Perfect Baked Potato With Bacon Recipe

Let’s make it a super easy and delicious dish – baked potato with bacon and topped with cream and crispy onion. You can make this yummy dish for lunch, dinner, or brunch. This is a great comfort food with crispy, salty skin, and a tender and creamy center. Follow this easy baked potato with bacon recipe to make it quickly and easily.

Baked potato with bacon is the epitome of comfort food - crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and topped with savory bacon, creamy cheese, and tangy sour cream. This classic dish is a crowd-pleaser that never fails to satisfy. It's easy to make and endlessly customizable, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a casual dinner or simply craving a hearty meal, baked potato with bacon is sure to hit the spot!

Vadim Rachok

Chef

What is a Baked Potato?

Baked potatoes are popular dishes made from potatoes baked in the oven until the skin is crispy, and the inside is soft and fluffy. Baked potatoes have become a staple in many cuisines around the world because of their simplicity, versatility, and comforting taste. 

The origins of the baked potato can be traced all the way back to the Americas, where potatoes were first cultivated by the indigenous peoples of the Americas thousands of years ago. Later, European explorers introduced the potato to Europe, and it soon became popular as a reliable and nutritious food. The baked potato became particularly popular in the United States in the 19th century, where it was often served as a simple but satisfying meal. It remains a favorite comfort food for people of every age and background worldwide.

With this recipe, you will make testy baked potatoes with a smooth, velvety texture, thanks to cheese and butter with crunchy bacon, cream, and crispy onion. This is a delicious dish for your dinner! 

Ingredients for Baked Potato with Bacon

• Potatoes: The main ingredient that provides the starchy base of the dish.
• Bacon: Adds a salty, savory flavor and crunchy texture.
• Grated Cheddar: Adds richness and a creamy texture as it melts into the potatoes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty and savory flavor that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Garlic: Gives the potatoes a subtle yet aromatic taste.
• Sour Cream: Adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the potatoes.
• Butter: Enhances the richness and adds a smooth, velvety texture to the potatoes.
• Green Onion: Adds a fresh, slightly pungent flavor and a pop of color.
• Crispy Onion: Adds a savory flavor along with crunch and texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the overall flavor of the potatoes.
• Frying oil: Used to fry the potatoes or bacon, adding crispness and flavor.

The Recipe of Baked Potato

1. Cover a baking sheet with parchment, add the bacon, and salt and pepper. Bake in a preheated oven at 356 degrees F (180 degrees F) for 20 minutes (depending on the thickness of the bacon).
2. Place the potatoes on the foil, add a clove of garlic, and drizzle with oil. Wrap and put in a preheated oven at 356 degrees F (180 degrees F) for 30-40 minutes. The temperature at the probe in the center of the potato should be 194 degrees F (90 degrees C).
3. Remove the bacon and place it on napkins to get rid of excess fat. 
4. Finely chop the green onions.
5. Take out the potatoes, open the foil, cut out a quarter of the potato with a knife, or break it in two. 
6. Add salt, pepper, a piece of butter, bacon, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese, and put in the oven at 356 degrees F (180 degrees F) for 4 minutes.
7. Take it out and let the cheese stabilize for 3-4 minutes. Top with thick sour cream, green onions, and crispy onion.

Chef Recipe Tips:

• Instead of cutting the potatoes into quarters, they can be pressed flat.
• Cheddar cheese can be substituted for Gruyère. 
• Bacon can be substituted for ham.

How to Slice a Baked Potato

Cutting a baked potato is easy and allows enough room for your  toppings:

1. Using a sharp knife, make a cut down the center of the potato (but not all the way through).
2. To open the potato, gently squeeze the ends. Fluff up the middle with a fork.

How to Store Baked Potatoes?

You can store leftover baked potatoes in the refrigerator in a plastic-wrapped metal or glass pan.

When it’s time to heat them up, place them in a 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (covered with a damp paper towel).

Should You Wrap the Potato in Foil?

No. Wrapping potatoes in foil retains moisture and results in a steamed, not baked, potato. The inside of a foil-wrapped baked potato will be moister and the skin will be less crisp. Wrapping potatoes adds an extra step to the process and results in an inferior baked potato, especially if you like to eat the crispy skin, so don’t do it!

Baked Potato FAQs

Which type of potato is better to choose?

Because of their thick skin and high starch content, russets are the best potatoes for baking. Also, you can make a Baked Sweet Potato.

Should I make holes in the potatoes before baking?

Yes, you should. This is necessary to allow the steam to escape while the potatoes are baking so they don’t burst in the oven.

How will I know when my baked potatoes are done?

Your potatoes are done when a fork pierces easily and an instant-read thermometer registers 210ºF inside.