If you’ve been hunting for a stunning side dish that looks like it took forever to make but actually doesn’t, you’re going to *love* this one. My Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe is one of those foolproof recipes that always impresses but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Crispy edges, tender insides, fragrant herb butter, and that irresistible cheesy topping — it literally melts in your mouth. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to potato recipe whenever you want to wow your family or guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: It looks fancy but takes just basic kitchen skills and simple ingredients you probably have on hand.
- Crispy & Tender Texture: You’ll get crunchy, golden edges with soft, buttery potato flesh inside every time.
- Flavor-Packed: The combo of herb butter, garlic, rosemary, and Parmesan creates layers of savory deliciousness.
- Versatile Side: It pairs perfectly with everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but flavorful ingredients work together to make your potatoes sing. When choosing potatoes, I always pick medium-sized russets because their starchy flesh crisps up beautifully and they’re perfect for those classic Hasselback slits.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the potatoes when melted with olive oil.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Balances the butter’s flavor and keeps the potatoes moist during roasting.
- Small Shallot: Brings a subtle sweetness to the herb butter mixture.
- Garlic Cloves: Sliced thin to infuse that gorgeous aroma into the butter.
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: Fresh herbs always give a vibrant flavor that dried just can’t match.
- Medium Baking Potatoes (Russets): Perfect for holding the thin, crispy slices without falling apart.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Makes the top crust wonderfully savory and golden browned.
Variations
One of my favorite things about the Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to your taste or mood. I’ve played around with different cheeses and herbs over time, and you should definitely do the same to make it your own.
- Cheese Swap: I sometimes swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier kick – my family goes crazy for it!
- Herb Mix: Try thyme or tarragon instead of rosemary if you want a slightly different herbal note.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes sprinkled before the butterflies hit the oven gives it a subtle warmth.
- Garlic Butter Variation: Roasting the garlic before butter-making softens the flavor and caramelizes the sugars for more depth.
How to Make Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Herb Butter for Maximum Flavor
Start by gently heating the butter, olive oil, chopped shallot, sliced garlic, and fresh rosemary sprigs over medium-low heat. I usually let it melt and infuse for about 2 minutes—just until the butter’s fully melted and aromatic but before anything browns. This step is crucial because it lets all those flavors marry beautifully, setting the stage for the potatoes to soak it all up.
Step 2: Slice Your Potatoes Like a Pro
Next, peel your potatoes and pop them into cold water to prevent browning as you work. Here’s a neat trick: slice off a tiny sliver from one side of each potato so they can sit flat—this keeps them stable when you’re slicing. Then, hold the potato between two chopsticks or wooden skewers lengthwise; this is your guardrail so you don’t slice all the way through. Slice thinly crosswise, making beautiful fan-like cuts that’ll crisp up in the oven. I discovered this chopstick hack years ago and it makes all the difference for ease and perfect slices.
Step 3: Roast Away with Herb Butter and Salt
Strain the herb butter mixture to remove those herb bits—that way your potatoes get smooth, even coverage — then place the sliced potatoes in a cast-iron pan or baking dish. Drizzle half of the herb butter all over and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 45-50 minutes, until you can easily pierce the potato with a fork and the edges start turning golden. You’ll start smelling all those garlicky herbs around this time and it’s honestly irresistible.
Step 4: Broil for Crispy Perfection and Cheese Finish
Once roasted, drizzle the remaining herb butter over your potatoes. Broil them for 5-10 minutes until the edges crisp up beautifully. Then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese generously over the tops and broil again for another 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye so the cheese browns but doesn’t burn. This final step is what takes these potatoes from delicious to *mind-blowing* — that bubbly golden cheese crust is worth every second of watching the oven.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve with Minced Rosemary
Finish with a sprinkle of minced fresh rosemary for a burst of freshness and color. Transfer your Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe to a large serving platter or individual plates. Believe me, your guests will not only love how they taste but how stunning they look right out of the oven.
Pro Tips for Making Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe
- Chopstick Guardrail: Using chopsticks along the potato sides prevents you from slicing all the way through and keeps those beautiful fans intact.
- Infuse Butter Gently: Don’t let the butter brown when making the herb butter—this keeps the flavors bright and fresh rather than nutty or burnt.
- Even Slice Thickness: Try to keep your slices as even as possible so the potatoes cook uniformly and crisp up nicely.
