Looking for a tasty appetizer for your next party? Look no further. These Potato Bites with cheese and bacon are the answer. These little darlings are simply delicious and a breeze to make. You can never go wrong with potatoes and cheese. I mean with cheesy potato appetizers like these, what's not to love?
Recently I threw Ken a surprise birthday party. And this, Loaded Baked Potato Bites Party Appetizer was a huge hit with all of Ken's friends. It was super easy to make and tasted delicious. Everyone raved about how wonderful they were! They make an excellent appetizer for any football game or party!
Looking for more potato appetizers? Try these Mashed Potato Fries and Crispy Potato Skin Chips or our Crockpot Breakfast Potatoes next!
Why You Will Love This Potato Bites Recipe
- Versatile Dish. Enjoy these Mini Loaded Potatoes as a side dish with steaks and burgers or as a party snack.
- Simple Ingredients. This recipe relies on easy-to-find ingredients to make, keeping things simple and affordable.
- Kid-Friendly. These potatoes are a favorite of both kids and adults!
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes: No need for anything special! These potatoes cook up with a tender and fluffy texture that's perfect for these bites. For smaller bites choose smaller-sized potatoes. We have found that russet and red potatoes work best but white and yellow or Yukon gold will also work well.
- Seasoning: Rosemary and thyme along with a bit of black pepper and kosher salt is all that's needed to add a bit of flavor to the potatoes.
- Egg White or Olive Oil: Use one or the other brushed onto the potatoes to help the seasoning stick to the potato and give the skins a crisp texture.
- Cheese: Cheddar adds great flavor and a nice color too but really any type of cheese that melts well will work. Cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack are great with these cheesy potatoes.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds umami and salty flavors.
- Onions: Sauteed onion is nestled into the cheesy topping for more flavor. It's optional though if you prefer to leave it out.
- Green Onions: A colorful garnish for serving.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Vegetarian: You can easily leave out the bacon! Replace it with a smoky seasoning such as smoked paprika if you want.
- Change the Seasoning. Add any seasoning that you enjoy!
- Potatoes - Russet potatoes or Red Potatoes work best.
- Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, or green chilies added to the onion mixture on top.
- Deluxe: Add some guacamole, salsa, or even sour cream on top.
How to Make Potato Bites
Follow the steps below and you will enjoy these tasty sliced potatoes in the oven with cheese.
Step 1: Pierce potatoes with a fork.
Step 2: Egg whites are whisked in a bowl.
Step 3: Brush the outsides of the potatoes with egg whites or olive oil.
Step 4: Roll the potatoes in the seasonings to coat the outside. Bake the potatoes until tender.
Step 5: Cook your chopped bacon in a skillet then allow it to drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Cook the onions in a few tablespoons of bacon grease in your skillet.
Step 7: Slice the potatoes with a sharp knife into ¼ – ½ inch rounds.
Step 8: Place the rounds on a well-greased tinfoil-lined baking sheet. I usually add a coat of cooking spray to the foil.
Step 9: Add the shredded cheese, onions, and bacon pieces in the middle of the potato. Bake and broil until the cheese browns.
Step 10: Cool slightly and serve with ranch dressing or sour cream.
⭐️ Hint: Be sure to line your tray with foil for easy cleanup! The cheese as it melts, has a tendency to spread and melt onto your pan if you’re not careful. You can also prevent this by placing the cheese in the center of the potato round.
If you love recipes like this one, you may also enjoy this air fryer hasselback potato recipe. Or For more side dishes, try our delicious Jalapeno Creamed Corn recipe.
Serving Suggestions
- Try these potato appetizers with a fun and tasty dip! You can stick with Buttermilk Ranch if you're traditional or try this Salsa Pesto or Spicy Mayo for something a bit out of the ordinary.
- These potatoes are great served up for any party or football-watching event! We love them with these Big Mac Sliders, Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, or Corned Beef Sliders.
If you're looking for more side dish ideas have a peek at our what to serve with pierogies to see some of our favorites.
Recipe Tips
- High Altitude: Add five minutes to your baking time.
- Adding Cheese: Don't pile too high as it may overflow while cooking.
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Reheat in the oven on a baking tray to crisp back up. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Recipe FAQs
Sure you can! Bake the potatoes, let them cool, and then slice them. I like to then lay them out on a baking tray and store the in the fridge covered. This can be done up to one day ahead of time. When you're ready to bake them, add the cheese and bacon, and then bake as directed. They may need a bit more time in the oven to heat fully.
Yes, most definitely. You can bake your potatoes first in the air fryer until it's tender or cook it in the oven. Assemble your potato bites on a baking tray and then transfer them to your air fryer and cook in batches. Cook at 375° F for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese melts and is slightly browned.
Video
More Potato Recipes
Do you like potato recipes? Here are some other recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this mini potato bites appetizer recipe if you would like.
Loaded Potato Bites
Ingredients
Baking the Potato
Toppings
- 6-8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ onion, diced or sliced, if desired
- cooking spray
- 1 cup cheese, shredded to taste
- green onion, thinly sliced optional
- ranch dressing or, sour cream for dipping
Instructions
Baking the Potato
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce potatoes a few times with a fork.
- Whisk an egg white until frothy or use olive oil and brush the outsides of all of your the potatoes. It's optional but is so worth doing. The olive oil or egg whites will help the seasonings stick to the potato. You can just use olive oil or nothing on your potatoes prior to baking. The end result will still be delicious!
- I usually sprinkle kosher salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme on a cutting board and roll the coated potatoes around or simply sprinkle seasonings all over each potato.
- Bake potatoes for about 60 minutes, until tender. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes.
Add the Toppings
- While potatoes are cooking chop up your bacon and cook until crisp. Reserve some bacon fat inside your skillet and fry up some onions, either sliced or diced. They taste so good on top of these baked potato slices too.
- Allow potatoes to cool slightly once cooked. I use oven mitts to hold one at a time. They must be cool enough to handle or risk burning yourself.
- Slice with a sharp knife into ¼ - ½ inch rounds and place on a well greased tinfoil lined baking sheet. I usually just coat with cooking spray.
- Next add the shredded cheese, onion (if using) and bacon pieces. Pile cheese, onion and bacon pieces in the middle of the potato. The cheese, as it melts, has a tendency to spread and will melt all over your pan if you're not careful.
- My husband piles cheese, onions, bacon and a little more cheese to top it off. He feels they hold together better with the extra pinch of cheese on top.
- Bake 10-12 minutes. Broil until cheese browns.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool a few minutes, and serve with ranch dressing or sour cream. If you're in the mood to make an amazing homemade dip check out our recipe list of the BEST DIPS EVER. They are all delicious! Enjoy every bite!
Notes
- High Altitude: Add five minutes to your baking time.
- Adding Cheese: Don't pile too high as it may overflow while cooking.
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Reheat in the oven on a baking tray to crisp back up. Alternatively you can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition
This post was originally published November 2015. It has been updated with new content and images.
Linda Tupp says
These were fantastic, Thank you
Karin and Ken says
We love them too! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin
Lisa says
These potatoes are so good and easy to make. I had some family over on the weekend and made them. Everyone really enjoyed them. I like the sour cream with them and a dash of hot sauce. Yummy!!
Karin and Ken says
So happy to hear it! They’re delicious! All the best. Karin