--- title: "Chilean Rustic Roasted Potatoes — Homemade Papas Rusticas al Horno Recipe" description: "Versión en Español. Chilean papas rusticas al horno are skin on potato wedges, parboiled and then tossed in olive oil with garlic, thyme, oregano, and merken and roasted until golden. They take 30 min..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-rustic-roasted-potato-wedges-papas-rusticas-recipe/ date: 2026-09-27 modified: 2026-09-27 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-rustic-oven-roasted-potato-wedges-featured.jpg categories: ["Appetizers"] type: post lang: en --- # Chilean Rustic Roasted Potatoes — Homemade Papas Rusticas al Horno Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-papas-rusticas-al-horno/) ![Tray of rustic skin on roasted potatoes, golden and seasoned with oregano and merken](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-rustic-oven-roasted-potato-wedges-featured.jpg)*Homemade Chilean rustic roasted potatoes* Chilean papas rusticas al horno are skin on potato wedges, parboiled and then tossed in olive oil with garlic, thyme, oregano, and merken and roasted until golden. They take 30 minutes of preparation plus 30 minutes of cooking and serve 6 people. They are an easy alternative to French fries, perfect as a snack or as a side for all kinds of Chilean dishes, with a creamy center and a seasoned, crisp skin. ## How to Make Chilean Rustic Roasted Potatoes? Use firm, well washed potatoes, and if you can, mix in some colorful native Chiloe potatoes for variety and flavor. A short boil softens the center before the dry heat of the oven crisps the seasoned skin. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of rustic roasted potatoes contains approximately 350 kcal, 50 g of carbohydrates, 12 g of fat, 5 g of protein, 5 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars, 0 mg of cholesterol, and 400 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Homemade Chilean Papas Rusticas al Horno Recipe **Preparation:** 30 minutes **Cooking:** 30 minutes **Servings:** 6 people ### Ingredients - 10 large potatoes, skin on - 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) of olive oil - 2 tablespoons of oregano - 1 garlic clove, minced - 1 teaspoon of thyme - 1/2 teaspoon of merken - Pepper - Sea salt ### Instructions 1. Place the well washed, skin on potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water, bring to a boil, and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until half cooked. Drain and cut the potatoes lengthwise into quarters. ![Colorful native potatoes ready to wash and boil with their skins](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/native-potatoes-skin-on-boil.jpg)*Skin On Potatoes* 1. Preheat the oven to 200 C (392 F) for at least 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, the minced garlic, the thyme, the oregano, and the merken, season with salt and pepper, and mix with a wooden spoon. ![Potato wedges tossed in olive oil, garlic, and herbs in a glass bowl](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/potato-wedges-olive-oil-herbs.jpg)*Seasoning the Wedges* 1. Add the potato wedges to the oil mixture and toss with a spoon or clean hands until evenly coated. Spread them on a baking tray lined with foil in a single layer, without overlapping. ![Rustic potatoes arranged in a single layer on a lined baking tray](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/rustic-potatoes-single-layer-tray.jpg)*Ready to Roast* 1. Roast for about 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Serve right away, adjusting the seasoning with coarse sea salt or a little more merken. ## Additional Tips ### Give them space Arrange the wedges in a single layer without touching. If they overlap, they steam instead of browning. ### Mix native potatoes If you can find Chiloe native potatoes, mix varieties. Their colors and starch levels make the dish more attractive and more complex in flavor. ### Fry them instead For a fried version, cook the seasoned wedges in plenty of sunflower oil heated to about 180 C (356 F). | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Olive oil | Sunflower oil | 1:1 | More neutral | | Merken | Smoked paprika | 1:1 | Smoky, less spicy | | White potatoes | Chiloe native potatoes | 1:1 | More color and flavor | | Oven roasting | Air fryer at 200 C | 15 to 20 min | Quicker | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. Why start the potatoes in cold water? Starting in cold water heats the potatoes evenly from the inside out. In boiling water the outside breaks down before the center cooks. ### 2. How do I keep the herbs from burning? Mixing the herbs with the olive oil before coating the potatoes protects them, so they flavor the wedges without charring and turning bitter. ### 3. Which potatoes are best for roasting? Medium to high starch potatoes such as Desiree or red varieties hold their shape after parboiling and turn fluffy inside once roasted. ### 4. Can I prepare them ahead? Yes. Parboil and season them up to 4 hours ahead, keep them covered at room temperature, and roast just before serving. ### 5. Why use coarse sea salt? Coarse salt does not fully dissolve in the oven, leaving small crystals that add crunch and bring out the earthy flavor of the skin. ## What Are Papas Rusticas? Papas rusticas are skin on potato wedges, roasted or fried, popular in Chile as a snack at gatherings and as a side for grilled meat, chicken, and fish. ## Benefits of Potato Skin Potato skin is rich in dietary fiber, and many of the potato’s vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, B6, and potassium, are found just beneath it, so leaving the skin on keeps more nutrients. ## Did You Know? Chile is one of the world’s great centers of potato diversity, with hundreds of native varieties still grown in the Chiloe archipelago. ## Recommended - [Chilean Rosemary Potatoes Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-papas-chilotas-al-romero-rosemary-potatoes-recipe/) - [Homemade Potatoes au Gratin Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-potatoes-au-gratin-papas-gratinadas-recipe/) - [Chilean French Fries in Lard Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-french-fries-in-lard-recipe/) - [Homemade Duchess Potatoes Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-duchess-potatoes-papas-duquesas-recipe/)