Potatoes will be extra 'crispy' when roasted with 1 common ingredient

When it comes to comfort food, few dishes are as universally adored as the classic roast potato. Whether served alongside a Sunday roast or as a crispy side dish for any occasion, perfectly roasted potatoes, golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside, are a staple of British cuisine. But achieving that ideal texture at home isn't always easy.

Many home cooks are disappointed with soggy or unevenly cooked spuds despite following recipes to the letter. Now, a clever tip from popular food blogger Food by Maria is going viral for revealing the surprisingly simple secret to elevating roast potatoes to crispy perfection.

"Do not skip the step of boiling your potatoes with baking soda," she says. "Baking soda will help your potatoes get crispy in the oven. This is the trick!"

While it might sound unconventional, there's solid science behind the method.

Adding a small amount of baking soda, just half a teaspoon, to the water when parboiling your potatoes changes its pH level, making it more alkaline.

This higher pH helps break down the potato's surface starches more effectively, resulting in a soft, fluffy exterior. When roasted, these rough edges soak up oil more efficiently and brown more evenly, producing that coveted crisp shell.

To use the method at home, start by peeling and chopping your potatoes into even pieces.

Boil them briefly in water with a dash of baking soda, then drain and shake the pot gently to roughen their surfaces.

Next, toss them with oil, salt, and herbs of your choice, and roast at a high temperature until they're golden brown and irresistibly crispy.

The best part is that this hack works with virtually any roast potato recipe, making it an easy and affordable way to upgrade your meals.

So, next time you're planning a roast dinner or just craving the ultimate potato side dish, remember to add that pinch of baking soda.

It might just be the easiest kitchen trick you've ever learn, and one that makes your roast potatoes the star of the table.