Hosting a party, or just looking for a new and exciting way to serve baked potatoes to your family? Everyone is going to love this Baked Potato Bar! Guests can customize their own potatoes with a variety of toppings that are sure to satisfy. We’ll start by baking up perfectly fluffy Russet potatoes with crispy skins. While those are in the oven, you can start preparing whatever loaded potato toppings you can think of! I will, of course, give you some suggestions for the best potato bar toppings, but don’t let that stop you from getting creative. Baked potatoes are like a blank canvas, ready for anything. Maybe today’s not the day to turn on the oven? It’s ok! You can make baked potatoes in the air fryer or baked potatoes on the grill instead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Need more delicious loaded potato recipes? Try my Baked Potato Skins, Twice Baked Potatoes, or easy, cheesy Twice Baked Potato Casserole next!
Baked Potato Bar Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this recipe: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Russet Potatoes: In the US, these are really the best potatoes to use when making baked potatoes. In the UK, look for Maris Piper or King Edward Potatoes. What you’re looking for is a starchy or “floury” potato that will break down when cooking. Waxy potatoes do not make good bakers. Oil and Salt: Before baking the potatoes, we’ll scrub them well and then coat the skins with olive oil and flaky sea salt. This will make the skins extra delicious and totally edible. Butter: No matter which toppings you plan to add to your potatoes, the first thing you should do is add a pat of butter.
How To Make the Best Baked Potatoes
Classic Baked Potato Bar Toppings
Once you have these perfectly baked and prepared potatoes ready, it’s time to serve them while they’re hot, with a variety of toppings so that everyone can enjoy their favorite loaded potato. I’ve stuck to some fairly traditional potato toppings today to make classic loaded potatoes, chili cheese potatoes, and broccoli and cheese potatoes:
Shredded Cheese – Cheddar is classic, but other types of cheese are totally welcome here. Try Colby Jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, feta, or crumbled blue cheese too. Beef or Bean Chili Sour Cream, Fresh Jalapenos, and Salsa Crispy Bacon Bits – Cook fresh bacon until it’s crispy, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Green Onion, Red Onion and/or Chives Steamed Broccoli and Alfredo Sauce
Unusual Baked Potato Toppings
You can also get more creative with these non-traditional baked potato topping combinations for your potato bar:
Fajita – Sliced Avocado or Guacamole with black beans, and grilled peppers and onions Italian Inspired (and vegetarian) – Homemade Pesto, sauteed mushrooms, and roasted tomatoes Buffalo – Buffalo Chicken and Ranch Dressing Reuben – Sauerkraut, Corned Beef, and Swiss Cheese Pizza – Marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni BBQ – Pulled pork, BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese
Storing Tips
Leftover baked potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat baked potatoes, bake them at 350°F/180°C for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
What To Serve With a Baked Potato Bar
If your baked potato toppings include meat and vegetables, this potato bar can stand on its own as a full meal! Serve it with a healthy salad:
Caesar Salad Caprese Salad Greek Salad
And a tasty dessert:
Reese’s Caramel Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Strawberry Layer Cake
How do you keep baked potatoes Warm?
You can make your potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm until your guests arrive or it’s time for dinner. My favorite way to do this is to place the hot potatoes in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
How Many potatoes per person for a baked potato bar?
I suggest one large baked potato per person, with a few extras, in case anyone would like to have a second helping. If many of your guests are children, you may want to include some potatoes cut in half for smaller servings.
How much of each topping do I need?
It’s hard to say for sure! The amount of each topping needed will depend on how many toppings you’re offering on your baked potato bar and how many people you’re serving. I suggest having about a cup of any sauces and shredded cheese available, and at least a half cup of toppings like bacon pieces, chopped onion, and other smaller things.
Should I wrap baked potatoes in foil?
Nope! I find that they cook perfectly without any aluminum foil wrapping in the oven, so long as they are coated with olive oil. Enjoy eating and serving this fun and simple Loaded Baked Potato Bar at your next party or big family dinner! Be sure to Pin the recipe so that you can find it later, too. © Little Sunny Kitchen
