Air Fryer Bacon and Cheese Hasselback Potatoes

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes with Bacon & Cheese: Fancy Baked Potato Energy

Okay, let’s get into it—this ain’t your basic baked potato. These Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese are crispy on the outside, buttery soft on the inside, and stuffed with cheesy, bacon-y goodness in every slice. It’s giving “I made this from scratch” energy with zero fuss, and it just might be the ultimate comfort food for game day. Whether you’re watching the Super Bowl, the NBA playoffs, or just rewatching highlights on a Tuesday, these potatoes will have everyone reaching for seconds (and thirds).

Ingredients

Russet Potatoes are the MVP here—starchy, sturdy, and the perfect size for loading up with all the good stuff
Cheddar Cheese brings that creamy, melty magic to each little slice
Bacon adds the salty, smoky flavor and crispy bits that everyone fights over
Oil helps the potato get golden and crisp while locking in moisture
Minced Garlic gives big flavor in a small amount—it sneaks into the cuts and elevates everything
Salt and Pepper are the classic go-to’s to enhance the natural flavor
Dried Parsley makes it look like you tried harder than you did and adds a nice herbal pop

How To Make Bacon and Cheese Hasselback Potatoes

Start by scrubbing your potatoes and slicing off a small piece from the bottom so they sit flat—nobody wants runaway potatoes. Grab two wooden spoons and place one on each side of the potato (so you don’t accidentally slice all the way through), then carefully cut little slits about 1/8” to 1/4” thick. Once you’ve got that accordion-style vibe, brush the potatoes with oil and pop them in the microwave for 10 minutes to soften them up.

While they’re doing their thing, slice your bacon and cheese into little squares that’ll fit perfectly in between each slit. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, stuff each cut with alternating slices of cheese and bacon like a tasty game of Jenga. Brush again with oil, sprinkle on the garlic, salt, and pepper, and air fry at 390°F for 20–30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the outside is crispy, the cheese is bubbling, and the bacon looks perfectly cooked. Finish with dried parsley, serve with ranch, BBQ sauce, or whatever dip makes you happy—and dig in.

The “Fancy Baked Potato” Trick

I’ll never forget the first time I made these. I called them fancy baked potatoes to hype them up for the kids and my husband, and suddenly they were all acting like I had just won Chopped. My oldest was like, “Wait—you MADE this?!” and my husband straight up asked, “Can we have this every Sunday?” Now, whenever there’s a game on—or even just a chill weekend at home—these are requested like clockwork. It’s our unofficial official sports snack. And you know what? I’m not mad about it.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Best Places to Serve These Loaded Hasselback Potatoes

These are made for game day spreads, cookouts, potlucks, or even as a fun weeknight side dish. Serve them alongside wings, sliders, or just a giant salad and call it a meal. Want to really show off? Set up a toppings bar and let folks go wild—sour cream, chives, more cheese, crumbled chips, hot sauce… the possibilities are endless.

This isn’t just a recipe—it’s a whole moment. I keep it simple with everyday ingredients, show you how to level up a potato into something that looks mad impressive, and most importantly, I test this in real life with real family chaos. My method is designed for flavor, ease, and max applause.

Plus, I believe in the power of crispy edges, salty bacon and melty cheese living together in perfect harmony. And when it’s game time? These potatoes are always in the starting lineup.

Here are some more amazing potato recipes to try:

• Easy Loaded Roasted Potatoes For An Amazing Side Dish
• Savory Loaded Potato Soup For Dinner Tonight
• Easy Loaded Baked Potato Slices
• Seasoned Potato Salad Soul Food Style
• Easy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes Recipe