These Twice-Baked Loaded Breakfast Potatoes are the ultimate cozy, savory breakfast! Russet potatoes are roasted until crispy, then mashed with butter and milk, and stuffed back into their shells. Topped with gooey cheddar, smoky beef bacon, and a perfectly baked egg, each bite is packed with creamy, cheesy, and savory goodness. This dish is perfect for a weekend brunch or as a meal-prep breakfast that’s naturally gluten-free!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Potatoes:

• 4 large russet potatoes

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• ¼ cup unsalted butter

• ¼ cup hot milk

For the Filling:

• 2–3 slices beef bacon (cut in half)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 6 large eggs

For Toppings:

• Cooked white rice

• Finely chopped scallions

• Fresh dill

Directions

1. Prepare the Potatoes:
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the potatoes well, then poke holes all over them with a fork. Rub with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Place directly on the oven rack and bake for 50-60 minutes until fork-tender. Let cool for about 10 minutes before handling.

2. Scoop and Mash:
   Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a thin layer to maintain the shell’s structure. Mash the potato with butter, hot milk, salt, and pepper. For fluffier mashed potatoes, use a hand mixer.

3. Assemble the Potatoes:
   Spoon the mashed potatoes back into the shells. Press down in the center to create a well for the fillings. Place half slices of beef bacon in each well, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Carefully crack an egg into each potato’s center.

4. Bake Again:
   Lower oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until egg whites are set and yolks remain slightly runny. For a firmer yolk, bake for a few extra minutes.

5. Serve:
   Once out of the oven, let cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with scallions and dill.

Nutrients (Estimated per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: ~350 kcal

• Carbohydrates: ~30g

• Protein: ~20g

• Fat: ~20g

• Saturated Fat: ~8g

• Fiber: ~4g

Why Twice-Baked Potatoes Are Perfect for Breakfast

While twice-baked potatoes are a beloved dish often enjoyed as a side for dinner, turning them into a breakfast dish is a genius move. The first bake creates the crispy skin we all love, while the second bake makes room for the filling of your dreams—mashed potatoes, melted cheese, bacon, and a perfectly cooked egg. The potatoes provide a hearty base that holds up well to the rich and flavorful fillings, making them a filling, satisfying breakfast.

Another great feature of this dish is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the ingredients to your taste, and it’s a perfect way to use up leftovers or customize based on what’s in your pantry. You could switch up the cheese, use turkey bacon instead of beef, or add other vegetables for extra nutrition. But no matter how you customize it, the end result will always be comforting and delicious.

The Star Ingredient: Russet Potatoes

At the heart of these twice-baked potatoes are the russet potatoes—larger, starchy potatoes that hold up well to the baking and stuffing process. Their thicker skins crisp up beautifully in the oven, and their fluffy interior makes them perfect for mashing. Russets are great at absorbing the butter, milk, and seasonings, creating a smooth, creamy filling that contrasts nicely with the crispy potato skin.

The russet potato’s ability to hold structure is what makes them ideal for a dish like this, where the potato serves as both the base and the vehicle for the filling. You’ll love the texture of the potato once it’s been baked, scooped, and mashed, as it combines richness with a hearty, satisfying bite.

The Fluffy Mashed Potato Filling

One of the best things about Twice-Baked Loaded Breakfast Potatoes is the mashed potato filling. After the potatoes are roasted, the insides are scooped out and mashed with butter and hot milk. This creates a smooth, creamy texture that forms the perfect foundation for the other ingredients. The key to making these mashed potatoes even fluffier is to use a hand mixer. This extra step ensures that your mashed potatoes will be light and airy, providing a perfect contrast to the crispy shell.

Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, the mashed potatoes provide the necessary richness and comfort to balance the other flavors. The combination of butter and hot milk also helps to create a creamy texture that doesn’t feel too heavy, allowing the other toppings to shine.

Smoky Beef Bacon: A Perfect Protein Addition

No breakfast is complete without some form of protein, and this recipe incorporates smoky beef bacon to add depth and savory flavor to the dish. Beef bacon brings a rich, smoky flavor that perfectly complements the creaminess of the mashed potatoes and the gooey cheese. As the bacon cooks, it becomes crispy, adding another layer of texture to the final dish.

Cutting the bacon in half and placing it in the well of each potato ensures that each bite has just the right amount of bacon in it, without overpowering the other flavors. The bacon crisps up beautifully in the oven and gives a smoky, savory contrast to the richness of the other ingredients.

Cheddar Cheese: The Gooey Goodness

What’s a breakfast without cheese? Shredded cheddar cheese is generously sprinkled on top of the mashed potatoes, and when it melts, it forms a gooey, cheesy blanket over the entire potato. The sharpness of cheddar cheese adds a wonderful contrast to the richness of the potatoes and bacon. The gooey melted cheese not only adds flavor but also helps to hold the bacon and egg in place, creating a perfect bite every time.

You can opt for sharp cheddar for a more intense flavor, or go with a mild variety if you prefer a less overpowering cheese. The cheese really elevates the entire dish, making it comforting and indulgent—exactly what you want for a breakfast dish.

The Perfectly Baked Egg: The Finishing Touch

The crowning glory of Twice-Baked Loaded Breakfast Potatoes is, of course, the egg. Each potato is carefully topped with an egg, baked until the whites are set, and the yolk remains slightly runny (unless you prefer a firmer yolk, in which case, a few extra minutes in the oven will do the trick). The egg adds a rich, velvety texture that ties all the other ingredients together, creating a well-balanced dish that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful.

When you break the yolk, it oozes out into the mashed potatoes, creating a creamy sauce that further enhances the flavor. The egg also adds a dose of protein, making the dish more filling and ensuring that it will keep you satisfied for hours.

Serving and Garnishing for Extra Flavor

Once the twice-baked potatoes come out of the oven, they’re ready to be served. A great way to take these loaded potatoes to the next level is by garnishing them with finely chopped scallions and fresh dill. The scallions add a mild onion flavor that cuts through the richness, while the dill brings a refreshing, herby note that balances the heaviness of the bacon, cheese, and egg.

You can also serve the potatoes on a bed of cooked rice, which is a perfect accompaniment that absorbs all the savory goodness of the toppings. The rice adds a bit of texture and helps to round out the meal, making it a more substantial and satisfying breakfast.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Brunch

These twice-baked potatoes aren’t just a great weekend brunch option; they’re also perfect for meal prep. Make them ahead of time, refrigerate them, and reheat them in the oven for a quick and satisfying breakfast throughout the week. They store well and can be easily reheated in the microwave or oven, making them a great choice for busy mornings when you want something hearty and homemade.

For brunch, these potatoes are guaranteed to impress. They’re filling, flavorful, and versatile enough to suit a variety of tastes. Serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a refreshing smoothie for a complete meal that’s sure to satisfy.

Conclusion: A Hearty and Satisfying Breakfast

Twice-Baked Loaded Breakfast Potatoes are the ultimate breakfast dish. With crispy potato shells, creamy mashed potatoes, gooey cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, and a perfectly baked egg, this dish has everything you could want in a breakfast—comfort, flavor, and satisfaction. Whether you’re enjoying it as part of a leisurely weekend brunch or as a convenient meal prep option, these potatoes are sure to become a favorite in your breakfast repertoire.

The balance of textures and flavors makes each bite a delightful experience, and the ability to customize the toppings makes this dish even more appealing. So, next time you’re craving a cozy, savory breakfast, try these twice-baked potatoes—they’re sure to become your new go-to morning treat.