How To Roast Legendary Potatoes Over Charcoal

Author: Sasha Halabi  

Crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and loaded with that unmistakable charcoal flavour, roast potatoes are one of the best things you can cook over fire.

They might seem simple, but when they are done right, they can steal the show from the main meal.

Using the Auspit Spitmate makes the process even easier. Instead of turning potatoes by hand or worrying about them burning on one side, the Spitmate keeps them rotating over the coals so they cook evenly, crisp up beautifully, and pick up that proper fire-cooked flavour.

If you want to take your camp potatoes or backyard roast sides to the next level, this is the method to use.

This image shows cooked and seasoned potatoes.

Why Potatoes Work So Well Over Charcoal

Potatoes are built for charcoal cooking. They can handle heat, they absorb flavour beautifully, and they become incredibly crisp when cooked properly.

The secret is not just throwing raw potatoes over the fire and hoping for the best. The best results come from parboiling first, drying them properly, coating them well, and then letting the Spitmate do the turning over hot coals.

That combination gives you the fluffy centre and crunchy outside everyone wants.

What You Need

  1. Whole potatoes or chopped potatoes

  2. Oil

  3. Fresh or dried rosemary

  4. Salt

  5. Auspit Spitmate accessory

  6. Hot coals

  7. Paper towel or time to air dry

This image shows chopped potatoes

Step 1. Parboil The Potatoes

Start by parboiling your potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes.

You want them just softened on the outside, not fully cooked through. If you overcook them at this stage, they can fall apart before they make it into the Spitmate.

The goal is to soften the edges enough so they rough up slightly when coated. That rough surface is what helps create the crispy finish later.

Step 2. Let Them Dry

Once the potatoes are parboiled, drain them well.

Let them air dry or pat them down with a paper towel. This step matters more than most people think.

Too much surface moisture will steam the potatoes instead of roasting them. Dry potatoes crisp better, brown better, and hold seasoning better.

Step 3. Add Oil, Rosemary & Salt

Place the potatoes into a bowl and coat them with a generous amount of olive oil, rosemary, and salt.

Do not be shy with the seasoning. Potatoes need enough oil to help them roast properly and enough salt to bring out the flavour.

Rosemary works perfectly because it suits both potatoes and charcoal cooking. As the potatoes tumble and roast, the rosemary becomes fragrant, and the oil helps the outside crisp up.

Step 4. Load The Spitmate

Place the seasoned potatoes into the Auspit Spitmate.

Do not overfill it. The potatoes need space to tumble properly as the basket rotates. If it is packed too tightly, they will steam rather than roast.

Once loaded, secure the Spitmate and position it over hot coals.

Step 5. Roast Over Hot Coals

Cook the potatoes over hot coals for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

As the Spitmate turns, the potatoes tumble gently inside. This helps them cook evenly and develop colour on all sides.

Keep an eye on your heat. You want strong, steady coals, not large flames. Flames can burn the outside before the potatoes are ready inside.

This image shows the spitmate accessory roasting potatoes

How To Know They Are Ready

Your potatoes are ready when they are golden, crisp on the outside, and soft in the centre.

You should see crunchy edges and a deep roasted colour. If they still look pale after 45 minutes, leave them on a little longer and let the coals keep working.

The best part is that the Spitmate keeps the potatoes moving, which means you get a more even result without constantly stirring or turning them by hand.

Why The Spitmate Makes A Difference

The Auspit Spitmate takes a basic side dish and makes it easier to get right.

It helps by:

  1. Keeping the potatoes moving

  2. Cooking them evenly over the coals

  3. Reducing the chance of burning one side

  4. Creating crispy edges without constant turning

  5. Letting you cook sides while the rest of the meal comes together

It is especially useful when you are cooking outdoors and want a side dish that feels impressive without needing too much attention.

What To Serve Them With

These charcoal-roasted potatoes go with almost anything.

They are perfect alongside:

  1. Whole chicken on the Auspit

  2. Lamb on the spit

  3. Pork with crackling

  4. Steak cooked over coals

  5. Camp oven stews

They also work as a standalone camp snack with garlic sauce, aioli, or sour cream.

Tips For Better Charcoal Roast Potatoes

  • Use enough oil to coat every surface.

  • Keep the coals hot but controlled.

  • Don’t overcrowd the Spitmate.

  • Let them cook until they are properly golden.

Make Potatoes The Best Part Of The Cook

Roast potatoes do not need to be boring. With the right prep and the Auspit Spitmate doing the work, they become crispy, smoky, and packed with flavour.

Parboil, dry, season, load, and roast. That is all it takes.

Next time you are cooking over charcoal, do not leave the potatoes as an afterthought. Give them the fire treatment and let the Spitmate turn them into something legendary