Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly creamy, fluffy potatoes every time. The crispy bacon and melty cheese make these better than takeout. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner and Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap Recipe for Easy Dinner.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly creamy and fluffy potatoes
- Crispy bacon and melty cheese
- Easy and hands-off cooking
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 6 large russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Chives or green onions (optional)
- Optional: Sliced green onions
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Sour cream
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes: Use large russet potatoes for the best texture.
- Milk: Any kind of milk will work, including dairy-free alternatives.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks potatoes evenly and hands-off → See on Amazon
- Potato Masher — Mashes potatoes to creamy perfection → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
- Prepare the Potatoes: Scrub potatoes clean, pierce with a fork, and rub with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Place potatoes in slow cooker, pour in milk, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Mash and Mix: Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker. Mash with sour cream, cheese, and seasonings. Add more milk if needed.
- Top and Serve: Top with crispy bacon, green onions, and additional cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the potatoes in the slow cooker. They can become mushy. If they're not tender enough, cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, wrap bacon around the potatoes before cooking in the slow cooker.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, cook potatoes in the slow cooker, mash, and refrigerate. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Potatoes can be cooked in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, omit the cheese and bacon, and use dairy-free milk and sour cream.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be cooked in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not tender enough, cook for an additional 30 minutes in the slow cooker.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow Cooker Liners — Makes cleanup a breeze → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Chives or green onions (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Sliced green onions
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Scrub potatoes clean, pierce with a fork, and rub with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Place potatoes in slow cooker, pour in milk, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Mash and Mix: Carefully remove potatoes from slow cooker. Mash with sour cream, cheese, and seasonings. Add more milk if needed.
- Top and Serve: Top with crispy bacon, green onions, and additional cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, omit the cheese and bacon, and use dairy-free milk and sour cream.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Make-ahead: Potatoes can be cooked in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not tender enough, cook for an additional 30 minutes in the slow cooker.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Potatoes can be cooked in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe FAQs
Yes, potatoes can be cooked in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Overcooking in the slow cooker can cause potatoes to become mushy. If they're not tender enough, cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Yes, but the texture may vary. Russet potatoes are recommended for the best results.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Yes, omit the cheese and bacon, and use dairy-free milk and sour cream.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe 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!
