Baked Potato Bar with Loaded Toppings
A baked potato bar lets everyone build their own dinner. The potatoes bake until crisp-skinned and fluffy inside while you set out the toppings, from classic sour cream and bacon to salsa and avocado. It is an easy, flexible meal for family nights and casual gatherings.
Preparation Steps
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes under running water and dry them well.
Prick each potato several times with a fork, rub with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Set the potatoes directly on the oven rack, with a sheet pan on the rack below to catch drips. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the skins are crisp and a knife slides easily into the center.
While they bake, prepare the toppings: cook and crumble the bacon, steam the broccoli for 4 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp, chop the chives and dice the avocado.
Cut a slit lengthwise along the top of each hot potato, press the ends toward the middle to open it and fluff the inside with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.
Set out the potatoes alongside bowls of each topping and let everyone load their own.
Tips & Variations
- Skip foil wrapping; it traps steam and leaves the skins soft instead of crisp.
- Add chili, pulled pork or sautéed mushrooms to the topping lineup for a heartier spread.
- Refrigerate leftover potatoes and toppings separately for up to 3 days. Reheat the potatoes in a 375°F (190°C) oven until steaming hot.
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