- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or green onions
Optional toppings
For loaded Hasselback potatoes, try adding:
- 4 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Parmesan cheese
- Monterey Jack
- Green onions
- Ranch seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes
What Potatoes Work Best?
Russet potatoes are an excellent choice because they're starchy and fluffy.
Yukon Gold potatoes are also wonderful. They're naturally buttery and have a slightly creamier texture.
You can even use smaller potatoes for individual servings, although you'll need to adjust the cooking time.
The most important thing is choosing potatoes that are relatively similar in size.
That way, they finish cooking around the same time.
Helpful Tools
You don't need anything complicated.
- 5–6 quart slow cooker
- Sharp chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon or small spatula
- Fork or skewer
And here's my favorite little trick for cutting Hasselback potatoes:
Use two wooden chopsticks.
Place a potato between them and make your slices.
The chopsticks stop the knife from cutting all the way through.
Genius!
How to Make Crockpot Hasselback Potatoes
Step 1: Wash the potatoes
Scrub the potatoes well under cool running water.
Pat them completely dry.
You can peel them if you prefer, but I recommend leaving the skins on.
The skins add texture and help the potatoes hold together.
Step 2: Make the Hasselback cuts
Place a potato on your cutting board between two chopsticks or the handles of two wooden utensils.
Using a sharp knife, make thin slices across the potato.
Aim for slices about 1/8-inch apart.
The key is to stop cutting before the knife reaches the bottom.
You want the slices connected underneath.
Repeat with all the potatoes.
Don't worry if your slices aren't perfectly identical.
We're making dinner, not performing potato surgery!
Step 3: Make the seasoned butter
In a small bowl, combine:
- Melted butter
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
Stir everything together.
The smell alone will have you ready to eat.
Step 4: Season the potatoes
Place the potatoes in the slow cooker.
Use a pastry brush to coat the tops and sides with the seasoned butter mixture.
Try to work a little of the butter into the slices.
You don't need to force them open.
As the potatoes cook, the slices will naturally separate.
Step 5: Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 3–4 hours or LOW for about 5–6 hours, depending on the size of your potatoes and the individual slow cooker.
The potatoes are ready when a fork slides easily through the center.
Start checking early if your potatoes are on the smaller side.
Slow cookers vary quite a bit in how quickly they cook.
Step 6: Add the cheese
Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the tops.
Cover again for about 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Oh yes.
Now we're getting somewhere!
Step 7: Add your toppings
Finish with chopped parsley or green onions.
If you're going for the loaded-potato experience, add crispy bacon, sour cream, and extra cheese.
Serve immediately.
How to Get More Color on Top
Here's the one thing the slow cooker doesn't do particularly well:
Browning.
A crockpot is fantastic for tenderizing and slow cooking, but it doesn't provide the same dry, high heat as an oven.
If you want beautifully browned, crisp-looking edges, transfer the cooked potatoes carefully to a baking sheet.
Brush them with a little additional butter or olive oil and place them under the broiler for a few minutes.
Watch them closely!
The cheese can go from golden and bubbly to burnt surprisingly quickly.
The Secret to Perfect Hasselback Slices
Don't make your slices too deep.
If you cut all the way through, you'll end up with potato slices instead of a Hasselback potato.
The chopstick trick makes this much easier.
You can also place the potato in a large wooden spoon and slice downward until the knife reaches the spoon.
Whatever method you use, the goal is the same:
Thin slices that stay connected at the bottom.
Should You Peel the Potatoes?
Nope!
Leaving the skins on is my preference.
The skins add texture and help hold everything together.
Just scrub them thoroughly first.
If you're not a fan of potato skins, you can peel them, but the finished potatoes may be a little more delicate.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This recipe is incredibly easy to customize.
Change the cheese
Instead of cheddar, try:
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack
- Colby Jack
- Gruyère
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
A cheddar and Monterey Jack combination is especially delicious.
Add bacon
Cook bacon separately until crisp, crumble it, and sprinkle it over the potatoes before serving.
Add garlic and herbs
Fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, or chives can completely change the flavor.
Make them spicy
Add:
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Pepper Jack cheese
- Jalapeños
Try ranch flavor
Add a little ranch seasoning to the butter mixture.
Top with cheddar and green onions.
It's ridiculously good.
What to Serve With Crockpot Hasselback Potatoes
These potatoes can accompany almost any hearty dinner.
