Transform your ordinary potato experience into something extraordinary with these sensational Loaded Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon. What might appear to be a gourmet creation, fresh from a high-end restaurant kitchen, is surprisingly simple to master at home. With just a few precise slices, these potatoes achieve an unparalleled texture: gloriously crispy on the outside, and incredibly tender and fluffy on the inside, all while creating perfect pockets to cradle a generous bounty of melted cheese, savory bacon, and a vibrant scattering of fresh green onions. A dollop of cool, creamy sour cream on top seals the deal, making these an irresistible side dish or a hearty appetizer for any occasion.
If you’re a true potato aficionado, you’ll also adore exploring other delightful spud recipes from our kitchen. Be sure to try our Classic Oven Baked Potatoes for a traditional favorite, Crispy Smashed Potatoes for a unique textural delight, elegant Parmesan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, and deliciously sweet Sweet Potato Fries for a hint of sweetness.
Irresistible Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon: A Culinary Delight
These loaded Hasselback Potatoes offer a delightful and visually stunning twist on the classic baked potato. Each potato is transformed into a masterpiece, with deep, accordion-like cuts that not only look impressive but also serve a practical purpose. These ingenious slices create a vast surface area that crisps up beautifully during baking, while the interior remains wonderfully soft and tender. The crevices become ideal receptacles for melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, and finely sliced green onions, all crowned with a cool dollop of sour cream for a burst of fresh flavor.
While their appearance might suggest hours of laborious preparation, the truth is these potatoes are incredibly simple to make. The technique is straightforward, yet the results are consistently spectacular, earning rave reviews from family and guests alike. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss, or for entertaining when you wish to impress with minimal effort. Their inherent customizability also makes them a fantastic option for a ‘build-your-own’ potato bar, allowing everyone to personalize their plate with their favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Hasselback Potato Recipe:
- Unforgettable Texture: The signature thinly sliced design ensures every bite delivers a satisfying crunch from the crispy exterior, perfectly contrasted with a creamy, tender interior.
- Flavor Explosion: Infused with a savory garlic and herb butter, and generously loaded with sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and fresh green onions, these potatoes are bursting with flavor.
- Visually Stunning: Their elegant, accordion-like appearance makes them a show-stopping side dish that’s sure to garner compliments.
- Surprisingly Easy: Despite their gourmet look, the preparation is straightforward and requires minimal hands-on time, making them suitable for cooks of all skill levels.
- Highly Customizable: A blank canvas for your creativity! Easily swap cheeses, herbs, and toppings to suit any dietary preference or craving.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a festive holiday gathering, or a backyard barbecue, these Hasselback potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser.
Loaded Hasselback Potatoes {Video Tutorial}
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Hasselback Potatoes
Crafting the perfect Hasselback potato starts with selecting the right ingredients and employing a clever slicing technique. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:
- Potatoes: The star of the show! Russet potatoes are highly recommended for their starchy texture, which becomes incredibly fluffy when baked, and their larger size provides ample surface area for slicing. Yukon Gold potatoes offer a slightly creamier texture and a buttery flavor, while red potatoes hold their shape well and have a thinner skin. If using Yukon Gold or red potatoes, you might want to use smaller ones and adjust the quantity.
- Slicing Guides (Wooden Spoons or Chopsticks): This is your secret weapon for perfectly uniform slices. By placing a wooden spoon or a pair of chopsticks on either side of your potato, you create a natural barrier that prevents your knife from cutting all the way through, ensuring your slices stop about ¼-inch from the bottom. This preserves the integrity of the potato while allowing it to fan out beautifully.
- Butter and Oil Combination: We use a blend of melted butter and avocado oil. Butter imparts a rich, irresistible flavor that seeps into every crevice of the potato. Avocado oil, with its high smoke point, helps prevent the butter from burning at higher baking temperatures, ensuring a beautiful golden-brown crisp without charring. Olive oil is another suitable alternative for a similar effect.
- Garlic Powder: A staple in savory potato dishes, garlic powder provides a warm, aromatic foundation. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking – a little more for a bolder garlic flavor, or a little less for a subtle hint.
- Fresh Thyme: Earthy and aromatic, fresh thyme adds a layer of sophisticated flavor that beautifully complements the potatoes and cheese. While fresh is preferred for its vibrant essence, dried thyme can be used as a convenient substitute – simply use about half the amount of dried for fresh.
