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There are few foods as comforting as a perfectly baked potato. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and steaming on the inside, a baked potato is delicious on its own—but once you start adding toppings, things get seriously good.

And this picture gives us five different levels of potato perfection.

So, be honest:

Which one are you picking—A, B, C, D, or E?

I already know what I’m choosing…

E. No hesitation. 🥔🤤

🥔 A — Keep It Simple

Sometimes simple really is best.

This potato is topped with what appears to be a generous pat of butter. The butter melts into the hot, fluffy potato, soaking into every bite.

There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about a baked potato with nothing more than butter, salt, and pepper.

If you don’t need a mountain of toppings to enjoy your potato, A might be your perfect choice.

🧀 B — Cheese Please!

Now we’re getting somewhere.

A generous handful of shredded cheddar is all this potato needs to go from simple to seriously satisfying.

The secret is putting the cheese on while the potato is piping hot so it starts melting into the fluffy center.

Sharp cheddar is especially delicious, but you could also try Monterey Jack, Colby, mozzarella, pepper Jack, or a combination of your favorites.

Cheese lovers, B is calling your name.

🧀 C — Melted Cheese Perfection

B has shredded cheese.

C has MELTED cheese.

And that’s an important distinction. 😂

Instead of loose shreds sitting on top, this potato is covered with a blanket of gooey, melted cheese.

For maximum deliciousness, pop the topped potato back into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden around the edges.

At this point, we’re already approaching loaded-potato territory.

🥔🧀 D — Now We’re Talking!

This is where things get serious.

D looks like it has cheese plus additional savory toppings, turning the humble baked potato into something much closer to a complete meal.

And that’s one of the great things about baked potatoes: they can be as simple or extravagant as you want.

You can add:

Crispy bacon
Cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Chives
Green onions
Black pepper
Jalapeños
Chili
Broccoli
Pulled pork
Shredded chicken

A loaded baked potato can easily go from side dish to main course.

🥓🧀🌿 E — THE LOADED POTATO

THIS ONE.

Look at E!

We’re not talking about a little sprinkle of cheese anymore. This potato is absolutely buried under toppings.

There’s melted cheese, crispy bacon, green onions or chives, and enough creamy goodness to make you wonder whether the potato is still under there.

This is the kind of baked potato where you need a fork in one hand and a napkin in the other.

And honestly?

E can be the only right answer. 😂🥔🤤

Loaded potatoes are popular precisely because the basic baked potato is such a great canvas for toppings. Classic combinations often include cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives, while countless variations add meats, vegetables, beans, chili and other toppings. (Wikipedia)

🥔 How to Make the PERFECT Loaded Baked Potato

If you’re going to choose E, you might as well make it properly.

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

4 large russet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For the toppings:

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup sour cream
2–3 green onions or chives, finely sliced
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional extras

Jalapeños
Broccoli
Chili
Pulled pork
Shredded chicken
Diced tomatoes
Ranch seasoning
Pepper Jack cheese

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the potatoes

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly, then dry them well.

Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Rub the skins lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

2. Bake until fluffy

Place the potatoes directly on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 45–60 minutes, depending on their size.

They’re ready when the skins are crisp and a knife or fork slides easily into the center.

For the best texture, you want a beautifully crisp skin surrounding a soft, fluffy interior.

3. Open the potato

Carefully remove each hot potato from the oven.

Cut a deep slit lengthwise across the top, then gently squeeze the ends toward the center to open it up.

Don’t completely split the potato apart—you want that fluffy interior to remain inside the crispy shell.

4. Add butter

Place a tablespoon or so of butter into each potato.

Use a fork to gently fluff the inside while allowing the melted butter to work its way through the potato.

Season with a little salt and pepper.

5. Add the cheese

Pile on the shredded cheddar.

For an extra-melty result, return the potatoes to the oven for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.

A brief second bake or broil is a common technique for getting that bubbly, melted cheese topping on loaded potatoes. (YouTube)

6. Add the bacon

Sprinkle generously with crispy bacon.

Don’t be shy.

This is a loaded potato, after all. 😂

7. Finish with sour cream and green onions

Add a big spoonful of sour cream and finish with chopped green onions or chives.

For a little heat, add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of chili powder.

🔥 The Secret to a Great Loaded Potato

The potato itself matters.

Russet potatoes are particularly well suited to baking because they develop a crisp exterior while their interior becomes fluffy and light. (Wikipedia)

And don’t forget the skin!

A properly baked potato should have a crisp, seasoned skin and a soft interior. That contrast is one of the best parts of the entire dish.

🧀 Want to Take E Even Further?

You can turn your loaded potato into an entire meal.

🥓 Bacon Cheddar

Cheddar + bacon + sour cream + chives.

🌶️ Spicy Loaded Potato

Cheddar + bacon + jalapeños + sour cream + green onions.

🥦 Broccoli Cheddar

Steamed broccoli + cheddar + sour cream + black pepper.

🍖 BBQ Potato

Pulled pork + cheddar + barbecue sauce + green onions.

🌶️ Chili Potato

Chili + shredded cheddar + sour cream + green onions.

🍗 Chicken Potato

Shredded chicken + cheese + bacon + sour cream.

The possibilities are practically endless. Loaded baked potatoes are often treated as a side dish, but with substantial toppings such as meat or chili, they can easily become a filling main course. (Wikipedia)

🗳️ NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

Forget what you’re supposed to choose.

Look at those five potatoes again.

A — Butter

B — Shredded Cheese

C — Melted Cheese

D — Loaded

E — FULLY LOADED! 🤤

Which one are you picking? 🥔

A, B, C, D, or E?

And if you agree that E is the only right answer, you already know what to comment:

E! E! E! 🥔🧀🥓🤤

Because sometimes a baked potato doesn’t need moderation.

Sometimes it needs ALL THE TOPPINGS. ❤️