Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter and Cheese

🥔 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)

NutrientApproximate Value
Calories280–350 kcal
Total Fat15–20 g
Saturated Fat8–10 g
Carbohydrates32–38 g
Dietary Fiber3–4 g
Sugars1 g
Protein6–9 g
Potassium620 mg
Sodium300 mg
Vitamin C18% DV
Calcium12% DV
Iron6% DV

Note: Nutrition may vary based on cheese and butter type used.

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