The slow cooker “bar” recipes are so fun to create and enjoy with friends and family!

This baked potato bar was a wonderful addition to our grilled steak dinner a couple nights ago. Guests had a great time topping their potatoes with their favorite accoutrements.

I made big “baker” russets and big sweet potatoes. Both were a hit!

We had a few of the big russets left over the next morning, so I decided to make Fiesta Breakfast Baked Potatoes when we got up. That got me thinking. Because it takes 8 to 10 hours to cook these slow cooker baked potatoes, you could easily cook them in the slow cooker over night! The next morning, place condiments for the baked potatoes around the slow cooker and make everyone an egg in whatever style they choose. I made mine basted, but poached, sunny side up, or scrambled would be yummy too! If you don’t like the idea of making them Mexican-style, how about Baked Potatoes Benedict? (ham, eggs, Hollandaise sauce…) The possibilities are endless!

for the slow cooker baked potatoes:

8 to 10 large russets and/or sweet potatoes

olive oil for rubbing

salt for sprinkling

8 to 10 large squares of aluminum foil

Wash and scrub potatoes until clean. Rinse and dry well. Prick each potato several times with a sharp knife or fork.Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle each with a little salt. Wrap each potato in a square of aluminum foil. Place as many potatoes as you can in an 8 quart Crock Pot/slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 8 to 10 hours. Once done, potatoes can sit in slow cooker on the WARM setting for up to 1 hour.

russet potato topping suggestions:

butter

steamed broccoli florets

sour cream/plain greek yogurt

fried bacon, crumbled

salt and pepper

seasoned salt

shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite)

ranch dressing

snipped chives

smoked paprika

salsa

pesto

spaghetti sauce

mini pepperonis

sweet potato/yam topping suggestions:

honey butter

maple syrup

brown sugar

sour cream

walnuts

raisins/sultanas

cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

crumbled gingersnaps

orange zest

fiesta breakfast baked potato suggestions:

(make the potatoes in the slow cooker over night…)

butter

bacon, pulled pork, ground beef taco meat or carnitas

salt and pepper

eggs cooked your favorite way

shredded cheese

crumbled chevre

canned black beans, rinsed and drained very well

pico de gallo

sambal oelek

salsa verde

snipped chives

chopped, perfectly ripe avocado

lime wedges for squeezing over

garlic powder

chili powder

cumin

Have fun!

~Melissa