DIY Loaded Baked Potato Toppings for a Healthy Dinner [VIDEO]

Build your own budget-friendly baked potato bar 

This blog post is sponsored by: Canada’s Food Island 

As food prices continue to rise the humble baked potato is a nutrition-packed, budget-friendly option for family dinners.  Creating a healthy baked potato bar at home with fun toppings for your family to assemble is a great idea to accommodate a wide variety of food preferences and good nutrition. 

Read more about this family-friendly idea for creating a loaded baked potato taco bar for your family (and other theme ideas for baked potato toppings). 

Potato Power 

At the start of 2022, Canada’s Food Price Report 2022 forecasted an overall food price increase of 5-7% for the coming year now only a few months later, food prices in Canada are predicted to rise again.  The humble potato is a great staple to family dinner tables as it is nutritious, healthy, affordable, and delicious! 

Prince Edward Island, Canada’s Food Island is world renowned for high-quality potatoes thanks to the iron-rich soil in PEI. Potato farmers in PEI have been growing potatoes for over 200 years – they are made to enjoy!   

Learn more from my segment on CTV Morning Calgary:

Assembling a Healthy Baked Potato Bar 

Who doesn’t love a loaded baked potato?  To create a baked potato bar you’ll want to first cook your baked potatoes in the oven, on the BBQ, in the microwave, or in a pressure cooker.  While your potatoes are cooking you can prepare and assemble your toppings in a theme that works for your family. 

Here are some fun baked potato toppings, themes and ideas to try: 

Greek baked potatoes

• Canned/drained chickpeas tossed with a Greek vinaigrette (or sliced cooked chicken with Greek seasoning)
• Diced tomatoes
• Olives
• Greek yogurt
• Feta cheese 

Mexican baked potatoes

• Black beans
• Corn
• Pico de gallo
• Guacamole or diced avocado
• Cilantro

Simple vegetarian baked potato

• Baked beans
• Grated cheddar
• Green onions  

Smoked salmon baked potatoes

• Cream cheese
• Smoked salmon
• Fresh dill or chives

Chili topped baked potato

• Beef/turkey/vegetarian chili
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Green onions. 

Fajita baked potatoes

Pinto/refried beans (or slices of leftover or freshly cooked beef/chicken) topped with sautéed sliced red/yellow/orange peppers and onions with fajita seasoning.

Pulled pork baked potatoes

See the recipe below.

Baked Potato Recipe: Pulled Pork Baked Potato Taco Bar

Try this recipe for a DIY baked potato taco bar using pulled pork courtesy of Canada’s Food Island. Try it with pinto beans for a vegetarian option!

Makes 4 Servings 

What You Need

Pulled Pork Baked Potato Taco Bar Ingredients

4 large PEI potatoes 

1 tbsp olive oil 

2 cup shredded pulled pork, cooked, and heated 

1 cup salsa 

1 cup guacamole 

4 Romaine lettuce leaves, chopped 

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated 

½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled 

1 cup sour cream 

lime wedges, to garnish 

cilantro, to garnish

How to Make the Pulled Pork Baked Potato Taco Bar Recipe

Directions

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 425F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Step 2:  Wash potatoes to remove any dirt. Pat dry with a towel. Place on the baking sheet and using a fork and poke holes in the potato. Brush potatoes with olive oil. Bake for 45- 60 minutes until the potato center is tender and the skin is crisp. 

Step 3: While potatoes are cooking prep taco toppings. 

Step 4:  Once the potatoes are cooked, slice the center with a knife and gently push on each end towards the center. Place each potato onto a plate.

Step 5: Serve baked potatoes with your favourite taco toppings such as cooked pulled pork, salsa, guacamole, lettuce bacon, cheese, and sour cream. Top with a lime wedge and cilantro, to garnish if desired. Enjoy! 

Get more delicious baked potato recipes here.

Try this Potato Fajita Power Bowl Recipe here on our blog:  Healthy Power Bowls  

Purchase this gorgeous cookbook:   Canada’s Food Island: A Collection of Stories and Recipes from Prince Edward Island

Learn more about PEI potatoes here.

Here are the nutrition facts for one medium potato: 

Check out more potato recipes on the blog here: