Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes — crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them perfectly cooked every time. The warm, cozy aroma of these potatoes will fill your home and make everyone beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips or jump straight to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe and Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside
- Loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream
- Perfect for busy weeknights and better than takeout
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Optional: Chives
- Optional: Jalapeños
- Optional: Cheddar cheese
- Optional: Bacon bits
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes can also be used.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks potatoes in half the time → See on Amazon
- Slow cooker liners — Makes cleanup a breeze → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Prepare the potatoes: Scrub potatoes clean, prick with a fork, and rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in slow cooker.
- Cook the potatoes: Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
- Broil the potatoes: Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker, cut a cross on the top, and press to open. Broil for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Load the potatoes: Top with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the slow cooker. Cook potatoes in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
- Tip: For extra crispy skin, toss potatoes in a bit of cornstarch before rubbing with oil.
- Tip: Add a splash of chicken broth to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
- Tip: Customize your loaded baked potatoes with your favorite toppings like chives, jalapeños, or extra cheese.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try using garlic-infused oil to rub on the potatoes before cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow cooker — Hands-off cooking for busy weeknights → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Green onions
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Chives
- Jalapeños
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Scrub potatoes clean, prick with a fork, and rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in slow cooker.
- Cook the potatoes: Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
- Broil the potatoes: Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker, cut a cross on the top, and press to open. Broil for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Load the potatoes: Top with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try using garlic-infused oil to rub on the potatoes before cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not cooking evenly, try flipping them halfway through cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes FAQs
Yes, potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving. However, the cheese and toppings are best added just before serving.
Slow cookers don't get hot enough to crisp the skin. To get crispy skin, broil the potatoes for a few minutes after cooking in the slow cooker.
Yes, these potatoes are perfect for holiday meals. They can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving, freeing up oven space for other dishes.
No, the slow cooker and air fryer cook using different methods. This recipe is specifically designed for the slow cooker.
Store leftover loaded baked potatoes in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
