Nothing quite like pulling a tray of golden, crispy accordion potatoes from the oven—those perfectly sliced fans with edges that crunch and tender centers that melt in your mouth. The first time I made them, I was convinced they must be some fancy restaurant trick, but trust me, they’re way easier than they look! I still remember watching Grandma Eleanor patiently slice russet potatoes at her kitchen table, her wooden spoon underneath to stop the knife from going too deep. “See these little accordion folds, Caroline?” she’d say. “They’re your secret pockets for all that garlicky butter!” And she was right—those crispy ridges hold onto every delicious bit of flavor. Whether you’re meal planning for the week or need a showstopping side for Sunday supper, these potatoes turn basic ingredients into something extraordinary. Forget plain baked potatoes—once you’ve tasted the crispy, herby magic of accordion potatoes, there’s no going back!
Why You’ll Love These Accordion Potatoes
Oh, where do I even start? These accordion potatoes have become my go-to side dish for so many reasons—trust me, you’ll fall in love with them too. First off, those crispy edges? Absolute perfection. They crunch just right, giving way to the soft, buttery centers that practically melt in your mouth. And let’s talk flavors—you can go classic with herb butter, or get fancy with garlic Parmesan (my personal favorite). The best part? They’re foolproof. Just a few simple tools—a good knife, a trusty wooden spoon, and a baking sheet—and you’re golden. Whether you’re meal planning for the week or need a showstopper for your next dinner party, these potatoes always steal the show.
Accordion Potatoes Ingredients
Let me tell you about the simple-but-magic lineup that makes these accordion potatoes unforgettable. You probably have most of this in your kitchen already! The star is, of course, 4 large russet potatoes (scrubbed clean but skins left on—that’s where the rustic charm lives). For the luxurious coating, you’ll need 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (trust me, splurge on the good stuff) and 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced—none of that jarred stuff, please! Seasoning is key: 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper for that perfect balance. The finishing touches? 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (it makes your kitchen smell heavenly) and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese for that irresistible golden crust. See? Nothing fancy, just honest ingredients doing extraordinary things!
How to Make Accordion Potatoes
Ready to make potato magic happen? Let’s dive in! First things first—preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While that’s heating up, grab your scrubbed russet potatoes and get ready for the fun part. Here’s where the wooden spoon trick comes in—I’ll tell you all about it in a sec.
After slicing (more on that below), mix together your melted butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Now brush this golden goodness all over each potato, making sure to get it between every single slice—this is what creates those crispy, flavorful edges! Sprinkle your rosemary and Parmesan evenly over the tops.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the tops are gorgeously golden and the edges start crisping up. You’ll know they’re done when the slices fan out slightly and the cheese forms little crusty bits. Pro tip: If they’re not quite brown enough for your liking, give them a quick 2-3 minute broil at the end!
Knife Hack for Perfect Accordion Slices
Here’s Grandma Eleanor’s genius trick: Place a potato on your cutting board with a wooden spoon running parallel alongside it. As you slice down, the spoon handle stops your knife from cutting all the way through—no more accidental potato halves! Aim for slices about ¼-inch apart—close enough to fan nicely, but with room for all that buttery goodness to seep in.
Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes Variation
Short on time? Your air fryer’s got you covered! Reduce the temperature to 375°F and cook for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a gentle shake to ensure even crispiness. The air fryer method gets you those perfect crunchy edges even faster—just keep an eye on them during the last few minutes as they can go from golden to overdone quickly!
Tips for Crispy Accordion Potatoes
Want restaurant-quality crispiness? Here’s how to get those perfect golden edges every time. First, always pat those spuds dry after washing—extra moisture is the enemy of crunch! My secret weapon? A pastry brush for getting garlic butter into every nook—those thin bristles work way better than a spoon. And don’t skip the final broil for 2-3 minutes—it transforms good potatoes into showstoppers with that irresistible crackly top. Oh, and if you’re using Parmesan, press it gently into the slices so it doesn’t all slide off during baking. Trust me, these little touches make all the difference between “nice” and “wow!”
Serving Suggestions for Accordion Potatoes
These crispy beauties are the ultimate wingman for so many dishes! I love pairing them with juicy roasted chicken—the golden potatoes soak up all those delicious pan juices perfectly. For date night, throw a garlic butter steak on the plate—trust me, the combo is magical. Want to dress them up? A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and some chopped fresh parsley makes them restaurant-worthy in seconds. And if you’re doing keto meal plan delivery this week? These potatoes (made with a little less Parmesan) balance out those rich, low-carb mains beautifully. Honestly, the only wrong way to serve them is not eating them straight off the baking sheet—we’ve all been there!
Accordion Potatoes FAQs
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
Absolutely! Sweet potatoes make delicious accordion potatoes—just slice them slightly thicker (about ½-inch) since they’re denser. Bake at the same temperature, but add 5-10 extra minutes. The caramelized edges with cinnamon-brown butter? *Chef’s kiss*
What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?
Pop cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To revive that crispy magic, reheat on a baking sheet at 375°F for 10 minutes—microwaving makes them soggy (learned that the hard way!).
Any good cheese substitutes for Parmesan?
Pecorino Romano adds a salty punch, while Asiago melts beautifully. For a smoky twist, try aged Gouda. Vegan? Nutritional yeast works in a pinch—just mix it into the butter!
Why are my slices sticking together after baking?
Probably needed more butter between the slices! Next time, gently wiggle the slices apart before baking and use a pastry brush to get that garlic butter everywhere.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition varies based on ingredients, but here’s a rough estimate per serving of these glorious accordion potatoes: about 220 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated), 30g carbs, 3g fiber, and 5g protein. Remember, butter quantity and cheese choices will tweak these numbers—and honestly, some things are worth every delicious calorie!
PrintAccordion Potatoes
Crispy, thinly sliced potatoes with herb or cheese seasoning, perfect as a side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 65 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and dry potatoes. Slice thinly without cutting all the way through, leaving the bottom intact.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush over potatoes, ensuring it gets between slices.
- Sprinkle rosemary and Parmesan over potatoes.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until crispy and golden.
Notes
- Use a wooden spoon to prevent cutting all the way through the potatoes.
- For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 potato
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg