Hasselback sweet potatoes in the Air Fryer

Equipment

• Air Fryer (Basket style or tray style)
• Chef’s Knife (Sharp and well-balanced)
• Wooden Chopsticks or Wooden Spoons (Used as cutting guides)
• Pastry/Basting Brush
• Small Saucepan or Microwave-Safe Bowl
• 4 medium Sweet Potatoes (approx. 8–10 oz / 250–300g each, evenly shaped)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil (for initial roasting coating)
• 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) Unsalted Butter (melted)
• 3 cloves Garlic (finely minced or crushed)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme leaves (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Sea Salt (flaky or coarse)
• 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Garnish: Fresh parsley, crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecan bits, or sour cream.
• Sweet Variation Swap: Melted butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Ingredients

Equipment Required

• Air Fryer (Basket style or tray style)
• Chef’s Knife (Sharp and well-balanced)
• Wooden Chopsticks or Wooden Spoons (Used as cutting guides)
• Pastry/Basting Brush
• Small Saucepan or Microwave-Safe Bowl

The Main Base

• 4 medium Sweet Potatoes (approx. 8–10 oz / 250–300g each, evenly shaped)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil (for initial roasting coating)

Garlic-Herb Butter Glaze

• 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) Unsalted Butter (melted)
• 3 cloves Garlic (finely minced or crushed)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme leaves (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Sea Salt (flaky or coarse)
• 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Optional Garnish & Variations

• Garnish: Fresh parsley, crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecan bits, or sour cream.
• Sweet Variation Swap: Melted butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation & Washing

1. Scrub thoroughly: Scrub the sweet potatoes clean under cold running water using a vegetable brush to remove dirt. Pat them completely dry with paper towels (moisture prevents crisping).
2. Trim excess: Trim off a tiny slice from the bottom length of each sweet potato if needed, creating a stable, flat base so they do not roll while slicing.

Step 2: Slicing the Hasselback Pattern

1. Place one sweet potato horizontally on a cutting board between two wooden chopsticks or wooden spoon handles.
2. Using a sharp chef’s knife, make thin crosswise cuts along the potato, approximately 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch apart .
3. Crucial Tip: The chopsticks stop your knife from cutting all the way through, keeping the bottom 1/2-inch intact so the potato stays in one solid piece with accordion-like fan slices.
4. Repeat for all four sweet potatoes.

Step 3: Initial Seasoning & Air Frying

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Rub the outer skin and gently work 2 tablespoons of olive oil between the slices of the sweet potatoes. Season lightly with half of the salt.
3. Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not tightly crowded to allow optimal air circulation.
4. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes. This initial phase softens the potato structure and opens up the slices.

Step 4: Basting with Herb Glaze

1. While the potatoes are doing their first cook, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, smoked paprika, remaining salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
2. At the 20-minute mark, pull out the air fryer basket. The slices should have started to open up slightly.
3. Generously brush half of the garlic-herb butter mixture over the tops and between the opened slits using your basting brush.

Step 5: Final Air Fryer Roast

1. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking at 380°F (193°C) for an additional 15–20 minutes .
2. Check tenderness: Insert a toothpick or paring knife into the center; it should slip in effortlessly when fully cooked.
3. During the last 3–5 minutes, brush the remaining herb butter glaze over the tops for a golden, bubbly finish.

Step 6: Plating & Serving

1. Carefully remove the sweet potatoes using tongs or a spatula.
2. Transfer to a serving platter, spooning any extra drippings from the air fryer tray over the tops.
3. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh herbs. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 285 kcal — · Protein: 3.1 g 6% · Fat: 18 g 23% · Carbohydrates: 29 g 11% Dietary · Saturated Fat: 8 g 40% · Fiber: 4.5 g 16% · Sugar: 6.2 g — · Sodium: 610 mg 27%