Crispy Layered Elegance: Ina Garten’s Potatoes Anna Recipe
Crispy, golden edges and a buttery interior make this classic french potato dish a true culinary gem.
The Ina Garten potatoes anna recipe delivers a stunning side that turns simple ingredients into pure magic.
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes create a delectable canvas of flavor and texture.
Each slice is carefully arranged to build a decadent potato cake that melts in your mouth.
Rich butter and a touch of seasoning elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this recipe promises to impress even the most discerning palates.
You’ll want to serve this showstopping potato creation at your next dinner gathering.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 334 kcal
Servings: 6
What to Buy for Ina Garten’s Potatoes Anna
For Base and Binding:
Butter: Provides rich, golden flavor and helps create crispy potato layers.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty depth and helps create a crispy, golden crust.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbaceous undertones that complement potato's mild taste.
Garlic: Delivers aromatic, pungent notes that elevate the overall dish's complexity.
For Potato Selection and Preparation:
Potatoes: Choose waxy varieties like Yukon Gold for smooth, even layering and creamy texture.
Salt: Draws out moisture and intensifies the natural potato flavor.
Black Pepper: Offers subtle heat and enhances the potato's inherent earthiness.
Cookware to Help You Master Potatoes Anna by Ina
Large Bowl: For soaking potato slices in cold water.
10-inch Oven-Proof Skillet: Main cooking vessel for creating layered potatoes.
Small Saucepan: Melting butter with thyme and garlic.
Small Cup: Mixing salt and pepper seasoning.
Paper Towels: Drying potato slices after draining.
Spatula: Pressing down potato layers and loosening edges.
12×12-inch Foil: Covering potatoes during initial baking.
Sharp Knife: Cutting potatoes into wedges for serving.
Cooking Spray: Preparing foil to prevent sticking.
Cutting Board: Optional surface for slicing potatoes.
Customize Your Potatoes Anna with These Pro Tweaks
Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform, thin potato slices that cook evenly and look professionally elegant.
Rinse potato slices in cold water to remove excess starch, ensuring a crispier and more delicate final texture when baked.
Experiment with different hard cheeses like Gruyère, aged cheddar, or pecorino for unique flavor profiles that complement the potatoes.
Replace butter with olive oil or use a combination to reduce calories while maintaining rich, golden-brown results.
Swap thyme with rosemary, sage, or chives to introduce new aromatic dimensions and personalize the classic recipe.
Serving Potatoes Anna Ina’s Elegant Way
Pair with Protein Powerhouses: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or juicy steak to create a complete and satisfying meal that balances the crispy potato layers.
Garnish with Green Goodness: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, parsley, or thyme on top to add a burst of color, freshness, and herbal aroma that complements the rich buttery potatoes.
Create a Brunch Showstopper: Feature this elegant potato dish as a centerpiece for weekend brunches, pairing it with a light salad and a crisp white wine to elevate your morning gathering.
Add Dipping Delights: Offer small ramekins of sour cream, herbed aioli, or tangy Greek yogurt sauce on the side for guests to customize their potato experience with extra flavor.
Storing Tips for Crisp and Golden Potatoes Anna
Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover Potatoes Anna in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crispy texture intact by placing a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture.
Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the original golden crispiness and prevent soggy edges.
Freeze for Later: Wrap completely cooled potato dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice potatoes and keep them submerged in cold water up to 2 hours before cooking to prevent browning, draining and patting dry just before assembling the dish.
Ina Garten’s Step-by-Step for Perfect Potatoes Anna
Potato Wheel Delight
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth begins with setting the stage. Crank up the temperature to a toasty 425°F and let the magic start brewing.
Potato Bath Soak those potato slices in chilly water to remove excess starch and keep them pristine. Pat them completely dry with soft towels.
Butter Symphony Melt golden butter with fragrant thyme and garlic, creating a luxurious sauce that will transform ordinary potatoes into something spectacular.
Skillet Canvas Grab a sturdy skillet and generously coat it with butter. Begin arranging potato slices in a beautiful circular pattern, like creating an edible artwork. Each layer gets a loving brush of herb-infused butter, a sprinkle of seasoning, and a dusting of Parmesan.
Stovetop Sizzle Place the skillet on medium-high heat, letting the bottom develop a gorgeous golden crust. Gently shake the pan to prevent any sticky situations.
Oven Magic Cover the skillet with foil and slide it into the hot oven. After a short time, remove the foil and let the potatoes transform into a crispy, golden masterpiece.
Dramatic Reveal Carefully flip the potato creation onto a serving plate, revealing its stunning layers. Slice into wedges and watch everyone's eyes light up with excitement.
Ina Garten’s potatoes anna embody French culinary elegance with layered potato perfection. Crisp edges and golden-brown surfaces highlight rich buttery flavors that home cooks can easily recreate.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lb (907 grams) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced to 1/8 inch thick
5 tbsps butter
6 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ tsps finely chopped fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Soak potato slices in ice water to remove starch, then drain and pat completely dry with kitchen towels.
Butter Infusion: Melt butter with thyme and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow herbs to release their aromatic essence without browning. Remove from heat and let flavors meld.
Layering Foundation: Coat a cast-iron skillet generously with butter. Create an artful circular pattern of potato slices from the center outwards, slightly overlapping each slice.
Seasoning and Building: Brush each potato layer with herbed butter, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering process three times, ensuring the top layer is lavishly covered with cheese.
Stovetop Preparation: Place skillet on medium-high heat, cooking for 5 minutes. Gently shake pan to prevent sticking and ensure even heat distribution. Use a flat spatula to compress layers gently.
Oven Roasting: Cover skillet with foil (sprayed side down) and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue roasting for 20-25 minutes until potatoes develop a golden-brown, crispy exterior and become fork-tender.
Serving: Remove skillet from oven. Loosen edges with a thin spatula, then confidently invert onto a serving platter in one smooth motion. Slice into elegant wedges and serve immediately while piping hot and crisp.
Notes
Potato Preparation Trick: Soak potato slices in ice-cold water to eliminate excess starch, ensuring a crisp and perfectly textured potato cake without discoloration.
Butter Infusion Technique: Gently warm butter with thyme and garlic to create a fragrant, flavor-packed base that elevates the entire dish without burning the delicate aromatics.
Layering Strategy: Build potato layers carefully, slightly overlapping each slice and generously coating with herbed butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan to create maximum flavor and texture complexity.
Crispy Crust Secret: Use stovetop and oven combination method to develop a golden-brown exterior while ensuring tender, evenly cooked potato interior, with a final confident flip for stunning presentation.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.