What Is a Sliced Baked Potato — and Why It’s Special
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Definition: Sliced baked potatoes, particularly “Hasselback” potatoes, are potatoes that are thinly sliced across their width (but not all the way through) so they fan out during baking, creating a beautiful accordion effect. ويكيبيديا+2RecipeTin Eats+2
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Texture Contrast: The slices get crisp on the outside while the inside remains soft and fluffy. RecipeTin Eats+2Barefeet in the Kitchen+2
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Flavor Penetration: The thin slits allow butter, oil, herbs, garlic, and seasoning to penetrate between the layers, giving more flavor than a simple baked potato. The flavours of kitchen+2RecipeTin Eats+2
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Visual Appeal: It’s an elegant side dish — the fanned potato looks impressive and can be dressed up with garlic, herbs, cheese, or other toppings. foodnetwork.com+1
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Make-Ahead Friendly: You can slice the potatoes in advance, maybe even partially bake, then finish later. Some recipes also reheat well. Immaculate Bites+1
2. Ingredients — What You’ll Need
Based on multiple sources and versions, here’s a comprehensive ingredient list. You can scale up or down depending on how many potatoes you’re doing.
Basic / Classic Hasselback Sliced Potatoes
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Potatoes: 4–6 medium Russet or Yukon Gold (or similar baking potatoes) RecipeTin Eats+2Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary+2
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Olive oil: ~ 1½ tsp per potato (or more for basting) RecipeTin Eats
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Salt: to taste (kosher or flaky) RecipeTin Eats
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Butter: melted salted (or unsalted) butter to brush; plus more for basting. Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary+1
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Garlic: optional, minced or smashed cloves. Immaculate Bites+1
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Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, or parsley for flavor. Several recipes use rosemary. The flavours of kitchen
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Black pepper: freshly ground, to taste. Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary
Optional / Enhanced Versions
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Sea salt flakes / Maldon salt: for finishing and extra crunch. Maldon Salt
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Parmesan cheese: some versions add grated Parmesan near the end. camp-cook.com
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Bread crumbs: for crisp texture in some classics. camp-cook.com
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Garlic butter sauce: melt butter with garlic and herbs (like rosemary) to baste. Immaculate Bites
3. Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make sliced (Hasselback-style) baked potatoes in detail, with tips and technique:
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
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Preheat Oven
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Preheat your oven to 425°F (220 °C) or 400°F, depending on the recipe. For example, Jessica Gavin’s version uses 425°F. Jessica Gavin
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Position a rack in the middle to ensure even cooking.
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Wash & Dry Potatoes
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Scrub your potatoes under cold water to remove dirt. Barefeet in the Kitchen
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Pat them dry thoroughly. Moisture on the surface can prevent crisping and make the oil / butter not stick properly.
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Step 2: Slice the Potatoes (Hasselback Technique)
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Stabilize the Potato
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Use the “chopstick trick”: place two wooden chopsticks (or wooden spoons) parallel to each other on either side of the potato. RecipeTin Eats+2Cafe Osharak+2
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These act as stop-blocks so your knife doesn’t cut all the way through the potato.
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Make Thin Cuts
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Use a sharp knife and slice across the potato width-wise, about 1/8-inch apart (or a little thicker), stopping just before you cut through the bottom. RecipeTin Eats
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The goal is to create many thin slits so the potato “fans” when baked. Barefeet in the Kitchen
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If desired, cut a small flat slice off the base of the potato so it rests flat on the baking tray. Jessica Gavin does this to stabilize the potato. Jessica Gavin
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Step 3: Season and Prep for Baking
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Brush with Oil / Seasoning
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Drizzle or brush olive oil into the slits and over the top of each potato. RecipeTin Eats
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Sprinkle salt (and pepper) evenly, making sure some seasoning gets between the slices. RecipeTin Eats
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If using, brush melted butter mixed with minced garlic, herbs (like rosemary or thyme), and salt/pepper to infuse flavor deep in the slices. Immaculate Bites
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Arrange on Baking Tray
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Place the potatoes on a baking sheet or in a roasting dish, cut-side up. This allows heat to circulate and crisp the edges. Cafe Osharak+1
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Use parchment paper or a lightly greased tray to catch drips.
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Step 4: Bake (First Stage)
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Roast in the Oven
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Bake the potatoes for 30–40 minutes, depending on size, until they begin to soften and the edges of the slices start to crisp. Barefeet in the Kitchen
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Halfway through baking, baste again: brush more butter or oil into the slits to encourage the layers to separate and crisp. RecipeTin Eats emphasizes this step. RecipeTin Eats
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Step 5: Final Crisp (Second Stage)
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Increase Heat / Finish Crisping
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After the initial bake, increase the oven temperature (if not already high) or keep at a moderate-high roast to crisp the slices. RecipeTin Eats suggests increasing to ~425°F again for a final 10–15 min. RecipeTin Eats
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During this final stage, brush again with melted herb butter or oil to help the slices fan out and get golden. The flavours of kitchen
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Optional: add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes, Parmesan, or breadcrumbs during the last few minutes to add extra crunch. Maldon Salt
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Step 6: Garnish & Serve
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Finish and Garnish
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When the potatoes are golden, crispy on the edges, and tender inside, remove them from the oven.
