Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer – Golden Layers of Flavor
When I first pulled out my air fryer, I was determined to reinvent a classic. I remembered Saturday nights in the kitchen with my grandmother, her hands gently slicing russet potatoes for the oven, butter pooling in each fold. At that moment, I vowed to create something that captured that nostalgia but faster, crispier, and perfectly suited for the busy weekday. That’s how this Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer dish was born: a twist on a beloved side, done in record time.
If you’re here, you’re probably looking to master the art of making hassleback potatoes airfry style and I’ve got you covered. This dish turns simple air fryer russet potatoes into a show-stopping side, layering flavor and crunch in every bite. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a special occasion, these air fryer hasselback potatoes deliver. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
There’s something special about the combination of garlic butter and air fryer potatoes. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become one of your favorite air fryer baked potato recipes:
- Effortless perfection: In under 35 minutes, you’ll have golden, buttery, crisp layers without the oven hassle.
- Restaurant-worthy texture: Each slice cooks evenly in the air fryer, giving you crunchy edges and soft centers just what great air fryer hasselback potatoes should be.
- Minimal cleanup: No greasy pans or long preheats; your air fryer russet potatoes do all the work.
- Flexible flavors: Easily customize with cheese, herbs, or spice blends to create your own version of this classic potato’s recipe.
- Family-friendly comfort: The smell of garlic butter fills the kitchen, instantly making dinner more inviting and memorable.
If you’ve ever wanted a potato dish that’s both quick and luxurious, this hasselback potatoes in air fryer method hits the sweet spot.
Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and dry the potatoes. Slice them thinly across the top, stopping just before cutting through the bottom to create a fan effect.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the butter mixture over the potatoes, making sure to get between the slices. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.
- Place the potatoes cut-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Flip the potatoes, brush with more garlic butter, and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes until golden and tender inside.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and chives before serving, if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Ingredients & Equipment For Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
What you’ll need for Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
- 4 medium-large russet potatoes (for maximum crisp)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for extra crisp)
- For garnish: grated parmesan and chives (optional)
Equipment
- Air fryer (6-quart or larger recommended)
- Sharp knife or mandoline (to make the slices)
- Cutting board, bowl and brush for butter mixture
Preparation: Setting Up the Potatoes
Selecting and prepping your potatoes
Choose firm, evenly sized russet potatoes so that the air fryer baked potato recipes-technique works best. Wash and dry them thoroughly. You want each potato to be similar in size for even cooking. The key to the “hasselback” look is making many thin slices without cutting through to the bottom this allows the potato to fan open and soak the garlic-butter.
Making the garlic butter mixture
In a bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, smoked paprika, parsley, salt and pepper. Brush this mixture generously over your sliced potatoes (on top and in between each slice). If you like, you can drizzle olive oil for extra crispiness. This ensures each layer of your potato’s recipe is infused with bold flavor before it hits the air fryer.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
How to air fry hasselback potatoes to perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 375 °F (190 °C). Place the potatoes cut-side up in a single layer in the basket. Cook for about 20 minutes, then carefully flip each potato and brush on more of the garlic butter. Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes or until the slices are golden and the potato interior is tender.
Getting the perfect crisp and golden layers
To make your hassleback potatoes airfry beautifully:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket each potato needs airflow.
- Brush more butter or oil halfway through cooking this deepens the golden layers.
- If the top is crisping too fast, you can loosely tent with foil for the last 5 minutes to avoid burnt edges while the interior catches up.
Flavor and Pairings
Why this garlic butter version stands out
By taking the air fryer hasselback potatoes approach, you get more surface area than a normal baked potato every slice is an invitation for garlic butter magic. The result: crunchy potato edges, soft centers, and intense flavor. Smoked paprika adds warmth; parsley adds freshness. It’s a bold step up from basic fries or wedges.
Best side dishes and meal ideas
These potatoes pair beautifully with grilled chicken, steak, or a herb-roasted salmon. They also make a fantastic centerpiece for a vegetarian meal alongside roasted veggies. If you loved this recipe, learn more about our air fryer baked potato guide here: Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. Or, for another crisp potato side, discover great ideas like Crispy Air Fryer Red Potatoes on the blog.
Variations & Customizations
Spice it up or keep it classic
- Parmesan & herb: After air-frying, sprinkle grated parmesan and fresh thyme.
- Spicy garlic: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne or chili flakes to the butter mixture for heat.
- Vegan twist: Use plant-based butter and skip the parmesan for a dairy-free version of this air fryer russet potatoes recipe.
- Loaded version: After cooking, top with crumbled bacon, sour cream, and chives for a loaded loaded-potato experience.
Alternative potato types
While russet potatoes are ideal, you can also use Yukon golds or even sweet potatoes for variation. Just adjust cooking times slightly as needed since size and starch content differ.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Common issues and how to fix them
- Potato slices not fanning out: Use chopsticks or spoons on either side of the potato to keep the bottom intact when slicing.
- Edges burn before the center is cooked: Lower your air-fryer temperature to 360 °F and cook longer; or loosely cover the top with foil.
- Butter mixture pooling in bottom of basket: Use a small rack or line the bottom of the air-fryer with foil (with holes) to catch drips and ensure crisping.
- Potato still hard in the middle: Try piercing with a skewer if resistance is high, give it an extra 5 minutes and brush on more butter.
Storage and reheating
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 5-7 minutes to regain crisp. These reheated potatoes still work great as next-day sides.
FAQ About Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
How long do I cook hasselback potatoes in the air fryer?
You should cook your potatoes at 375 °F for about 20 minutes, flip, brush again, and then cook a further 10-15 minutes so roughly 30-35 minutes total for medium russets.
Can you use sweet potatoes for hasselback style in an air fryer?
Yes you can make an “air fry hasselback potatoes” version using sweet potatoes. Just note they may cook a bit faster and have different crisping behavior because of the sugar content.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
No, peeling is optional. Leaving the skin on enhances texture and flavor; just scrub them clean and pat dry before slicing.
What size air fryer do I need for hasselback potatoes?
A 5-quart (or larger) air fryer works best so you can lay the potatoes in a single layer without overcrowding. Overcrowding can prevent crisping.
Why did my slices stick together and not fan out?
If the cuts are too shallow or too deep, the slices won’t fan properly. Use chopsticks or rests on either side of the potato when slicing to prevent cutting through the bottom.
Can I freeze cooked hasselback potatoes?
You can freeze them after cooking, but you’ll lose some crispiness when reheated. For best texture, cook fresh and re-air-fry leftovers for revival.
Conclusion
There you have it a vivid and irresistible take on Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer. Whether you’re mastering air fryer russet potatoes, exploring new potato’s recipes, or simply craving the crisp fanned-slice effect of hasselback potatoes in air fryer, this recipe delivers. Give it a go, enjoy those golden layers, and make it your go-to side dish for dinners, gatherings or just a special treat. And if you enjoyed this, don’t miss our deep dive into how to make crispy potato sides with the air fryer at Crispy Air Fryer Red Potatoes.
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