Instead of plain old baked potatoes, serve these creamy, crispy, cheesy baked potato fans (aka, hasselback potatoes) in just about the same amount of time with just 3 ingredients! They are a great way to make a simple meal seem special.
Say goodbye to boring plain baked potatoes – I bet you will love these simple baked potato fans as much as I do! Yet they only take a few more minutes than just throwing potatoes in the oven, and those extra minutes are so worth it.
I love that the potato “fans” are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and have just a touch of cheese to make them seem special. They aren’t over-the-top by any means, but just about melt in your mouth.
I like to serve these with lemon-garlic roasted chicken or maple-mustard baked chicken as well as things like BBQ mini-meatloaves. Add a green salad and you’ve got a special meal that is still simple.
I’ve seen these sliced potatoes also go by the name, Hasselback potatoes, but we’ve always called them potato fans. They are a fun and different way to bake potatoes that creates yummy crunchy edges because of all the slices.
They are also one of those super easy dishes that look fancy and make the people you serve them to feel really special (we’ll just keep between us how easy they really are, right?).
Baked Potato Fans Ingredients
This is tasty, real food with just three ingredients, besides salt & pepper:
- butter
- cheese (Parmesan and Habanero Jack are pictured)
- potatoes
While red potatoes are featured in my photos, any type of potato works (even sweet potatoes), so use whatever type you have. The same goes for cheese, use whatever you have. Don’t you love recipes like this?
How to Cut Potatoes for Baked Potato Fans/Hasselback Potatoes
Wonder how to create the cuts in the potatoes without cutting all the way through? Here’s a trick that works really well and does it quickly:
Use a wooden spoon!
- Place the potato on a large wooden spoon.
- With the potato sitting on the spoon, take a long knife and cut down until it touches the edges of the spoon.
Voila! Perfect slices that stop just short of cutting through the entire potato.
You will have to be careful with the end pieces, since they may hang over the edge or not reach the bottom of the spoon, but using the spoon takes all the guesswork out of partially cutting the potatoes and makes it go quickly.
Make Baked Potato Fans
- Place the cut potatoes on a lined or greased baking sheet and lightly pull the pieces apart to fan them. They won’t all look perfectly fanned, but that’s OK.
- Pour a little of the melted butter over each potato, distributing it evenly.
- Shake salt and pepper over each potato.
- Sprinkle on grated cheese, about a tablespoon for each potato. You can leave the cheese on the tops, letting it melt into the crevices or you can push a bit more of the cheese into some of the fans if you really wanted to cheese it up.
- Bake for about 40-55 minutes at 400 degrees, depending on the size of your potatoes.
Can I bake these along with other dishes at a different temperature?
Yes. You can cook them for longer at a lower temperature, say if you’re baking chicken at 375 degrees. Or bake them for less time if you’re roasting them next to sausages at 425 degrees.
I love how flexible these potatoes are and how easily they can fit into any menu.
I also love the result: a little crispy, a little cheesy, a little creamy inside. A lot good.
Easy Baked Potato Fans
Ingredients
- 6 potatoes or enough for 1 for each person
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese parmesan,sharp cheddar, jack, etc.
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.*
- Cut each potato into "fans" by cutting almost through the potato. TIP: place the potato on a large wooden spoon, and with the potato sitting on the spoon, take a long knife and cut down until it touches the edges of the spoon. This allows you to evenly cut the potato into still-attached slices that you can fan out.
- Place the potatoes on a lined or greased baking sheet and lightly pull the pieces apart to fan them. They won't all look perfectly fanned, but that's OK.
- Pour a little of the melted butter over each potato, distributing it evenly.
- Sprinkle each with some salt and pepper to taste.
- Add about a tablespoon of grated cheese on top of each potato, pushing some of the cheese into the crevices.
- Bake 45-60 minutes or until tender. Total time will depend on the size of your potatoes. A knife inserted into the center of a potato will show how done they are.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2010 and has been updated with all new photos and printable recipe.
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Kim @This Ole Mom says
Omg…your potato fans look so delicious. I need to make some asap! Thank you for making me drool. lol
Meegan says
I haven’t ever made potato fans before. You made it look so easy and flavorful. Thanks for sharing.
Denise Wright says
These are so festive looking! I have never made potatoes like this and I’m going to have to try because they look delicious!
Susie From The Chelsea Project says
This is a great idea. It’s so much faster and the browned topping looks like it adds so much flavor. Can’t wait to try it.
Amy Dowling says
I am definitely going to try these! I KNOW they would be a hit at my house. I also love your wooden spoon trick. I never would have thought of that. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Barb Liston says
I learned this method a while back from a set of free recipe cards that came in the mail! Another way to cut them: Place potato between handles of 2 wooden spoons and cut fans, the handles are the perfect height to stop the ”cut” and you can use any size potato. I use organic russets too and they are always a hit.
Jami says
Thanks for the alternate cutting tip, Barb – I’ll have to try that if I have bigger potatoes. 🙂
Michele says
I’ve never seen potatoes made this way. What a brilliant idea! I’m so making them. So much easier for my family to eat. 😉
Patti says
Hi Jamie,
These potatoes look delicious and fancy. I love the idea of Habanero Jack cheese. Creamy and spicy at the same time.
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
I’ll never make baked potatoes the old way again!
Mary Ann says
I’m so glad you got past the painting faux pas, because you’re right, it’s small potatoes. And speaking of potatoes… yummmm! We’re doing this this week.
Jami says
Thank you, Mary Ann! And these are one of my favorite ways to eat potatoes. 🙂
[email protected] An Oregon Cottage says
Farmgirl- Amen, sister!
Farmgirl_dk: says
Oh, these look SO good. I am such a potato fan. Can’t wait to try these. Everything’s made better with a bit of butter and cheese!
Anonymous says
We enjoyed something like this at a friend’s house over the Christmas break, and it was DEEEELICIOUS!! I know we’ll enjoy these when I get a chance to try out your tips. Thanks for posting!