Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter: The Ultimate Crispy & Creamy Side Dish
Prepare to elevate your side dish game with these exquisite Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter! This recipe transforms humble red potatoes into a visually stunning and incredibly delicious accompaniment to any meal. Imagine a symphony of textures: the delightful crunch of golden, crispy skin giving way to a wonderfully creamy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. What makes these potatoes truly irresistible is the aromatic embrace of fresh chive butter, which seeps into every delicate slice, infusing each bite with bright, herby flavor. Perfect for family dinners, holiday feasts, or simply adding a touch of gourmet flair to your weeknights, these Hasselback potatoes are guaranteed to impress.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes aren’t just a dish; they’re an experience. Originating from the Hasselbacken Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, this clever slicing technique creates a fan-like potato that is both beautiful and functional. The numerous thin cuts allow for maximum surface area to crisp up during roasting, while simultaneously providing tiny crevices for butter, herbs, and seasonings to penetrate deep into the potato flesh. This unique preparation method delivers an unmatched textural contrast, making them far more exciting than your average roasted or mashed potatoes.
Beyond their stunning appearance, Hasselback potatoes offer a fantastic canvas for flavor. The slices essentially act as small pockets, eagerly soaking up any delicious fat and herbs you choose to add. In this recipe, we harness the power of a simple yet profound chive butter to impart a fresh, savory essence that perfectly complements the earthy notes of the red potatoes. Each layer becomes a miniature flavor bomb, ensuring every forkful is as delightful as the last.
The Humble Red Potato, Transformed
When it comes to Hasselback potatoes, the choice of potato matters, and red potatoes are an excellent contender. Their thin skins crisp up beautifully without needing to be peeled, adding an extra layer of texture and nutritional value. Red potatoes have a waxy texture and a lower starch content compared to starchy varieties like Russets. This characteristic means they hold their shape wonderfully during the slicing and roasting process, preventing them from falling apart and maintaining that iconic fan shape. Their naturally creamy flesh becomes wonderfully tender and moist, providing a perfect counterpoint to the crispy exterior. For the best results, look for smaller, more uniform red potatoes, roughly the size of a golf ball, as these tend to cook more evenly and present beautifully on the plate.
The Aromatic Delight of Chive Butter
While the Hasselback technique is brilliant on its own, the chive butter truly elevates this dish from great to extraordinary. Compound butter, or flavored butter, is a culinary secret weapon, effortlessly adding depth and richness to any food it graces. Fresh chives, with their delicate oniony flavor and vibrant green hue, are folded into softened unsalted butter. As this herb-infused butter melts over the hot, roasted potatoes, it drips down into each slice, creating an explosion of fresh flavor and a luscious, golden sheen. Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the final seasoning, ensuring your potatoes are perfectly balanced in taste. The chive butter is easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time, allowing you to quickly finish your masterpiece when your roasted potatoes are hot and ready.
Crafting Your Hasselback Masterpiece: Ingredients and Preparation
Creating truly memorable Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter begins with selecting quality ingredients and understanding their role in the recipe. Every component contributes to the harmonious blend of flavors and textures that defines this dish.
Selecting the Perfect Potatoes
- 8-10 Red Potatoes (Golf Ball Size): Opt for firm, unblemished red potatoes. Their small size and waxy texture are ideal for achieving the signature Hasselback shape and ensuring even cooking. Look for potatoes that are roughly uniform in size to avoid some cooking faster than others.
- Why Red Potatoes? As mentioned, their thin skin allows for crisping without peeling, and their waxy flesh maintains structure beautifully. Avoid potatoes with green spots, which can indicate solanine, a bitter-tasting compound.
Essential Flavor Enhancers
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a fruity note and helps the potatoes crisp up beautifully. It also acts as a carrier for the seasonings.
- 4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary: The fragrant, piney notes of rosemary pair wonderfully with potatoes. As it roasts, its essential oils infuse the potatoes with a warm, earthy aroma.
