This post was first published on A Food Lover’s Kitchen
These Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are so easy to make in the air fryer and they make a perfect side dish for your meal.
» You’ll love these Crispy Air Fryer Potato Skins and Air Fryer Pork Kebabs.
Why You’ll Love It
- You can cook these hasselback potatoes in the air fryer in just 30 minutes and they turn out so tender in the center, with a super crunchy exterior.
- The best part about potatoes is that they have two distinct textures that go so well together. The hasselback potato is the perfect way to serve potatoes because of that. They get soft and squishy on the inside, but really crispy on the outside.
- No special tools required to make these potatoes. All you really need is a sharp knife, so you can cut even slits in the potato, without cutting all the way through.
Guy says: 
So fast easy and great tasting. There is no limit to what spices you can add to the butter oil mix. Try Cajun or old bay. Mmmmmm
Katherine says: I love these! Such a fun way to serve up potatoes. Air fryers are such a time saver.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Potatoes – Yukon Gold or medium sized russet potatoes work well. Don’t forget sweet potatoes or even small red potatoes. If all your potatoes are roughly the same size they will cook uniformly.
- Butter – We like to use salted butter for this recipe, melted.
- Olive oil
- Seasonings – Salt and ground black pepper.
- Toppings – Chives and sour cream, if desired.
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit a meal for 4-6. But some things need more space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
- Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
- Basting brush: You’ll use a basting brush to coat the potato in the olive oil butter mixture before it cooks.
Ninja® Foodi®XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
- 2 independent XL air fryer baskets
- Integrated Foodi® Smart Thermometer
- Cook 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- I use a Ninja MaxXL air fryer (pictured left). If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Here’s a printable Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to get you started.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
What Potatoes to Use
You’ll want to choose a type of potato that can hold its shape and has a nice balance of starchiness and flavor. Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes are popular choices for hasselback potatoes. Their waxy texture ensures they remain tender on the inside while developing a crispy, golden crust on the outside as they bake. Give them a try, and you’ll be treated to a delightful combination of creamy insides and a crunchy exterior in every slice.
You can use any size potato you want for this, but I prefer a smaller sized potato. One that’s about 3 inches around is perfect. The thicker it is in the center, the longer it will need to cook. I also find that a smaller potato is best for serving as a side dish.
Tips For Making Hasselback Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- You don’t have to spray the basket before adding the potatoes. They won’t stick to the basket.
- You can cut the potatoes into any thickness for this recipe but keep in mind that the slices won’t get as crispy when they’re cut wider.
- If the tops of the potato aren’t getting as crispy as you like, turn up the heat to 380° F(193°C) for the last 5 minutes.
- If you are having trouble keeping your potato still while you slice, try slicing a small piece off the bottom so it will sit flat.
- You can use 2 chopsticks, one on either side of your potato, as a guide when cutting the slices. The chopsticks act as a guide and stop you from cutting all the way through the potato.
How to Make Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Step1: Prep the Potatoes
Start out by washing and scrubbing the potatoes and patting them dry.
Then cut 1/4″ slices in the potato, making sure not to slice all the way through. Just go about 3/4th of the way through. Try to make the cuts as evenly spaced as possible.
Pro Tip: You can use 2 chopsticks, one on either side of your potato, as a guide when cutting the slices. The chopsticks act as a guide and stop you from cutting all the way through the potato.
Step 2: Seasoning the Potatoes
Mix the melted butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Use a basting brush the apply the mixture to the potatoes and into the slits. Do your best to cover the potato completely. It adds flavor and helps it crisp up.
Step 3: Baking the Potatoes
Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350° F (175° C). Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes.
Brush the potatoes again with the mixture and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. It might take longer for larger potatoes. Poke it with a fork to test the center. It should be quite tender
Step 4: Enjoy
Remove the potatoes from the air fryer. Brush with the remaining mixture. Garnish with chives and sour cream, if desired.
