Crispy Spiced Hasselback Potatoes
Elevate your dining experience with these Crispy Spiced Hasselback Potatoes, a stunning side dish that’s as delightful to behold as it is delicious to taste. The unique hasselback style involves slicing the potatoes thinly but not all the way through, allowing the edges to crisp up beautifully while the insides remain soft and fluffy. Coated in a mouthwatering blend of spices and butter, each potato is bursting with flavor and makes an eye-catching addition to any meal. Perfect as a sumptuous side for roasts, barbecues, or family dinners, these potatoes are sure to impress both visually and gastronomically.
4-6
Servings
100
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium potatoes
4-6 (washed and unpeeled)
butter or margarine
4-6 teaspoons (melted)
paprika
1 teaspoon (ground)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (fine)
cayenne pepper
1 pinch (ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C-220°C (350°F-425°F). The exact temperature can vary depending on other dishes you may be cooking simultaneously.
2
Grease a large baking tray or dish to prevent sticking. Set aside.
3
Thoroughly wash the medium-sized potatoes, ensuring they are clean but keeping the skins on for added texture and flavor.
4
To ensure stability while slicing, trim a thin slice from the bottom of each potato, creating a flat base.
5
Position a potato on a cutting board with a wooden spoon laid alongside it. This will act as a guard to prevent you from slicing all the way through.
6
With a sharp knife held perpendicular to the wooden spoon, create thin slices in the potato at half-centimeter intervals, stopping just before you hit the bottom. The goal is to create a fan-like appearance without completely separating the slices. Repeat this for all potatoes.
7
Arrange the prepared potatoes in the greased baking dish.
8
Melt the butter or margarine, reserving a small amount for basting later. Brush the melted butter generously over the tops of each potato, ensuring some drizzles into the sliced sections.
9
In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
10
Bake the potatoes for approximately 45 minutes. After this time, check their progress and baste with any remaining melted butter.
11
Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the potatoes, incorporating it between the slices as much as possible.
12
Return the potatoes to the oven and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown. If they aren't browning as desired during this time, increase the oven temperature slightly.
13
If serving alongside a roast, time your meal so you can rest the meat and allow the potatoes to finish baking perfectly. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
5
Fat
13
Carbs
2
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Spiced Hasselback Potatoes?
They are potatoes sliced thinly but not all the way through, which allows the edges to become crispy while the inside remains soft and fluffy.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 to 6 servings.
What oven temperature is required for Hasselback potatoes?
The oven should be preheated to between 180°C and 220°C (350°F to 425°F).
Should I peel the potatoes for this recipe?
No, you should keep the skins on for added texture and flavor, ensuring they are thoroughly washed first.
Why do I need to trim a slice from the bottom of each potato?
Trimming a thin slice from the bottom creates a flat base, which ensures stability while you are slicing the potato.
What is the best way to slice the potatoes without cutting through?
Place a wooden spoon alongside the potato as a guard; this will prevent your knife from reaching the bottom of the potato.
How thin should the slices be?
The slices should be made at approximately half-centimeter intervals.
What ingredients are needed for the spice mixture?
The mixture consists of paprika, ground cumin, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either melted butter or margarine to coat the potatoes.
What is the total baking time for these potatoes?
The total baking time is approximately 60 to 65 minutes (45 minutes initially, followed by 15-20 minutes after seasoning).
When should I apply the spices?
The spice mixture should be sprinkled over the potatoes after they have already baked for about 45 minutes.
How do I ensure the spices get inside the potato?
When sprinkling the spice mixture, try to incorporate it between the slices as much as possible.
What should I do if the potatoes aren't browning enough?
If the potatoes are not crispy enough during the final stage of baking, you can slightly increase the oven temperature.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly side dish.
What are the nutritional calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 100 calories.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 5 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving has about 13 grams of carbohydrates.
How many grams of protein does this recipe provide?
There are 2 grams of protein per serving.
What kind of potatoes work best?
The recipe calls for medium-sized potatoes.
Do I need to grease the baking tray?
Yes, you should grease a large baking tray or dish to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
Are these potatoes spicy?
They have a mild kick due to the paprika and cayenne pepper, but the heat level can be adjusted by changing the amount of cayenne.
Can I serve these with a roast?
Absolutely, they are an excellent side for roasts, barbecues, or family dinners.
What is basting and when do I do it?
Basting involves brushing the potatoes with extra butter; you should do this after the first 45 minutes of baking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: potatoes, butter/margarine, paprika, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Can I use ground cumin for this recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin is used in the spice mixture.
Is there a lot of salt in this dish?
No, it only uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt for the entire recipe.
What tags describe this recipe?
The tags include potato, hasselback, spicy, crispy, side dish, roasted, vegetarian, and comfort food.
How do you achieve the fan-like appearance?
The thin slicing allows the potato layers to separate slightly and 'fan out' as they bake.
Can these be prepared in advance?
You can wash and slice the potatoes ahead of time, but they are best when baked fresh to maintain their crispiness.
Is cayenne pepper necessary?
It adds a nice spice, but if you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit the pinch of cayenne pepper.