If you’ve been looking for a way to turn simple potatoes into a stunning, crispy, and flavorful side dish, the Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes Recipe is an absolute game changer. These potatoes get beautifully sliced almost all the way through, creating perfect little pockets to soak up garlicky butter that crisps to golden perfection in the air fryer. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish is guaranteed to bring everyone to the table with eager smiles and satisfied appetites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on just a handful of ingredients that might already be in your kitchen, but each plays a starring role in creating those irresistible Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes. From the creamy texture of Yukon gold or Russet potatoes to the fragrant garlic butter that adds mouthwatering aroma and crispness, each component is essential to achieving the perfect balance.
- 4 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon gold): Choose firm potatoes that hold shape well and have a creamy interior when cooked.
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: Butter adds richness and helps the edges crisp beautifully while carrying garlic flavor throughout.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic infuses the potatoes with a subtle pungency that’s impossible to resist.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances the natural flavors and balances the richness of the butter.
- 1/4 tsp pepper: Offers a gentle kick to cut through the butter’s richness.
- 1 tbsp parsley: Fresh parsley brings vibrant color and a touch of herbal brightness as a finishing touch.
How to Make Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by placing two knives or chopsticks on either side of each potato to prevent cutting all the way through. Slice the potatoes into 3 to 4 millimeter thick slices, stopping when you hit the knives. These precise cuts allow the potatoes to fan out slightly and create those signature ridges.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until perfectly blended. This mixture is what will soak into the slits, making every bite delightfully flavorful and moist.
Step 3: Brush the Potatoes
Carefully brush the tops and inner cuts of each potato with the garlic butter using a pastry brush. Be gentle so the slices don’t separate too much. This step is crucial because it ensures the butter flavors penetrate deeply while also helping the potatoes crisp on the outside.
Step 4: Air Fry the Potatoes
Place the prepared potatoes in your air fryer basket, setting the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature hits the sweet spot between cooking them through and crisping the edges without drying out the potatoes.
Step 5: Mid-Cook Butter Boost
After 10 minutes of cooking, take the potatoes out and brush them once again with the remaining garlic butter mixture. If you’ve run out of butter, melt an additional tablespoon to top them off. This step keeps the potatoes moist and flavorful as they finish cooking.
Step 6: Finish Cooking
Return the potatoes to the air fryer and cook for another 15 minutes, or until they’re tender inside and the edges have developed a beautiful golden crisp. The contrast between the soft interior and crunchy slices is what makes this recipe stand out.
Step 7: Serve and Garnish
Once cooked, carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and sprinkle them with fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. They’re ready to delight your taste buds!
How to Serve Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling fresh parsley on top not only brightens the dish with color but also adds a subtle herbal note that elevates the overall flavor. For a bit of indulgence, consider a light dusting of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of sour cream for richness and tang.
Side Dishes
These Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes pair wonderfully with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or even a fresh salad on the side. Their crispy, buttery texture complements a wide range of mains, making them a versatile option for any meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try topping the cooked potatoes with crumbled bacon bits or melted cheese for a comforting twist. You can even stuff small amounts of your favorite toppings like caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms between the slices for added decadence that impresses at any dinner table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The potatoes might lose some crispness but will retain their delicious buttery flavor, making for a wonderful quick meal later on.
Freezing
It’s best not to freeze fully cooked Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes as the texture can suffer. However, you can freeze the uncooked, sliced potatoes wrapped tightly, then thaw and prepare fresh for optimal taste and texture.
Reheating
To bring leftover potatoes back to life, reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around 5 minutes. This method crisps up the edges nicely without drying out the interior, preserving that delightful contrast you love.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Yes! Russet and Yukon gold are preferred for their texture, but red potatoes or fingerlings can also work. Just keep in mind the cooking time might vary slightly depending on the potato size and type.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No worries. You can bake these in a conventional oven at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40-50 minutes, brushing with butter halfway through. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I prevent the potatoes from falling apart during slicing?
Placing knives or chopsticks on either side of the potato guides your cuts and prevents slicing all the way through. This simple trick keeps the potato intact while creating perfect slices for the butter to soak in.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the butter for a plant-based margarine or olive oil infused with garlic. The flavor will still be fantastic, and you’ll keep that crisp exterior everyone loves.
How crispy will the potatoes get in the air fryer?
The air fryer produces a wonderful crispness on the edges while keeping the centers soft and tender. The garlic butter mixture caramelizes slightly, creating irresistible, crunchy ridges that make this dish very special.
Final Thoughts
If you want to impress with minimal effort, this Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes Recipe is an absolute must-try. The combination of buttery, garlicky, crispy potatoes is comfort food at its best. So grab your potatoes, heat up that air fryer, and get ready to share one of your new favorite side dishes with everyone you love.
Print
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are a crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside delight, enhanced with garlic butter and fresh parsley. Perfect as a flavorful side dish, this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve the perfect texture quickly and easily.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon gold)
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Place two knives or chopsticks on either side of each potato to act as a cutting guide. Slice the potato thinly, about 3 to 4 mm apart, stopping when the knives limit your cut to keep the base intact. Repeat for all 4 potatoes and set them aside.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring until well mixed.
- Brush Potatoes: Using a pastry brush, gently coat the tops and inside of the potato slices with the garlic butter mixture, being careful not to break the slices. Reserve any leftover butter mixture for later use during cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat.
- Initial Baking: Place the prepared potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes.
- Apply Additional Butter: After 10 minutes, brush the potatoes with the remaining butter mixture. If you have run out, melt an additional 1 tablespoon of butter and brush it on.
- Final Baking: Continue to bake the potatoes for another 15 minutes or until they are tender from top to bottom with crispy edges.
- Serve: Remove the potatoes from the air fryer, sprinkle chopped parsley on top, and serve warm.
Notes
- Using knives or chopsticks as cutting guides ensures thin, even slices without cutting all the way through the potato.
- Be gentle when brushing the butter mixture to avoid breaking the potato slices apart.
- If the potatoes aren’t crispy enough, you can add a few more minutes to the cooking time in the air fryer.
- Russet potatoes provide a fluffy texture while Yukon gold yields a creamier bite; choose based on preference.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some grated cheese or paprika before the final bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
