Easy Baked Potato Potluck Idea

Potluck and potatoes go together. Potatoes are a favorite comfort food, and baked potatoes are as easy to cook as they are to serve. For an easy and inexpensive potluck idea, you can provide the baked potatoes, and your guests can bring their preferred toppings. Read this article to learn how to bake potatoes, find plenty of baked potato topping suggestions, and learn how to throw a baked potato potluck where your guests bring the toppings.

How to Bake Crispy Baked Potatoes

You'll want to select Russet potatoes--they're traditional baking potatoes. You'll need a conventional oven for a crispy baked potato. Microwave ovens may be quicker, but your potatoes will suffer nutrient loss and skins won't be crispy. For large crispy baked potatoes, it'll take a little more than an hour in a preheated 350 degree oven.

Scrub your potatoes clean, remove any bruises, and pat them dry. With a fork, stab several holes into each potato; this allows steam to escape when baking. Lightly grease potato skins with olive oil. The easiest way is to dip a few fingertips into a shallow bowl of oil, and then rub the potatoes between your hands to coat.

Place your oiled potatoes on the center oven rack with a baking pan on the rack below to catch any drips. Baked potatoes are done baking when the insides are soft and a bit squishy to the touch. To serve, slice one slice across the skin lengthwise on the top, and pinch in both sides. The baked potato should open up nicely. But be careful; baked potatoes retain heat.

Baked Potato Toppings

When you invite guests to your potluck, you can ask them to bring their favorite toppings or you can provide a list of suggestions form which they can choose. Another option is to divide-up the toppings to be sure a variety of topping options make it to your potluck. Here are some topping suggestions you might include on your list or designate for guests to bring to the potluck.

Vegetable Toppings: caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic, sliced green onions, chives, diced tomatoes, steamed broccoli, fresh herbs

Meat Toppings: crumbled bacon, crumbled sausage, sliced hotdogs, meatballs, roast beef and gravy, roast turkey and gravy, roast chicken and gravy, scrambled eggs, taco meat, ground hamburger

Dairy Toppings: pat of butter, sour cream, plain yogurt, whipped cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese

Condiment Toppings: salsa, guacamole, creamy horseradish, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, picante sauce, vinegar, herb-infused oils, Mrs. Dash, fresh ground black pepper, salt

Prepared Toppings: canned cream corn, canned chili, baked beans, packaged cheese spreads, sauerkraut, sliced black olives, marinated artichoke, pickled jalapeño

A baked potato potluck is a great idea because it's a meal in a skin. You can't go wrong with a food that everyone likes. What's more, with a variety of toppings, a baked potato meal can appeal to different tastes and dietary concerns. Why not consider baked potatoes and toppings for your next potluck?