Crispy potatoes au gratin are thinly sliced potatoes stacked on their side, instead of layered, for the creamiest potatoes with crispy edges in every bite. A simple make-ahead side dish you can prep in 20 minutes.Those crispy edges are the best!
Potatoes au gratin with gruyere is one of those dishes that sound super fancy but you’ll be amazed at how simple and easy this recipe is. You can put this together in about 20 minutes depending on how fast you can peel potatoes!
No holiday or company dinner is complete without a decadent side dish. One made with cream and potatoes is going to not only taste delicious, but will go with whatever you’re serving.
While I love rich and creamy scalloped potatoes, and creamy mashed potatoes, there’s nothing like crispy potatoes. This technique for making potatoes is over the top and a new family favorite. I got the idea for stacking the potatoes vertically from Emily Weinstein’s recipe in the NY Times.
These delicious potatoes are the best of both worlds. You get a creamy coating that slowly cooks into the potatoes, but since the potato slices are arranged on their sides instead of flat, each potato slice has a crispy part to it.
If this potato casserole sounds too creamy for what you’re serving, sweet potato casseroles are also a great choice. Try a sweet potato pudding or sweet potato casserole with bacon.
The Best Au Gratin Potatoes
- The bake time on this is low and slow but the prep is quick!
- You get the creaminess you love in scalloped potatoes, but you also have crispy edges, the best of both worlds.
- This dish is easy to prep in advance of your meal.
- Leftovers become an easy dish to reheat and are great to enjoy with leftover ham, rotisserie chicken or turkey.
A traditional potatoes au gratin recipe has thin slices of potatoes layered in a casserole dish with cream and cheese between each layer.
They are topped with cheese, so you can get a slightly crisp topping but it’s mostly creamy soft potatoes. Nothing wrong with that. However, if you like crispy potatoes, you’ll love this version.
This amazing potato side dish has a little cheese but it’s mostly a cream sauce with garlic and fresh thyme where a quarter of each potato slice is crispy. Both the flavor and the texture create a wonderful accompaniment to any meal.
What’s even better for holiday meals or cooking for friends is that you can prep this in advance and then all you need to do is bake. It does take a while to bake so plan ahead.
If you love the creaminess of this dish then try a scalloped potato and ham casserole with the leftover ham from your holiday dinner.
Scalloped Potatoes vs Au Gratin Potatoes: What’s the Difference?
Scalloped potatoes are typically just cream and potatoes, sometimes with cheese on top. Au gratin potatoes will have cheese throughout along with cheese on the top to give it crispy edges.
Homemade Au Gratin Potato Ingredients
- Russet potatoes – russets have more starch so they won’t turn to mush when baked in this dish. You can also use Yukon Gold. I like to peel the potatoes, but you can leave them on.
- Gruyere and parmesan cheese – These are two of my favorites for their rich but subtle flavors.
- Heavy cream – don’t try to substitute, this is a rich and creamy dish.
- Garlic and fresh thyme – these add just the right amount of flavor.
How to make the Best Au Gratin Potatoes
Step 1 – thinly slice potatoes
Peel and then slice the potatoes using a mandolin or food processor or if you don’t have one just slice to about an ⅛ of an inch with a knife.
Step 2 – combine with cream mixture
Add a mixture of cream, garlic, thyme and cheese reserving some of the cheese for the top. Mix with your hands so that all the slices are coated with the creamy mixture.
Step 3 – stack the slices
Grab a stack of potatoes and place them in the pan on their edges going around the pan until all the potatoes are stacked closely together.
Step 4 – slow bake
Cover and bake for a total of 90 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil, after 60 minutes add the reserved cheese.
Allow the dish to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to peel the potatoes. If you want to save some time and don’t mind the peels, then you can leave them on.
What to serve with Potatoes Au Gratin Gruyere
- Enjoy a slightly sweet and tangy chicken with dates for dinner that has literally no fuss.
- There’s little prep in this braised short ribs dinner that will literally fall off the bones when you’re ready to eat.
- And of course Turkey!
If you’re looking for a potato side dish that’s not as rich, try roasted sweet potatoes with pears or a baked mashed potato casserole.
How to Store Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes
To store gruyere au gratin potatoes, first let them come to room temperature, then cover in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge. You can freeze it, but sometimes freezing potatoes will give them an odd texture when reheated.
More potato side dishes you’ll love
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Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Gruyere cheese grated (1 cup)
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese grated (½ cup)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
- 4 lbs russet potatoes about 8 potatoes
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º. Butter 2 quart baking dish or a 9 x 5 baking dish.
- Combine cheeses and add ⅓ of the cheese mixture to a large bowl.
- Add cream, garlic and thyme to the bowl and combine.
- Peel and then slice potatoes into ⅛ inch slices with a mandolin, food processor or knife. Add to the bowl and with your hands combine so that each slice is coated with the cream mixture.
- Grab a stack and place them vertically in the baking dish, working around the outside first and then going into the center. They should be very tightly packed. Pour any extra cream mixture over the top.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until golden brown, about 30 more minutes. Remove and sprinkle reserved cheese on top and bake until brown and crispy, about 30 more minutes. Total cooking time is 1 ½ hours. Let cool slightly before serving.
Video
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Use russet potatoes for a creamier texture.
- You could substitute a mild Swiss cheese for the Gruyere.
- Place a pan under the baking dish in case it drips over in the oven.
- You can make this in advance, just cover with plastic wrap after you have assembled it in the baking dish and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Nutrition
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Carol Meyers says
Can you use milk instead of cream in this recipe
Barbara Curry says
If you use milk, it will not be as creamy, I would try half-and-half if you are trying to cut out some of the fat. The dish will still work with whole milk but it won’t be exactly the same. Let me know if you try it with milk.
Carol Meyers says
Thank you so much!
Dale Roth says
How much salt and pepper should you use. It seems it would be bland.
Barbara Curry says
The cheese adds the flavor along with the potatoes. You can salt and pepper before you arrange them in the pan if you choose.
Shelley says
Won’t the potatoes discolor if this is made in advance and refrigerated before baking?
Thanks!
Barbara Curry says
Since they are covered in the cream mixture, they won’t discolor.
Jenn says
how far in advance can these been made? the day before?
Barbara Curry says
You can make them a few hours ahead but not overnight.