🥔 Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter and Cheese – Full Recipe
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Introduction
Hasselback potatoes are not just a side dish—they’re a culinary statement. With their accordion-like slices and golden, crispy edges, they bring both elegance and satisfaction to any table. Imagine the classic baked potato, but elevated: infused with garlic herb butter, oozing with melted cheese, and sprinkled with fresh herbs. This dish beautifully combines texture, flavor, and aroma in a single preparation.
Perfect for celebrations, family dinners, and cozy evenings, these potatoes provide the comfort of a baked potato and the sophistication of fine dining. Originally Swedish, they’ve taken the world by storm, becoming a favorite among home cooks and chefs alike.
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Ingredients
🥔 Potatoes:
- 6–8 medium Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
🧈 Garlic Herb Butter:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped (optional)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
🧀 Filling and Garnish:
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or use Gruyère, Parmesan, or mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (optional topping)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon green onion or chives (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for final brushing)
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Instructions
🔪 1. Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash and scrub potatoes thoroughly. Pat dry.
- Place a potato between two wooden spoons or chopsticks. Slice thinly (about ⅛-inch thick) down to the sticks—this stops the knife from going all the way through.
- Repeat for all potatoes.
🧂 2. Season
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place potatoes in a parchment-lined baking dish.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, ensuring oil enters the slits.
🔥 3. First Bake
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 40 minutes. This softens the interior.
🧄 4. Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter
- Mix softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, chives, lemon zest, and sea salt in a small bowl.
- Set aside or chill until use.
🧀 5. Add Butter and Cheese
- Remove potatoes from oven. Carefully separate the slices slightly.
- Spread garlic herb butter over the tops and into the slits using a brush or spoon.
- Stuff shredded cheese into some of the slits (every other slit works well).
🔥 6. Second Bake
- Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
🍽️ 7. Final Touch
- Remove from oven and brush with a little melted butter.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
- Serve immediately while hot and cheesy!
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Methods
🔥 Cooking Techniques:
- Hasselback Cutting: Controlled slicing technique creates a crisp edge and tender base.
- Two-Stage Baking: First bake softens the potato; second bake crisps it and melts the cheese.
- Garlic Infusion: Compound butter infuses deeply into the flesh through the slits.
- Cheese Insertion: Cheese melts between slices, creating layered richness.
👨🍳 Tools:
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Chopsticks or wooden spoons (for slicing guide)
- Mixing bowl
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Oven and baking dish
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History
The origin of the Hasselback potato traces back to 1953, at the Hasselbacken Restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. It was the invention of Leif Elisson, a trainee chef, who wanted to create a potato dish that was both appealing and flavorful. The accordion-like slices allowed for more surface area, creating crisp edges while the inside remained soft.
This unique preparation quickly became a symbol of culinary innovation, and in the decades since, it has evolved with global flavors—from Mediterranean herbs to cheesy American renditions, as we see here.
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Benefits
✅ Nutritional Benefits:
- Potatoes: Rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium.
- Garlic: Contains allicin, known for its immune-boosting properties.
- Herbs: Parsley and thyme add antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and K.
- Cheese: Provides calcium and protein.
💪 Functional Benefits:
- Satisfying and hearty
- Gluten-free (naturally)
- Easily adaptable for vegetarians
- Rich in flavor without requiring meat
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Formation (Science Behind It)
🔥 Heat Reactions:
- Maillard Reaction: Occurs on the surface of the potato, producing golden, crispy texture and savory flavor.
- Melting & Emulsification: Cheese and butter melt into the slits, combining fat and flavor with the starch.
🍴 Structural Integrity:
- The bottom remains intact, keeping the potato whole while expanding slightly during baking, ensuring an ideal mouthfeel and layered bite.
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Conclusion
Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter and Cheese represent the perfect harmony of simplicity and sophistication. With roots in Swedish culinary tradition and a universal appeal, this dish brings joy to every table. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, cooking for family, or simply indulging in your love of potatoes, this recipe delivers on taste, texture, and presentation.
It’s a reminder that even the humblest ingredients—like the potato—can become extraordinary with just a little technique and creativity.
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Lovers (Who Enjoys This Dish)
- Food Bloggers & Home Cooks: Stunning visuals make it a favorite for content.
- Vegetarians: A hearty meatless option packed with flavor.
- Cheese Lovers: The gooey melted cheese satisfies all cravings.
- Holiday Hosts: Elegant enough for festive meals.
- Children & Adults Alike: Universally loved comfort food.
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Nutrition (Per Serving – 1 Potato)
| Nutrient | Approximate Value |
| Calories | 280–350 kcal |
| Total Fat | 15–20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8–10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32–38 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3–4 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Protein | 6–9 g |
| Potassium | 620 mg |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
| Vitamin C | 18% DV |
| Calcium | 12% DV |
| Iron | 6% DV |
Note: Nutrition may vary based on cheese and butter type used.