I love making hasselback potatoes as a side because they’re one of those dishes that looks really fancy, but in fact isn’t complicated at all! These sliced potatoes often make my holiday table instead of mashed potatoes, and microwave hasselback potatoes make the cooking even quicker!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hasselback potatoes are just normal potatoes that have slices cut into them horizontally. Between the slices, you can stuff all sorts of seasonings, herbs, or even cheese! You can even make sweet versions with cinnamon, sugar, and sweet potatoes.
More surface area with all the slices means more flavor! They’re sure to please, from your holiday table to just a normal meal. The microwave makes hasselback potatoes so easy to make, cutting cooking time in half (or more) compared to the oven or air fryer.
Of course, I still love making them in the air fryer because of the nice crispy edges you get (something I do sometimes miss in the microwave, despite the speed and convenience).
Katie’s tip
If you have an air fryer and slightly more time, make sure to check out my Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes With Cheese and my Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes for a couple great options!
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Ingredients List
- 4 small potatoes, cleaned and dried
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can also use 2 larger baking potatoes if preferred. I have Idaho potatoes, but you can also use Russet potatoes, Yukon Gold, or even sweet potatoes! Red potatoes are also alright, but tend to take longer to cook, so I generally avoid them for this recipe
- The olive oil can be swapped for butter, if preferred
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omitting if desired. This is a simple recipe that pairs with a variety of dishes, but you can swap up the herbs and seasonings as you like. Other popular choices include garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, or your favorite blend. Alternatively, you can go for a sweet option with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon or other warm spices!
- Finishing touch options could include chopped chives or green onions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, cooked diced bacon, cheese sauce, or any other fresh herbs you like! You can add cheese, butter, or herbs during the cooking process, or after it’s partially cooked, for added flavor. Fresh herbs can be added to the top after cooking, and grated or shredded cheeses should melt with the residual heat from cooking without needing additional time.
Step By Step Instructions
- To prepare your potatoes, slice them widthwise into thin (about ⅛” to ¼” thick) slices, without cutting through the bottom (leave about ¼” intact at the base so they hold together). Pro tip: use chopsticks or wooden spoons on either side of the potato to form a guide from cutting too deep
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil with all of the seasonings, except the parmesan cheese and parsley
- Brush half of the oil mixture over the potatoes, trying to get between the slices as much as possible without forcing the slices open (as this will crack them)
- Place potatoes onto a microwave safe plate or baking dish, and cook on high for 4 minutes
- After 4 minutes, brush with the remaining half of the oil mixture, which should be easier to get between the slices as they have softened slightly
- Cook an additional 4 minutes on high, or until the potatoes are fork tender (the time will vary slightly based on the size of your potatoes and the wattage of your microwave, but 8-12 minutes total is the average cooking time needed). To check for doneness, insert a fork near the center of the potato; if it slides easily through the slices, the potatoes are cooked. I usually gently peel the central slices apart and stick the fork inside, rather than down through the top, to preserve appearance
- Top with parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, then serve!
What Goes Well With Hasselback Potatoes?
Main Courses
- Steak
- Roast chicken
- Beef roast
- Sausages
- Pork chops
- Ham
- Lamb
- Stuffed peppers
- Portobello mushrooms
Try my Air Fryer Ham Steak, Smoked Sausage in the Air Fryer, or Bacon Wrapped Filet in the Air Fryer for some great entree options!
Side Dishes
- Grilled mushrooms
- Applesauce
- Green salad
My easy Microwave Applesauce is the perfect accompaniment!
Toppings
- Chili
- Queso
- Gravy
- Bacon crumbles
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Fried egg
Some creamy Air Fryer Queso or hearty Air Fryer Chili are good options for toppings (and a great way to repurpose leftovers)!
Drinks
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon blanc
- Malbec
- Pinot noir
- Lager
- Brown ale
- Vodka sours
- Cucumber mojito
- Lemonade
- Root beer
Try a refreshing Cucumber Watermelon Agua Fresca or a Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade for the adults!
Recipe FAQs
Is It Necessary to Cover the Potatoes While Microwaving?
No, it is not necessary to cover the potatoes while microwaving. They don’t tend to splatter very much.
