Loaded Baked Potato Flavor (Printable)

Fluffy baked potatoes with buttery, cheesy, bacon, sour cream, and chive toppings for a flavorful side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed

→ Toppings

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - ½ cup sour cream (120 g)
04 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)
05 - 4 slices bacon
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Cook:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack.
03 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until skins are crisp and potatoes yield to a skewer.
04 - While potatoes bake, crisp bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat, then drain and crumble.
05 - Remove potatoes from oven. Cut a lengthwise slit on top of each and gently squeeze to open.
06 - Fluff the interior with a fork, then add ½ tablespoon butter along with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Top each with 2 tablespoons sour cream, ¼ cup shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, and a sprinkle of chives. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of dish that satisfies whether you're feeding yourself after a long day or putting it on the table for guests.
  • Everything comes together in about an hour, leaving you time to actually relax instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • You can prep the toppings while the potatoes bake, which means minimal stress and maximum flavor.
02 -
  • Don't skip placing the potatoes directly on the oven rack—they'll steam on a baking sheet instead of getting that crispy skin you're after.
  • The timing of assembly matters; if you load a cold potato, nothing melts together the way it should, so have everything ready the moment they come out of the oven.
03 -
  • Pierce the potatoes deeply and multiple times; it looks excessive but it's the difference between a fluffy interior and a dense one.
  • Have all your toppings prepped and waiting before the potatoes come out of the oven—this is the moment that matters, and rushing through it wastes their perfect heat.
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