Description
Mini baked potatoes showcase a delightful appetizer from Mediterranean cuisine. Small potato halves topped with fresh herbs and creamy cheese create an irresistible bite-sized treat you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (700 g) baby potatoes (red or Yukon gold)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup crumbled bacon
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Crank the oven to a sizzling 400F (200C), setting up a perfectly heated cooking zone.
- Setup: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to guarantee effortless release and minimal cleanup.
- Potato Treatment: Cleanse baby potatoes under running water, then meticulously dry using paper towels to ensure crisp seasoning adherence.
- Seasoning Fusion: Toss potatoes in a zesty mixture of olive oil, herbs, and spices, massaging the flavors into every crevice for maximum taste impact.
- Baking Arrangement: Distribute seasoned potatoes across the prepared sheet, creating strategic spacing for optimal heat circulation and even roasting.
- Roasting Process: Bake for 30-35 minutes, periodically testing potato tenderness with a fork until they reach a golden, crispy exterior and soft interior.
- Cheese Infusion: Once potatoes emerge from the oven, create a delicate top slit, gently pressing to slightly open each potato.
- Melting Stage: Lavishly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing complete cheese melting.
- Garnishing Finale: Crown the cheesy potatoes with dollops of creamy sour cream, crispy bacon fragments, and finely chopped green onions.
- Serving Presentation: Accent with fresh parsley or chives, and serve these delectable mini potatoes piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Optimize Potato Selection: Choose uniformly sized baby potatoes for consistent cooking and even browning, ensuring each bite delivers the same delightful texture.
- Enhance Seasoning Technique: Massage oil and spices thoroughly into potato skins, creating a robust flavor profile that penetrates deep into the potato’s surface.
- Prevent Moisture Retention: Pat potatoes completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and avoid steaming instead of roasting.
- Adapt for Dietary Preferences: Swap cheese and bacon with plant-based alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan bacon bits for vegetarian and vegan versions, maintaining the dish’s rich, savory essence.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg