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Simplified Hasselback Sweet Potatoes (15 min)

Showcase these unique hasselback sweet potatoes in the star supporting role at your next BBQ or gathering. Choose one of four delicious seasoning combinations to take them to the next level.

We found a way to simplify traditional hasselback potatoes with a great shortcut that makes them much quicker and easier to prepare. I also love that you can make them ahead.

The shortcut we use in this easy recipe is to pre-cook the potatoes in the microwave, cutting down the total recipe time to 15 minutes. The usual oven-baking method takes over an hour. To me, there’s no contest. It’s hard to tell the difference in taste.

I like using the grill in the final step to get some char on the potatoes. This only takes a few minutes since the potatoes are already pre-cooked. Alternatively, you can broil the tops of the potatoes.

We have 4 seasoning suggestions to choose from. Or create your own flavor profile.

What to expect

Hassle-free: We have shortened the cooking time (by an hour!) and simplified the hasselback process by making the potatoes much easier to cut. If you have ever tried to thinly slice a raw sweet potato, you know what I mean.

Show-off factor: These potatoes make a delicious side dish and a great presentation with very little effort. If you choose the grill method, you will get those lovely char marks. Note that the slices will not be as thin as traditional hasselback potatoes.

Flavor boosters: The 4 seasoning options amp up the flavor in every single bite.

Bottom line: This delicious, quick, healthy-ish hasselback sweet potatoes side dish has a wow factor and is a great alternative to a classic sweet potato casserole.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

sweet potato, maple syrup, butter, pecans, thyme.

Sweet potatoes: To serve 4 people, buy 2 larger sweet potatoes or 4 small ones. Instead, you can use yams but they are starchier and not quite as sweet as sweet potatoes (see FAQs).

The recipe provides four different seasoning combinations to choose from but feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings.

  1. Maple Pecan: butter, maple syrup, rosemary or thyme, nutmeg or cinnamon – and chopped pecans. A sprinkle of orange zest might be a great addition. (This one is adapted from Amazing Ribs). 
  2. Garlic Butter Herb:  butter, garlic, chopped fresh herbs (e.g. chives, thyme, rosemary, sage), lemon juice.
  3. Pesto Parmesan: Classic Pesto, olive oil, Parmesan cheese.
  4. Honey Dijon: Honey, Dijon, butter, rosemary, chili flakes

Step-by-step instructions

microwaved sweet potato sliced hasselback. between two chopsticks.
Microwave sweet potatoes until tender. Slice horizontally most of the way though (but not all the way) all across the length of the potato. See Slicing Tip.
maple walnut topping mixture in measuring cup.
Combine seasoning mixture.
hasselback sweet potato with maple walnut topping on cutting board.
Spoon mixture between slices.
hasselback sweet potato on grill.
Spray the outside of the potatoes with oil. Grill for a few minutes to get char marks.
hasselback sweet potato with maple walnut topping on white plate.
Drizzle on the remaining topping/seasoning mixture. Serve.

Slicing Tip

A good trick to slicing hasselback style potatoes is to use chopsticks or 2 wooden spoons on both sides of the potato to prevent you from slicing all the way through.

Here is a video on how to slice a hasselback potato. Note that since our potato is pre-cooked in the microwave, there is no worry about it slipping around.

What to serve with hasselback sweet potatoes

Looking for a main dish to serve with your delicious sweet potatoes? Try serving them with a grilled steak, spicy sweet chicken wings, rack of pork, marinated flank steak, cedar plank chicken or grilled pork chops.

Make Ahead

  • You can prepare the sweet potatoes several hours ahead, up to the point of grilling or broiling. That means microwaving them and making the seasoning mixture. Leave everything at room temperature. Grill or broil for a few minutes then add the remaining seasoning just before serving.
  • Alternatively, make the full recipe and store them in the fridge in an airtight container overnight. Then just warm in a 350F/177C oven for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds before serving.

Shortcut

  • Microwave the sweet potatoes first for easy cutting and a much shorter time on the grill (or in the oven).
  • Skip the grilling in the last step altogether. You won’t have the nice char on the outside, but they’ll still be good. Alternatively (or if you don’t have a grill), broil the potatoes in the oven with the glaze in the last step for a few minutes.

Recipe FAQs

What are hasselback potatoes?

