Baked Potato Bar
Next to taco Tuesday, Baked Potato Bar night is a family favorite and one where no complaints arise. My best tips for making your own potato bar are below whether you’re planning an easy weeknight dinner or a spread for guests.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 353kcal
Equipment
- Aluminum Foil
- Small Serving Bowls
- Appetizer Forks and Spoons
Ingredients
Baked Potatoes
- 4 large Russet Potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Oil
- 2 teaspoons Coarse Sea Salt
Toppings
- Chili
- Shredded Cheese
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Crumbled Bacon
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Green Onions diced
- Chives chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450º F. Wash the potatoes and scrub them to remove any dirt or sediment from the skin and then dry them. Using a fork or sharp-tipped knife, pierce the skin randomly all around the potato.
- Brush or rub the potatoes with olive oil making sure to cover the skin completely in a light coat of oil. Then sprinkle them with sea salt.
- Cover each potato individually in aluminum foil and place them directly on the oven rack seam side up to bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes (if your potatoes are very large you may need to add up to 15 more minutes of baking time).
- While the potatoes are baking arrange your toppings by chopping, dicing, or prepping them and placing them into individual bowls.
Notes
- When arranging your toppings place the larger toppings such as the pulled pork or broccoli florets at the front of the assembly line so those items can be added first. Smaller items such as seasonings and also sauces should be at the end because those go on the very top of the potatoes.
- Don't forget to set out salt, pepper, and butter. They're simple but many people like to start their potatoes off with these condiments so place them at the beginning of your spread.
- Use a variety of serving bowls to display your toppings. Included tongs and serving spoons or forks in each topping to make it easy for guests.
- To keep your potatoes warm before you plan on serving them wrap each potato individually in foil and place them in the oven heated to 200º F, use a warming drawer, or place them in your slow cooker set on low.
Other Baked Potato Cooking Methods
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes - Put the trivet at the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot and pour in 1 cup of water. Wash the potatoes and pierce the skin all over using a fork or the tip of a knife. Set the potatoes on top of the trivet and place the lid on the Instant Pot with the vent set to "sealing". Place the settings on "manual" for 16 minutes. Once the cooking time has finished, switch the valve to the venting position to release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid.
- Microwave Baked Potatoes - Wash and dry the potatoes and pierce the skin all over using a fork or the tip of a knife. Set the potato on top of a microwave-safe place and set the cooking time for 7 minutes. Test for doneness to see if it's fork-tender and if not, flip the potato to the other side and cook for an additional 1 minute (adding additional minutes if needed) and then let rest for 2 minutes before slicing open.
Nutrition
Serving: 1potato | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1181mg | Potassium: 1539mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg