The best potatoes for roasting are medium-starch “all-purpose” or floury varieties that go crispy outside while staying fluffy and creamy inside, like Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, and King Edward.

Quick Scoop

For perfectly roasted potatoes, aim for varieties that sit between very waxy and very starchy, with a thin skin and good natural flavor.

  • Yukon Gold is often ranked as the top choice for roasting because it has that “Goldilocks” balance of waxy and starchy, so it crisps beautifully but stays moist and creamy in the middle.
  • German Butterball and other yellow “buttery” potatoes also roast brilliantly, with thin, delicate skins and a rich, naturally buttery taste.
  • In the UK, classic roasting favorites include Maris Piper and King Edward , both floury potatoes that roast up very crisp on the outside and fluffy inside.
  • Fingerling potatoes roast well too, giving a firm bite and slightly nutty flavor, though their irregular size means you may need to cut them for even cooking.
  • Red potatoes and similar waxy types can work, but their higher moisture means they tend to take longer to crisp and stay denser rather than fluffy.
  • Very starchy potatoes like standard Russets can still be used, but they are more prone to flaking and crumbling as they roast, which some people love for extra rough, crunchy edges.

In online cooking forums and food communities, the most common “best potato for roasting” answers repeat the same short list: Yukon Gold (or similar golden potatoes), Maris Piper/King Edward in the UK, and occasionally German Butterball or fingerlings when people want extra flavor or a different texture.

Bottom line: if you want one go-to option and you can get it, choose Yukon Gold (or another yellow/gold all-purpose potato) for reliably crisp, golden, fluffy roast potatoes.

TL;DR: What are the best potatoes for roasting?
Look for yellow or floury all‑purpose varieties like Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, King Edward, or German Butterball for the ideal mix of crunch and fluffy interior.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.