The Ultimate Guide to Loaded Baked Potatoes

Loaded baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food — crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and piled high with mouthwatering toppings like gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and cool sour cream. Whether you’re craving a hearty side dish or a meal in itself, these flavor-packed spuds are impossible to resist. Ready to discover the secret to making them irresistibly good? Keep reading.

Ingredients

• 4 large Russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 green onions chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil
• Sharp knife
• Skillet
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Pastry brush or paper towel

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Give those potatoes a good scrub and pat them totally dry. Dry skin is key for crisp outsides later.
2. Step 2: Use a fork to prick the potatoes all over—this allows steam to escape. Then rub the skins lightly with olive oil using a pastry brush or a folded paper towel. Sprinkle with kosher salt and arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Step 3: Bake the potatoes for 60 to 70 minutes. You want the skins to become crispy and the insides to feel soft when pierced with a knife.
4. Step 4: While the potatoes are in the oven, cook your bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden. Drain it on a paper towel-lined plate and crumble it once cooled. You can prep the rest of the toppings while the potatoes bake.
5. Step 5: Once the potatoes are finished baking, let them sit for about 5 minutes. Then make a lengthwise slit on the top of each one. Use your hands or tongs to gently squeeze the ends toward the center to open them up.
6. Step 6: Fluff the fluffy white interior gently with a fork and place 1 tablespoon of butter into the center of each potato. Let it melt naturally into the steamy middle.
7. Step 7: Generously pile on the shredded cheddar and follow with the crumbled bacon. Return the potatoes to the oven for about 5 minutes or just until the cheese is fully melted and inviting.
8. Step 8: Pull the potatoes out and top each one with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped green onions, and a touch of freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately while melty and warm.

Nutrition per serving

Description

There is something undeniably comforting about a loaded baked potato—steaming hot, crisp-skinned, and packed to the brim with melty cheese, smoky bacon, and a cool dollop of sour cream. It is the kind of dish that brings to mind cozy nights, tailgate parties, or comfort food dinners around the table. The contrast between the fluffy interior and the crackling outer shell is sheer perfection, providing a texture that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Topped with all the classic fixings, each bite is a burst of flavor—savory and satisfying, creamy yet crispy. It is like biting into the very essence of comfort food. Whether served as a hearty main course or a side dish that steals the show, these loaded baked potatoes are a hug in food form. With the salty-savory richness of bacon and cheese, balanced by fresh chives and tangy sour cream, this dish tastes like an elevated version of your favorite steakhouse side—but better, because you made it at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is both a showstopper and a weeknight savior. It uses basic pantry ingredients and turns them into a customizable classic that fits just about any occasion. You can prep the potatoes ahead of time and simply reheat and load them when the time is right. It is ideal for feeding a crowd or crafting a meal that satisfies even the pickiest eaters.

Best of all, this recipe is endlessly flexible. Swap in shredded chicken or sautéed veggies for a lighter twist. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein boost. Whether you are feeding kids, entertaining guests, or meal-prepping for the week, these loaded baked potatoes can do it all.

Serving and Storage Tips

Loaded baked potatoes are best served hot out of the oven, with toppings added just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant. If you have leftovers, store the unadorned baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a 375-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 to 15 minutes or microwave them for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.

To freeze, scoop out the interior and mash with cheese and bacon, then stuff the shells and wrap them tightly. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake until warmed through. You can also prep the potatoes ahead and refrigerate them uncut, adding fresh toppings just before serving for maximum flavor and texture.

Course, Cuisine, Keywords

Dinner, American, comfort food, baked potato, easy

Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Serving Size: 1 loaded potato

Recipe Notes

For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and do not skip the lemon zest. Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the fridge.

FAQ

We hope you enjoyed this article about loaded baked potatoes! If you did, we’d love to hear your thoughts—leave us a comment and let us know what you think. And if you found the ideas helpful or inspiring, please pin the article or any image from it on Pinterest and give the pin a like. It really means a lot to us and helps more people discover our content. Your support helps us grow and bring you even more delicious ideas!

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Steaming hot, crisp-skinned, and packed to the brim with melty cheese, smoky bacon, and a cool dollop of sour cream—these loaded baked potatoes are the ultimate in American comfort food. A heartwarming combination of savory flavors and satisfying textures, perfect for a cozy dinner, party, or crowd.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 large Russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 green onions chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with a towel.
• Prick each potato several times with a fork. Rub each with olive oil and sprinkle all over with kosher salt. Place them directly on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the skins are crisp and a knife slides easily into the center.
• While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
• Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Slice each potato lengthwise down the middle. Gently squeeze the ends to open.
• Fluff the insides with a fork, adding 1 tablespoon of butter into each potato and mixing lightly.
• Top each potato with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
• Remove from the oven, then finish each with a generous spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 14gFat: 33gSodium: 720mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3g

Keyword comfort food, baked potato, easy, American, dinner

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!