If you love potatoes, as we do, then you’ll be thrilled to know that we’ve put together the ultimate guide to loaded baked potatoes!
Baked potatoes are quick and easy, but there are plenty of ways to turn them into mouth-watering meals. If you can make a baked potato, you can make an amazing meal! Here’s everything you need to know about making the perfect loaded baked potatoes. There are enough recipes in this guide to last you all week, so put down that remote and your cell phone and get started! You’re going to love these delicious meals!
Recipe Section – 3 recipes total
1. Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bombs
Bacon-wrapped potato bombs are a tasty way to spice up your baked potatoes. All you need is some bacon, aluminum foil, and a few other common ingredients! Wrap the potatoes in bacon and bake for about 45 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
2. Mashed Potato Bombs
For an easy twist on the traditional loaded baked potato, try these mashed potato bombs instead! Mash the potatoes with sour cream, butter, and cheese before wrapping them in bacon. The result is creamy and delicious; perfect for an appetizer or side dish to accompany your favorite meal!
3. Jalapeno Popper Bombs
To make jalapeno popper bombs all you need is a sweet potato wrapped in bacon, jalapenos (diced), cream cheese (softened) cheddar cheese (shredded), and green onion tops. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit then remove from oven and sprinkle with paprika before serving.
Nutrition Facts on the Healthiest Loaded Baked Potato
Loaded baked potatoes are a great way to get a healthy dose of nutrient-dense foods into your diet. A single potato has only 100 calories, and a medium-sized one packs about 330 milligrams of potassium. All that, plus the fact that it’s an easy way for vegetarians and vegans to get some protein, is why it’s so popular with athletes and others who are active.
Potassium is essential for nerve transmission and muscle contraction, among other functions in your body. In addition, it helps maintain your blood pressure levels. It also aids in preventing bone loss when you’re on a low-calorie diet. Plus, if you want to indulge while watching your waistline, they can be filled with delicious ingredients like bacon or guacamole!
- A medium-loaded baked potato has 330 mg of potassium. That’s 10% more than what our bodies need each day (320 mg). Your heart will thank you!
- Be sure not to overstuff it: stuffing the potato will take up space where the skin would normally go and give more nutrients.
History of the Baked Potato
Baked potatoes are one of the most iconic and versatile dishes out there. They can be served in a variety of ways, from a simple baked potato with butter and salt to loaded up with sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, green onions, and chives – there are many options! Baked potatoes have been around since the 17th century when they first appeared as an Irish dish. They quickly spread throughout Europe and then on to America. Today they are popular all over the world.
How To Prep & Cook a Potato?
You’ll need a few potatoes, aluminum foil, a baking sheet or other oven-safe dishes, butter, salt, and pepper. Cut the potatoes lengthwise in half, then cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Spread them out on the baking sheet. Top with salt and pepper and dot with butter. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 35 minutes or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and top each potato with your favorite toppings before serving.
5 Tips For Spicing Up Your Next Potato Dish
1. Add fresh herbs. Herbs are a great way to add flavor without adding fat or calories and they can be used as a garnish or chopped up and added to the dish. A few good options are rosemary, thyme, sage, tarragon, basil, or parsley.
2. Add cheese (optional). Cheese is an easy way to add in some extra protein while also adding creaminess and texture. Try using sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Gouda, Gruyere, Swiss cheese or blue cheese crumbles for the best results. If you’re looking for something more unique, try experimenting with feta, goat, or brie.
3. Add bacon bits. Bacon bits not only add flavor but give you that saltiness you crave when loading up your baked potatoes with all of your favorite toppings. It’s so simple to make bacon bits by frying them up in a pan until crispy then letting them cool before chopping them into small pieces!
The best part about this topping is that it’s packed full of protein and doesn’t contain any carbs! There are different types of bacon out there – turkey bacon, pork belly, Canadian bacon, and ham to name a few – so experiment with what you like the most.
4. Use crushed tortilla chips. Tortilla chips are a versatile ingredient and can be used as an alternative to breadcrumbs or even just topped on top of your potato for some crunch! You can buy tortilla chips already crushed at most grocery stores or you could use leftover tortillas from your tacos last night that need to be used up. They’re also low-carb too!
5. Try Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Greek yogurt contains less sugar than traditional sour cream does and will still provide that tangy flavor we all love about sour cream.
8 Ways To Sneak Some Healthy Veggies Into A Stuffed Potato
- Swap out white potatoes for sweet potatoes.
- Consider adding cauliflower puree, which is a great substitute for mashed potatoes and has about half the calories (7). It’s also much lower in carbs and sugar than regular mashed potatoes, so it’s a great option if you’re following a keto diet.
- Try using black beans as your potato filler; they’re high in fiber and protein, low in fat, and provide plenty of complex carbohydrates to help you stay full.
- Add green veggies like spinach or kale – both are rich sources of vitamins A and C that are essential for healthy skin, teeth, bones, eyesight, and more.
- Make sure you add some cheese! You can use any kind of cheese here but cheddar is classic.
- Use bacon instead of butter for the topping.
- Create a vegan version by substituting coconut oil for butter and dairy-free cheese instead of cheddar
- For an extra layer of flavor, drizzle some chipotle sauce on top before baking.
Common Additions To A Basic Stuffed Potato
There are a lot of delicious ingredients that can be added to the basic baked potato. They’re not just for toppings, they can also provide great flavor and texture. Here are some ideas on things you might like to add:
Bacon – Butter/Butter Sauce – Chives – Chopped Onion – Chopped Garlic – Diced Ham or Turkey Breast (or both!) – Diced Tomatoes or Salsa – Grated Cheese (any type) – Green Peppers, chopped and sauteed in a bit of oil and butter until soft – Sour Cream – Brown Sugar – Cinnamon and Sugar Mix-In Ideas For The Perfect Loaded Potato: If you want to take your stuffed potatoes to the next level, here are some other ideas:
I Want To Try _____! I’ll post more soon… 🙂
Condiments & Sauces To Spice Up Any Potato Dish
Condiments and sauces are the keys to making your potato dish go from bland to bursting with flavor. Start by adding a few tablespoons of butter or margarine, then add a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, some milk, and a little pepper for seasoning. Then, you’re ready for an endless variety of toppings.
Sprinkle on some bacon bits or chopped bacon, shredded cheese, diced onions, green peppers or mushrooms, sour cream and/or plain yogurt (we recommend fat-free), chopped tomatoes or salsa (again we recommend fat-free), and any other desired toppings. If you prefer sweet potatoes, then add brown sugar or maple syrup instead of butter/margarine.
Conclusion
The key is to find the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The more you experiment, the better you’ll get at it. Start with simple ingredients like cheese, bacon bits, or sour cream. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to take your potatoes up a notch, try adding some fresh fruit or vegetables for a sweet and salty twist or some crumbled sausage for a heartier dish.
Also, check out the latest articles “Russet potato recipes” and “Baked potato in oven“
Hi I’m Bilal Malik, a digital marketing and blogging expert holding years of experience.
