Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Crispy loaded baked potatoes with cheddar and bacon are the ultimate side dish. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the perfect crispy skin. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe for Easy Summer Drinks and Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Spinach Easy Dinner Recipe.
Why This Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy skin
- Melty cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon bits
- Easy to make
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Optional: Sliced green onions
- Optional: Crumbled blue cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes: Use russet potatoes for the best texture.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and flavor.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked potatoes every time. → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy potatoes. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: Scrub potatoes clean, then prick them with a fork. Rub with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
- Step 3: While potatoes bake, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
- Step 4: Once potatoes are done, cut a cross on top, press the ends to open, and fill with sour cream, cheddar, and bacon. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 5: Top with chives and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
- : For extra crispy skin, toss potatoes in olive oil before baking.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking potatoes in the oven. They can become dry. If this happens, add more sour cream and cheese before serving.
- : For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add more cheese or use a vegan alternative.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Freezing Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheating in the microwave can make the skin soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of paprika or chili powder to the potatoes before baking.
- Best substitution: If you're out of cheddar, mozzarella or a Mexican cheese blend can be used as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before serving. Add toppings just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through baking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Baking sheet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy potatoes. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Chives
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Sliced green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: Scrub potatoes clean, then prick them with a fork. Rub with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
- Step 3: While potatoes bake, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
- Step 4: Once potatoes are done, cut a cross on top, press the ends to open, and fill with sour cream, cheddar, and bacon. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 5: Top with chives and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of paprika or chili powder to the potatoes before baking.
- Best substitution: If you're out of cheddar, mozzarella or a Mexican cheese blend can be used as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before serving. Add toppings just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through baking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheating in the microwave can make the skin soggy.
- Make ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon FAQs
Yes, you can bake the potatoes ahead of time and reheat before serving. However, it's best to add the toppings just before serving to prevent the cheese from becoming rubbery.
Overcooking can cause potatoes to become dry. To prevent this, keep an eye on them and remove from the oven when they're tender but not overcooked.
Yes, you can make these in the air fryer. Preheat to 400°F (200°C), prick the potatoes with a fork, and cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
If you're vegetarian or vegan, you can omit the bacon or substitute it with a plant-based alternative. You can also add more cheese or use a vegan cheese.
Loaded baked potatoes can be part of a balanced meal, but they're high in calories and saturated fat due to the cheese and bacon. For a healthier version, try using less cheese and omitting the bacon.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