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Let them rest for a few minutes so the butter / oil seeps in and the texture settles.
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Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. Nicky’s Kitchen Sanctuary recommends thyme and a sprinkle of salt. Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary
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Serve
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Serve as a side dish with meats (roast, steak), fish, or on their own. They’re also great with a dollop of sour cream, garlic aioli, or cheese melted into the slits.
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4. Tips & Tricks for Perfect Sliced Baked Potatoes
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Knife technique is crucial: Using chopsticks or wooden spoons helps you slice thinly without cutting all the way through. Jessica Gavin+1
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Slice thin: Very thin slices (1/8-inch) make for better “fanning” and crispiness. RecipeTin Eats
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Even basting: Regularly baste the potatoes during baking so fat and seasoning get into the slits — that’s what gives flavor and helps the slices separate. RecipeTin Eats
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Use good potatoes: Starchy or floury potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold work best for this technique because they hold shape but crisp well. RecipeTin Eats+1
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Garlic / Herb butter: For extra flavor, mix melted butter with garlic and rosemary / thyme and brush this in during the bake. The flavours of kitchen
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Don’t overcrowd: Give each potato space on the baking tray so air circulates and they crisp evenly.
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Rest after baking: Let the baked potatoes sit for 5–10 minutes so flavors settle and slices stabilize.
5. Flavor Variations & Serving Ideas
You can make many versions of sliced baked potatoes depending on the flavors you want:
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Garlic Rosemary: Use garlic-butter + fresh rosemary for a fragrant, herby side. The flavours of kitchen
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Cheesy Crust: Add grated Parmesan or other hard cheese in the last few minutes of baking so it melts in the slits. camp-cook.com
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Bread Crumb Topping: Mix bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle over the potatoes in the final minutes for extra crunch. camp-cook.com
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Smoky / Savory: Use smoked salt or add paprika when basting for a smoky edge.
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Herb-Infused Oil: Use olive oil infused with thyme or parsley for a lighter, herbaceous finish.
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Butter & Sea Salt: After baking, finish with flakes of sea salt (like Maldon) and a knob of butter — simple but luxurious. Maldon Salt
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Loaded: Once baked, stuff cheese, bacon bits, or crumbled sausage into the slices for a “loaded potato” feel.
6. Potential Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Slices don’t fan / stay closed | Slices too thick, or cutter went through | Use thinner cuts, use chopsticks to stop the knife from cutting all the way through. Barefeet in the Kitchen |
| Potato is raw in middle | Too short bake or too large / dense potato | Bake longer; choose potatoes of even size; increase oven temperature towards end. |
| Slices burn on edges but center soft | Butter / oil too much, or oven too hot | Reduce fat or lower temp; baste less heavily or in smaller amounts. |
| Potato is soggy | Not enough oil / butter penetrated, or too much moisture | Use enough fat, baste between slices, and dry potatoes well before slicing. |
| Garlic burns | Adding garlic too early in butter | Add garlic / herb butter later in bake, or use whole cloves. |
7. Nutrition & Portion Considerations
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Calories & Fat: Depends on how much butter or oil you use. The richer your basting, the more indulgent.
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Carbs: Potatoes are starchy, so this dish has a moderate to high carb content.
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Serving Size: One medium sliced potato per person is often enough as a side; you can pair with a leafy salad or lean protein to balance.
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Make-Ahead: You can slice and prepare (but not bake) ahead, then bake when needed.
8. Why This Dish Works Well
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Elegant Yet Simple: It’s visually impressive (those fanned slices!) but easy to make with basic ingredients.
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Flavor Penetration: Because of the slits, seasoning and fat get into every layer — not just the surface.
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Texture Contrast: Crispy edges + soft interior = textural perfection.
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Versatile: Great with roast meat, fish, or even on its own as a star side.
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Adaptable: You can make these subtly flavored (salt + butter) or go all out with garlic, herbs, cheese.
9. Final Thoughts
“Sliced baked potatoes” — especially when done in the “Hasselback” style — are more than just a side dish. They’re a beautiful, flavorful, and texturally satisfying way to enjoy potatoes. With the right slicing technique, seasoning, and basting, you can transform simple potatoes into something special.
Whether you're serving them for a holiday dinner or just want a cozy, rustic side on a weeknight, these potatoes are a crowd-pleaser. And there’s plenty of room for variation: herby, cheesy, garlic-y — you can adapt to your mood.
Try it once following this detailed guide. Once you've mastered the bladework and the basting, you'll find it's one of your go-to ways to prepare potatoes.
If you like, I can write a 2000-word guide on 6 different styles of sliced / baked / fan potatoes (Hasselback, gratin, stacked, etc.). Do you want me to do that
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