'Fool-proof' method for crispy roast potatoes every time with five easy steps

October has arrived with rainier and colder Sundays on the way. With the miserable weather, it's an ideal time of year to cosy up with your family and tuck into a delicious Sunday roast.

So there's never a better time to perfect your roast potatoes. Unfortunately, they can sometimes be a tricky part of the roast dinner to cook perfectly. There are a litany of mistakes that can be made with roasties, like failing to dry them before they go in the oven.

They're an essential part of the meal, so it pays off to take the time to master them. Fortunately, one "fool-proof" method ensures light, crispy roast potatoes with five handy tips..

TikTok account Chutneys Kitchen has shared a simple recipe and method with followers, with mouth-watering results. Here's the tips you should take to get the best roast potatoes for your family's next Sunday roast dinner.

Of course, start by peeling the potatoes as normal. Chutneys Kitchen recommends Maris Piper as the "ideal" choice but King Edward or regular white potatoes will also work.

The first essential tip of five comes next - and it's making sure you cut them a specific way. By chopping the potatoes diagonally, the TikToker says: "This gives you a larger surface area and the thinner end equals more crispness."

Next, place the potatoes into cold water with salt, as well as a stock cube if you so choose. Bring them to the boil and then parboil (partially cook) the potatoes for five to 10 minutes "depending on size".

Chutneys Kitchen added: "You want to be able to pierce the outside with a fork but still feel resistance in the middle". Parboiling is a key step to the delicious end result.

Drain the potatoes, place back in the dry pan and let them steam dry without the lid for a few minutes. Then, the third tip is to shake the potatoes.

This "roughens up the edges" and "helps make them crispy". Next comes the penultimate tip - to ensure the oil you cook the potatoes in is hot enough.

To do this, while the potatoes are drying add some oil to a baking tray or roasting tin and place it the oven. Chutneys Kitchen suggests: "Let this get hot - keep the oven temperature whatever you need for your meat - usually 180C."

Once the oil is hot, carefully place the now fluffy potatoes - thanks to shaking them in the pan, ensuring roughed up edges - on the tray. Turn them to coat in the oil and then season to your preferences.

"I like to season them on one side once they are covered in oil", suggests the TikTok user, "as I think it helps the seasoning stick". Suggested ingredients for seasoning are salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic.

The last important tip is to give the potatoes plenty of time in the oven to crisp up. Depending on their size, cook for 30-45 minutes before turning them and seasoning the other side.

Return them to the oven for another 30-45 minutes, and after this time your hard work should be plain for all to see. Commenters praised the easy recipe, as some viewers said they "look amazing".

Another said: "I love cooking and used to help my granny with the roasts but I've always been so scared to take on myself." But another warned not to shake the pan "too hard" or you may end up making mashed potatoes instead.