Crispy Accordion Potatoes: The Ultimate Garlic Herb Baked Potato Side Dish

Prepare to impress with these visually stunning and incredibly delicious accordion potatoes! A delightful and unique twist on traditional baked potatoes, this recipe transforms humble spuds into a culinary masterpiece. Thinly sliced with precision, then skewered to fan out like an accordion, each potato is generously coated in a simple yet incredibly flavorful garlic herb butter. The result? A side dish that’s wonderfully tender on the inside, with irresistibly crispy, golden-brown edges. These accordion potatoes are more than just a side; they’re a must-try experience that will elevate any meal and captivate your guests.

Golden brown crispy accordion potatoes on skewers, beautifully arranged on parchment paper, ready to be served as an impressive side dish or appetizer.

Why You’ll Love This Accordion Potato Recipe

Accordion potatoes aren’t just a pretty face; they bring a host of benefits to your dining table. From their show-stopping appearance to their incredible versatility and customizable flavors, here’s why this recipe will quickly become a favorite:

A Show-Stopping Presentation: One of the main reasons to make these potatoes is their absolutely unique and impressive shape. The fanned-out slices create an elegant accordion effect that instantly elevates them from a simple side to a gourmet centerpiece. They are perfect for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you want to add a touch of culinary flair. Your guests will undoubtedly be captivated by their eye-catching appeal and delicious taste. They’re also incredibly photogenic, making them a hit for food bloggers and social media enthusiasts alike!
Unmatched Texture and Flavor: The ingenious slicing technique creates numerous surfaces for seasoning and crisping. This means every bite delivers an incredible contrast: a soft, fluffy interior perfectly balanced by delightfully crunchy, golden edges. The simple garlic herb butter permeates every crevice, infusing the potatoes with savory aromatics that are utterly addictive. It’s a texture and flavor explosion that’s hard to beat with any other potato preparation.
Incredibly Versatile: Beyond the classic garlic herb butter, these potatoes are a blank canvas for flavor experimentation. You can easily customize them with various seasoned oils, different spice blends, an array of fresh herbs, or even a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory goodness. They make an excellent fun appetizer when served with a dipping sauce, or an impressive side dish to complement any protein. Imagine them alongside this crispy hot honey chicken, a perfectly seared steak with chimichurri, or a succulent bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. They also pair beautifully with roasted vegetables, grilled fish, or even a hearty vegetarian main course.
Relatively Easy to Make: While they look elaborate, the actual process of making accordion potatoes is surprisingly straightforward. The main skill required is careful slicing, which becomes much easier with the right technique and a little practice. The recipe uses common ingredients and requires minimal active cooking time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your meal preparation.
Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love crispy potatoes? This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. The fun shape and delicious flavor make them an exciting addition to any family meal, encouraging even picky eaters to try something new.

Chef’s Expert Tips for Perfect Accordion Potatoes

Achieving the perfect accordion potato is all about technique and attention to detail. Follow these expert tips from the chef to ensure your potatoes are tender, crispy, and visually stunning every time:

