound of potatoes is a good start.

Keep space around each piece. Crowding traps steam and softens the edges. If the pan looks packed, split between two pans.

Honey timing matters. Add the honey glaze at the halfway mark. If you add it too early, it can burn. Halfway through, the potatoes are already browning, and the honey caramelizes into a glossy coat without scorching.

Flip once, not three times. Stir after 20 minutes to brown the other sides. More flipping breaks the potatoes and lowers your crisp factor.

Watch the bacon. Bacon cooks quickly on a hot sheet. If your bacon is thinner, add it after the first 10 minutes of roasting. If it’s thick-cut, add it at the start.

Finish with acidity. A light splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon at the end wakes up the rich flavors. Just a teaspoon goes a long way.

Rest on the pan for 3 minutes. This helps the glaze set and makes the potatoes easier to serve without sticking.

We made these for a game night and I had to hide a portion for myself. The edges were so crispy and the honey bacon glaze was unreal. Zero leftovers, which never happens at our house.

Love cozy potato sides? Bump up your next family dinner with this creamy classic: potatoes au gratin. It pairs nicely with the same flavors you’ll find here.

These Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes should be deeply golden on the edges, lightly sticky, and balanced with salt and a little tang. Keep that in mind as your final taste test before serving.

Serving suggestions for honey bacon roasted potatoes

These little caramelized bites are friendly with a lot of main dishes, but honestly, they can be the star of a casual meal. I’ve done breakfast-for-dinner with eggs, brunch spreads with fruit and yogurt, and holiday sides where these vanished first.

• Breakfast plate: top with a fried egg and chives. Add a little hot sauce if you like heat.
• Weeknight chicken: roasted or grilled chicken makes an easy match. The sweet-salty potatoes fit right in.
• Steak night: the honey glaze plays well with a peppery sear.
• Salad combo: serve alongside a crisp salad with a warm bacon dressing to echo the flavors. Try this spinach salad with warm bacon dressing if you want something fresh and hearty.
• Game day snack: pass them with toothpicks, add a bowl of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and sprinkle with scallions.

For cookouts, these hold up nicely at room temp for a bit. If you plan to leave them out, slightly undercook by 3 minutes so they stay just-right when guests dig in later. And if you’re making these as a side to something saucy, the sticky glaze is a nice contrast to creamy or tangy mains.

Say you want an all-potato cookout. It’s a vibe. Round out the table with something smoky and outdoorsy and go big on textures. The contrast makes every bite more interesting.

Recipe variations and modifications

Maple swap: swap honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness. Reduce the amount slightly because maple is thinner and spreads faster.

Turkey bacon: it works. Add a little extra oil since turkey bacon is leaner, and cut into small pieces so it crisps faster.

Spice switch-up: try chili powder, cumin, or a Cajun blend for a bolder profile. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives gentle heat without overpowering the sweetness.

Herb finish: thyme is classic, but rosemary is amazing here. Chop it finely so you get bits in every bite without big woody leaves.

Air fryer adaptation: Toss potatoes with oil and seasonings and cook at 380 F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Add bacon and cook 5 to 8 minutes more. Toss with honey mixture in the last 3 minutes. Work in batches for best results.

Mustard level: Dijon gives depth without making it taste like mustard. If you’re sensitive to it, start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste.

If you want a protein that ties right in, these juicy bacon wrapped air fryer chicken breasts are a natural match with the sweet-salty potato vibes. For brunch lovers, this tray also plays well with creamy dips and toasty breads.

Common Questions

Do I need to parboil the potatoes? No. It helps with extra crisp, but you’ll still get great results without it. If you skip it, dry the potatoes very well and preheat your pan.

Can I make this ahead? You can prep everything in advance. Cut the potatoes and store in water, mix the glaze, and keep bacon chopped. Roast right before serving for the best crisp.

Will the honey burn? Not if you add it halfway through. That timing lets it caramelize at the end without scorching.

What kind of bacon is best? Regular-cut bacon gets crisp faster and distributes well. Thick-cut works too, but consider adding it at the start so it has time to render.

How do I reheat leftovers? Spread on a pan and reheat at 400 F for 8 to 10 minutes to bring back the crisp. A hot skillet also works in a pinch.

A cozy final bite

If you’re craving something easy and impressive, Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes deliver every time. Keep the oven hot, give the potatoes space, and save the honey for the second half of roasting. That’s the simple formula for crisp, sticky, sweet-salty perfection. When you want to compare notes or grab more inspiration, the techniques here line up well with this smart take from Roasted Potatoes Recipe with Honey and Bacon — Eatwell101 and the air fryer spin from Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes – Supergolden Bakes. Now get that tray in the oven and let the smell do the rest.