Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Crispy loaded baked potatoes with cheddar and bacon are the perfect side dish. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo and Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Tacos.
Why This Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon Is Pure Comfort
- Golden crispy edges
- Melty cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon bits
- Easy to make
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
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Chives
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes: Use russet potatoes for the best texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Oven thermometer — Ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking. → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet — Allows for even heat distribution and easy transfer to the oven. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Scrub potatoes clean, prick them with a fork, and rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
- Topping: Cut a cross on the top of each potato, press the ends to open, and stuff with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the potatoes in the oven. They can become dry and tough. If this happens, try soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes to rehydrate.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy skin, increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Pro tip: To speed up the cooking process, microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes before baking.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before adding toppings.
Freezing Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil or butter for cooking the potatoes.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite melting cheese, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before adding toppings.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through the baking time.
Want to level up this recipe?
Kitchen timer — Helps prevent overcooking and ensures perfectly cooked potatoes every time. → 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
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chives
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Scrub potatoes clean, prick them with a fork, and rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
- Topping: Cut a cross on the top of each potato, press the ends to open, and stuff with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil or butter for cooking the potatoes.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite melting cheese, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before adding toppings.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through the baking time.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Potatoes can be baked ahead of time and reheated before adding toppings.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 26g
- Carbs: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- 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 adding the toppings. However, it's best to add the toppings just before serving to prevent the cheese from becoming soggy.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry potatoes. Make sure to check them regularly and remove them from the oven as soon as they are tender.
Yes, you can make loaded baked potatoes in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C), cook the potatoes for 20-25 minutes, then add the toppings and broil for 2-3 minutes.
Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.
While you can freeze the baked potatoes, the texture of the skin may change upon thawing and reheating. It's best to freeze the cooked potato flesh and add the toppings after thawing and reheating.
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!