The Essential Soak: Soaking the thinly sliced potatoes in cold water for at least 10-20 minutes before baking is a crucial step. This process helps to remove excess surface starch from the potatoes. Less starch means a crisper texture when baked, as the starch molecules won’t hinder the browning process. Additionally, it is always a good practice to soak your wooden skewers. This prevents them from burning or charring in the hot oven, ensuring they remain intact throughout the cooking process. After soaking, thoroughly drain the potatoes by placing them on a paper towel-lined cutting board or plate for several minutes. Pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before seasoning; this is key for achieving ultimate crispiness.
Precision Slicing is Key: The “accordion” look hinges on how you slice the potatoes. Aim for fairly thin slices, ideally about 1/4-inch (or 6-7mm) thick for the initial potato slabs. If the slices are too thick, they will be difficult to manipulate and stretch into the accordion shape, and they won’t cook as evenly or crisp up as well. I also highly recommend peeling the potatoes, especially if you’re using Russet potatoes, as their skin can be quite tough and interfere with the delicate fanning action. For the best results, opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold. These varieties are ideal because their high starch content allows them to hold their unique shape beautifully while baking, and they crisp up exceptionally well. A sharp knife is indispensable here, or for added precision, a mandoline can be used for the initial potato slices.
Mastering the Second Cut: The trick to the accordion pattern lies in the two sets of cuts. For the first side, make straight, perpendicular cuts, using the skewers as guides to prevent cutting all the way through. Then, carefully flip the potato over and make diagonal cuts on the second side. The diagonal cuts, combined with the straight cuts, create the “hinges” that allow the potato to fan out. Be gentle when stretching the potato along the skewer to ensure even spacing and prevent breakage.
Mindful Flipping and Broiling: After the initial 10-minute bake, it’s important to carefully flip the accordion potatoes. If you wait too long, they may already be too cooked and rigid, increasing the risk of them breaking or falling off the skewers when turned. Cooking time can vary depending on your oven’s calibration and the size and thickness of your potatoes, but generally, expect 30 to 40 minutes of baking. For that ultimate golden-brown crispness, I highly recommend finishing the cooking with a 4 to 5-minute low broil. This step will give the potato edges those coveted beautiful crispy, charred bits. However, vigilance is key during broiling! Ovens can broil very intensely, and potatoes can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Keep a close eye on them, checking frequently.

Close-up of golden brown crispy accordion potatoes on skewers, garnished with fresh parsley, ready to be served.

More Delicious Side Dishes You’ll Love

If you’re looking for more incredible sides to complete your meal, here are some other fantastic recipes that are sure to please:

Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Grilled Asparagus in Foil
Roasted Kale
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Popcorn Soup

Flavor Variations & Serving Suggestions

While the garlic herb butter is fantastic, don’t hesitate to experiment! For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the butter mixture. Smoked paprika can add a delicious depth, while finely chopped rosemary or thyme can replace or complement the parsley. For a richer flavor, drizzle with a touch of truffle oil after baking. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking will create a crispy, cheesy crust. These potatoes are also excellent served with a side of sour cream, chive dip, or even a spicy aioli.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover accordion potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for upg to 3-4 days. To reheat and bring back their crispiness, spread them on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. Avoid microwaving, as this will make them soft.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Accordion Potatoes

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these impressive potatoes:

Can I make accordion potatoes ahead of time? You can slice and skewer the potatoes and keep them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to drain and thoroughly pat them dry before brushing with butter and baking. Preparing the garlic herb butter ahead of time is also an option.
What if my potatoes break while slicing or skewering? Don’t worry! This can happen, especially if your slices are too thin or if you’re too forceful. If a potato breaks, you can still bake the pieces. They might not have the full accordion effect, but they’ll still be delicious and crispy.
Can I use a mandoline to slice the potatoes? Yes, a mandoline can be excellent for getting consistently thin initial slices. However, you’ll still need to use a knife for the perpendicular and diagonal cuts while the potato is on the skewers, as mandolines are typically not designed for that specific technique. Always use a mandoline with extreme caution and protective gloves.
What kind of skewers should I use? Standard wooden skewers (bamboo) are perfect. Just remember to soak them in water for at least 10 minutes (or longer) before use to prevent burning. Metal skewers can also be used, but they conduct heat more, which might affect cooking time slightly.
Can I air fry accordion potatoes? While this recipe is optimized for oven baking, you could experiment with an air fryer. You’ll likely need to adjust the cooking time and temperature significantly (e.g., 350°F/175°C for 15-25 minutes), flipping them frequently. Keep in mind that depending on your air fryer size, you might not be able to fit as many potatoes at once, and the accordion effect might be less pronounced due to the smaller cooking space.
How do I know when the potatoes are fully cooked? The potatoes should be fork-tender when pierced through the thickest part. The edges will be golden brown and crispy. If they still feel hard in the center, continue baking for a few more minutes.