- Shredded Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is a classic choice for its robust flavor and excellent melting properties, creating gooey, golden pockets within the potato. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite cheese blend! Monterey Jack, Colby, Gruyère, or even a spicy pepper jack can add exciting variations.
- Your Favorite Toppings: This is where the “loaded” aspect truly comes alive. Our go-to toppings include cool sour cream, thinly sliced green onions (or chives for a milder oniony kick), fresh parsley for a touch of herbaceous brightness, and plenty of crispy bacon bits for that undeniable smoky, salty crunch. The beauty of Hasselback potatoes lies in their versatility, so feel free to get creative with other herbs, spices, different cheeses, various meats (like pulled pork or shredded chicken), or roasted vegetables for endless customization.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Hasselback Potatoes
Follow these simple instructions to create perfectly crispy and tender Hasselback potatoes that will impress everyone:
- Prepare Your Potatoes: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly wash and scrub your potatoes. To make the signature Hasselback slices, place a potato between two wooden spoons or chopsticks. This ingenious trick acts as a stopper, allowing you to make thin, even slices along the entire length of the potato (about 1/8-inch apart) without cutting all the way through to the bottom. Aim to stop approximately ¼ inch from the base. Repeat with all potatoes.
- Craft the Garlic and Herb Butter: In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the melted butter, avocado oil, garlic powder, and fresh minced thyme. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. This flavorful mixture will be brushed over and into your potatoes, infusing them with incredible aroma and taste.
- Generously Brush and Season: Arrange your sliced potatoes, cut-side up, on a large baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, generously coat each potato with the butter and oil mixture. Ensure you brush not only the top and sides but also carefully work the mixture down into all the thin slices. This is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness and flavor penetration. Season liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- First Bake for Crispness: Place the baking sheet with the brushed and seasoned potatoes into the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for approximately 1 hour. During this stage, the potatoes will become wonderfully tender on the inside, and their fanned-out slices will begin to brown and crisp up beautifully on the outside. You’ll know they’re ready when they are fork-tender and deeply golden.
- Load with Cheese: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Now it’s time to add the star topping! Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over each potato, making sure to let some fall into the open slices. Return the potatoes to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted, becoming golden and bubbly.
- Final Touches and Serve: Once the cheese is perfectly melted, remove the potatoes from the oven. Allow them to cool slightly for a few minutes. This makes them easier to handle and allows the cheese to set slightly. Finally, top each loaded Hasselback potato with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits, a scattering of fresh green onions (or chives), and a garnish of fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy this spectacular dish!
Pro Tips for Hasselback Potato Perfection:
- Choose Uniform Potatoes: Select potatoes of similar size and shape for even cooking. This ensures all your potatoes finish baking at roughly the same time.
- Don’t Skimp on the Butter Mixture: The more butter and oil that seeps into the slices, the crispier and more flavorful your potatoes will be. Baste them again halfway through baking if they look dry.
- Pre-soak for Extra Crispy: For an even crispier skin, consider soaking your sliced potatoes in cold water for 20-30 minutes before baking. This helps remove excess starch. Pat them thoroughly dry before applying the butter mixture.
- Experiment with Herbs: While thyme is fantastic, rosemary, oregano, or a blend of Italian herbs can also be delightful additions to your butter mixture.
- Crispy Bacon First: If you’re using raw bacon, cook it separately until crispy, then crumble it. Adding pre-cooked bacon ensures it stays crisp and doesn’t become soggy on top of the hot potato.
Flavorful Variations and Customization Ideas:
Hasselback potatoes are incredibly versatile, allowing for endless creative twists:
- Mediterranean Style: Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with dried oregano, feta cheese, and finish with sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives.
- Spicy Southwest: Season with chili powder and cumin, top with Monterey Jack cheese, chopped jalapeños, black beans, and a dollop of guacamole.
- Herbed Garlic Parmesan: Use a generous amount of garlic and fresh rosemary, then top with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chives.
- Sweet Potato Hasselback: Swap russets for sweet potatoes, brush with maple butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Finish with a drizzle of pecan praline sauce or mini marshmallows.
- Broccoli Cheddar: Add steamed broccoli florets along with the cheddar cheese for a hearty, veggie-packed version.
