Name: Hasselback Potatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 6 large russet potatoes; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic minced; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons fresh herbs; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Main recipe image showcasing the final dish — Golden crispy hasselback potatoes with accordion cuts arranged on parchment paper with creamy dipping sauce | lonerecipes.com

I first encountered hasselback potatoes during a trip to Stockholm, where they're considered a national treasure. The restaurant served them as golden, fan-shaped beauties that looked almost too perfect to eat. When I took my first bite, I was amazed by the contrast - crispy, caramelized edges giving way to the fluffiest, most tender potato interior I'd ever experienced. The technique seemed intimidating at first, but I learned it's all about making those precise cuts without going all the way through. Back home, I experimented with different seasonings and discovered that a simple combination of garlic, herbs, and good olive oil creates magic in the oven. The key is patience - letting them roast slowly so each layer develops that perfect golden color. What makes this recipe special is how it transforms an ordinary potato into something extraordinary, creating multiple textures in every single bite. The creamy sauce I serve alongside isn't traditional, but it adds a richness that complements the crispy potato perfectly.

Why I love this recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it represents the perfect marriage of simplicity and elegance. There's something deeply satisfying about transforming basic potatoes into something that looks like it came from a high-end restaurant. I love how the hasselback technique creates so many crispy surfaces - every slice gets its moment to caramelize and develop flavor. The process is almost meditative - carefully making each cut, brushing with seasoned oil, watching them slowly transform in the oven. What really gets me excited is seeing people's faces when I serve these - the surprise, the delight, the inevitable question of "how did you make these?" They're proof that some of the best dishes come from simple ingredients treated with respect and technique. The fact that they're naturally gluten-free and vegetarian makes them perfect for entertaining diverse groups. Plus, they're practically foolproof once you get the cutting technique down - the oven does most of the work while you prepare the rest of your meal.

What You Need From Your Kitchen

Russet potatoes: wash, scrub and cut with accordion slices
Olive oil: brush generously over potatoes and between cuts
Garlic: mince finely and mix with melted butter
Butter: melt and combine with garlic for basting
Fresh herbs: chop finely and sprinkle over finished potatoes
Sour cream: mix with mayonnaise and lemon for creamy sauce

Let's Make These Together

Prep the potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing your potatoes and patting them completely dry. The key to perfect hasselback potatoes is making precise cuts about 1/8 inch apart, cutting 3/4 of the way through without going all the way. Use wooden spoons on either side as guides if you're nervous about cutting too deep.
Season and oil: Place your beautifully cut potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush generously with olive oil, making sure to work it between all those lovely cuts. Season with salt and pepper, really working the seasoning into every crevice for maximum flavor.
First roasting phase: Into the 425°F oven they go for 30 minutes. This initial roasting starts the cooking process and begins to create those crispy edges we're after. The potatoes should start to fan out naturally as they cook.
Garlic butter magic: Remove the potatoes and brush with your garlic butter mixture, gently encouraging the slices to fan out even more with a fork. This second basting adds incredible flavor and helps achieve that golden color.
Final crispy perfection: Back into the oven for another 25-30 minutes until they're golden brown and irresistibly crispy. While they finish, whisk together your creamy dipping sauce and get ready to be amazed by your culinary creation!

Additional recipe photo showing texture and details — Restaurant style hasselback potatoes with crispy layers and fresh herbs accompanied by creamy yellow sauce | lonerecipes.com

Switch Things Up

Last Sunday, I decided to surprise my family with something special instead of our usual mashed potatoes. I remembered seeing these beautiful hasselback potatoes at a Swedish restaurant and thought, why not give them a try? The kids were fascinated watching me make the accordion cuts - they called them "potato fans"! What I didn't expect was how the whole house filled with this amazing aroma of roasted garlic and herbs. My youngest kept peeking into the oven every ten minutes, mesmerized by how they were transforming. When we finally sat down to eat, even my pickiest eater couldn't stop raving about the crispy edges and fluffy centers. It's become our new Sunday tradition - these potatoes have officially replaced boring old sides in our house!

Perfect Pairings

These hasselback potatoes pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon for a complete meal. The creamy garlic sauce complements the earthy potato flavors perfectly, while the crispy texture provides a wonderful contrast to tender meats. For a vegetarian feast, serve alongside roasted vegetables and a fresh garden salad. They're also fantastic with barbecued dishes - the smoky flavors work harmoniously with the golden, herb-infused potato layers.

Step-by-step preparation photo — Beautifully roasted sliced potatoes with herbs and golden brown edges served with garlic butter sauce | lonerecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why aren't my hasselback potatoes getting crispy?: Make sure you're cutting deep enough (3/4 through) and using enough oil. Also, don't skip the garlic butter basting step - it's crucial for achieving golden, crispy edges.
→ Can I prepare these potatoes ahead of time?: You can cut and season the potatoes up to 4 hours in advance, but for best results, roast them just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
→ What's the best potato variety for hasselback?: Russet potatoes work best because they're starchy and become fluffy inside while getting crispy outside. Yukon Gold is a good second choice for a creamier texture.
→ How do I know when they're done?: The potatoes should be golden brown with crispy, fanned-out edges and tender when pierced with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on potato size.
→ Can I make these without dairy?: Absolutely! Use olive oil instead of butter for basting and skip the creamy sauce, or make a vegan version using plant-based sour cream and mayo.

Conclusion

These hasselback potatoes are the perfect blend of crispy and creamy, making them an ideal side dish for any meal. The accordion-style cuts allow for maximum surface area, creating those irresistible crispy edges we all love. Paired with the creamy garlic sauce, they transform from a simple potato into a gourmet experience. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just elevating your weeknight meal, these potatoes deliver restaurant-quality results every time.