Description

Crispy Potato Stacks with Garlic Herb Butter are a delightful and elegant side dish featuring thinly sliced Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes layered into crisp, golden towers infused with fragrant garlic, fresh herbs, and optional Parmesan cheese. Baked until crispy on the edges and tender inside, these stacks offer a visually stunning and flavorful accompaniment perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Potato Stack Ingredients

3 large Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh chives, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Optional Ingredients

¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten (for binding)
Panko breadcrumbs (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 6-cup standard muffin tin or line it with parchment paper or silicone molds for easy removal.
Prepare the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them into 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick rounds using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Rinse potato slices under cold water to remove excess starch, then thoroughly dry them with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to ensure crispiness during baking.
Make Garlic Herb Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives, kosher salt, and black pepper to create the flavorful butter mixture.
Layer the Stacks: Lightly brush each potato slice with the warm garlic herb butter, making sure they are fully coated. Begin placing slices vertically in each muffin cup, overlapping slightly like flower petals to form a tight spiral. Press gently after adding each slice to compact the stack. Use about 6–8 slices per stack depending on potato size and muffin cup depth.
Brush and Season: After assembling all stacks, brush the tops with any remaining garlic herb butter. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and additional salt and pepper as desired. For extra stability, drizzle some beaten egg over and between the layers or on top of the stacks.
Bake Until Golden: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–50 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through to ensure even browning. The stacks are done when the edges are deeply golden brown and crisp, and the center is tender with an easy-to-insert knife.
Cool & Release: Let the stacks cool in the pan for 5 minutes to firm up slightly. Carefully run an offset spatula or butter knife around the edges of each stack to loosen, then gently lift out onto a serving platter.
Garnish & Serve: Drizzle with extra melted garlic herb butter, sprinkle with fresh chives or microgreens, and serve immediately while hot and crispy. Optional accompaniments like sour cream or aioli can be served on the side for added flavor.

Notes

Use a mandoline slicer for uniform potato slices to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Thoroughly dry potato slices after rinsing to avoid soggy stacks.
Cooking garlic in butter slowly extracts flavor without bitterness—avoid burning garlic.
Overlap slices tightly in stacks to hold shape and maximize browning.
Maintain high oven heat (400°F) for crispy edges and fully cooked centers.
Optionally broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking for extra crispiness, watching closely to prevent burning.
Use well-greased pans or silicone molds to prevent sticking; parchment liners help with non-stick when using metal tins.
Variations include adding cheeses like Gruyère or cheddar, incorporating bacon, or swapping herbs according to preference.
To make ahead, assemble and refrigerate up to 1 day in advance; bake when ready or reheat baked stacks in the oven to restore crispness.
If air frying, cook at 390°F for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway.
For gluten-free, omit breadcrumbs or use certified gluten-free panko.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crispy potato stacks, garlic herb butter, baked potatoes, side dish, parmesan potato stacks, herb potatoes, elegant sides, baked potato recipe, gluten-free potato dish