Fancy Words, Simple Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes (2024)

Looking for a delicious and easy potato dish to make for dinner? Look no further. Dauphinoise potatoes are a classic French side dish and for good reason! They are the perfect side dish for a special dinner or holiday meal. This dish is made with thinly sliced potatoes, cream, garlic, and cheese, and it’s easy to make ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy your evening. Best of all, they’re absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Potato Recipe

• Simple Ingredients: The beauty of a Dauphinoise potatoes recipe lies in its use of basic kitchen staples like potatoes, cream, and garlic, making it convenient and budget-friendly.
• Comfort Food Champion: This dish is the epitome of comfort food (similar to au gratin potatoes), offering a warm and creamy texture that satisfies the soul, perfect for a cozy evening at home.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Dauphinoise potatoes actually taste better when prepared in advance, allowing for flavors to meld, making it a stress-free option for hosting.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: No need to fret about gluten sensitivities with this dish. It’s a flavorful, gluten-free option that still feels indulgent.
• Easy Scaling: Whether you’re cooking for two or for a holiday gathering, the recipe can be effortlessly scaled to accommodate any number of guests.
• Leftover Lifesaver: Unlike some dishes that lose their appeal the next day, these potatoes reheat beautifully and might even give you a second round of that fresh-from-the-oven joy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How To Make Dauphinoise Potatoes With Step-By-Step Instructions

Making our potato dauphinoise recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F.

Now, using a sharp knife, slice your potatoes; the slices should be approximately 3mm or 1/8 inch.

Then, in a large saucepan, pour your double cream (heavy cream) full-fat milk, add Dijon mustard minced garlic, and gently bring it to a simmer.

Add two sprigs of fresh thyme and season with salt and pepper.

Add your sliced potatoes to the simmering cream and let them cook for 4 minutes, stirring gently to avoid the potatoes sticking to each other or sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potato slices into an ovenproof prepared baking dish (casserole dish) and arrange them so they are approximately 5/6mm, almost ¼ of an inch deep, and a solid layer.

Then pour the cream mixture so it’s seeping through the layers, and there’s a little on the top layer, but it’s not swimming in it.

Next, scatter the freshly grated cheese over the top, place it in the oven, and bake for 30 minutes, turning it halfway through.

When the dauphinoise potatoes are ready, they will be golden brown on the top and bubbling.

It will be extremely hot, so let it cool slightly before serving.

Serve with seasonal vegetables, a nut roast, or whatever you fancy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

• Quality Potatoes: Opt for starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds to ensure a creamy, tender texture.
• Uniform Slices: Use a mandolin slicer to get uniform, thin slices. This helps in even cooking and a more pleasing texture.
• Layering Technique: Take your time while layering potatoes and seasoning, making sure each layer is evenly spread for consistent flavor in every bite.
• Resting Time: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after baking to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld together.
• Quality Bakeware: Use a good quality baking dish that retains heat well for even cooking and browning.
• Oven Position: Position your baking dish in the middle rack of the oven to ensure even cooking and to prevent the top from getting overly browned.
• Serving Size: Dauphinoise potatoes are rich, so a small portion often suffices. Consider this when planning the rest of your meal.

What Is the Difference Between Gratin and Dauphinoise?

You’d be forgiven for not knowing the difference between dauphinoise potatoes and potatoes au gratin.

When you make potato au gratin or potatoes au gratin, the sliced potatoes are usually cooked potatoes, but with potatoes dauphinoise, they are cooked in the oven from raw.

You may also hear the term scalloped potatoes, which are similar to dauphinoise potatoes and potato gratin.

Scalloped potatoes are also thinly sliced potatoes that are baked in the oven in a cream sauce.

If you have an Instant Pot, why not try this totally vegan Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe?

What Are the Best Potatoes To Use?

Depending on where you are in the world, we recommend using King Edward potatoes, Maris piper potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, or Russet potatoes.

We used Maris Piper potatoes for our dauphinoise potatoes, and they worked perfectly.

What To Serve With Dauphinoise Potatoes

Dauphinoise holds its own served along mains like Nut Roast, Mushroom Wellington, and Vegan Ham.

It’s perfect as a delicious side along with Broccoli Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts, or some delicious Maple Roasted Air Fried Carrots.

How Do I Store Leftover Dauphinoise Potatoes?

When covered and placed in the fridge, this potato dish will keep overnight.

Just remove the remaining potatoes Dauphinoise from the fridge for around 1 hour before placing it in the oven.

If you’re doing this, then keep a little of the cream mixture, and when reheating it, add the mixture to the baking or casserole dish and sprinkle a little extra freshly grated cheese on top.

More Potato Recipes for You To Try at Home

• Hasselback potatoes
• Hash brown casserole
• Baked sweet potato
• Sweet Potato CubesSweet potato wedges

Try out this great recipe for mashed potatoes which go well with dauphinoise potatoes.

Did you make this recipe?

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