- Salt & Pepper: These foundational seasonings are crucial. Don’t be shy! For a professional touch, finish with flaky sea salt (like Maldon’s) which provides a delightful textural crunch and bursts of pure salt flavor. Freshly ground black pepper offers a sharper, more nuanced spice than pre-ground varieties.
Preparing the Aromatic Chive Butter
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Fresh Chives: A generous amount of freshly chopped chives is key. Their mild, grassy, onion-like flavor is delicate yet distinct, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the butter and potatoes. Always use fresh chives for the best flavor and vibrant color.
Step-by-Step Guide to Flawless Hasselback Potatoes
Making Hasselback potatoes is simpler than it looks, and with a few careful steps, you’ll achieve restaurant-quality results every time. Follow this detailed guide for perfectly crispy, creamy, and flavorful red potatoes.
📖 Recipe
Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 8-10 red potatoes (golf ball size)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- salt & pepper
- fresh chives
- 1 stick unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the potatoes start roasting immediately for maximum crispiness.
- To create a stable base, carefully slice a small, thin strip of potato skin off one side of each potato. This will allow them to sit flat in the baking dish without rolling. Now, for the Hasselback cuts: place each potato on a flat surface between two wooden spoon handles or chopsticks. Carefully slice the potatoes downwards, making thin, even cuts about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, stopping just when your knife hits the spoon handles. This technique ensures the potatoes stay intact at the bottom, creating that iconic fan effect and allowing the flavors to penetrate without the potato falling apart.
- Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the sliced potatoes in the dish, ensuring the flat side is down and the vertically sliced side faces upwards. This positioning allows the cuts to open up and crisp during roasting.
- Tuck the fresh rosemary sprigs throughout the potatoes, nestling them into the cuts where possible for maximum flavor infusion. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the potatoes, making sure some seeps into the slices. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes. To check for doneness, stick a small knife or fork into the thickest part of a potato; it should slide in without any resistance. If your potatoes are larger than golf balls, you might need to add approximately 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. Continue roasting until the outsides are beautifully golden brown and crispy, and the insides are tender and creamy.
- While the potatoes are roasting to perfection, prepare your irresistible chive butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh chives. Mix well until the chives are evenly distributed. For easy serving and a neat presentation, you can shape the butter into a cylinder on a piece of plastic wrap, roll it tightly, and then place it in the fridge to firm up until the potatoes are ready.
- Once the potatoes are perfectly roasted, remove them from the oven and carefully transfer them to a serving dish. Immediately season them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (such as Maldon’s) for an extra textural pop, and a final grind of fresh black pepper. Take a small pat of the prepared chive butter and place it on top of each hot potato, allowing the warmth to slowly melt the butter and release its fragrant chive aroma. Serve immediately, with any extra chive butter on the side for those who want an additional burst of flavor.
Nutrition
Pro Tips for the Best Hasselback Potatoes
While the recipe above provides a solid foundation, these additional tips will help you perfect your Hasselback game and ensure consistently delicious results every time.
Achieving Maximum Crispiness
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your potatoes space! When baking, ensure there’s enough room between each potato for air to circulate. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of roasting, resulting in soft, rather than crispy, exteriors. Use two baking dishes if necessary.
- Basting is Key: During the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, you can baste the potatoes with any rendered fat or olive oil from the bottom of the pan. This helps to further crisp up the edges and infuse more flavor.
- High Heat Finish: If your potatoes are tender but not quite as crispy as you’d like, consider increasing the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for the final 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Flavor Variations & Customization
- Garlic Lover’s Dream: For an extra layer of flavor, thinly slice garlic cloves and tuck them into a few of the potato slices before roasting. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder to your chive butter.
- Herbal Infusion: Experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme, dill, or parsley in your compound butter or sprinkled over the potatoes before roasting.
- Cheesy Goodness: In the last 10-15 minutes of roasting, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes. It will melt and crisp, adding a savory, nutty crust.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of paprika or a touch of red pepper flakes mixed with the olive oil can add a subtle warmth to the potatoes.
Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions
- Prep Ahead: You can slice the potatoes up to a day in advance. Store them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator to prevent browning. Drain and pat very dry before roasting. The chive butter can be made several days ahead and kept refrigerated.
- Storage: Leftover Hasselback potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. Avoid the microwave, which can make them soggy.
What to Serve with Hasselback Red Potatoes
These versatile Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter make a fantastic pairing for a wide array of main courses. Their savory, herby flavor and satisfying texture complement rich meats, delicate fish, and even vegetarian dishes.
- Steak or Roast: They are a natural fit for a perfectly grilled steak, a juicy roasted chicken, a tender lamb chop, or a succulent pot roast. The richness of the meat is beautifully balanced by the light, fresh chive butter.
- Fish & Seafood: Serve them alongside baked salmon, pan-seared cod, or even grilled shrimp for a lighter yet elegant meal.
- Vegetarian Mains: Pair them with a hearty lentil loaf, a grilled halloumi steak, or a vibrant vegetable tagine.
- Other Side Dishes: Complement them with a fresh green salad, steamed asparagus, or simple sautéed green beans for a complete and balanced meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Hasselback Potatoes
Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?
While red potatoes are highly recommended for their waxy texture and thin skin, you can certainly experiment. Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent choice, offering a buttery flavor and maintaining their shape well. Larger Russet potatoes can be used, but they tend to be starchier and may require slightly longer cooking times and might not hold their delicate fan shape quite as perfectly as red or Yukon Golds. If using Russets, consider peeling them if you prefer a less rustic feel, although their skin can also crisp up nicely.
How do I prevent cutting all the way through the potato?
This is a common concern! The best trick is to place the potato between two wooden spoon handles, chopsticks, or even a couple of pencils laid parallel on your cutting board. As you slice, the knife will hit these guides, preventing you from cutting completely through the potato. This simple method ensures all your slices are uniform and the potato remains intact at the base, creating that beautiful Hasselback effect.
Can I skip the chive butter?
You *can* skip it, but the chive butter truly makes this dish shine! It adds a unique depth of flavor and moisture that transforms plain roasted potatoes into something special. If you’re out of chives, you can use other fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or a mix of herbs. A simple garlic butter or even just brushing with olive oil and extra salt and pepper will still yield delicious results, but we highly recommend giving the chive butter a try for the full experience.
Why are my Hasselback potatoes not crispy?
Several factors can contribute to less-than-crispy potatoes:
- Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature. A hotter oven promotes crisping.
- Overcrowding: If the baking dish is too full, the potatoes will steam instead of roast. Make sure there’s space between each potato for proper air circulation.
- Lack of Fat: Olive oil (or butter) is crucial for crisping. Ensure the potatoes are adequately drizzled and basted.
- Moisture: Patting the potatoes dry after washing removes excess surface moisture, which can hinder crisping.
- Slicing Depth: Ensure your slices are thin enough to open up and expose more surface area to the heat.
If they’re still not crisping up, try flipping them halfway through cooking, or increasing the heat for the last 5-10 minutes (watch carefully!).
Enjoy!
We hope this detailed guide inspires you to create your own unforgettable batch of Hasselback Red Potatoes with Chive Butter. This recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a touch of culinary creativity, can yield truly spectacular results. The crispy edges, tender interior, and fragrant chive butter are sure to make this side dish a new favorite in your kitchen.
If you give this recipe a try, we’d absolutely love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below to share your experience, tips, or any delicious variations you discovered. You can also tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine so we can see your beautiful creations! Happy cooking!
If you liked this versatile and flavorful potato recipe, be sure to check out more exciting side dishes and main course pairings below to complete your culinary journey:
- Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Olives
- Parmesan Peppercorn Mashed Potatoes
- Farmhouse Ranch Smashed Potatoes
- Peppercorn Crusted Steak with Brandy Cream Sauce
- Homemade Garlic Fries
- Crunchy Chicken with White Wine Lemon Butter Sauce