1-First Step: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F. This high temperature is crucial for achieving crispy potato skins. While the oven heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier later. This small step saves time after your meal, which is always a win in my book!

2-Second Step: Place one potato on a stable cutting board. This is where the magic happens! Lay butter knives or chopsticks along both long sides of the potato to act as guides. These simple tools will prevent your knife from cutting all the way through, keeping the potato intact while creating those signature slices. I find chopsticks work best because they’re flat and stable.

3-Third Step: Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the potato crosswise into thin slices about 1/8 inch thick. The key here is consistency in your slice thickness, which ensures even cooking. Let your knife hit the guides on each side, stopping before slicing all the way through. Repeat this process with all remaining potatoes, taking your time to get comfortable with the technique.

4-Fourth Step: Transfer the sliced potatoes to your prepared baking sheet. Drizzle them generously with olive oil, ensuring each potato gets a good coating. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Now, use your hands to gently rub the oil and seasonings all over each potato, carefully working between the slices. This step is crucial for flavor distribution!

5-Fifth Step: Take your fresh sage leaves and carefully insert one into every space between the slices of each potato. This might seem fussy, but it’s worth the effort. As the potatoes roast, the sage will become crispy and impart its wonderful flavor throughout the entire potato. Don’t worry if a few leaves break just tuck the pieces in as best you can.

6-Sixth Step: Drizzle the potatoes with a little more olive oil, then place them in the preheated oven. Roast for 50 minutes. During this time, the potatoes will begin to open up like fans as they cook. Resist the urge to open the oven door too often, as this lowers the temperature and can affect the cooking time.

7-Seventh Step: After 50 minutes, remove the potatoes from the oven. They should be starting to soften and fan out. Now it’s time for that garlic butter! Brush each potato generously with the melted garlic butter, making sure to get it into those open slices. This step adds incredible moisture and flavor that will take your Hasselback Potatoes to the next level.

8-Eighth Step: Return the potatoes to the oven and roast for another 25 minutes, or until they’re tender in the center and the edges are golden and crisp. You’ll know they’re done when a knife slides easily into the center and the slices have spread apart beautifully. If they’re browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.

9-Ninth Step: Remove the potatoes from the oven and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley and red pepper flakes over the top. Serve immediately with extra garlic butter on the side for dipping. Your guests will be amazed at this impressive side dish! These potatoes pair beautifully with grilled chicken or your favorite main course.