However, you can add a vented lid over top of them, if preferred.
How Crispy Do Microwave Hasselback Potatoes Get?
Microwave hasselback potatoes do not get crispy, but rather offer a soft, steamed interior and firm skin. They are more akin to a baked potato in texture.
For crispy hasselbacks, you’d have to cook in either the oven or air fryer to achieve that texture.
Can I Make a Large Batch at Once?
You can make as many potatoes at once as fit comfortably on a plate in your microwave. Each potato should have some space around it to allow for more even cooking.
Feel free to cook in multiple batches if needed to make even more. With cooking times under 10 minutes, it’s easy to make a few batches for a larger crowd.
Can You Microwave Raw Cut Potatoes?
Absolutely! You can microwave raw cut potatoes for recipes like these hasselback style potatoes.
If it makes it easier for you, you can cook them for a few minutes to slightly soften the potatoes and then cut them. Return to the microwave and finish cooking as normal.
Tips For the Best Microwave Hasselback Potatoes
- My potatoes were approximately 4” long and 2” wide and cooked in a 1000W microwave. They were perfect after 8 minutes total, but other varieties and sizes of potato and wattages of microwave may vary slightly!
- If you have a difficult time cutting raw potatoes, you can always cook them for the first 4 minutes, then slice and season them, and then finish cooking. I sometimes do this with sweet potatoes, as I find them tougher than regular baking potatoes
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the potatoes for 3-4 months for longer term storage, but do so without toppings on them (add later, once you reheat)!
- To reheat, microwave your hasselback potato for about 1 minute on high, or until warmed through the center. The exact time will vary based on the size of the potato and the microwave wattage
- Trader Joe’s Roasted Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a quick yet elegant side dish for your dinner table, then you’ll love these microwave hasselback potatoes! With an average cooking time under 10 minutes, they’re ready in no time, with the added bonus of not heating up your house!
Season them with your favorite herbs and spices to compliment your meal or top them with a variety of toppings, much like you would a baked potato. If you add something like chili, you can even make a meal out of these!
Otherwise, they’re a great side dish for any meal, but pretty enough to show up on the Thanksgiving or holiday table. If you’re ready to change up the old mashed potatoes for something new, give them a shot!
Don’t want to do the slicing yourself? Check out my recipe for Trader Joe’s Hasselback Potatoes in the Air Fryer!
Quick Microwave Hasselback Potatoes
Equipment
- Microwave (based on 1000W)
- Microwave safe plate (or similar dish)
- Vegetable knife
Ingredients
- 4 small potatoes (cleaned and dried)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Slice your potatoes widthwise into thin (about ⅛” to ¼” thick) slices, without cutting through the bottom (leave about ¼” intact at the base so they hold together). Pro tip: use chopsticks or wooden spoons on either side of the potato to form a guide from cutting too deep4 small potatoes
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil with all of the seasonings, except the parmesan cheese and parsley1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika
- Brush half of the oil mixture over the potatoes, trying to get between the slices as much as possible without forcing the slices open (as this will crack them)
- Place potatoes onto a microwave safe plate or baking dish, and cook on high for 4 minutes
- After 4 minutes, brush with the remaining half of the oil mixture, which should be easier to get between the slices as they have softened slightly
- Cook an additional 4 minutes on high, or until the potatoes are fork tender (the time will vary slightly based on the size of your potatoes and the wattage of your microwave)
- Top with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, then serve!1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- You can also use 2 larger baking potatoes if preferred. I have Idaho potatoes, but you can also use Russet, Yukon Gold, or even sweet potatoes!
- The olive oil can be swapped for butter, if preferred
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omitting if desired. This is a simple recipe that pairs with a variety of dishes, but you can swap up the herbs and seasonings as you like
- Finishing touch options could include chopped chives or green onions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, cooked diced bacon, cheese sauce, or any other fresh herbs!
- My potatoes were approximately 4” long and 2” wide and cooked in a 1000W microwave. They were perfect after 8 minutes total, but other varieties and sizes of potato and wattages of microwave may vary slightly!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on size, brand, and variety of ingredients, any toppings or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