Try serving them with:
- Roast chicken
- Grilled steak
- Meatloaf
- Pork chops
- Roast beef
- Baked ham
- BBQ chicken
- Grilled vegetables
- Green beans
- Corn on the cob
- Simple garden salad
They're also fantastic for holiday meals.
Put them beside a roast and gravy, and watch how quickly the serving dish empties.
Tips for Making the Best Crockpot Hasselback Potatoes
Choose potatoes that are similar in size
This helps them cook evenly.
Don't overcrowd the slow cooker
Give the potatoes a little breathing room.
If they're packed tightly together, they may cook less evenly.
Dry the potatoes first
Excess moisture can dilute the seasoning and prevent the surfaces from developing as much flavor.
Don't cut all the way through
This is the most important Hasselback tip.
Don't add all the cheese at the beginning
Cheese added too early can become greasy or overcook during the long cooking time.
Add it toward the end.
Use a thermometer if you're unsure
Potatoes should be tender all the way through. A fork should slide into the center easily.
Broil for extra browning
If you want those gorgeous golden edges, finish the potatoes under the broiler for a few minutes.
Can You Make Hasselback Potatoes Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the potatoes several hours ahead.
Make the Hasselback cuts and season them, then cover and refrigerate until you're ready to cook.
For best results, don't leave cut potatoes sitting exposed to air for long periods because they can discolor.
If you're preparing them well in advance, keep them refrigerated and protected until cooking time.
How to Store Leftover Hasselback Potatoes
Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for about 3–4 days.
To reheat, use an oven or air fryer if possible.
That will help bring back some of the crisp edges.
The microwave works in a pinch, but the texture will be softer.
Can You Freeze Hasselback Potatoes?
You can freeze cooked potatoes, although their texture may change somewhat after thawing.
For the best results, freeze them without fresh toppings such as sour cream or green onions.
Wrap them individually and store them in a freezer-safe container.
For best quality, use within about 1–2 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use baby potatoes?
Yes. Smaller potatoes work well, but they will cook more quickly. Begin checking them early.
Can I make these without cheese?
Absolutely. The potatoes are delicious with just the seasoned butter and herbs.
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes. Olive oil works beautifully, although butter provides a richer flavor.
Why are my potatoes still hard?
Potato size, slow cooker temperature, and how tightly the potatoes are packed can all affect cooking time. Continue cooking until a fork slides easily through the center.
Why did my Hasselback potatoes fall apart?
Most likely, the slices were cut too deeply. Leave a solid base underneath each potato so the slices remain attached.
Can I use red potatoes?
Yes. Red potatoes have a waxier texture and will be less fluffy than russets, but they can still make delicious Hasselback potatoes.
Can I make these spicy?
Definitely! Add cayenne, red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or Pepper Jack cheese.
Can I add bacon?
Absolutely. Cook the bacon separately until crisp and sprinkle it over the finished potatoes.
Can I cook Hasselback potatoes on LOW overnight?
It's better to follow a recipe's recommended cooking range rather than leaving potatoes in the slow cooker indefinitely. Once they're tender, extended cooking can make the texture overly soft.
Recipe Information
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3–4 hours on HIGH or 5–6 hours on LOW
Cheese-melting time: 10–15 minutes
Total time: About 3 1/2–6 1/2 hours
Servings: 6
Course: Side dish
Cuisine: American
Main ingredients: Potatoes, butter, cheddar cheese, garlic, herbs
Approximate Nutrition Information
Nutrition will vary depending on potato size, cheese, butter, toppings, and serving size.
Estimated per serving, before optional toppings:
- Calories: 300–340
- Protein: 8–10g
- Carbohydrates: 35–40g
- Fat: 15–18g
- Saturated fat: 8–10g
- Fiber: 3–4g
- Sodium: 450–550mg
These numbers are estimates and are provided for general informational purposes.
Final Thoughts
There are potato recipes that are simple.
There are potato recipes that are impressive.
And then there are recipes like these Crockpot Hasselback Potatoes, which somehow manage to be both.
They're tender and buttery on the inside, loaded with cheesy goodness, and filled with all those delicious little slices that catch the garlic, herbs, and melted butter.
Best of all?
The slow cooker does most of the work.
So the next time you're planning a Sunday dinner, holiday meal, or cozy family gathering, skip the ordinary baked potatoes.
Grab a few potatoes, make those little accordion cuts, add some butter and cheese, and let your crockpot work its magic.
And don't forget the bacon.
Because really...
Everything is better with bacon!