The Hasselback technique for cooking potatoes is thought to have originated in Stockholm Sweden at the Hasselbacken restaurant in the late 1700s. They are made by slicing a potato thinly across the potato horizontally, but not all the way through. The thin slices fan out when cooked, making a great presentation.

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are super healthy. According to Healthline, sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are an excellent source of beta-carotene and dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than yams.

What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

Sweet potatoes have thinner and smoother skin than yams. Their taste is sweeter and moister and their texture is creamier. Yams are drier and starchier.

Can I use the hasselback method with white potatoes?

You can use the hasselback method with waxy white or yellow potatoes such as Yukon Gold. Avoid russet potatoes as they don’t hold their shape as well and tend to fall apart with slicing after pre-cooking them.

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!

hasselback sweet potato with maple walnut topping on cutting board.

Love sweet potatoes?

Here are a few other easy sweet potato recipes you might like. Or love.

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4.83 from 17 votes

Easy Hasselback Sweet Potatoes (15 min)

Showcase these unique hasselback sweet potatoes in the star supporting role at your next BBQ or gathering. Choose one of four delicious seasoning combinations to take them to the next level.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-large sweet potatoes, scrubbed (or 4 small sweet potatoes)
  • oil spray

Maple Pecan seasoning

  • 4 tablespoon butter half a stick
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme
  • pinch nutmeg or cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Alternative seasoning mixtures

  • Garlic Butter Herb 4 Tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon minced or grated garlic, 2 Tablespoons finely chopped herbs (e.g. chives, thyme, rosemary), 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • Pesto Parmesan 4 Tablespoons homemade pesto (or store bought), 1 tablespoon olive oil. Use grated Parmesan cheese as garnish.
  • Spicy Honey Dijon 3 Tablespoons honey (or maple syrup), 1 Tablespoon Dijon, 2 Tablespoons butter, 1 Tablespoon rosemary finely chopped, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

  • PREHEAT GRILL to high (450F-500F/232-260C) Note 1 to broil.
  • PREPARE SWEET POTATOES: Pierce sweet potatoes with a knife in a few places to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high 4 minutes (for small potatoes) and 6-7 minutes (for large potatoes) or until tender. They should be tender enough to eat, but too soft or they will be difficult to cut and grill. Place them on a cutting board, then, using a sharp knife, cut horizontal slits on each potato 1/4-1/3 inches (6-8 mm) apart, DO NOT cut all the way through! TIPuse chopsticks, wooden skewers or place a wooden spoon on both sides of the potato to prevent slicing all the way through. Here is a video on how to slice a hasselback potato.
  • MAKE SEASONING COMBINATION (choose one option): Combine all ingredients for seasoning option in a small bowl (except nuts if using). If seasoning option includes butter, microwave mixture for 20 seconds. Place potatoes on plate. Spoon half of mixture in between potato slices. Reserve remaining seasoning mixture for later, adding nuts at this point if your mixture includes them).
  • GRILL SWEET POTATOES: (Note 1 to broil, Note 2 for shortcut). Spray sweet potatoes with oil on the outside to prevent sticking. Grill for 2 minutes, cut side down, until char marks form. Use tongs to carefully turn potatoes to grill sides as well for another 2 minutes. No need to grill the bottom. Transfer potatoes to plate. Brush on remaining seasoning/topping mixture. Garnish with nuts or other garnish if desired. Larger potatoes can be cut in half before serving.

Recipe Notes

  1. To broil instead of grill: Add half the seasoning mixture, broil sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with oil (for easy clean up), slit side up, 6-8 inches (15- 20 cm) from the oven heat source for 2-3 minutes or until some char forms. Then brush on the remaining mixture (and nuts if using).
  2. Shortcut: Skip the grilling or broiling. Just brush on the seasoning mixture and serve (no grilling, no broiling, but no char marks). 
  3. Make Ahead:
    • You can prepare the sweet potatoes several hours ahead, up to the point of grilling or broiling. That means microwaving them and making the seasoning mixture. Leave everything at room temperature. Grill or broil for a few minutes then add the remaining seasoning just before serving.
    • Alternatively, make the full recipe and warm in a 350F/177C oven for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds before serving.
 
Nutrition values are estimated using the maple pecan seasoning mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 16385IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg
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