Crispy Air Fryer Hasselback Cheesy Potato
If you love a baked potato but want something a little more exciting, these Crispy Air Fryer Hasselback Cheesy Potatoes are exactly what you need.
They’re crispy around the edges, fluffy in the middle, buttery, garlicky, and loaded with melted cheese.
And the best part?
The air fryer makes them beautifully golden without needing to heat up the whole kitchen.
I made these one weekend when I had a few potatoes sitting in the pantry and wanted an easy side dish to go with dinner.
Instead of making ordinary roasted potatoes, I decided to try the Hasselback method.
I carefully sliced the potatoes into thin little accordion-style cuts, brushed them with garlic butter, and put them in the air fryer.
The smell alone had everyone asking when dinner would be ready.
Then came the cheese.
I tucked shredded cheddar into the little potato slices and gave everything another few minutes in the air fryer.
The result was exactly what I hoped for.
Crispy, golden edges.
Soft, fluffy potato.
Melted, bubbly cheese.
And buttery garlic flavor in every bite.
My family loved them so much that I wished I’d made a double batch.
Now I make these whenever I want a potato side that feels a little more special than ordinary roasted potatoes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Why You’ll Love These Hasselback Potatoes
Crispy golden edges
Fluffy potato centers
Gooey melted cheese
Garlic butter flavor
Made in the air fryer
Easy ingredients
Perfect side dish
Great for holidays
Customizable toppings
Ingredients
4 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Optional Toppings
Sour cream
Green onions
Crispy bacon
Chives
Jalapeños
Chili flakes
Ranch seasoning
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Hasselback Cheesy Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly.
Pat them completely dry.
You can peel them if you prefer, but keeping the skin on gives you extra texture and helps the potatoes hold their shape.
Step 2: Make the Hasselback Cuts
Place one potato on a cutting board.
Position a wooden chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon along each long side of the potato.
Using a sharp knife, make thin slices across the potato approximately â…› inch apart.
The chopsticks prevent the knife from cutting all the way through.
Repeat with the remaining potatoes.
You should have a potato that looks like a little accordion.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine:
Melted butter
Olive oil
Minced garlic
Italian seasoning
Smoked paprika
Salt
Black pepper
Mix well.
Step 4: Coat the Potatoes
Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the potatoes.
Try to get some of the butter into the cuts.
At this stage, don’t worry if the slices aren’t completely separated.
Step 5: Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for approximately 3 minutes.
Place the potatoes in the basket with space between them.
Air fry for approximately 20–25 minutes.
Cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes.
Step 6: Add More Butter
After about 15 minutes, carefully pull the basket out.
Brush the potatoes again with the remaining garlic butter.
This helps the edges become beautifully crisp.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Once the potatoes are mostly tender, gently insert shredded cheddar between some of the slices.
Sprinkle Parmesan over the tops.
Return the potatoes to the air fryer.
Cook for another 5–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
Step 8: Garnish
Remove the potatoes from the air fryer.
Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley or chives.
Add black pepper and any additional toppings you like.
Serve immediately.
My Best Tips
Don’t Cut All the Way Through
The slices need to remain connected at the bottom.
Using chopsticks or wooden spoon handles makes this much easier.
Make the Slices Thin
Thin cuts create more crispy edges and give you more places for the cheese and garlic butter to sneak into.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer
Air needs to circulate around the potatoes.
Cook in batches if necessary.
Add Cheese Near the End
Cheese can burn if added too early.
Wait until the potatoes are almost completely cooked.
Brush Between the Slices
This is where the flavor really gets in.
Use a pastry brush to work garlic butter into as many cuts as possible.
What Potatoes Are Best?
Russet Potatoes
Russets produce fluffy centers and crispy edges.
They’re an excellent choice.
Yukon Gold
Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery flavor and slightly creamier texture.
They’re also delicious for Hasselback potatoes.
Baby Potatoes
Small potatoes can work, but they’ll cook much faster.
Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I Use Other Cheese?
Absolutely.
Try:
Mozzarella
Monterey Jack
Gruyère
Gouda
Pepper Jack
Provolone
Parmesan
A combination of cheddar and mozzarella gives you both flavor and excellent meltability.
Can I Add Bacon?
Definitely.
Cook bacon until crisp, crumble it, and sprinkle it over the potatoes after adding the cheese.
Bacon, cheddar, and potatoes are a combination that’s hard to beat.
Can I Make Them Spicy?
Yes.
Add:
Jalapeños
Cayenne
Chili flakes
Hot sauce
Pepper Jack cheese
A little spicy ranch drizzle on top is also fantastic.
