Potato, po-tah-to, no matter how you say it, a baked potato bar is fun for any casual get-together—but it’s perfect for the Super Bowl! A baked potato can be a meal in itself–and setting up a bar means that guests can help themselves and top it however they like. And what other food is already actually shaped just like a football?
Potatoes come in both savory and sweet varieties. You can set up two separate bars so that there is something for everyone.
Savory Baked Potato Bar
What You’ll Need:
Baked russet potatoes and a variety of toppings. When choosing yours, think about choosing something from each of the following categories:
– Creamy or Cheesy: Sour cream is a classic potato topping, and for cheese, shredded cheddar and crumbled blue are pictured here, but you could do Monterey jack, melty gorgonzola, or even a cheese sauce.
– Crunchy: Our bar has chopped bacon, crispy onions, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Other ideas are crushed tortilla chips, sesame seeds or crispy garlic
– Veggie: Tomato-based salsa (as spicy or mild as your team likes) and scallions are classics. We added avocado, too, for a rich, creamy touch, but anything you’d throw on a nacho would work here—sliced peppers would add snap and jalapeños, heat.
Sweet Baked Potato Bar
What You’ll Need:
Baked sweet potatoes and a variety of toppings. Here are a few categories that might help you decide:
– Gooey: We opted for caramel sauce, honey, and butter, but molasses or maple syrup could work, too.
– Crunchy: Candied pecans and sliced almonds are pictured here, but any nut would work!
– Chewy: Dried cranberries and marshmallows add texture; substitute with raisins or other dried fruit if you prefer.
– Sweet or Spicy: Brown sugar and cinnamon sugar add sweetness and spice.
Feel free to swap in any other spices you like, such as nutmeg or ginger.
For Setup (both bars):
What you’ll Need:
- Potatoes and toppings
- Potato Pennant Template
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Toothpicks
- Small serving vessels for toppings (bowls, ramekins–whatever you’ve got!)
How To:
Step 1 Download and print out Potato Pennants onto cardstock
Step 2 Cut out and tape onto toothpicks–these will let your friends know which bar is savory and which is sweet!
Step 3 Set out toppings in individual bowls on a board, tray, or directly onto the table, keeping Sweet and Savory separate
Step 4 Set out potatoes and utensils and let your guests start digging in!
