Description
These Mini Potato Gratins are the ultimate comfort food in bite-sized form! Layers of tender potatoes baked in a creamy garlic sauce with melted cheese — crispy on top, soft in the center. Perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 900–1,100 g Yukon Gold potatoes (or Russet), peeled if desired
- 240–300 ml heavy cream or half-and-half
- 120–180 g shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar, plus 30 g Parmesan for topping
- 1–2 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1 tsp garlic paste)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ tsp black or white pepper
- ½ tsp thyme leaves (or ¼ tsp dried)
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional but classic)
- Butter or neutral oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Heat oven to 190°C/375°F. Generously grease the muffin tin so nothing sticks.
- Slice Potatoes: Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into coin-thin rounds (1–2 mm thick). Keep thickness consistent for even cooking.
- Make the Cream Base: In a bowl, whisk cream, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and nutmeg. Stir in about two-thirds of your melting cheese.
- Layer Like a Pro:
- Spoon a teaspoon of the mixture into each cup.
- Stack 6–8 potato coins, slightly domed over the rim (they settle as they bake).
- Spoon another teaspoon of cheesy cream over the stack.
- Repeat layering until cups are full.
- Top & Cover: Sprinkle Parmesan over each cup for browning. Cover tin loosely with foil (tent it so cheese doesn’t stick).
- Bake, Then Bronze: Bake covered for 18–22 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 10–15 minutes, until the tops are deep golden and the centers are tender when pierced.
- Rest & Release: Let the tin rest 8–10 minutes (steam finishes softening, starch sets). Run a thin knife around each cup and gently lift.
- Finish: Sprinkle with chopped chives or micro-herbs for color and pop.
- Prep Time: PT20M
- Cook Time: PT40M
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini gratin
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg