Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes

Name: Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs Baby Potatoes, halved; 6 slices Bacon, chopped; 3 tablespoons Olive Oil; 2 tablespoons Honey; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme Leaves ((or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)); 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese ((optional)); 1 tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley (for garnish)

Delicious honey bacon roasted potatoes served in a bowl

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Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and kissed with a sticky-sweet glaze, these Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes are comfort food at its finest. If you love dishes that deliver bold flavor with minimal fuss, this recipe is for you — it hits sweet, savory, and smoky notes all at once. Fun fact: potatoes were once considered a luxury in Europe and are now a humble superstar in kitchens worldwide. Whether you need a weeknight side or a showstopping addition to a weekend spread, these potatoes fit the bill.

If you enjoy other sweet-and-savory sides, try pairing this with my honey-glazed Brussels sprouts for a balanced plate using similar flavors: honey-glazed roasted Brussels sprouts. This recipe is simple, family-friendly, and quick to prepare — you’ll be surprised how little effort yields maximum taste. Get ready to impress with a dish that practically everyone at the table will love.

What is Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes?

What’s in a name? Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes literally tells the tasty tale: baby potatoes roasted until golden, drizzled with honey, and studded with crispy bacon. How could that go wrong? Why is it called that — because honey and bacon make everything better, of course. Who decided that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? Whoever they were, they clearly understood the magic of sweet, salty, and crunchy all together.

Picture biting into a warm potato with a caramelized honey edge and a smoky bacon crunch — that’s the charm. Try it and you’ll know why the name is so on point. Give it a go and see which family member claims it as their favorite!

Why You’ll Love This:

Irresistible main highlight: The star is the honey-bacon glaze that caramelizes on the potatoes, creating a golden, slightly crisp exterior while the insides stay pillowy soft. The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen.
Cost-saving and convenient: Making this at home is far cheaper than ordering sides from a restaurant. Baby potatoes and bacon are budget-friendly staples, and you can easily scale the recipe up for guests without much extra effort.
Flavorful toppings: Fresh thyme, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and bright parsley finish the dish with herbaceous and umami notes that keep every bite interesting.

Compared to other roasted veg dishes like my honey garlic butter roasted carrots, these potatoes offer a heartier, more filling option that pairs beautifully with mains. You’ll want to make a big batch.

How to Make:

Quick Overview

This recipe is easy, delicious, and satisfying. Preparation is simple — toss, spread, and roast. The potatoes get a crisp exterior and soft, creamy interior while the honey and bacon provide a rich, caramelized finish. Prep time is about 10 minutes, roast time about 40 to 45 minutes, and total time roughly 50 to 55 minutes.

Ingredients

2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
6 slices bacon, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it so the potatoes don’t stick. Allow the oven to fully preheat so the potatoes begin crisping immediately.
In a large bowl, combine the halved baby potatoes, olive oil, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated — use a sturdy spoon or your hands to make sure every potato gets a glossy honey coating.
Spread the seasoned potatoes onto a lined baking sheet in a single layer, spacing them so they have room to roast rather than steam. Crowding can make them soggy.
Scatter the chopped bacon over the potatoes ensuring even distribution. If you prefer extra-crisp bacon, you can cook the bacon briefly in a skillet before adding, but raw bacon will crisp up nicely in the oven while flavoring the potatoes.
Roast in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping the potatoes and stirring the bacon halfway through. This ensures even browning and lets all sides develop a lovely golden crust.
Sprinkle fresh thyme and Parmesan cheese (if using) over the potatoes and return to the oven for another 5 minutes. The thyme will become fragrant and the Parmesan will add a savory finish.
Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.

Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes

What to Serve With:

A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Roasted or grilled chicken, pork chops, or a juicy steak — these potatoes make a perfect side for any protein.
Steamed green beans or sautéed spinach for a fresh, vibrant contrast.
For sauce lovers: a garlic aioli or a tangy mustard dip pairs wonderfully with the sweet-salty notes.
Drinks: a crisp white wine, light beer, or sparkling water with lemon complements the dish.

Top Tips for Perfecting:

Potato size matters: Choose uniformly sized baby potatoes so they roast evenly. If some are large, quarter them to match others.
Honey handling: If your honey is thick, warm it briefly for easier tossing. Don’t add extra until after roasting — too much can burn during long roasting times.
Bacon crispness: For extra-crispy bacon, pre-cook it for a few minutes in a skillet until partially crisp, then add to the potatoes. If you like chewier bacon, add it raw.
Space the potatoes: Crowding the pan traps steam. Use two pans rather than one crowded sheet for best results.
Flavor boosters: Finish with a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of red pepper flakes for brightness or heat.
Common mistake: Not flipping halfway. Flipping ensures all sides get that caramelized color and prevents burned edges.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Freezing: Not ideal for texture — freezing will make potatoes a bit mealy. If needed, freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven on a baking sheet for 10–15 minutes until heated through and crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve crispiness; if using a microwave, follow with a quick oven or skillet re-crisp.
Refreshing: Add a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a quick 5-minute broil at the end to revive crisp edges.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Yes — use Yukon Gold or red potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces so they roast in a similar time. Larger potatoes may need a longer roasting time.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely. Skip the bacon and add smoked paprika and a few drops of liquid smoke, or use a plant-based bacon alternative for a similar smoky flavor.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. The recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your honey and spices are certified gluten-free.

How do I prevent the honey from burning?
Toss the potatoes with honey and oil, and roast at the recommended temperature. If you notice excessive browning, reduce oven temp by 25°F (about 15°C) and extend roasting time slightly.

Can I prepare this in advance?
You can par-roast the potatoes and refrigerate for up to a day. Finish the roasting with the bacon and final glaze right before serving for best texture.

How do I make more caramelization without burning the honey?
Flip the potatoes halfway through roasting and finish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes while watching closely to avoid burning.

Conclusion

These Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes are an easy, crowd-pleasing side that combines sweet honey, smoky bacon, and tender roasted potatoes into one irresistible dish. Simple to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect alongside nearly any main, this recipe will quickly become a weeknight favorite or a holiday star. For another take on honey-and-bacon roasted potatoes, check out this excellent version from Eatwell101: Eatwell101’s honey bacon roasted potatoes recipe. Give this a try, share it with family, and enjoy the compliments that follow.