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DIY Loaded Baked Potato

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN

In honor of kids all over the world, I am featuring super fun, simple, and easy recipes that kids can make on their own. Like I mentioned here and here, kids love to experiment in the kitchen…they also love it when any meal can be deconstructed and made into a fun DIY dinner.

Rediscover baked potatoes, they truly are a blank canvas waiting to be topped with gooey cheese, meat, and veggies. Why not turn this boring side dish into the main event by creating a DIY potato bar with all the bells and whistles.

You can even make this a meal prep hack teaching moment with your kids, and show them how you roast the potatoes ahead on the weekend to prepare them to use during the busy weeknight. You can find more meal prep hacks here.

Let your kids decide which toppings they want for the potato bar and let them arrange the toppings in small bowls. Depending on their age, let your kids cut each potato lengthwise after roasting and pinch the ends of each potato and push inward to open slightly for maximum topping space.

DIY Loaded Baked Potato Bar

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • For the potatoes:

  • 6 russet potatoes washed

  • 2 T olive oil

  • For the toppings (feel free to use some/all of these or any other toppings your kids choose)

  • 1 1/2 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (leftover hack - use leftover chicken from a previous meal)

  • Crumbled bacon

  • 1 cup beans of choice

  • Salsa

  • Spinach

  • Queso

  • Avocado or guacamole

  • Shredded cheddar cheese

  • Diced bell peppers

  • Ranch dressing

Directions:

  1. Feel free to do this step ahead to save time - Preheat over to 425° F. Coat the potatoes with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Add the potatoes to a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 50-60 minutes or until soft.

  2. When the potatoes are almost done (or reheating), have your kids assemble the topping bar. Let them be creative with adding the toppings of their choosing to different small bowls and setting up their topping bar.

  3. Cut slits into the tops of the potatoes and allow to cool. Let each family member take a potato and DIY their loaded baked potato as they please. Enjoy!

What are your favorite toppings to add to a loaded baked potato? Mine is shredded chicken, black beans, guacamole, and queso!