What to Serve with This Dish
There are so many options for main dishes to serve with this dish. You can make these all in the air fryer or in the oven, if you wish.
How to Store and Reheat
Storage
Refrigeration: If you have leftover Hasselback potatoes, allow them to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing: While potatoes can be frozen, Hasselback potatoes may lose some of their texture when thawed. If you want to freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until they’re firm, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Use them within 2-3 months for the best results.
Reheat
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the Hasselback potatoes on a baking sheet and reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re warmed through. This method helps maintain their crispy texture.
Air Fryer: Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This will help retain their crispiness.
Microwave (if necessary): While it’s not the best option for maintaining crispiness, you can use the microwave for convenience. Cover the potatoes with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Keep in mind they may lose some crispiness when microwaved.
Questions About the Recipe
Should potatoes be soaked before air frying?
There’s no need to soak Hasselback potatoes before air frying. Soaking potatoes is typically done to remove starch for a crispier texture and to prevent oxidation, but neither of these factors applies to Hasselback potatoes.
Are potatoes better in the oven or air fryer?
The air fryer stands out as our top choice for cooking potatoes. It not only speeds up the cooking process compared to the oven but also effortlessly achieves the perfect combination of a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
Should I peel the potatoes before cooking?
Peeling Hasselback potatoes before cooking is a matter of personal preference. The choice to peel or not largely depends on the texture and appearance you desire in the final dish.
Leaving the skin on can add a rustic, earthy flavor to your Hasselback potatoes. The skin also contains nutrients and fiber, making the dish a bit healthier. Plus, it contributes to a lovely, crispy texture when baked or air-fried.
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Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Equipment
- Kitchen knife
- Cutting board
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 medium Potatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon (7 ml) melted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon (7 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon (2 g) salt
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.3 g) ground black pepper
- Chopped chives and sour cream if desired
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the potatoes. With a sharp knife, slice 1/4” slices down the potato, being sure not to cut all the way through.
- Mix the butter, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Brush the mixture onto the potatoes and into the slits.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350° F (175° C). Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes. Brush the potatoes again with the mixture and continue cooking for another 15 minutes (longer for larger potatoes).
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer. Brush with the remaining mixture. Garnish with chives and sour cream, if desired.
Notes
-
- You don’t have to spray the basket before adding the potatoes. They won’t stick to the basket.
- You can use 2 chopsticks, one on either side of your potato, as a guide when cutting the slices. The chopsticks act as a guide and stop you from cutting all the way through the potato.
- You can cut the potatoes into any thickness for this recipe but keep in mind that the slices won’t get as crispy when they’re cut wider.
- If the tops of the potato aren’t getting as crispy as you like, turn up the heat to 380° F(193°C) for the last 5 minutes.
- If you are having trouble keeping your potato still while you slice, try slicing a small piece off the bottom so it will sit flat.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.
My kids love hasselback potatoes. I hadn’t thought about making them in the air fryer so will give that a go next time I make them.
I love these! Such a fun way to serve up potatoes. Air fryers are such a time saver.
Yum! I love potatoes, so this is right up my alley. I have never tried cooking whole potatoes in an air fryer, so I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.
I gave this recipe a try. Looking forward to eating them again.
So fast easy and great tasting. There is no limit to what spices you can add to the butter oil mix. Try Cajun or old bay. Mmmmmm
Great idea to make these in the air fryer. They look fantastic.
I love using my air fryer but haven’t done potatoes in them before. I can’t wait to try this recipe – you make it look so easy!
I think you meant chopped chives, instead of chopped “cloves.”
It’s always the strangest typos. Thanks!
Great recipe I had these for the first time made by a friend.
She added a tip for me to use shave off part of the bottom of the potatoes so it sits flat – place a wooden chopstick on each side of the potato before you slice it this helps even slices and not going all the way through it worked beautiful.
I made this recipe and I ate both potatoes over the afternoon it was so delicious.
Made these tonight. My russetts took about twice as long, but delicious!!!