These mini twice-baked red potatoes are super creamy and loaded with all the fixins’, for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side to any meal.
In This Post
Easy Red Potato Recipe
Why is it that mini-me versions of favorite standards seem likeย so much more fun?
Baby versions of standard stuff are what get me every time.
Puppies and tiny dogs edge out the big guys in the oohs and awww how cute department every time. Mini bottles ofย condiments get opened whether needed or not. Baby carrots are so much easier to grab and snack. And sliders! Who can have just one?
Don’t even get me started on baby elephants. Cutest. Things. Ever.
So when I thought about making little red potatoes locked and loaded to the rim like their full size cousins, that was my, “well of course you should” moment.
What’s in Twice-Baked Red Potatoes?
To make these loaded roasted red potatoes, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients. Because the ingredients list is minimal, you’ll want to get exactly what the recipe calls for:
- Small red potatoes
- Butter
- Buttermilk
- Medium cheddar cheese
- Cooked bacon pieces
- Green onions
- Kosher salt and black pepper
How to Make Twice-Baked Potatoes
Just like larger loaded baked potatoes, I first bake my red potatoes until they’re easily pierced with a fork.
Once the red potatoes are cool enough to handle, I slice off the very tops and scoop out the centers.
To the potato mixture, I add buttermilk for a bit more tang. And I always use butter with the REALยฎSeal on the label because why would you even think of using the fake stuff? Along with the buttermilk and melted butter, I add in chopped green onion, bacon crumbles, and shredded cheddar.
Then, then once-baked red potatoes get popped back into the oven to become twice-baked red potatoes. Before serving,ย garnish with extra bacon and green onion for a pretty spot of color.
How Long to Bake Red Potatoes?
If we weren’t stuffing the red potatoes, they’d be done after roasting in a 425ยบF oven for 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know the red potatoes are done when they can easily be pierced with a fork.
The twice-baked aspect of this red potato recipe tacks on another 8 to 10 minutes in the oven. All in all, not bad!
Can I Omit the Bacon?
If you’re vegetarian, you’re welcome to omit the bacon. Your twice-baked potatoes won’t have the same flavor, but they’ll still be cheesy and delicious.
If you don’t eat pork, try making this recipe with turkey bacon. I haven’t made it that way myself, but it’s worth a try.
Can I Prep This Recipe in Advance?
Yes, this is a wonderful make-ahead recipe. Bake the red potatoes and load them with the cheesy filling, then set them in the fridge for a day or two until you’re ready to bake them off.
Tips for Making Twice-Baked Red Potatoes
For the best flavor and texture, cook and chop the bacon yourself. Don’t try using the pre-made bacon bits you find at the store.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you’re welcome to use regular milk instead. 2% or whole milk will give you the best flavor and creamiest texture.
Scooping out the potato flesh could be a challenge without scraping half of the skin away too, but if you have a regular melon baller or small cocktail spoon, the work gets done quickly.
More Potato Side Dishes You’ll Love
- The Best Buttery Parsley Potatoes
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- The Best Oven Roasted Crispy Potatoes
- Easy Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Heavenly Funeral Potatoes
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me onย Instagramย with #foodiecrusheats.
Get thisย recipe and see the rest of my Go Bold with Butter recipesย here.
Loaded Twice-Baked Red Potatoes
Ingredients
- 24 small red potatoes (about 2 pounds)
- ยผ cup butter melted
- ยผ cup buttermilk
- ยฝ cup medium cheddar cheese finely shredded
- ยผ cup plus 1 tablespoon cooked bacon pieces finely chopped, about 3 strips of bacon
- 2 green onions minced
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place potatoes on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 30-40 minutes or until they can be easily pierced with fork.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
- Let potatoes cool until able to handle then slice off the tops of each potato scoop out center of potato with melon baller and place in medium size bowl. Repeat with remaining potatoes and place potato shells back on baking tray.
- Melt butter and mix with buttermilk. Add to potatoes. Use hand mixer to mix together until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon more buttermilk if needed. Donโt overwork potatoes or theyโll become gluey. Stir in cheese, bacon pieces and green onions. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Spoon potato mixture into potato shells and mound a bit more on top. Garnish with extra shredded cheese and bacon bits if desired. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until warmed through and cheese is melting. Serve while hot and garnish with more minced green onion if desired.
Nutrition
More Comfort Food Recipes to Master
- The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings
- Cranberry and Walnut Stuffing
- 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan and Chives
Have a great day friends, and make something good.
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Bob
I tend to mash the same weight of larger red potatoes for the filling and a makeshift pastry bag to fill the shells.Makes the process a little quicker.
Kim
These are fantastic!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thank you, Kim!
Morgan
This went terrible for me, but I imagine if I were a better cook it would be delicious!
Carole
We made these for my son’s wedding reception back in May. Now I am making them for our Thanksgiving dinner with 32 people! We’re going to make them on Wednesday and just pop them in the oven for the second bake on Thursday. These were a hit!
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I really like red potato’s! I can take in specific new learning; I like the critical material you provide in your piece of writing.
Daphne Hudson
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Shoni
Made these tonight, they’re so cute and very tasty. Thank you!
Mary Ann
can you make these a day ahead and reheat
heidi
Hi Mary Ann, yes, I’ve made these even 2 days in advance and just baked the day of. They’re perfect make-aheads.
Shinee
These look absolutely adorable, Heidi! I love mini foods, my entire (almost!) site is dedicated to them, except some cakes and cocktails. :)
Debbie
These look wonderful. I can not wait to try out these mini spuds. I have always made the regular sized potatoes but these look too good to pass up.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Yum! Miniature foods seem so much more festive and fun!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Your little minis are perfect for potato popin fun! Pure comfort food and so fun… I’m eyen’ too, those horseradish stuffed potatoes… my mouth is watering just thinking about em’! I saw a bag of mini reds at the store.. I think it’s time to pick up a bag! Thank you for this Hedi!
Maria
Love the mini taters!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Yup, completely adorable. Mini everything is just better. And then I get to eat like 6 of them, which is always a good thing! Hope you had a great weekend, Heidi!
Millie | Add A Little
I love sweet potatoes and I love the way how you’ve made these mini and bite sized – so cute!
Matea
Mini versions are somehow so much better than the regular one! Love all that cheese!! :)