Set up a Baked Potato Bar for a fun way to feed a crowd! Everyone can assemble their perfect loaded baked potato using any of the topping ideas below. Read the notes below the recipe for instructions for how to cook potatoes many different ways.
Cooked shredded chicken(such as rotisserie chicken)
Diced ham
Mini pepperoni
Prosciutto
Leftover fajita meat and veggies
Lox(serve with sour cream, capers, and chives or fresh fill)
Anchovies or canned sardines
Instructions
Bake the potatoes (or see notes below for other cooking methods)
Get a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or foil. If using parchment paper, preheat oven to 400F. If using foil, preheat oven to 425F.
Pierce a few holes in the potatoes, season them with olive oil and salt.
Bake for 45-60 minutes (depending on the size of the potatoes and the temperature you use) until a fork easily pierces the potato and the skin is nice and crispy.
Set up the baked potato bar
Decide which toppings you're using (I recommend a few meaty toppings and a few vegetarian toppings) and place them in small serving bowls or plates with serving spoons. Set the bowls up around a platter or large bowl with the cooked baked potatoes.
Load up the perfect baked potato
Slice the potato open lengthwise, making sure not to slice all the way through. Use a fork to open the potato more and fluff the insides.
Season with a little salt and pepper (optional). Add a pat of salted butter so it melts all over the potato.
Add your "main" topping (such as ground meat, chili, etc)
Add a few "secondary" toppings, such as sliced olives or salsa.
Add something creamy on top: shredded cheese and/or sour cream. Garnish with some fresh herbs, and dig in!
Notes
Baked potato bar tips:
Russet potatoes are best, but any kind of potato will work. Try it with sweet potatoes, too!
You can use large baking potatoes, but I prefer medium potatoes so that each person can make 2-3 potatoes and try different toppings. As a bonus, small potatoes cook faster and are usually sold in a large bag instead of individually wrapped, so they are cheaper!
Do not peel the potatoes! Scrub them clean with a clean kitchen brush or sponge before cooking.
It is better to err on the side of overcooking than undercooking. You want the inside of the potato soft enough to fluff with a fork for the most flavorful baked potato.
See the blog post for detailed instructions for how to cook potatoes in the Instant Pot, air fryer, microwave, slow cooker, or on the stovetop.
Instant Pot baked potatoes: 11-14 minutes on a trivet with 1 cup water.Boiled potatoes: ~15-25 minutes in salted boiling water.Slow cooker: 2.5-3 hours on HIGH, 6-8 hours on LOW, no water needed.Microwave: ~3-5 minutes per side for 3 potatoes, add more time for more potatoes.Air fryer baked potatoes: 30-45 minutes, flip halfway through and watch to prevent burning.Favorite topping combinations:
Taco meat, salsa, guacamole or avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro
Shredded lettuce, fresh diced tomato, pickled jalapeno, squeeze of lime juice, pinch of salt
Sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, half a slice of swiss cheese
Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese
Nutrition facts will depend on the toppings you choose and size of potato. The estimated nutrition facts are for one ~150-gram potato rubbed with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a pinch of salt, and do not include any toppings.