techniques

12 Creative Ways to Top a Baked Potato

The simplicity of a baked potato with butter is one thing—but these 12 creative toppings, from burrata to miso butter, will level up your humble tuber
Image may contain Plant Food Lunch Meal Dinner Supper Vegetable and Produce
Matt Duckor

In this month's issue of Bon Appétit, Andrew Knowlton pays homage to one of life's most simple pleasures: the baked potato. Andrew's recipe is nothing if not minimalist—Parmesan and chives are about as edgy as this thing gets—and it's certainly an essential that should be in every home cook's playbook. But once you've mastered the classic, it's time to level up to Baked Potato 2.0. For that, we enlisted senior food editor Dawn Perry, who came up with the 12 baked potato "concepts," pictured above. (Calling them toppings would be an understatement.) Behold, the world of baked-potato possibilities.

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    Matt Duckor
    1/12

    Bacon's Middle Eastern Journey

    Tahini thinned with water, slab bacon, sesame seeds

  • Image may contain Food Bread Dish Meal and Pita
    Matt Duckor
    2/12

    The Scandi Crowd

    Crème fraîche, smoked trout, dill, cracked black pepper

  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Dish Meal Lentil and Bean
    Matt Duckor
    3/12

    If Popeye Could See You Now

    Creamed spinach, toasted bread crumbs

  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Confectionery Sweets Egg and Culinary
    Matt Duckor
    4/12

    Just Add Italian Beef

    Melted taleggio cheese, giardiniera or pickled vegetables

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    Matt Duckor
    5/12

    Who Needs Dip?

    Ranch dressing, fried onions

  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Animal Seafood Lobster Sea Life Plant Pasta Noodle and Sprout
    Matt Duckor
    6/12

    The Barbecue Post-Mortem

    Pulled pork, coleslaw

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    Matt Duckor
    7/12

    Burrata Never Hurt Anyone

    Burrata, prosciutto

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    Matt Duckor
    8/12

    Oh, You're Fancy!

    Sautéed mushrooms and shallots, toasted walnuts, parsley

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    Matt Duckor
    9/12

    RT If You Like Latkes

    Sour cream, savory apple compote (apples, butter, drizzle of honey, salt, and pepper)

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    Matt Duckor
    10/12

    Let's Go to the Shore

    Crab salad of lump crab meat, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, chives, mayo

  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Bowl Confectionery Sweets Plant and Sliced
    Matt Duckor
    11/12

    California Dreamin'

    Grated white cheddar, avocado, alfafa sprouts

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    Matt Duckor
    12/12

    A Trendy Restaurant Called; They Want Their Side Dish Back

    Broccoli, miso butter, chili flakes

As BA’s former deputy editor Julia Kramer traveled the country, scouting the best new restaurants in America for the “BA Hot 10.” In January 2017, she oversaw the launch of our Healthyish vertical, while guiding overall editorial direction, including the ASME award–nominated BA Kitchen section of the magazine, which focuses ... Read More
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