Easy Crispy Hasselback Roast Potatoes Perfect Every Time

The Hasselback technique is one of the most reliable ways to upgrade a standard roast potato, offering an exceptional ratio of ultra-crispy edges to fluffy, tender interiors. Jamie Oliver’s approach focuses on simplicity, reliability, and precision prep to ensure the potatoes roast evenly and deliver that signature fan-like structure. For a professional kitchen, mastering this prep efficiently can significantly improve presentation and texture on the plate.

Slicing with Precision

The core of the Hasselback preparation lies in the knife work. To achieve the perfect accordion-style slices, the potato must be cut at regular intervals—usually a few millimetres apart—without cutting entirely through the base. This allows the potato to fan out as it cooks, exposing a larger surface area to the dry heat of the oven. If you cut too deep, the potato will split during roasting; if you cut too shallow, the fat cannot penetrate properly, leaving the interior dense rather than fluffy. Using a guide, such as parallel wooden spoon handles or chopsticks on either side of the potato, ensures the blade stops at the exact same depth with every stroke, speeding up prep during mise en placeMise en PlaceFrench for "everything in its place"; the preparation and organisation completed before service..

Roasting and Fat Penetration

Once sliced, the potatoes require thorough coating to ensure the fat—whether olive oil, duck fat, or beef dripping—gets deep into every single crevice. As the potato heats in the oven, the starch begins to cook, and the individual slices naturally start to separate and fan outward. This opening allows the seasoned fat to basteBasteTo repeatedly coat food with fat, juices or another liquid while it cooks. the interior layers, crisping each individual slice from the inside out. For the best results, roasting should be done at a high, steady temperature until the edges are golden brown and shattered glass crisp, while the core remains perfectly soft and steamed. This dual-texture profile makes the Hasselback an excellent side dish for high-volume service, offering the visual appeal of a structured component with the comforting texture of a classic roast.