Loaded Baked Potato (Printer Version)

Crispy-skinned potatoes filled with creamy toppings, smoky bacon, and melted cheese for ultimate comfort food satisfaction.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean

→ Toppings

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 400°F for baking potatoes
02 - Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Place directly on oven rack.
03 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until skins are crisp and potatoes feel tender when pierced.
04 - While potatoes bake, cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into pieces.
05 - Remove baked potatoes from oven. Cut a lengthwise slit across the top of each potato and gently squeeze sides to create an opening.
06 - Fluff potato flesh with a fork. Add ½ tablespoon butter and a pinch of salt and pepper into each potato.
07 - Top each potato with 2 tablespoons sour cream, ¼ cup cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and fresh chives. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its comfort food that somehow feels fancy without demanding any actual culinary skill
  • The combination of hot potato melting into cold sour cream is pure magic
  • Everything can be prepped ahead so you just assemble and devour
02 -
  • Dont wrap your potatoes in foil or youll end up with steamed skins instead of baked ones
  • Letting the potatoes rest for a few minutes after cutting helps them fluff better
  • Room temperature sour cream spreads more easily and doesnt cool down the potato as quickly
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 210°F for perfectly fluffy potatoes
  • Grate your cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded for better melting
  • Cook extra bacon and store it in the freezer for future loaded potato cravings
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