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Get ready to elevate your side dish game with these Fondant Potatoes! They’re first seared in an oven-safe heavy skillet, then baked in an herb-infused broth until creamy and tender. Serve alongside your Christmas dinner, date night menu, or any meal that needs a rich buttery potato side.
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What are fondant potatoes?
Fondant potatoes, also known as “pommes fondant” in French, is a classic and elegant potato dish that has a long culinary history. It’s a popular choice for special occasions or fine dining experiences and has gained popularity again in French cuisine.
The potatoes are prepared by browning in butter, then slow-cooking in a flavorful broth until tender. The result is beautifully caramelized and crispy on the exterior, while the inside is creamy and rich.
Of course, the original classic French side dish is typically made with dairy butter and chicken broth, but this beloved side dish is easy to make vegan-friendly with a few ingredient swaps. Get ready to enjoy the best potato side you’ve ever tried!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Potatoes: The best potatoes to use when making fondant potatoes are large russet potatoes. These potatoes have a higher starch content as well as a firm texture that helps them hold their shape. If russet potatoes aren’t an option, opt for Yukon gold potatoes. They aren’t as starchy as russet potatoes but will work much better than waxy potatoes.
- Oil: Any neutral cooking oil of choice will work well. Try vegetable oil, avocado oil, or olive oil if you don’t mind a little added flavor.
- Butter: We use Country Crock Plant Butter or Earth Balance Butter, but opt for your favorite vegan butter.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme sprigs infuse the butter and add so much flavor to the dish. If you only have dried thyme, try adding 1/2 teaspoon. Or, fresh rosemary can work well.
- Garlic: Similar to the thyme, freshly smashed garlic cloves add the best flavor.
- Broth: We used vegan chicken broth, but vegetable broth will work well if needed.
Equipment Needed
- Vegetable peeler
- Sharp knife
- Large oven-safe skillet (we used a cast iron skillet)
- Spatula
How to Make Fondant Potatoes
- Prep the potatoes. Lightly scrub the potatoes to remove any excess dirt. Then peel the potatoes and cut off the ends so each potato is fairly even and cylindrical. Finally, cut each potato in half to form two potato cylinders.
- Sear potatoes. In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat, warm the vegetable oil. Once warm, add the potatoes into the pan in a single layer, flat side down, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the potatoes, season with salt and pepper again, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Add aromatics. Add in the vegan butter, garlic, and fresh sprigs of thyme. Let the butter melt, then baste the potatoes with the herb-infused butter sauce.
- Bake. Add the broth evenly around the potatoes, then place the pan in a preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender and have a deep golden brown on the exterior.
- Serve. Season the top of the potatoes with additional salt and pepper as needed, and serve the creamy potatoes while warm, as desired.
Serving Suggestions
Fondant potatoes are the ultimate side dish to serve with virtually any main dish. They’re elevated enough for at-home date nights or celebrating a special occasion, yet simple enough to serve with any weeknight main.
If you’re looking for the perfect dinner recipe to serve with, here are a few of our favorite main courses that also happen to be perfect for a dinner party or holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Main Dishes to Try
Storage Instructions
Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Before covering, allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature. This will prevent condensation from building inside the storage container.
We wouldn’t recommend freezing these fondant potatoes because they will change their texture upon thawing.
If you are looking for potato side dishes that freeze well, try our Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Vegan Potato Leek Soup, or these Thanksgiving Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes.
More Potato Side Dish Recipes You May Enjoy:
Appetizers and Sides
Taco Bell Crispy Fiesta Potatoes (Copycat Recipe!)
Appetizers and Sides
The Best Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Appetizers and Sides
Vegan Potatoes Au Gratin
Gluten Free
Crispy Oil-Free Noochy Potatoes
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos!
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Fondant Potatoes Recipe
Description
Get ready to elevate your side dish game with these Fondant Potatoes! They’re first seared in an oven-safe heavy skillet, then baked in an herb-infused broth until creamy and tender. Serve alongside your Christmas dinner, date night menu, or any meal that needs a rich and buttery potato side.
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 cup vegan chicken broth
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes. Lightly scrub the potatoes to remove any excess dirt. Then peel the potatoes and cut off the ends so each potato is fairly even and cylindrical. Finally, cut each potato in half to form two potato cylinders.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Sear potatoes. In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Once warm, add the potatoes into the pan in a single layer, flat side down, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the potatoes, season with salt and pepper again, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Add aromatics. Add in the vegan butter, garlic, and fresh sprigs of thyme. Let the butter melt, then baste the potatoes with the herb-infused butter sauce.
- Bake. Carefully add the broth evenly around the potatoes, then place the pan in a preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender and have a deep golden brown on the exterior.
- Serve. Season the top of the potatoes with additional salt and pepper as needed, and serve the creamy potatoes while warm, as desired.
Notes
- Fresh thyme sprigs infuse the butter and add so much flavor to the dish. If you only have dried thyme, try adding 1/2 teaspoon. Or, fresh rosemary can work well.
- Leftover potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Before covering, allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature. This will prevent condensation from building inside the storage container.
- We wouldn’t recommend freezing these fondant potatoes because they will change their texture upon thawing.
