Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

Bacon-wrapped potatoes will make you wonder why you ever ate baked potatoes that weren’t wrapped in bacon. Cutting a potato in half, sandwiching thinly sliced onion between the halves, and bundling it up in bacon is a genius move. But don’t stop there; this recipe is just the jumping-off point. Want to wrap up whole baby potatoes? Do it. Prefer open-faced potato halves swaddled in bacon? Absolutely. Fancy bacon-wrapped potato chunks you can serve as hors d’oeuvres? Put toothpicks in ’em and call it a party.

However you riff, one thing’s for sure: bacon-wrapped baked potatoes are the cozy, salty, crispy-crunchy heroes that will up your side dish game. They work as a game day snack, a barbecue side, or even as a main dish when served with a salad and a daring attitude. Slice them up or serve them whole, but make sure to set out bowls of shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped green onions on the table so everyone can dress the spuds to their liking.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes Ingredients

• Onion: Any type of onion works here, including yellow, white or sweet, but red onions will add a pop of color and a hint of tang. The thin slices steam inside the potato halves, adding flavor and softness to the whole dish.
• Baking potatoes: Russets are the ideal type of potato for this recipe. They’re starchy enough to get fluffy inside and hold their shape during baking. Yukon Golds or red potatoes also work well, especially if you’re making a varation of the recipe with potato chunks or baby potatoes.
• Bacon strips: Use regular-cut bacon so it crisps up and wraps snugly around the potatoes. Thick-cut bacon tends to stay chewy, while thin-cut bacon might tear if handled too roughly.

Directions

Step 1: Build your potato bundles

Layer onion slices on the cut side of two potato halves, then top with the other potato half.

Editor’s Tip: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper between the layers for extra flavor. If you put a pat of butter in there, I won’t tell anyone.

Step 2: Wrap and secure them

Wrap each potato with two bacon strips. Secure the bacon in place with toothpicks.

Step 3: Bake the wrapped potatoes

Place the wrapped potatoes on a lightly greased baking pan. Bake them, uncovered, at 325°F for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the bacon is crispy. Discard the toothpicks.

Editor’s Tip: For extra crispiness, pop the tray under the broiler for another two to three minutes.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes Variations

• Make it cheesy: Add cheese to the equation to make these more like loaded baked potatoes. Cheddar is a favorite, but any cheese that loves to melt is a great idea. If the cheese oozes too much in the oven, just add more when serving the potatoes.
• Try baby potatoes: Skip the onion and wrap each baby potato individually with a half-strip of bacon. Secure each one with a toothpick and bake them at 375° for about 45 minutes. These are excellent finger foods and pair perfectly with sour cream or ranch dip for a party.
• Keep it vegan: Use plant-based bacon strips or make carrot bacon to skip the pork without sacrificing flavor. Brush the bacon with olive oil before wrapping the potatoes to help it crisp up, and bake as usual.
• Use a sweet potato: Instead of a Russet, use a sweet potato! The onion will make it even sweeter, and the bacon adds savoriness for balance. Or try something like these bacon-wrapped sweet potato bites for an appetizer.

How to Store Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

If you have leftovers (and that’s a big “if”), let the potatoes cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Arrange the potatoes in layers and separate them with parchment or foil to keep the bacon from getting soggy.

How long do bacon-wrapped potatoes last?

When stored properly in the fridge, bacon-wrapped potatoes will last up to four days.

How do you reheat bacon-wrapped potatoes?

Reheat bacon-wrapped potatoes in a 350° oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are warm and the bacon is crisp. You can microwave them in a pinch, but the bacon will soften. For best results, an air fryer will bring the crunch back with minimal effort.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes Tips

How do you make bacon-wrapped potatoes for a crowd?

This might be the ideal time to bring out those small- to medium-sized potatoes. Follow the same method as the main recipe, but scale down with shorter strips of bacon. To keep that onion flavor front and center, swap in sliced green onions or chopped chives for an easier fit inside the potato halves. Personally, I think a bit of cheese—something like cheddar or Monterey Jack—makes a perfect “glue” to hold the layers together, but that’s your call. The toothpick holds the bacon in place, and then becomes your appetizer delivery system.

What else can you serve with bacon-wrapped potatoes?

These salty-savory bites go great with creamy dips like chive mascarpone dip, ranch dressing or buttermilk blue cheese dressing. They can also be served with grilled meats, a crisp green salad or a brunch omelet.