- Mushroom and Swiss: Sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese create a rich and savory combination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hasselback Potatoes
The term “Hasselback” refers to a distinctive potato dish that originated in the 1950s at the Hasselbacken Restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. It quickly gained popularity because of its deceptively intricate appearance, which made it seem like a gourmet creation, yet it was remarkably simple to prepare. The potatoes are characterized by their unique slicing technique: very thin, uniform cuts are made along the length of the potato, stopping just short of the base. This allows the potato to fan out during baking, creating many individual layers that crisp up beautifully while remaining tender on the inside, all while soaking up butter and seasonings.
Yes, potatoes are generally safe to eat even after they have begun to sprout, provided they remain firm to the touch and do not exhibit any soft, brown, or mushy spots. It’s crucial, however, to meticulously remove all sprouts and any green areas (which indicate the presence of solanine, a natural toxin) before cooking and consuming the potato. If the potato is overly soft, shriveled, or extensively sprouted, it’s best to discard it.
When stored correctly, uncooked potatoes can last anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks, and sometimes even longer depending on the variety and storage conditions. For optimal freshness, potatoes should be free from any bruises or cuts. They should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry environment with good air circulation, such as a cool pantry, cellar, or garage. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as the cold temperature can convert their starch into sugar, affecting their texture and flavor.
For the best results, the slices for your Hasselback potatoes should be quite thin, ideally around 1/8 inch thick. This precise thickness allows them to fan out beautifully, ensures they cook evenly, and helps achieve that desired crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender. If the slices are too thick, they won’t crisp up as effectively; if they’re too thin, they might break apart during preparation or baking.
To ensure all your Hasselback potatoes cook evenly, it’s essential to select potatoes that are roughly the same size and shape. This uniformity allows them to heat through at similar rates. Additionally, spreading them out on a single baking sheet without overcrowding is crucial for proper air circulation, which promotes even baking and crisping. If your baking sheet is too crowded, the potatoes will steam instead of roast.
Yes, there are a few ways to prepare these delicious potatoes in advance. You can slice the potatoes and prepare the garlic herb butter mixture a day ahead. Store the sliced potatoes in cold water in the refrigerator (to prevent browning) and the butter mixture covered. On baking day, drain and thoroughly pat the potatoes dry before brushing with the butter. Alternatively, you can bake the potatoes completely, then keep them warm in a slow cooker on a low setting for a few hours until you’re ready to serve, adding toppings just before serving. For large gatherings, baking them and then storing them in an insulated cooler (wrapped in foil) can also keep them warm.
Loaded Hasselback Potato Recipe
Author: The Carefree Kitchen
These Hasselback Potatoes with cheese and bacon are deliciously crispy on the outside, perfectly tender on the inside, and beautiful to look at. You would never guess just how incredibly simple they are to prepare!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme, fresh minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon parsley, fresh chopped
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200°C).
- To prepare each potato, use a sharp knife to make thin slices along the entire length (about 1/8″ apart), stopping about 1/4 inch from the bottom. You can place a wooden spoon (or chopsticks) on either side of the potato to make sure you don’t cut all the way through.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, avocado oil, garlic powder and thyme.
- Place the potatoes on a large baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter mixture all over the outside of each potato, as well as inside the slices. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until the outsides are browned and crisp, and the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Remove from the oven and top the potatoes with shredded cheese. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the potatoes cool slightly, then top with sour cream, bacon bits, green onions (or chives) and parsley. Enjoy immediately!
Video
Notes
Storing instructions: Store any leftover Hasselback potatoes covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best quality, consume within 1-2 days.
Make-ahead: You can prepare these potatoes ahead of time by slicing them and preparing the butter mixture. Store the sliced potatoes submerged in cold water in the fridge (to prevent oxidation) and the butter mixture separately. On the day of serving, drain and pat potatoes dry, then proceed with brushing and baking. Cooked potatoes can also be kept warm in a slow cooker on a low setting for a few hours.
Reheating: To reheat, place potatoes in a microwave until warmed through, or for best results, reheat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and crispy again.
Nutrition Facts (Estimated Per Serving)
- Calories: 222 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
- Sodium: 423mg
- Potassium: 71mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 254 IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 91mg
- Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply seeking to elevate your weeknight meal, these Hasselback Potatoes with cheese and bacon promise to be a delightful addition. They are a testament to the fact that impressive culinary creations can indeed be both simple to prepare and exquisitely delicious. Enjoy the crispy skin, the tender interior, and the rich, savory toppings that make this dish an absolute standout!