A classic oven baked potato has been loved for years and years in our house and now it is time to add all the toppings for the ultimate loaded baked potato recipe! This is one of our family’s favorite easy weeknight dinners. We always have a variety of toppings for everyone to make their own creations. It is the best comfort food and a family favorite that we continue to make again and again. Plus, it can easily be prepped ahead of time to make it even easier!
Looking for More Potato Recipes?
If you love a good potato recipe as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Twice-Baked Potatoes!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
- potatoes – highly recommend using medium-sized russet potatoes. Just be aware that the size will affect the overall cook time.
- olive oil & kosher salt – add both to the outside of the potato skin for the perfect crispness that makes it a restaurant-quality baked potato!
- toppings – see the recipe for our favorites, but feel free to use any that you love.
How To Make A Loaded Baked Potato
How To Cook Baked Potatoes
There are a few different cooking methods to make the perfect baked potato, as the base of this recipe. In the recipe card below, we have highlighted our oven baked potato method but we also have a recipe for making baked potatoes on the grill or slow cooker baked potatoes!
What Are The Best Toppings For A Baked Potato?
The options are endless – we love melty cheese, chopped green onions, crispy bacon, black beans, dollop of sour cream, butter, steamed broccoli, bison chili, or turn them into Chili Baked Potatoes!
Best Ways To Serve A Loaded Baked Potato
A stuffed potato can be enjoyed as an easy dinner or lunch all on its own. Just cook, pile on the toppings that you want, and enjoy. It can also be served as a delicious side dish alongside some grilled steaks, our best whole roasted chicken, or oven baked pork chops!
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- What are the best potatoes to use for loaded baked potatoes? Typically traditional russet potatoes are the best option. Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes could also be used, they just aren’t as hearty and they will require different cook times.
- How do I bake whole potatoes in an oven? Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, place the oil-rubbed potatoes right on the oven grates. Bake for about one hour or until fully soft throughout. Option to use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature, which should be around 210 degrees F.
- What goes well with loaded baked potatoes? This easy side dish can be served with just about any main course! Highly recommend serving alongside something you already have in the oven. That way you can bake them at the same time, like baked salmon in foil, oven baked tilapia, or oven baked ribs.
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Loaded Baked Potato Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our ultimate Loaded Baked Potato recipe is perfect for turning an easy side dish into a simple weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 whole russet potatoes
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- 1 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
- 4 tablespoons bacon bits (or chopped bacon)
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat + Prep Potatoes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse potatoes under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Pierce each potato 3-4 times with a fork. Rub the outside of each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake: Place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of a preheated oven. Bake for 60-75 minutes. Cooking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes (internal temperature should be 210 degrees F – use a meat thermometer).
- Cool + Cut: Carefully remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and then use a sharp knife to cut, lengthwise, down the top of each potato without cutting all the way through.
- Add Toppings: Divide shredded cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, and green onions across all 4 baked potatoes. Highly recommend adding the shredded cheese first, to let it melt a bit, and then add the rest of the toppings.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately as a simple dinner or alongside your favorite main dish!
Notes
- Baked Potatoes: follow recipe card to make a classic oven baked potato or prep your potatoes ahead of time by making slow cooker baked potatoes.
- Toppings: these topping amounts are suggestions – option to adjust amounts as desired or swap out for your favorite toppings!
- Nutrition info is based on the amount of toppings listed above.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 197
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 230.9 mg
- Fat: 12.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.3 g
- Protein: 9.4 g
- Cholesterol: 35.7 mg
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