Description
These Halloween Skull Roasted Red Potatoes are a spooky and delicious side dish perfect for fall gatherings or Halloween parties. Mini red potatoes are carefully carved with skull faces, then marinated in lemon water before being tossed with a savory blend of olive oil and spices. Roasted until golden and tender, these creepy cute potatoes are both flavorful and festive, garnished optionally with parsley for a touch of color.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Preparation
- 1 ½ lbs red mini creamer potatoes or similar mini potato
- 4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (divided)
Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish
- Fresh or dried parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 385 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the right temperature for roasting the potatoes.
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Wash the potatoes: Rinse the mini red potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt and set aside.
- Carve skull faces: Using a paring knife, carefully carve spooky skull faces into each mini potato. Be gentle to avoid breaking them.
- Lemon water bath: In a large bowl, mix 4 cups of cold water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Place each carved potato into this lemon water to help keep them firm and prevent browning while you prep.
- Mix seasoning oil: In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked or regular paprika, and black pepper. Stir well to create a flavorful seasoning oil.
- Toss potatoes in seasoning: Drain the potatoes from lemon water and gently toss them in the prepared seasoning oil, coating evenly.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the seasoned potatoes face side up on the lined baking sheet, making sure they are spaced out for even roasting.
- Roast the potatoes: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the potatoes from the oven and garnish with fresh or dried parsley flakes and additional salt if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your spooky treat!
Notes
- Be very careful when carving the potatoes to avoid breaking them; a small paring knife works best.
- Soaking carved potatoes in lemon water helps to prevent discoloration and keeps them firm while prepping.
- You can adjust the paprika type (smoked vs. regular) based on your flavor preference.
- Feel free to add other spices like chili powder or cumin for more heat and depth.
- If you want crispier skins, try broiling for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (about 4 oz)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
