Perfect Air-Fried Hasselback Potatoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Air-fried hasselback potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish. The potatoes are sliced almost all the way through, brushed with oil or butter, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic. They are then cooked in an air fryer at around 350-400°F for 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes, until they are golden brown and crispy. The result is a tasty, buttery side dish with a soft centre.

How to cut hasselback potatoes

To make hasselback potatoes in an air fryer, you'll first need to cut your potatoes. The best way to do this is to cut a very thin slice lengthwise from the flattest side of the potato. This will create a flat edge so that the potato can lie evenly on your cutting board without rolling. Place the potato cut-side down, and put chopsticks lengthwise along the top and bottom edges. Then, slice evenly across the entire length of the potato to make 1/4-inch slices, making sure the knife comes to rest on the chopsticks each time. This will ensure that the bottom of the potato stays intact.

Another way to cut hasselback potatoes is to use a sharp knife to carefully slice down the potato, but not all the way through, leaving the bottom part of the potato intact. Continue slicing all the way across in 1/8" slices.

Once you've cut your potatoes, brush them generously with olive oil, melted ghee or butter, making sure to get in between each slice. You can also season the potatoes with salt, pepper, and minced garlic, again taking care to get the seasoning in between the slices.

After brushing and seasoning, place the potatoes into the air fryer. You can put them on a tray in the middle of an air fryer oven or directly into an air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F to 400°F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. You'll know they're done when the edges are golden brown and crispy, and the centre is fork-tender.

Hasselback potatoes got their name from the Swedish restaurant where they were invented and popularized. The restaurant was called Hasselbacken, and these potatoes were first served there in 1953.

How to season hasselback potatoes

After washing and drying the potatoes, use a sharp knife to carefully slice down the potato, leaving the bottom part of the potato intact. Continue slicing all the way across in 1/8" slices. Brush the potatoes with melted ghee or butter all over, including in between each slice. Season liberally with salt, pepper, and minced garlic, making sure to get in between the slices. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as fresh chives or rosemary. Place the potatoes into the air fryer either on a tray in the middle of an air fryer oven or in an air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F to 400°F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes, until the edges are golden brown and crispy, and the centre is fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and brush with any remaining butter or ghee. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve.

How to cook hasselback potatoes in an air fryer

To cook hasselback potatoes in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). Then, cut a very thin slice lengthwise from the flattest side of a potato. Lay the potato on a cutting board, cut-side down, and place chopsticks lengthwise along the top and bottom edges. Slice evenly across the entire length of the potato to make 1/4-inch slices, making sure the knife comes to rest on the chopsticks each time, keeping the bottom of the potato intact.

Next, brush the potatoes generously with olive oil or melted ghee/butter, making sure to get in between each slice. Season liberally with salt, pepper, and minced garlic, again taking care to get in between the slices. Place the potatoes into the air fryer either on a tray in the middle of an air fryer oven or in an air fryer basket. Air fry at 380-400°F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes, until the edges are golden brown and crispy while the centre is fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and brush with any remaining butter or ghee. Sprinkle with fresh chives and serve.

What to serve with hasselback potatoes

Air-fried hasselback potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served on various occasions and in different settings. They are a favourite for special occasions or when you want to impress with a visually stunning and delicious potato dish. Their accordion-like appearance and crispy edges make them a culinary masterpiece that deserves a complementary ensemble of flavours and textures.

When serving hasselback potatoes, you can customise them with various toppings such as cheese, herbs, bacon, sour cream, or chives, adding extra layers of flavour and texture to the dish. You can also serve them with sausage links, such as spicy chicken sausage, to add a kick of flavour.

If you're looking for a more simple approach, you can serve the potatoes with a garlic aioli or a dollop of sour cream.

Hasselback potatoes are a great addition to special dinners and celebrations, such as holiday feasts (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) or milestone birthdays. They can also be an impressive side dish when hosting a dinner party, adding an elegant touch to the table and serving as a conversation starter. For a casual family gathering, such as a barbecue, potluck, or weekend get-together, hasselback potatoes can be a hit as well.

How to get crispy hasselback potatoes

To get crispy hasselback potatoes, you'll need to start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). While that's heating up, prepare your potatoes by cutting 1/4-inch slices into each one, making sure to keep the bottom 1/2-inch intact. This will ensure the potatoes stay together while cooking and give them their signature hasselback look.

Once your potatoes are sliced, brush them generously with olive oil or melted ghee/butter, making sure to get in between each slice. Seasoning the potatoes is key to maximising flavour, so be liberal with salt, pepper, and fresh minced garlic. You can also add other seasonings of your choice.

Place the potatoes into the air fryer, either on a tray in the middle of an air fryer oven or directly in an air fryer basket. Air fry at 380-400°F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes and desired level of crispiness. You're aiming for golden brown, crispy edges with a fork-tender centre.

When they're done to your liking, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and brush with any remaining butter or ghee. Sprinkle with fresh chives and serve. You can also serve them with a simple garlic aioli or a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

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