Hasselback Potatoes: A Crunchy, Creamy Wedding Side Dish

If you're looking for a show-stopping side dish for your wedding, look no further than Hasselback potatoes. These spuds are sliced into thin wedges, fanned out, and baked to perfection. They're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them a delicious and impressive addition to any special meal. With a prep time of just 10 to 20 minutes and a cook time of around an hour, they're a convenient way to elevate your wedding feast.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety: Floury or starchy potatoes, such as Russet, Yukon Gold, or Maris Piper, are excellent choices for hasselback potatoes. These varieties tend to have a higher starch content, which promotes crispiness when baked. Waxy potatoes can also be used, but they may be a bit slippery. If you're looking for a balance between fluffiness and moisture retention, all-rounder potatoes like Sebago or Desiree are a good option.

Size and Shape: Opt for potatoes that are around 250 grams (8 ounces) in weight. This ensures they are not too small or too large, allowing for even cooking. Look for potatoes with a nice, even oval shape rather than round ones. Oval-shaped potatoes fan out better during baking, creating those desirable crispy edges.

Consistency: For hasselback potatoes, you want potatoes that are firm and consistent in texture. Avoid potatoes with a lot of eyes or blemishes, as they may not slice or bake evenly.

Freshness: Always choose fresh potatoes that feel firm to the touch. Avoid potatoes that are sprouted, shrivelled, or have soft spots, as they will not yield the best results.

Peeling: You can leave the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference. Leaving the skin on can help the potato slices hold together better and also adds a nice flavour to the dish.

By selecting the right potatoes and considering factors such as variety, size, shape, consistency, and freshness, you'll be well on your way to creating mouthwatering hasselback potatoes that are sure to impress your wedding guests.

How to cut the potatoes

To make hasselback potatoes, you'll need to cut thin slices into the potato, leaving the bottom intact. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut the potatoes:

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by washing and drying the potatoes. You can use any type of potato, such as Yukon Gold, Russet, or Red Bliss. The potatoes should be similar in size and shape to ensure even cooking. For a fancier presentation, you can use medium-sized potatoes, which are easier to cut and serve as a side dish.

Step 2: Create a Stable Base

To ensure a stable base for cutting, cut a thin slice off the bottom of each potato. This will help the potato sit flat and stable on the cutting board.

Step 3: Use a Cutting Guide

To prevent accidentally cutting through the entire potato, use a cutting guide. Place the potato between the handles of two wooden spoons, chopsticks, or similar utensils. This will act as a guide and prevent your knife from cutting all the way through. Make sure the utensils are no thicker than 1 cm or 0.4 inches.

Step 4: Start Slicing

Now, it's time to slice the potatoes! Using a sharp knife, cut thin slices into the potato, aiming for a thickness of about 2 mm or 1/8 inch. You can also use a paring knife or chef's knife for this step. Cut straight down into the potato, but stop just before you reach the bottom, leaving the slices connected. Space the slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart. The slices on the edges of the potato can be slightly thicker, as they will bake up crisper.

Step 5: Create a Fan Shape

As you slice the potatoes, they should start to form a fan shape. The thin slices will allow the potatoes to fan out as they bake, creating those crispy edges that hasselback potatoes are known for. Make sure to cut through far enough and use oval-shaped potatoes for better fanning.

Step 6: Season and Bake

Once you've sliced all the potatoes, it's time to season and bake them. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, melted butter, or a combination of both. Sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper, making sure to get the seasoning in between the slices. Then, bake the potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F or 425°F for about 30 minutes.

Step 7: Baste and Bake Again

After the initial baking, remove the potatoes from the oven and baste them with more fat, such as olive oil or butter. This step is crucial for achieving crispy perfection. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until they are crispy on the edges and tender in the middle.

That's it! You now know how to cut potatoes for hasselback potatoes. With these steps, you'll be able to create impressive and delicious hasselback potatoes for your wedding or any other special occasion.

Brushing with oil and seasoning

Before placing the potatoes in the oven, it is important to brush them with a fat of your choice. Olive oil, melted butter, or a combination of both are popular options. You can also use duck fat or coconut oil for a more indulgent option. By brushing the potatoes with fat, you ensure that they will bake to a crispy perfection. The fat adds moisture and helps to conduct heat, resulting in a more even cook. It also enhances the flavour of the potatoes and promotes browning for that golden, mouth-watering appearance.

When brushing the potatoes with oil or butter, make sure to get it in between the slices. You can use a pastry brush to gently separate the slices and apply the fat. This step is key to achieving the signature fanned-out appearance of hasselback potatoes.

After the initial brushing, place the potatoes in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Then, remove them from the oven and brush with more fat. This second application is crucial as it encourages the layers to separate, creating more space for the fat to work its magic.

In addition to fat, seasoning is also essential. A generous sprinkle of salt and pepper is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs. The seasoning enhances the flavour of the potatoes and complements the fat used.

Once the potatoes are cooked, you can also add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives for a pop of colour and a boost of flavour.

Remember, the key to successful hasselback potatoes is in the brushing and seasoning. Don't skimp on this step, and you'll be rewarded with crispy, flavourful potatoes that will impress your wedding guests!

Baking the potatoes

Now that your potatoes are sliced and brushed with olive oil, it's time to bake them. Preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C/180°C fan. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet or tray and pop them into the oven.

For the perfect hasselback potatoes, you'll need to bake them in two parts. First, bake them for 30 minutes. This will help the slices open up so you can add more oil and seasoning. After 30 minutes, remove the potatoes from the oven and drizzle with more olive oil. You can also add salt and pepper at this point.

Place the potatoes back into the oven and bake for another 30-40 minutes. The total baking time should be around 60-70 minutes, but this will depend on the size of your potatoes. If you're using smaller potatoes, they will need less time in the oven.

Once the potatoes are soft in the centre and crispy on the edges, they're ready! You can check this by poking them with a knife. If they're still not crispy enough for your liking, you can turn up the oven to 425°F/220°C and bake for an extra 10-15 minutes.

Hasselback potatoes are best served hot from the oven, so make sure to serve them immediately. They're the perfect side dish for a wedding, and your guests will surely be impressed by their fancy appearance and delicious taste.

Adding toppings

• Cheese: Shredded cheese such as cheddar, smoked gouda, or havarti can be stuffed into the slices of the potatoes. For easier insertion, opt for thin-cut slices of cheese. You can also sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of the potatoes.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, dill, or sage can be used as a topping. Mince or chop the herbs finely and sprinkle them over the potatoes.
• Bacon: Crumbled bacon is a tasty addition to hasselback potatoes. You can sprinkle it on top or stuff it into the slices.
• Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream on top of each potato adds a creamy and tangy element.
• Green Onions/Chives: Chopped green onions or chives provide a mild onion flavour and a pop of colour. If you don't have green onions, chives are a great substitute, and vice versa.
• Garlic: Garlic butter can be brushed onto the potatoes during the baking process or served on the side as a topping. You can make garlic butter by mixing butter with garlic, herbs, and salt.
• Spices: Feel free to season your potatoes with your favourite spices. Black pepper and red pepper flakes are popular choices.
• Other Toppings: You can also get creative and experiment with other toppings such as diced tomatoes, minced ham, chilli, cheese sauce, or jalapenos.

When adding toppings, it's best to wait until the potatoes are almost done baking. Insert or sprinkle your toppings about 5 to 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time. This ensures that the toppings don't burn or dry out.

Frequently asked questions