- Watch the Broiler Carefully: Cheese can go from perfectly browned to burnt in seconds, so keep a close eye and move the pan if certain spots brown faster.
How to Serve Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh minced rosemary because it adds a bright herbal note that contrasts beautifully with that rich buttery flavor. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before serving for extra crunch and pop. If you want a little heat, a dusting of smoked paprika works great, too.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs effortlessly with nearly anything. My favorites are roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. It also makes a fantastic side for holiday servings with ham or turkey—guaranteed to get compliments!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like arranging these potatoes in a circle on a platter, then topping the center with a dollop of garlic sour cream or crème fraîche and chopped chives. You can also serve them individually on small plates with a drizzle of balsamic glaze around for a classy touch that’s surprisingly easy to pull off.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Hasselback Potatoes store really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I make sure they’re cool before sealing them to avoid sogginess. Simply pop them back in the oven to reheat so they regain that lovely crispness.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover potatoes wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap, but I find the texture changes a bit after freezing. If you want to freeze, I’d recommend doing it before adding Parmesan, then add cheese fresh when reheating to keep things tasty.
Reheating
To reheat, place your potatoes on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the edges crisp because it tends to make them soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep the potatoes (including slicing and butter mixture) and refrigerate for a few hours before roasting. Just bring them to room temperature before putting them in the hot oven for best results.
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What type of potatoes work best?
Russet potatoes are ideal because their starchy texture crisps wonderfully during roasting, but Yukon Golds can work too if you prefer a slightly creamier bite.
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Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh for the herb butter?
Fresh rosemary really makes a big difference here, but if you only have dried, use about one-third the amount and add it earlier in the butter heating process so it softens and releases flavor.
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How thin should I slice the potatoes?
Try to keep each slice around 1/8 inch thick for that perfect balance of crispy edges and tender inside. The chopstick method helps maintain consistent thickness and prevents cutting all the way through.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe turns out every time I make it. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like a pro chef without needing tons of effort or fancy tools. Whenever I pull it out, my family goes crazy for the crispy, buttery, cheesy goodness. If you’re looking to add a little wow-factor to dinner or impress friends with minimal stress, this is it. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!
PrintHasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter and Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hasselback Potatoes recipe offers a delicious twist on classic roasted potatoes, featuring thinly sliced potatoes roasted to crispy perfection with a fragrant herb butter, garlic, shallots, and finished with a golden parmesan topping. Ideal as a stunning side dish, these potatoes are tender on the inside and beautifully crisp on the outside, with fresh rosemary adding an aromatic garnish.
Ingredients
Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, sliced
- 2 sprigs rosemary
Potatoes
- 6 medium baking potatoes (such as russets), 6-8 ounces each
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Topping and Garnish
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons minced rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the center to ensure even roasting of the potatoes.
- Prepare herb butter: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the butter, olive oil, chopped shallot, sliced garlic, and rosemary sprigs. Heat just until the butter melts and the mixture is fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Peel potatoes: Carefully peel the potatoes and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent discoloration.
- Slice potatoes: Slice off a thin layer from one side of each potato to create a flat base. Place the potato flat side down. Lay two chopsticks or wooden skewers along each side lengthwise as slicing guides. Using a sharp knife, make thin crosswise slices along the potato without cutting all the way through—the chopsticks will stop the knife to keep the base intact.
- Strain herb butter: Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the herb butter into a small bowl to remove solids and keep the liquid mixture smooth.
- Arrange and season: Place the sliced potatoes in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Drizzle half of the strained herb butter evenly over the potatoes and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Roast potatoes: Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until they are fork-tender and starting to brown gently on the edges.
- Broil for crispiness: Remove the pan from the oven, drizzle the remaining herb butter over the potatoes. Turn on the broiler. Return the potatoes to the oven and broil for 5-10 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden.
- Add parmesan and broil again: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the potatoes. Broil for an additional 3-5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the potatoes to a serving platter or individual plates. Garnish with the minced rosemary and serve hot.
Notes
- Using wooden skewers as slicing guides helps keep the potato intact while achieving thin, even cuts for maximum crispiness.
- Russet potatoes work best for roasting due to their starchy texture.
- Be careful during broiling to avoid burning the cheese – watch closely until golden.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to restore crispiness.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium potato
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg