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Easy Budget Loaded Baked Potato Bar Recipe for Cozy Family Meals

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A quick and easy loaded baked potato bar perfect for cozy family meals, featuring crispy skins, fluffy insides, and a variety of simple toppings for customization.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream (full-fat or Greek yogurt as substitute)
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits (optional)
  • 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Optional extras: chopped jalapeños, black beans (rinsed), chopped tomatoes or salsa

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to fully heat for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Wash and dry the russet potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing away dirt.
  3. Prick each potato several times (6-8) with a fork to allow steam to escape.
  4. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
  5. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 45-60 minutes, checking at 45 minutes by poking with a skewer or knife; it should slide in easily without resistance.
  7. While potatoes bake, prepare toppings: chop green onions, crumble bacon, steam broccoli, and shred cheese.
  8. Remove potatoes from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
  9. Slice each potato lengthwise without cutting all the way through.
  10. Fluff the inside of each potato with a fork, add a pat of butter, and season with salt and pepper.
  11. Set up the baked potato bar with potatoes and toppings for everyone to customize their own.

Notes

For crispier skins, do not skip oiling the potatoes and use coarse salt. To speed up cooking, microwave potatoes for 5-7 minutes before finishing in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Keep toppings slightly warmed to avoid cooling the potatoes. Avoid overcrowding potatoes in the oven for even cooking. Leftover potatoes store well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: loaded baked potato, baked potato bar, easy dinner, family meal, budget recipe, comfort food, customizable potatoes

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-budget-loaded-baked-potato-bar-recipe-for-cozy-family-meals/