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Accordion Potatoes

Prep: 30 minutes

Cook: 35 minutes

Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Potatoes are intricately sliced, skewered to fan out beautifully, and then seasoned with a savory herby garlic butter. They’re baked until incredibly tender on the inside with wonderfully crispy, golden-brown edges – a perfect and impressive side dish.

Cheryl Malik Cheryl Malik

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8 servings

Ingredients

▢ 4 large Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes approximately 4 pounds total, peeled for best results
▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter melted (or dairy-free butter/olive oil)
▢ ½ teaspoon fine sea salt adjust to taste
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper adjust to taste
▢ 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley plus more for garnish

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Equipment

potato peeler
Cutting board
Sharp chef’s knife or mandoline (for initial slices)
8-12 wooden skewers (soaked in water)
Large bowl
Paper towels
large baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small bowl
whisk
Basting brush

Instructions

To Prepare the Accordion Potatoes

Begin by filling a large bowl with cold water, setting it aside. Peel the potatoes and place them on a clean cutting board. Carefully slice each potato lengthwise into long, uniform slabs, approximately ¼-inch (6-7mm) thick. Ensure slices are no thicker than ⅜-inch, as thicker slices will be harder to manipulate. Repeat this process until all potatoes have been sliced.
Clear your cutting board. Take one potato slice and place it horizontally. Position one wooden skewer firmly against the top edge of the potato slice and another skewer against the bottom edge. These skewers will act as bumpers, preventing you from slicing completely through the potato.
Using a sharp knife, make precise cuts perpendicularly across the potato slice, starting from one end and working towards the other. Aim for cuts every ⅛-inch (3-4mm). The skewers will stop your knife, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through the potato.
Once you’ve cut across one side, very carefully turn the potato slice over. Place it horizontally on the cutting board again, with the two skewers still positioned above and below the potato. This time, make cuts diagonally across the potato from one end to the other, maintaining the ⅛-inch spacing. Again, use the skewers as bumpers to prevent slicing completely through to the cutting board. This crisscross pattern creates the accordion effect.
Keeping the potato slice on the cutting board, gently insert a fresh wooden skewer (one that has been soaked in water) into one end of the potato. Carefully slide the skewer completely through the center of the sliced potato and out the other end. This will hold the fanned slices together.
Gently stretch the potato along the skewer, carefully fanning out the slices to create an even accordion pattern with consistent spacing between each cut. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, immediately place the skewered potato into the large bowl of cold water you prepared earlier. Repeat this entire slicing, skewering, and soaking process with the remaining potato slabs.

To Cook the Accordion Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200°C). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter (or dairy-free alternative/olive oil), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and fresh chopped parsley until thoroughly combined. This is your flavorful herb butter.
Once all potatoes have been sliced, spiraled onto skewers, and have soaked in the cold water for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes (this is crucial for crispiness), line a clean cutting board or a large plate with several layers of paper towels. Carefully remove the skewered potatoes from the water and place them on the paper towels to thoroughly drain and pat dry. Removing excess moisture is essential for achieving a crispy exterior.
When the potatoes are dry, transfer them to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer with a little space between each. Using a basting brush, generously brush the potatoes lightly with the prepared butter mixture. Make sure to get the mixture in between the slices of potato as much as possible for maximum flavor and crisping. Flip the potatoes over and brush the other side as well, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the potatoes for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently turn all potato skewers over to ensure even cooking and browning. Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue baking for another 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are beautifully golden brown and have wonderfully crispy edges. Optional but highly recommended for extra crispiness: for the last 4 to 5 minutes of cooking time, switch your oven to a low broil setting. Keep a very close eye on the potatoes during this stage, as broiling can quickly turn from perfection to burnt.
Once the accordion potatoes are ready, remove them from the oven. Allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with a little more fresh chopped parsley and an extra pinch of salt just before serving. Enjoy them immediately with your side of choice!

Notes

Make it Dairy Free: Easily adapt this recipe by using olive oil instead of butter, or opt for your favorite dairy-free butter alternative.
The actual number of servings can vary based on the size and number of potatoes used, and how thinly you slice them.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.