Baked Potato Rounds with Cheese

Introduction

Baked potato rounds with cheese are the perfect comfort food, offering a crispy outside with a tender interior and a melty, savory cheese topping. This simple yet delicious dish can be served as a snack, appetizer, or even a hearty side dish for your favorite meals. Their golden-brown finish and customizable toppings make them a favorite for both kids and adults.

This dish is incredibly easy to prepare and doesn’t require any special cooking skills or tools. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or looking for a quick way to satisfy your cheese and potato cravings, baked potato rounds provide a crowd-pleasing option that’s both satisfying and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Baked Potato Rounds with Cheese

4 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)

Optional toppings: crumbled cooked bacon, sliced green onions, sour cream, or hot sauce

Let me know if you’d like a version with metric measurements or any dietary substitutions.

Instructions

Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly and patting them dry. There’s no need to peel them; the skins add texture and flavor.

Slice the potatoes into even, round slices about a quarter-inch thick to ensure even cooking and crispness.

Preheat your oven to a high temperature to help achieve a crispy exterior. A temperature around 425°F works well for this recipe.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil to prevent sticking.

Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Brush each slice with olive oil or melted butter to help them crisp up in the oven.

Be generous but don’t soak them—just enough to coat each round.

Sprinkle the potato rounds with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

These seasonings enhance the flavor and add a savory punch that complements the cheese perfectly.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the potatoes for about twenty minutes or until the edges are golden brown and slightly crispy.

Flip them halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning.

Once the rounds are cooked through and have a light crunch, remove them from the oven and immediately sprinkle shredded cheese over each slice.

Return them to the oven just long enough for the cheese to melt and bubble.

After removing the tray from the oven, garnish the rounds with chopped parsley, chives, or your favorite toppings. Serve them hot for the best taste and texture.

How to Make

Begin by choosing quality potatoes—russet for a fluffier interior or Yukon Gold for a buttery flavor. Clean them well under running water using a scrub brush to remove any dirt.

Slice the potatoes evenly to about a quarter-inch thickness. Uniform slices ensure that all rounds cook at the same rate, giving you consistent results.

Preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare your baking sheet. You can use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, but a light greasing of oil also works fine to keep the rounds from sticking.

Lightly brush both sides of the potato rounds with olive oil or melted butter. This helps them brown and crisp up in the oven while adding a rich taste.

Season the rounds generously with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can adjust these based on your taste or even add paprika for a hint of smokiness.

Bake the rounds in the preheated oven, flipping them halfway through to get both sides golden and slightly crisp. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid burning.

Once they’re baked to your desired crispness, top each with shredded cheese and return them to the oven briefly. After the cheese melts, garnish and serve warm with your favorite dips.

Variations

Add cooked, crumbled bacon on top of the cheese before the final bake to turn these rounds into mini loaded potato bites. The bacon adds a salty, savory crunch.

Swap cheddar for mozzarella or a spicy pepper jack cheese to change the flavor profile. You can also use a mix of cheeses for more complexity.

For a vegetarian option with extra flair, top the rounds with sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions before baking with cheese.

Give the rounds a Mediterranean twist by adding feta cheese, olives, and a sprinkle of oregano before baking.

Spice things up by drizzling buffalo sauce over the rounds and topping them with blue cheese crumbles instead of cheddar.

Turn them into pizza rounds by adding a small spoonful of marinara and mini pepperoni before topping with cheese and baking.

Make them into a breakfast treat by cracking a quail egg on a thicker round or adding scrambled egg and cheese for a mini breakfast bite.

Tips

For extra crispy potato rounds, soak the slices in cold water for about thirty minutes before baking. This helps remove excess starch.

Dry the potato slices thoroughly after soaking. Any excess water can cause steaming instead of crisping in the oven.

Use a mandoline slicer if you want perfectly even slices. This ensures uniform cooking and prevents some rounds from over- or undercooking.

If using thinner potato slices, reduce the baking time slightly to avoid burning them. Watch closely in the final minutes of baking.

Cheese should be added toward the end of baking to avoid overcooking or burning. Keep an eye on the oven as the cheese melts quickly.

Garnish just before serving to keep herbs fresh and vibrant. A sprinkle of chopped parsley or green onions adds a fresh touch and visual appeal.

Serve these rounds with dips like sour cream, ranch, or spicy aioli for added flavor and variety. They also pair well with main dishes like grilled meats or sandwiches.

Conclusion

Baked potato rounds with cheese are a simple yet indulgent way to elevate ordinary potatoes into a crispy, cheesy delight. Their versatility in flavor and topping options makes them a go-to recipe for parties, family dinners, or even a quick snack.

With just a few basic ingredients and an easy baking method, you can enjoy a satisfying dish that pleases everyone at the table. Once you try them, these cheesy potato rounds are sure to become a regular in your kitchen.