Can I Add Sour Cream?
Absolutely.
Add a small spoonful of sour cream just before serving.
For a loaded baked-potato version, add sour cream, bacon, green onions, and cheddar.
Can I Make These Without Butter?
Yes.
Use olive oil or avocado oil instead.
The potatoes won’t have quite the same buttery flavor, but they’ll still become deliciously crispy.
Can I Use Garlic Powder?
Yes.
Fresh garlic gives the strongest flavor, but garlic powder is a convenient alternative.
If using garlic powder, add approximately 1 teaspoon to the seasoning mixture.
Can I Make These in the Oven?
Absolutely.
Bake at 220°C (425°F) until tender and crisp, usually around 45–60 minutes, depending on potato size.
Add the cheese toward the end.
Can I Make These Ahead?
You can slice the potatoes and prepare the garlic butter several hours ahead.
Store the cut potatoes covered in cold water in the refrigerator if necessary, then drain and dry them extremely well before cooking.
For the best texture, air fry them shortly before serving.
Can I Make Them Keto?
Regular potatoes are too high in carbohydrates for a traditional keto diet.
For a lower-carb alternative, you can use:
Radishes
Turnips
Rutabaga
Cooking times will vary.
Are These Gluten-Free?
Yes.
The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Check your cheese and seasonings if you’re preparing food for someone with strict gluten restrictions.
Delicious Variations
Loaded Bacon Cheddar Hasselback Potatoes
Add crispy bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions.
Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes
Skip the cheddar and use plenty of Parmesan, garlic, and fresh parsley.
Spicy Pepper Jack Potatoes
Use Pepper Jack cheese and finish with sliced jalapeños.
Herb Butter Hasselback Potatoes
Use fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, and garlic in the butter.
French Onion Hasselback Potatoes
Add caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese.
What to Serve With Hasselback Potatoes
These potatoes make a wonderful side for:
Grilled steak
Roast chicken
Pork chops
Burgers
Grilled salmon
Roast beef
Turkey
BBQ chicken
They’re especially delicious alongside a juicy steak.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
How to Reheat
The air fryer is the best way to bring the crispiness back.
Heat at approximately 180°C (350°F) until warmed through and crisp.
Avoid microwaving if possible because it will soften the potato edges.
Can I Freeze Hasselback Potatoes?
You can, although the texture may change slightly.
For best results, freeze the potatoes before adding fresh toppings and reheat them in the air fryer.
Nutritional Information
Approximate per serving:
Calories: 390
Protein: 13g
Fat: 23g
Total Carbohydrates: 39g
Fibre: 4g
Net Carbohydrates: 35g
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on potato size, cheese, and amount of butter used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my potato break apart?
The cuts were probably too deep. Leave a small amount of potato connected at the bottom.
Why aren’t my Hasselback potatoes crispy?
They may be too crowded in the air fryer or coated with too much moisture. Give them plenty of space and brush with oil or butter.
When should I add the cheese?
Add it during the final 5–8 minutes so it melts without burning.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, although freshly grated cheese generally melts more smoothly.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No. The air fryer can cook them from raw.
How do I know they’re done?
A fork or thin knife should slide easily into the center of the potato.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Air Fryer Hasselback Cheesy Potatoes are one of those recipes that make a simple dinner feel a little more exciting.
I love the way the potato transforms in the air fryer.
The outside gets golden and crisp.
The inside becomes soft and fluffy.
And those little cuts create the perfect places for garlic butter and melted cheese to settle.
When the cheese starts bubbling, you know dinner is going to be good.
I made these one weekend to go alongside steak, and honestly, everyone ended up talking about the potatoes almost as much as the main course.
There’s just something about crispy potatoes and melted cheese that makes people happy.
They’re also incredibly versatile.
Keep them simple with Parmesan and fresh herbs, or go all the way with bacon, sour cream, cheddar, and green onions.
For a holiday dinner, I love the garlic-herb version.
For a casual family meal, loaded bacon and cheddar is always a winner.
And for a cozy night at home, I’ll sometimes make these as the main event with a big green salad on the side.
Whatever version you choose, don’t rush the cooking.
Give the potatoes enough time to become tender in the center and deeply golden around the edges.
Then add the cheese right at the end.
Serve them hot.
Add plenty of fresh herbs.
And if you happen to have some sour cream or crispy bacon nearby, don’t be shy.
These potatoes are meant to be loaded.
Crispy edges, fluffy centers, buttery garlic, and gooey cheese—it’s hard to imagine a better potato situation. 🥔🧀🧄🌿