Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? This Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites with Spicy Ranch Drizzle is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise! Get ready for an explosive, mouth-watering dish that’ll have you craving more. This recipe is absolutely INSANE – and I’m not even sorry about it!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites with Spicy Ranch Drizzle
These epic, sensational potato bites are a game-changer! The combination of crispy, cheesy, bacony goodness is out of this world. Imagine taking a bite and experiencing an explosion of flavors – it’s like a thrilling food adventure in every single morsel. This dish is the ultimate in comfort food indulgence, and you’ll be utterly addicted after the first taste. Get ready to devour these incredible, mouth-watering potato bites and experience the true meaning of “food jealousy” from your friends and family!
Ingredients
We’re using a legendary lineup of ingredients to create this insane dish. You’ll need russet potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and a touch of hot sauce for that spicy kick. Trust me, this epic combination is about to make your taste buds do a happy dance!
- 4-5 medium – Russet potatoes, washed and pricked
- 2 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices – Crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup – Sour cream
- 2 tablespoons – Ranch seasoning
Ingredient Substitutions
- Spicy Kick: Use a milder hot sauce or leave it out completely (for those who don’t enjoy the heat)
- Cheese Variety: Try pepper jack or mozzarella instead of cheddar (for different flavor profiles)
How to Make Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites with Spicy Ranch Drizzle
Let’s dive right in and get this incredible dish started! This recipe is super easy to follow, and the end result is going to blow your mind.
Step 1: Prep Work
First, let’s preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and get our potatoes ready. Wash and prick the russet potatoes, then pop them in the microwave for about 5-7 minutes, until they’re tender. Let them cool slightly before cubing them up into bite-sized pieces. Now, it’s time to fry up that crispy, amazing bacon!
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, we’re going to take these cubed potatoes and toss them in a bowl with the shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Get in there with your hands and mix it all together until it’s evenly combined. This is where the magic really starts to happen!
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now, it’s time to get these potato bites nice and crispy! Scoop the mixture onto a baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and irresistibly crispy. I’m telling you, the smell is going to be absolutely mouthwatering!
Step 4: Finishing Touches
The final step is to drizzle this epic dish with a spicy ranch sauce. Just whisk together some sour cream, ranch seasoning, and a dash of hot sauce. Drizzle this sensational sauce all over the crispy potato bites, and get ready for the flavor explosion! Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy, so you might want to make a double batch.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra Flavor Boost: Try adding in some diced jalapeños or green onions for an extra flavor kick
- Seasoning Switch-Up: Experiment with different seasonings, like garlic powder or smoked paprika, to make the dish your own
- Cheese Upgrade: Top these potato bites with a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese or queso fresco for an elevated taste
- Crispy Craving: Bake the potato mixture on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for extra-crispy edges
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites are delicious on their own, but they also pair amazingly well with grilled meats, salads, or even as a topping for burgers and hot dogs.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat them in the oven or air fryer to recrisp the edges before serving.
Reheat: To reheat, simply pop the potato bites in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy again.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the potato mixture in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just give it a good stir before scooping it onto the baking sheet.
Nutrition Information
These potato bites may be insanely delicious, but they’re also packing a nutritional punch! Each serving is a great source of protein, thanks to the bacon and sour cream. And the potatoes provide a solid dose of complex carbs and essential vitamins and minerals. Just keep in mind that they are a bit higher in calories and fat due to the cheese and bacon. But hey, when you’re creating a legendary dish like this, a little indulgence is totally worth it!
- Serving Size: 6-8 potato bites
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these potato bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the potato mixture in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just give it a good stir before scooping it onto the baking sheet.
Can I use frozen hash browns instead of fresh potatoes?
For sure, frozen hash browns would work great in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture before tossing them with the other ingredients.
How can I make these potato bites even crispier?
To get an extra crispy texture, try baking the potato mixture on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the air to circulate around the bites for ultimate crispiness.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Absolutely! The air fryer is the perfect tool for getting these potato bites extra crispy. Just be sure to work in batches and shake the basket occasionally for even cooking.
What can I serve these potato bites with?
These epic bites are delicious on their own, but they also pair amazingly well with grilled meats, salads, or even as a topping for burgers and hot dogs. Get ready to blow your guests away with this revolutionary dish!
Try These Next
- Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potato Bites With Spicy Ranch Drizzle
- Cozy Cheddar Potato Bake With Crispy Bacon Topping
- Loaded Cheesy Bacon Fries With Spicy Ranch Drizzle
Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites with Spicy Ranch Drizzle
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Crispy Kingdom
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These crispy cheddar bacon potato bites are the perfect appetizer or snack, with a spicy ranch drizzle that takes them to the next level!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs baby potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
For Spicy Ranch Drizzle:
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1-2 tsp hot sauce (to taste)
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 2. Boil the baby potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
3. 3. Cut each potato in half and scoop out a small portion of the flesh to create a small pocket.
4. 4. In a bowl, mix the cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. 5. Fill each potato half with the cheese and bacon mixture.
6. 6. Place the filled potato halves on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
7. 7. While baking, prepare the spicy ranch drizzle by mixing ranch dressing and hot sauce in a small bowl.
8. 8. Drizzle the spicy ranch over the crispy potato bites before serving.
Notes
• You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of hot sauce in the drizzle.
• These bites can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a crispy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: potato bites, appetizer, crispy, bacon, cheddar