Sliced Baked Potatoes

Intro

Few dishes strike the perfect balance between comfort and elegance like Sliced Baked Potatoes. With their crispy golden edges, fluffy interiors, and endless topping possibilities, they’re the side dish that never goes out of style. Whether you’re serving them as a casual family dinner addition, a party snack, or even as a base for loaded creations, these potatoes bring simplicity and satisfaction in every bite.

What makes Sliced Baked Potatoes so special is how they elevate such a humble ingredient into something crave-worthy. Potatoes are affordable, versatile, and widely loved, yet when they’re sliced thin, brushed with olive oil or butter, and baked until crisp, they transform into something that feels gourmet. This recipe requires only a few basic pantry staples, yet the results are nothing short of restaurant-worthy.

Why This Recipe Works

There are dozens of ways to prepare potatoes, but Sliced Baked Potatoes stand out for several reasons:

The Perfect Texture Combination – The thin slices crisp beautifully on the outside while remaining tender inside.

Customizable Seasonings – Garlic, paprika, and herbs give you a flexible flavor profile that can be adjusted to suit any main dish.

Simple Ingredients, Big Payoff – You only need potatoes, oil or butter, and a few seasonings to create something extraordinary.

Fuss-Free Cooking – Once the slices are arranged and seasoned, the oven does all the work.

Crowd-Pleasing Versatility – Kids love them plain, adults love them dressed up with toppings, and they fit into casual or elegant meals alike.

The beauty of Sliced Baked Potatoes is that they look impressive, taste incredible, and yet remain approachable for home cooks of every skill level.

What You’ll Need For This Recipe

The ingredient list is simple, but each element plays a key role in making these potatoes shine:

Large potatoes – Russet potatoes crisp up beautifully thanks to their high starch content, while Yukon Golds deliver a buttery, rich bite. Both work perfectly.

Olive oil or melted butter – Essential for browning and crisping. Olive oil gives a lighter, Mediterranean touch, while butter provides richness.

Salt and black pepper – The backbone of flavor. Don’t skimp, as potatoes need proper seasoning.

Garlic powder or minced garlic – Adds savory depth that complements the natural sweetness of the baked potatoes.

Paprika or smoked paprika – Brings color and a subtle smoky edge that enhances presentation and taste.

Fresh or dried herbs – Rosemary, thyme, or parsley elevate the flavor profile and make the dish more aromatic.

Optional toppings – Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or bacon bits turn your Sliced Baked Potatoes into a loaded potato experience.

These ingredients are flexible. You can keep the recipe basic or build layers of flavor depending on the occasion.

How To Make This Recipe

Making Sliced Baked Potatoes is straightforward, but paying attention to small details ensures the best results.

Preheat the Oven
Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C). A properly preheated oven is key for achieving that golden, crispy finish. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

Prep the Potatoes
Wash and dry your potatoes thoroughly. The skin adds texture and nutrients, but peel them if you prefer a smoother bite.

Slice Evenly
Cut the potatoes into ¼-inch slices. Keeping the thickness consistent ensures they all cook evenly. If you have a mandoline slicer, this is the perfect time to use it.

Arrange on the Sheet
Lay the slices out in a single layer on your baking sheet. Overlapping slices will steam instead of crisp, so spacing is important.

Brush with Oil or Butter
Using a pastry brush, coat each slice generously with olive oil or melted butter. Flip the slices and brush the other side too—this step is crucial for even crisping.

Season Generously
Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika over the slices. Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra aroma.

Bake Until Golden
Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. This ensures both sides crisp beautifully.

Serve Immediately
Once golden and crispy, remove the potatoes from the oven and serve hot. Add optional toppings like cheese or sour cream for an indulgent touch.

Following these steps guarantees perfectly baked potatoes every time.

Tips + Tricks & More For Recipe Success

Soak the slices in cold water for 20 minutes before baking. This removes excess starch and helps them crisp better.

Dry thoroughly after soaking. Moisture is the enemy of crisp potatoes.

Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even browning.

Don’t overcrowd the pan—give each slice room to crisp up. If needed, use two baking sheets.

Experiment with flavors—try chili powder for heat, Parmesan cheese for a nutty finish, or Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean flair.

For extra crunch, finish under the broiler for 2–3 minutes. Keep a close eye so they don’t burn.

Serve fresh—Sliced Baked Potatoes taste best straight out of the oven. Reheating can make them lose their crispness, though an air fryer can revive them.

How To Serve

The versatility of Sliced Baked Potatoes is one of their biggest strengths. They can play multiple roles at the table:

As a side dish – Pair with steak, chicken, pork chops, or grilled fish.

As a snack or appetizer – Serve with dipping sauces like sour cream, ranch, garlic aioli, or spicy mayo.

As a base for loaded potatoes – Add shredded cheese, bacon bits, and scallions for a hearty upgrade.

As a brunch item – Serve alongside eggs and breakfast meats for a crispy alternative to hash browns.

Serving Suggestions

For a family dinner, serve them simply with roasted chicken and green beans.

For a party platter, add assorted dips like guacamole, salsa, and chipotle mayo.

For a comfort food meal, load them up with cheese, sour cream, and bacon.

For a lighter option, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with a salad.

By customizing how you serve Sliced Baked Potatoes, you can adapt them to fit almost any menu.

Time Breakdown

Prep time: 10 minutes

Bake time: 25–30 minutes

Total time: ~40 minutes

Final Thoughts

Sliced Baked Potatoes are proof that the simplest recipes often deliver the biggest rewards. With just a few ingredients, a sharp knife, and a hot oven, you can transform humble potatoes into a dish that’s crispy, flavorful, and versatile. Whether you keep them simple with salt and herbs or dress them up with cheese and bacon, they’ll always be a hit at the table.

From family dinners to party platters, from casual snacks to elegant sides, Sliced Baked Potatoes belong in every home cook’s recipe collection.