Our epic Loaded Baked Potato is perfect for an over the top side dish or enjoy as an easy dinner on those busy weeknights! Made with the perfect baked potato and all of the best toppings. Create a baked potato bar for the whole family to build the baked potato of their dreams!
The Best Loaded Baked Potato
A classic oven baked potato has been loved for years and years in our house and now we bring you the ultimate loaded baked potato recipe! On some of those busy weeknights, we love to make a batch of the perfect baked potatoes. Then just set out a variety of toppings for everyone to make their own loaded baked potato creation. This comfort food is definitely 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!
What You Will Need
- whole potatoes – we love a classic russet potato, but feel free to use Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, or even sweet potatoes.
- olive oil – rub some on the outside to create that crispy skin!
- kosher salt – a simple seasoning that is always a must.
- shredded cheese – highly recommend freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, but any variety of cheese would be great – like cheddar cheese, etc.
- green onion – this mild onion on top brings the best flavor and a pop of color.
- bacon bits – option to bake bacon in the oven, cook on the stove top, or simply buy some store-bought bacon bits to keep it easy.
- sour cream – just pick-up your favorite sour cream from the local grocery store or make dairy free sour cream, if that’s more your thing!
How To Make A Loaded Baked Potato
The first steps to making this easy recipe are to gather the loaded baked potato toppings and prep the potatoes. Potatoes will need to be rinsed with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Then pierce 3-4 times with a fork.
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!
Once the tender potatoes are fully cooked, simply make a slice down the middle of the potato skins, without cutting all the way through the potato flesh. Then add all of your favorite toppings to the fluffy insides!
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 pile on the toppings you want and enjoy. It can also be served as a delicious side dish alongside some grilled steaks, the best whole roasted chicken, or oven baked pork chops!
Recipe FAQs
- How do I bake whole potatoes in an oven? Just preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, place the prepped potatoes right on the oven grates. Let them bake for about one hour or fully soft throughout. You can even use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature which should be around 210 degrees F.
- What can you put on a baked potato? The options are endless – we love melty cheese, chopped green onions, chopped bacon, black beans, dollop of sour cream, butter, steamed broccoli, slow cooker chili, bison chili, or anything else you love on a good baked potato!
- 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
- 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 an easy side dish or create a baked potato bar for a simple weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- 1 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 4 tablespoons bacon bits
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
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 wire racks in the preheated oven. Bake for 60-75 minutes. Cooking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Cool + Cut: Carefully remove from 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, green onions, bacon bits, and sour cream 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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