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Baked Potato Bar: Easy Ideas to Feed a Crowd

baked potato bar toppings

Baked Potato Bar: Easy Ideas to Feed a Crowd

Whether you have a crowd to feed or you simply want a fun alternative to the same old, same old, a baked potato bar is a perennial favorite. Seriously, who doesn't love potatoes? And when you offer tons of fun toppings, everyone can create and enjoy a custom meal they'll enjoy to the last bite. Before we get to some great potato topping ideas, let's establish a solid starting point: how to bake the perfect potato.

How to Bake a Potato

Baking a potato isn't hard at all. It's just a bit of a waiting game — unless, of course, you use the microwave — as they can take anywhere from 50-60 minutes to bake.

To create the perfect baked potato, start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. While the oven is warming, give your potatoes a good scrubbing under the kitchen faucet, shake off the excess water, sprinkle with some coarse sea salt and wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil. When the oven is preheated, put your foil-wrapped potatoes on the rack and set a timer for 50 minutes.

When the timer goes off, with an oven mitt, gently squeeze the potatoes. If they give a little, they are likely done. If they're still hard, give them another 10 minutes. Once you get the perfect amount of give, you have secured the perfect potato.

Also, it's worth noting that you don't have to use foil. You can also bake a potato without foil. You simply follow the same steps and just leave out the foil.

Baked Potato Bar
When you offer an array of toppings, everyone can make their own perfect meal!

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Baked Potato Bar Toppings

While you can totally stick with a theme for your baked potato bar, you can also create a literal buffet of toppings and let everyone have fun building their tater. Here are 50 potato toppings to get your creative juices flowing:

  1. Butter and salt
  2. Sour cream
  3. Green onions
  4. Bacon bits
  5. Cheddar cheese
  6. Broccoli
  7. Chili
  8. Salsa
  9. Ranch dressing
  10. Garlic butter
  11. Ham and pineapple
  12. Grilled chicken and BBQ sauce
  13. Avocado
  14. Tuna salad
  15. Feta cheese
  16. Olives
  17. Cream cheese and smoked salmon
  18. Caprese (tomato, mozzarella, and basil)
  19. Spinach and feta cheese
  20. Shrimp
  21. Cottage cheese
  22. Baked beans
  23. Buffalo chicken & blue cheese
  24. Guacamole and black beans
  25. Hummus and roasted red peppers
  26. Meatballs and tomato sauce
  27. Mushroom and onion sauté
  28. Pesto and sun-dried tomatoes
  29. Pizza toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, etc.)
  30. Roasted garlic and parmesan cheese
  31. Roasted red peppers and goat cheese
  32. Scrambled eggs and sausage
  33. Shredded beef
  34. Sloppy Joe meat
  35. Smoked sausage and sauerkraut
  36. Spicy chicken and ranch dressing
  37. Steak and cheese
  38. Taco meat and toppings
  39. Teriyaki chicken and pineapple
  40. Thai peanut sauce and chicken
  41. Tomato, mozzarella, and pesto
  42. Turkey and gravy
  43. Turkey chili and cheese
  44. Vegetable stir-fry
  45. Veggies and cheese sauce
  46. White beans and garlic
  47. Wild mushrooms and balsamic glaze
  48. Yellow squash and zucchini
  49. Zesty Italian sausage and peppers
  50. Zucchini and tomato

Baked Potato Bar Ideas

Now that you see how endless the options are, let's get down to business. Here are some baked potato bar ideas that are easy to pull together and incredibly tasty!

Classic Baked Potato Bar

Sometimes you shouldn't mess with a classic. A few simple key ingredients make this one a breeze to pull together, and you just can't go wrong. See the complete instructions for the classic baked potato bar here.

Classic Baked Potato
A classic baked potato is always a winner.

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Taco Stuffed Baked Potato Bar

Bring a bit of Taco Tuesday flair to your baked potato with this zesty meal idea. Taco meat and traditional taco toppings make this a favorite for all ages. Find the complete instructions for a taco stuffed baked potato bar here.

Taco Baked Potato
Bring on the flavor with a taco baked potato bar.

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Breakfast Baked Potato Bar

Who says baked potato bars are just for dinner? Bring on customized creativity for the most important meal of the day. Eggs, bacon, cheese? Yes, please! Find the complete set of instructions for a breakfast baked potato bar here.

Breakfast baked potato
It's the most important meal of the day. And it's also a great baked potato bar idea. Behold: the breakfast baked potato!

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Baked Sweet Potato Dessert Bar

Another creative idea for a baked potato bar is a dessert bar using baked sweet potatoes. Pull out all the stops with toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, crushed nuts, and other sweet options. Find the complete baked sweet potato dessert bar plan here.

Sweet potato bar
Finish off the whole baked potato bar idea with a baked sweet potato dessert!

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Black Bean Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Get the perfect blend of savory and sweet with this delicious recipe from savorandsavvy.com. The southwestern flavors go so perfectly with the sweet potato that this will be a fan favorite in no time.

Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potatoes

Steam or bake up some fresh broccoli to top your tater, and then douse it all in some ooey, gooey, melty goodness. Keep the cheese warm in a small crock for long-lasting goodness.

Loaded Shrimp Baked Potato

When you want something super unique and uber tasty, this loaded shrimp baked potato idea delivers. Shrimp, veggies and a delectable cajun cream sauce has us sold!

Creamy Crawfish Baked Potatoes

Sticking with the seafood theme, this creamy crawfish baked potato recipe looks AMAZING! A cacophony of veggies, crawfish and cajun flavors will have your mouth watering!

Nacho-Style Baked Potato

Nacho fans, listen up! This one's for you! Enjoy all the goodness you love about a plate of nachos all stuffed perfectly in a baked potato. It's great for game day — or any day!

Italian Zucchini-Topped Baked Potato

Bring on the flavors of Italy with this delectable Italian zucchini-topped potato bar idea. Zucchini, tomatoes, cheese and Italian seasoning are all you need. And, of course, the potatoes!

Pulled-Pork Baked Potatoes

Get all the flavors of a solid summer BBQ in your baked potato with this flavorful recipe. Pulled pork, BBQ sauce, cheese sauce … need we say more?

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