To ensure that all of the potatoes bake evenly when baking big and small potatoes together, you can follow these tips:
Size Selection: Try to choose potatoes that are relatively similar in size. While it may not be possible to get them all exactly the same size, selecting potatoes that are relatively close in size will help them cook more evenly.
Uniform Cuts: If the potatoes are significantly different in size, consider cutting the larger ones into smaller pieces so that they match the size of the smaller potatoes. This will help ensure consistent cooking times.
Parboiling: If you have a mix of very large and small potatoes, you can parboil the larger ones for a few minutes before baking. Parboiling means partially boiling the potatoes until they are slightly tender but not fully cooked. This will help to even out the cooking time when they are baking with smaller potatoes.
Similar Seasoning: Make sure to coat all the potatoes with oil, seasoning, and herbs uniformly, so they all receive the same flavor and doneness.
Proper Arrangement: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on your baking sheet or in your baking dish. Leave enough space between each potato to allow for even heat circulation.
Turning or Flipping: If you notice that the smaller potatoes are cooking faster than the larger ones, you can turn or flip them halfway through the baking time. This will help to ensure even browning and cooking on all sides.
Foil Tenting: If you find that some smaller potatoes are getting too brown or cooked before the larger ones, you can cover those potatoes with a small piece of aluminum foil to slow down their cooking process.
Check Doneness: Use a fork or skewer to test the potatoes for doneness. The fork should slide in easily, indicating that the potatoes are tender and fully cooked.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that all the potatoes bake evenly, regardless of their size variations, resulting in a delicious and uniformly cooked batch of potatoes.