Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes Recipe
If you dream of crispy, fiery flavors lighting up your plate, Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes will become your new favorite obsession. This irresistible dish combines fluffy-on-the-inside baby potatoes with an addictively spicy and tangy Nashville seasoning. Each golden bite delivers a belly-warming punch, making it perfect for spice lovers or anyone looking to bring the heat to their next side dish or snack spread. Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes deliver all the boldness of Nashville hot chicken, but in a vegetarian-friendly, snackable form that disappears quickly at gatherings or weeknight dinners. Trust me—after one batch, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of everyday ingredients add up to maximum flavor and golden crispiness in Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes. Each has a purpose, whether it’s adding crunch, turning up the heat, or lending deep savory notes. Make sure to use fresh spices and quality potatoes for the most dynamic result!
- Baby potatoes (1.5 pounds): These bite-sized gems roast up tender inside while turning wonderfully crispy outside—halve or quarter them to ensure every piece gets perfectly coated and evenly cooked.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): This gives the potatoes their beautiful crunch and helps the spices cling for total flavor coverage.
- Salt (1 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon): One dose seasons the potatoes as they roast, another sharpens the kicky heat in the final Nashville-style coating.
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon): A little pepper adds mellow burn and contrasts with the other bold spices.
- Paprika (1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon smoked): For sweetness, color, and a subtle smoky undertone that takes this dish from ordinary to unforgettable.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon): Provides layers of aromatic, savory flavor in both the potato seasoning and the Nashville hot coating.
- Cayenne pepper (2 tablespoons): The heart and soul of true Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes—don’t be shy if you love it hot!
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): The sweetness balances the fire, making the spicy blend totally craveable.
- Chili powder (1 teaspoon): Adds deeper, rounder chili warmth that plays beautifully with the cayenne.
- Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): For mellow, earthy savor in the Nashville-style spice blend.
How to Make Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. A hot oven is crucial for getting that telltale crispy shell you crave in great Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes, and using parchment ensures easy clean-up and zero sticking.
Step 2: Toss the Potatoes
Cut your baby potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size, to keep everything bite-sized and perfect for snagging with fingers or a fork. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Make sure every piece gets a good coating—this first layer of flavor sets the stage for what’s to come.
Step 3: Roast to Perfection
Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Roast for 30–35 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through for even browning and ultimate crunch factor. When they’re done, the outside should be golden and crisp, while the inside stays fluffy and tender.
Step 4: Mix the Nashville Hot Seasoning
While the potatoes cook, whisk together the cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, second measure of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and extra salt in a small bowl. This signature blend captures the fiery, tangy magic that defines Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes.
Step 5: Toss and Finish
When the potatoes emerge hot from the oven, move them to a big bowl and shower them with your Nashville hot seasoning mix. Toss until every piece is coated in a bold, red halo of flavor. At this point, your kitchen smells amazing, and you’re ready to serve or snack immediately!
How to Serve Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top adds refreshing color that pops against the fiery potatoes. If you love creamy coolness, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing is the perfect way to balance the heat of your Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes.
Side Dishes
Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes are knockout good with crunchy celery or carrot sticks, which help cool your palate between bites. They also pair deliciously alongside beer-battered fish, grilled chicken, or as a snack with cold beverages—think of them anywhere you’d want fries or hot wings!
Creative Ways to Present
Try loading your Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes onto a platter and offering a dipping station with creamy ranch, blue cheese, spicy ketchup, and even a little honey for variety. You can also skewer them for party-friendly finger food, or pile them onto a big tray nacho-style with shredded cheese and sliced jalapenos.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store your Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining most of their spice and texture.
Freezing
While best fresh, these potatoes can be frozen for up to one month. Place the cooled potatoes in a single layer on a tray to freeze individually, then store in a zip-top bag. This helps prevent them from clumping together.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes on a baking sheet in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes, which revives their crisp. Microwave reheating is quick but may soften the crunch—still delicious though!
FAQs
How spicy are Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes?
These potatoes bring a legit kick, thanks to all that cayenne, but the brown sugar and dips help keep the heat friendly. For a milder batch, start with less cayenne and add to taste.
Can I use larger potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Absolutely! Just cut them into small, even chunks so they cook quickly and crisp up beautifully. Yukon Golds or red potatoes are great choices for the same effect.
What dips go best with Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes?
Classic ranch and blue cheese are excellent, but try Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon, or even a creamy sriracha mayo for something extra special.
Are Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes gluten-free?
Yes! The ingredients here are naturally gluten-free, but double-check your spice labels if you’re cooking for someone with sensitivities.
Can I air-fry Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes?
You bet—toss the seasoned potatoes into your air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes, shaking halfway through. They come out super crispy!
Final Thoughts
If you love dishes that bring the party to your taste buds, don’t wait to try these Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes. They’re bold, addictively spicy, and guaranteed to disappear fast, whether you serve them for game day, a weeknight treat, or the center of your snack table. Make your next gathering unforgettable—heat, crunch, and flavor await!
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Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nashville-Style Hot Potatoes are crispy, spicy roasted potatoes coated in a fiery, tangy seasoning inspired by Nashville’s famous hot chicken. Perfect as a side dish or snack for spice lovers.
Ingredients
Potatoes:
- 1.5 pounds (680g) baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Nashville Hot Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss Potatoes: In a bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Roast Potatoes: Spread potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Make Seasoning: Combine cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt to make Nashville hot seasoning.
- Coat Potatoes: Toss roasted potatoes in the seasoning mixture to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
