Name: Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large russet potatoes, sliced into 1/2" rounds; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; 5 slices bacon; 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 green onions, green parts sliced

There’s something downright irresistible about crispy potato slices loaded with melty cheese and crispy bacon. This Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe combines all those familiar flavors into one bite-sized, party-ready treat that will quickly become your go-to snack or appetizer.

The image shows a white rectangular plate with eight potato rounds arranged in two columns. Each potato round has a crispy golden-brown skin and a light yellow center. On top of each potato slice is a layer of melted bright orange cheddar cheese, small crispy pieces of reddish-brown bacon, and a dollop of white sour cream. Small pieces of green chopped spring onions are scattered on the sour cream. A woman's hand is holding the edge of the plate, and there is a small white marbled background. A small brown bowl with more bacon pieces is on the top right corner of the frame. The plate rests on a white and blue striped cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these loaded baked potato rounds for a game night — they disappeared faster than I could say “pass the sour cream!” What makes this recipe really shine is how simple it is, yet how satisfyingly loaded with flavor every single round is.

Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: Bite-sized and packed with classic comfort foods everyone loves.
Crunchy and Creamy Combo: Crispy baked potato rounds balanced with gooey cheddar, sour cream, and green onions.
Easy Ingredient List: You probably already have everything in your kitchen — no fancy shopping needed.
Customizable: You can easily swap or add toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs.

The image shows small round slices of potato with a crispy brown edge and a soft, light beige inside as the base layer. On top is a layer of melted bright orange cheddar cheese covering most of the potato surface with some small pieces of crispy brown bacon scattered on it. Each potato slice has a dollop of white sour cream in the center, garnished with thin green rings of fresh green onion. The slices are placed on a long white plate on a white marbled surface, with a white bowl partly visible in the top right holding some bacon pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe lies in making each part sing—crispy, creamy, and savory harmonize perfectly here. Picking the right potatoes and fresh bacon gives the best flavor foundation for these loaded potato rounds.

Flat lay of a few large russet potatoes sliced into thick rounds, several crispy cooked bacon strips, a small mound of grated cheddar cheese, a small white bowl of sour cream, three fresh green onions with green tops sliced, a small white bowl of melted butter, small piles of coarse salt and ground black pepper all arranged symmetrically in simple white ceramic bowls and plates placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Russet potatoes: Their starchy texture is ideal for baking crispy edges while staying tender inside.
Bacon: Cook it until super crispy to add that irresistible crunch and smoky flavor.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp and melts beautifully, adding gooey richness.
Sour cream: The cooling dollop that balances the richness perfectly.
Green onions: Adds a fresh, mild bite — plus great color contrast.
Butter: Brushing potato slices with melted butter helps get that golden brown crisp.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings — don’t underestimate their power to bring everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe is how flexible it is. I've tweaked it countless times by swapping cheeses or adding extra flavors — and you should too!

Variation: I sometimes swap cheddar for pepper jack for a spicy kick — it’s incredible if you like a little heat.
Dietary swaps: Use turkey bacon or omit bacon for a vegetarian twist; add smoked paprika or mushrooms for depth.
Seasonal toppings: In summer, I love adding fresh diced tomatoes or even a dash of chives from my garden.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Slice Your Potatoes

Start by scrubbing those russet potatoes well — no need to peel, because the skin adds extra crispness and nutrients. Slice them into even ½-inch rounds; consistent thickness is key here so they all cook evenly and you get the perfect texture. Thinner means crispy but might dry out; thicker might take longer to get tender.

Step 2: Butter, Salt, and Pepper the Potato Rounds

Line a rimmed cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Then take that melted butter and generously brush it on each side of every potato slice. Don’t forget a little salt and freshly cracked pepper — these basic seasonings make all the difference in flavor. The butter helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Step 3: Bake Until Golden and Fork-Tender

Bake your potatoes at 400°F for about 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through. When they’re done, a fork should slide in easily but the edges remain crispy. This balance is what I look for — tender inside, crunchy outside.

Step 4: Cook Bacon to Crispy Perfection

While the potatoes are baking, cook up the bacon until it's really crisp — thicker bacon can take a bit longer, so I like to watch closely. Once crispy, drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. This texture contrast with the soft potatoes is pure joy.

Step 5: Load ‘Em Up and Melt the Cheese

When your potato rounds come out of the oven, top each with a tablespoon of shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. Pop them back in for just 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts. I’ve learned it’s best not to leave them too long or the rounds lose their crispness.

Step 6: Final Touches and Serving

Once out of the oven, add a dollop of sour cream and a scattering of sliced green onions on each round. Serve them immediately so you get that perfect warm, gooey, cool combo with every bite.

Top Tip

Making Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe taught me that attention to detail, like even potato slices and crispy bacon, really sets this simple recipe apart. These tips help get that perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Even Slices Matter: Cutting potatoes evenly helps them cook uniformly so no rounds are mushy or underdone.
Butter Both Sides: Brushing melted butter on both sides before baking ensures golden, crunchy edges.
Don’t Overbake with Cheese: Melt cheese just enough to get gooey but keep the potato round crispness intact.
Serve Immediately: These taste the best fresh from the oven with sour cream and green onions added right before serving.

How to Serve Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe

Loaded Baked Potato Rounds - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my potato rounds with a dollop of sour cream and fresh green onions for that mix of creamy coolness and mild crunch. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of paprika or a few chopped fresh chives for a little extra color and flavor pop.

Side Dishes

These potato rounds are great on their own for snacks, but when I serve them as a side, I like pairing with a fresh garden salad, tangy coleslaw, or even grilled chicken for a full meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I sometimes arrange these rounds on a large platter, garnished with extra bacon crumbles, sliced jalapeños, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a loaded potato bite buffet. Garnishing with mini skewers makes them easy to pick up for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling completely, I store leftover rounds in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for 2-3 days and make super convenient snacks or quick lunches.

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I recommend flash freezing the baked potato rounds on a tray first, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. They can last up to 2 months frozen, but the texture is best when reheated crisp.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving if you can, as that tends to make them soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of potatoes for Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe?

Russet potatoes work best because of their starchy texture that crisps well in the oven. You could try Yukon Golds, but the texture may be less crispy and more waxy.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Simply omit the bacon and consider adding extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers. You can also add a smoky paprika or a vegetarian bacon substitute to keep that savory flavor.

Can Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare and bake the rounds, then refrigerate them without the cheese and toppings. Add cheese, bacon, and sour cream just before reheating for best results.

What’s the best way to keep the rounds crispy after baking?

The key is to bake with butter on the rounds and flip them halfway through for even crisping. Also, avoid stacking them when serving and serve immediately after adding toppings like sour cream to maintain crispness.

Final Thoughts

This Loaded Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheese Recipe is one of those delicious, no-fuss dishes I always turn to when I want comfort food with minimal effort. Giving these a try will quickly show you how satisfying a simple twist on classic ingredients can be. Trust me, whether it’s game day, a casual get-together, or just a treat for yourself, these rounds are guaranteed to become a favorite.