Roast Herb Chilli Orange Butter Hasselback Potatoes

The first time I made hasselback potatoes, I was honestly just trying to impress some dinner guests with something that looked fancy but wasn't actually that difficult. The butter kept melting everywhere, my knife skills were questionable, and yet somehow these crispy little fans of potato emerged from the oven looking like something from a restaurant kitchen.

Last summer I made these for a Sunday roast and watched my usually picky eater go back for thirds. There's something magical about how the butter seeps into every single slice, creating layers of flavor that regular roasted potatoes just can't compete with.

Ingredients

• Yukon Gold or Maris Piper potatoes: These waxy varieties hold their shape beautifully during all that roasting time
• Olive oil: Helps the potatoes crisp up and prevents that sad soggy bottom situation
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so it melts perfectly into each slice
• Orange zest: Brings a bright citrus note that cuts through all that rich butter
• Fresh parsley and thyme: Classic herbs that add freshness without overpowering the potatoes
• Red chilli: Just enough heat to make things interesting without overwhelming anyone
• Garlic and smoked paprika: The dynamic duo that gives these potatoes their savory depth

Instructions

Preheat and prepare:

Get your oven to 200°C and line a baking tray while you wash and dry those potatoes thoroughly

The trickiest part:

Nestle each potato between two wooden spoons and slice thinly without cutting all the way through the base

First roast:

Brush the potatoes with olive oil, season generously, and roast for 40 minutes until they're starting to fan open

Make the magic butter:

Mix softened butter with orange zest, herbs, chilli, garlic, smoked paprika and sea salt until fragrant

Butter them up:

Gently push that flavoured butter between the slices, saving some for later basting because trust me, you'll want it

Final roast:

Give them another 20 minutes in the oven, basting halfway, until they're golden and gloriously crispy

Save

These became my go-to dinner party side after I served them alongside a simple roast chicken and watched everyone ignore the chicken completely. Sometimes the sides really do steal the show.

Making Ahead

I've learned you can slice the potatoes a few hours ahead and keep them in cold water to prevent browning. Just pat them completely dry before roasting or they'll steam instead of crisp up.

Getting Those Slices Perfect

After many attempts, I've found the sweet spot is about 2mm between slices. Too thick and they won't cook through evenly, too thin and they start falling apart during roasting.

Serving Suggestions

These potatoes are surprisingly versatile and pair well with almost anything. They're substantial enough to be the star of a vegetarian meal but won't overshadow a good piece of meat or fish.

• Extra orange zest and fresh thyme make the prettiest garnish
• A dollop of crème fraîche on the side balances the spices beautifully
• They reheat surprisingly well in a hot oven for about 10 minutes

Save

There's something deeply satisfying about pulling a tray of these golden, buttery potatoes from the oven and watching everyone's eyes light up. Simple ingredients, extraordinary results.

Questions & Answers

→ What makes hasselback potatoes special?

The unique hasselback slicing technique creates thin, parallel cuts that fan open during roasting, maximising crispy surface area while keeping the potato interior tender. This allows the herb chilli and orange butter to penetrate between every slice, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned and flavoured throughout.

→ Can I prepare these potatoes in advance?

You can slice the potatoes and prepare the herb chilli and orange butter up to 24 hours ahead. Store the sliced potatoes in cold water to prevent browning, and keep the butter refrigerated. Pat the potatoes thoroughly dry before roasting and bring the butter to room temperature for easy application.

→ What type of potatoes work best for this dish?

Yukon Gold or Maris Piper potatoes are ideal because they have creamy, waxy flesh that holds its shape during roasting while developing a beautiful crisp exterior. Their naturally buttery flavour complements the orange and herb butter perfectly. Avoid floury potatoes which may become too soft.

→ How do I prevent the potatoes from falling apart?

Placing each potato between two wooden spoons or chopsticks while slicing prevents cutting all the way through, keeping the base intact. Handle the potatoes gently when pushing the butter between slices, and avoid over-fanning them before roasting to maintain structural integrity during cooking.

→ Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality vegan butter block or margarine. Plant-based alternatives work well for creating the herb chilli and orange compound butter, though you may need to adjust seasoning slightly as different brands vary in salt content. The roasting results remain equally delicious.