Name: Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon 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; 5 slices bacon; 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 green onions, green parts sliced; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste

Imagine biting into a crispy yet tender potato slice topped with gooey cheddar, crispy bacon, and cool sour cream—that’s exactly what makes this Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe such a crowd-pleaser. It’s simple comfort food elevated with just the right toppings for maximum flavor.

The image shows seven round potato slices arranged on a white tray with a white marbled background. Each potato slice has three layers: the bottom layer is a light golden crispy potato base with a slightly browned edge, the middle layer is melted bright orange cheddar cheese spread evenly, and the top layer is a dollop of white sour cream with chopped green onions sprinkled on it. Small pieces of crispy bacon are scattered underneath the sour cream on each potato slice. A woman's hand is holding the corner of the tray, and in the upper right corner, there is a white bowl with a few pieces of bacon. 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 Cheddar and Bacon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make these baked potato rounds, they vanish fast—whether it’s for game day, a casual dinner, or just a snack. The magic is in that perfect balance of crispy edges and melt-in-your-mouth centers, all topped with classic loaded potato flavors that everyone loves.

Loaded with flavor: The cheddar and bacon combo gives every bite a satisfying hit of salty, cheesy goodness.
Easy to prep: Just a few ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip these up any day of the week.
Versatile: It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a hearty snack.
Family-friendly: Kids and adults alike adore these little rounds—they’re finger-food fun at its best.

The image shows several round baked potato slices on a white rectangular plate with a white marbled texture surface underneath. Each potato round has a crispy brown edge and a soft light golden center. On top of each round is a melted vibrant orange cheddar cheese layer, followed by small pieces of crispy reddish-brown bacon. A dollop of smooth white sour cream sits in the center of each, topped with bright green chopped scallions. In the background, there is a small white bowl with green inside holding extra crispy bacon bits. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its part in bringing together this classic-tasting yet delightfully crispy snack. Choosing the right potato and quality toppings makes all the difference—let me walk you through what you'll need.

Flat lay of two large russet potatoes sliced into thick rounds, five crispy strips of cooked bacon, a small mound of grated sharp cheddar cheese, a few sprigs of fresh green onions sliced, a small white bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl with golden melted butter, a small pinch of coarse sea salt, a small pinch of cracked black pepper, all arranged with perfect symmetry on 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 nature means they crisp up nicely on the outside while staying soft inside—perfect for rounds.
Bacon: Crispy and smoky bacon adds an irresistible crunch and flavor contrast.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully, adding gooey richness.
Sour cream: A cool dollop adds creaminess that balances the salty toppings.
Green onions: They bring a fresh, mild bite and a pop of color.
Butter: Brushing melted butter keeps the potato rounds golden and flavorful.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances all the flavors.

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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

I love switching things up depending on the occasion or what we have in the fridge. This Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe is such a flexible base that you can easily add your favorite extras or lighten it up.

Variation: One time, I tossed on some diced jalapeños before baking for a spicy kick—it was a hit with my friends at the game!
Dietary swaps: Try turkey bacon or a plant-based alternative if you're watching fat or eating vegetarian.
Cheese choices: While cheddar is classic, Monterey Jack or a blend of cheeses also melt wonderfully.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

First things first, scrub your russet potatoes well—no peeling needed here, as the skin crisps up nicely and adds texture. Slice them into roughly ½-inch rounds; try to keep them about the same thickness so they bake evenly. This step is key—if slices are too thick, they’ll take longer to cook and might stay gummy inside. Too thin, and they snap or burn too fast.

Step 2: Butter and Season

Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, then brush each potato round on both sides with melted butter. Don’t skimp here—the butter is what helps achieve a beautiful golden crisp. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides, seasoning well but not overwhelmingly. This simple seasoning really lets the potatoes shine.

Step 3: Bake and Flip

Pop those rounds into a 400°F oven for about 35 minutes. Halfway through baking, gently flip each round so that both sides get equally crisp and golden. This is the trick to perfectly tender yet crunchy potato rounds every time. You want to check by poking one with a fork—it should slide in easily without resistance.

Step 4: Cook Bacon and Top

While the potatoes bake, cook your bacon until it’s super crispy. I like to cook mine in a skillet over medium heat, then let it cool and crumble it up. When the rounds come out tender and golden, pile on about a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese and some bacon bits on each.

Step 5: Melt Cheese and Garnish

Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheddar melts beautifully over each potato round. Remove and add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions—these fresh toppings balance all that richness perfectly. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Top Tip

From my many batches experimenting in the kitchen, here are a few tips that make all the difference when you make baked potato rounds with cheddar and bacon:

Uniform Slices: I learned early on that slicing potatoes evenly ensures every round cooks at the same rate—no one likes a half-burned, half-raw batch.
Don’t Skip the Butter: Brushing melted butter gives golden color and flavor—olive oil just doesn’t do the same job here.
Flip Gently: Use a thin spatula and handle the rounds with care when flipping to avoid breaking them.
Cheese Timing: Add the cheese at the very end and only melt for a few minutes so the rounds stay crispy without sogginess.

How to Serve Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe

baked potato rounds - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick with the classic toppings—sour cream and green onions—for that creamy, tangy freshness. Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of fresh chives or a dash of smoked paprika for a little smoky warmth that pairs beautifully with the bacon.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies if you want to keep things light. For heartier meals, I love serving the potato rounds alongside grilled chicken or steak—they make a perfect sidekick!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging these rounds on a platter layered with fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of green. You can even skewer a few together with toothpicks for easy, mess-free finger food. A drizzle of hot sauce or a dollop of guacamole also adds interesting flavor twists.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The rounds still reheat nicely, though they lose a bit of that fresh-out-of-the-oven crisp. Reheating in the oven helps bring back some crunch.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen these often, I’ve found that you can freeze them after baking but before adding cheese and toppings. Reheat in the oven, then add fresh toppings after thawing. This stops sogginess and keeps them tasty.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend placing the rounds on a baking sheet and warming them in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes or until hot and slightly crisped. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the edges crispy—they tend to get a bit mushy in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russets for this Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe?

Absolutely! Sweet potatoes add a lovely natural sweetness that pairs nicely with the salty bacon and sharp cheddar. Just keep an eye on baking time, as sweet potatoes may cook a bit faster or slower depending on thickness.

How do I make these potato rounds gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you double-check that your bacon and any added toppings don’t contain gluten. The potatoes, cheese, sour cream, and green onions are all safe options.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time to save time?

Definitely! You can slice the potatoes and store them in cold water in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Cook and crumble the bacon ahead of time as well. Assemble and bake just before serving for best results.

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

The key is to bake them on a foil-lined sheet with melted butter, and flipping halfway through to get even crispiness on both sides. Avoid piling on toppings too early; add cheese and bacon near the end, then back in briefly to melt cheese but not sog the rounds. Serve immediately for best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Potato Rounds with Cheddar and Bacon Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s so reassuringly good and easy to make anytime. Whether I’m inviting friends over or just craving a cheese-and-bacon fix, these potato rounds never disappoint. I’m confident you’ll enjoy putting your own spin on them and sharing them with your loved ones just like I do!