Name: Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar 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; pepper; 5 slices bacon; 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 green onions, green parts sliced

Oh, you’re going to love these! The crispy edges, melty cheddar, and salty bacon all come together in my favorite Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe. They’re bite-sized, comforting, and perfect for sharing or snacking anytime.

The image shows a white rectangular tray holding seven round potato slices, each topped with three layers: a melted bright orange cheddar cheese layer that covers the potato slice, scattered crispy bacon pieces in reddish-brown tones, and a dollop of smooth white sour cream crowned with small, chopped green onion pieces. The tray is held by a woman's hand at the corner, and a small white marbled surface towel with blue stripes is partially visible below. In the top right, a white bowl with a few bacon pieces sits on a white marbled textured surface. 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 Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one I keep coming back to whenever I want something easy, indulgent, and totally satisfying. It’s loaded with flavors that feel familiar but are elevated by the perfect texture combination of crispy baked potato rounds topped with cheesy, bacon goodness.

Crispy yet tender: The potato slices bake to a golden crisp on the outside but stay soft inside — such a winning texture combo.
Loaded flavor: Bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions create that classic loaded baked potato taste in an easy finger-food form.
Perfect for gatherings: Whether it’s game day or a casual get-together, these rounds make a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
Simple ingredients: Using just a handful of staples you probably have on hand means no fuss but tons of flavor.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient has its role in this dish, balancing texture and flavor beautifully. I like to choose fresh, crisp russet potatoes since their starchy nature crisps up wonderfully when baked. Here’s a little about the key players.

Flat lay of fresh russet potatoes sliced into thick rounds arranged neatly, five strips of crispy cooked bacon with a rich brown color, a small pile of grated sharp cheddar cheese with a vibrant orange hue, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth sour cream, three green onions showing bright green sliced tops, a small white bowl holding melted golden butter, coarse salt crystals, and freshly ground black peppercorns scattered artfully, all ingredients placed with perfect symmetry 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 high starch content helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior and tender inside after baking.
Bacon: Brings a crunchy, smoky saltiness that pairs perfectly with cheese and potatoes.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy, sharp richness — I always use a sharp or extra-sharp white cheddar for the best flavor.
Sour Cream: Provides cool, tangy contrast that balances the richness of the cheese and bacon.
Green Onions: A fresh, mild onion flavor and bright color to finish each round beautifully.
Butter: Brushed on the potato rounds to help them crisp and turn golden in the oven.
Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate every ingredient.

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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 Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or whatever you have on hand—don’t hesitate to make it your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap cheddar with pepper jack for a little spicy kick that pairs amazingly with the bacon. If you like heat, try that!
Make it vegetarian: Skip the bacon and try crispy fried mushrooms or smoked paprika for that smoky punch without the pork.
Seasonal twist: In fall, I add a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary on the rounds before baking. It elevates the flavor beautifully.

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

Step 1: Prepare and Slice Your Potatoes

Start by scrubbing your russet potatoes well — no peeling needed here, as the skins add a nice texture and nutrients. Slice each potato into about ½ inch thick rounds; this thickness helps them cook through evenly while still crisping up nicely.

Step 2: Butter, Salt, Pepper, and Bake

Line a rimmed cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Brush both sides of each potato round with melted butter, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. The butter is key for that golden crispiness, so don’t skimp! Place them on the baking sheet and pop it into a 400° Fahrenheit oven. Halfway through baking (around 17 minutes), flip the rounds to ensure even crispness. Bake for about 35 minutes or until a fork slides in easily.

Step 3: Cook and Crumble the Bacon

While your potatoes bake, cook the bacon until it’s very crispy—this is worth the extra time! I like to drain them on paper towels and crumble them once cooled. Crispy bacon bits bring texture and salty goodness that just can’t be beat.

Step 4: Assemble and Melt the Cheese

Once your potato rounds are tender and crispy, top each one with about a tablespoon of sharp cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and gets gooey.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches and Serve

Remove from oven and immediately dollop each round with sour cream and sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions. Serve right away for that perfect warm, cheesy, and crispy bite that everyone will be asking for seconds on.

Top Tip

Since I’ve made this Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe many times, I picked up a few tips that really make a difference in the outcome. These little tricks help you get that perfect crisp without drying out the potatoes.

Thickness matters: Keeping your potato slices close to ½ inch ensures they cook evenly—too thin and they burn, too thick and they stay undercooked.
Butter first: Brushing melted butter on both sides before baking locks in moisture and promotes even browning much better than oil or skipping the fat.
Bake on foil: Using foil-lined trays means crispy edges but no stuck-on potatoes and easy cleanup, which I definitely appreciate!
Don’t skip flipping: Turning the rounds halfway helps both sides crisp up beautifully instead of one side being soggy.

How to Serve Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe

baked potato rounds - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish these rounds with a dollop of sour cream and freshly sliced green onions—that sharp freshness cuts through the richness perfectly. Sometimes I add a pinch of smoked paprika or even a drizzle of hot sauce if I’m in the mood for a tiny kick.

Side Dishes

These are fantastic alongside a crisp garden salad or some steamed green beans to keep things balanced. For a heartier meal, serve them with grilled chicken or a juicy burger—great for a casual dinner that doesn’t feel like work.

Creative Ways to Present

For game day or parties, I arrange these on a large platter with little bowls of extra toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and chopped herbs so everyone can customize their rounds. They also look beautiful stacked in mini muffin tins for a fun bite-sized appetizer presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover potato rounds are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They’ll keep well for 3-4 days, which is great for quick snacks or reheated sides.

Freezing

These freeze surprisingly well! After baking and cooling completely, lay the rounds on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you want some, just bake them again straight from frozen at 375° for about 15 minutes until heated through and crisp.

Reheating

I avoid the microwave here because it softens the edges too much. The oven or toaster oven is the way to go—reheat at 350° for 8-10 minutes. This keeps the potato rounds nice and crispy. Add fresh sour cream and green onions after reheating for the best flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

Russet potatoes work best because of their starch content, which helps achieve that crispy outside and tender inside. Waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes don’t crisp as well but can still be used if that’s what you have. Just expect a slightly different texture.

How do I make this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Simply omit the bacon and consider adding extra toppings like sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to introduce smoky and savory flavors without meat. You can also use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a hint of smoky flavor.

Can I prepare these potato rounds ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the potato rounds in advance and assemble with cheese and bacon just before serving. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and warm through. This helps with entertaining and quick serving.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheating in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes revives the crispiness best. Avoid microwaves as they tend to make the rounds soggy. Adding fresh toppings like sour cream and green onions after reheating restores freshness.

Final Thoughts

Seriously, the Baked Potato Rounds with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug. It’s simple, satisfying, and hits all those comfort food notes effortlessly. I hope you try it soon, whether for a cozy night in or your next gathering—your guests and taste buds will thank you!