Hasselback sweet potatoes might sound and look a little fancy, but they're really so easy to make. The result is a stunning side dish, perfect for entertaining or any meal you like.

hasselback sweet potatoes in skillet from overhead

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It has always made me fairly happy that sweet potatoes are one of the vegetables my kids will eat. Some things that they don't like as much, I can kind of understand as they're not as easy for kids to like. Sweet potatoes, meanwhile, are both slightly sweet, which no doubt appeals, and have the bonus of being really good for you.

I've had hasselback potatoes on my mind to try for ages anyway, so figured why not try them with sweet potatoes. All I can say is why didn't I try them sooner?!

hasselback sweet potatoes in small skillet with roast chicken behind

At this time of year, I often dice them up and roast them, or bake them whole. We also love them as sweet potato biscuits. Air fryer sweet potato cubes also sound like a great option for an easy side. These are also easy, but feel a little fancier too.

Where does the name 'hasselback' come from?

The original "Hasselback potatoes" were first made in Stockholm, Sweden.They got their name from the restaurant that created them, Hasselbacken.

The original ones were regular rather than sweet potatoes, but as they have come back into style more recently, various twists on the theme have developed.

What makes these different is they are prepared by cutting lots of parallel slits, almost but not quite the way through the potato. When paired with the oil (or whatever else you use), they become lightly crisp on the outside and smooth and tender inside.

It's like the best of both worlds from roasted and baked.

cutting hasselback sweet potatoes using chopsticks as rest

What's the trick to cutting the sweet potatoes?

While I was interested in making them anyway, what really sold me was when I saw the chopstick trick. "What, now?" I hear you ask.

As you can imagine, if you're just guessing it's easy to accidentally cut too far sometimes, or have to cut slowly to get it right. To get even, regular cuts you put chopsticks either side of the potato as you cut. This gives you a natural stop before you cut all the way through. So easy and effective!

brushing hasselback sweet potatoes with maple-oil mixture

How to make hasselback sweet potatoes

I've drawn on some favorite roast veg dishes like my maple roasted buttercup squash for these with a couple additions, yet they are still so easy to prepare.

Mix together the oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, garlic and chili (if using)
Wash the sweet potatoes and trim one side to make slightly flat if larger or very rounded.
Put wooden chopsticks either side of the sweet potato and make cuts all along at regular intervals.
Put in a roasting dish or skillet and drizzle over the oil mixture. Brush it in to the cuts.
Roast around an hour, or longer if they are very thick, until the inside is tender.

These were an instant hit in our house. We all loved the warm spicing, and the caramelized bit on the bottom was so good. The cuts also made them really easy to divide up for the kids.

For just a little bit of preparation, these hasselback sweet potatoes are a fancy-looking side dish that's sure to be popular. Easy, tasty and perfect for any meal.

hasselback sweet potatoes - lifting one up with fork

Wondering what to serve with these? What about...

Goat cheese stuffed chicken with spinach and cranberries
Slow cooker short ribs
Apple stuffing crusted pork chops
Garlic herb roasted chicken
Plus get more ideas to round out your meal in the side dishes archives.

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5 from 5 votes