Meet your new favorite comfort food: Crunchy Loaded Potato Sticks. This dish is a testament to the transformative power of simple ingredients. Picture this: colorful potatoes, each slice a canvas for flavors, topped with a generous helping of rich triple cheddar and savory bacon bits.
Crunchy Loaded Potato Sticks
What happens when you combine the homely comfort of potatoes with the indulgence of cheese and bacon? You get Crunchy Loaded Potato Sticks – a dish that’s sure to win hearts at any table. It’s a simple concoction, yet it boasts a taste that’s anything but ordinary.
This recipe was born from a happy accident. I’ve been on a MISSION to take new pictures of all of my 10+ year old recipes that are great, but don’t always look so great because my photography skills from a decade ago just weren’t quite what they are now.
So, I got all the ingredients and fired up the grill to revamp these Loaded Oven Potatoes and turn them into my next Traeger recipe…but I totally forgot them in the grill during the last step.
And they cooked about 30 minutes too long.
I thought it was going to go straight into the garbage but when I took them off the pan and checked out the bottom what I found was actually a perfectly crispy, melted cheese crust that is exactly what people tend to go for in those Blackstone burritos I see with the cheese on the outside, and I sliced them up into sticks and loaded them up with sour cream and bacon and what do you know??
They were AMAZING.
I still have to find some time to remake those oven potatoes, but until then I hope you enjoy this recipe and you get a good laugh about an almost disaster that turned into a new fun appetizer for you all.
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Texture: It’s all about the experience here. The creamy potatoes, the gooey cheese, and the crunch from the bacon create a symphony in your mouth.
- Flavor: The “Moss” rub is the secret weapon, adding a depth of flavor that takes the humble potato to new heights.
- Convenience: Perfect for the outdoor cooking enthusiast, this dish comes together beautifully on a pellet grill.
- Versatility: Whether it’s a laid-back family meal or a festive party, these potato sticks are right at home.
Get 75+ of my favorite Traeger Recipes here!
Crispy Potato Sticks shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Multi-color Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- “Moss” Rub
- Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese
- Crumbled Bacon
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Chives
Try these Loaded Potato Skins!
How to make Crispy Loaded Potato Sticks
Wondering what you’re getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here’s a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you’re cooking.
- Fire up your pellet grill to 400°F. Get a baking sheet ready with parchment and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Thinly slice the potatoes, lay them out for a seasoning shower with “Moss” rub, and let the grill work its magic until they’re just the right shade of golden brown.
- Next, get a sheet ready with a cheese bed. Layer those golden potatoes, add more cheese, sprinkle bacon, and let it all melt into crispy, cheesy perfection at 350°F.
- Once done, let the potato ensemble cool, then slice it into hearty strips, ready to be adorned with cool sour cream and fresh chives.
FAQ
What’s the best way to store these potatoes?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll be good for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or back on the grill to bring back that just-made crispiness.
Can I get a head start on these potato sticks?
Absolutely! Prep the potatoes ahead of time, then grill them up when you’re ready to feast.
Do you have any tips for tweaking the recipe?
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or seasonings. If you’re looking for a lighter touch, swap in turkey bacon or a low-fat cheese option.
Serve this with…
More great recipes featuring bacon!
Eat More Potatoes
Crispy Loaded Potato Sticks
Ingredients
- 3 pounds small multi-color potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons “Moss” rub
- 4 cups shredded triple cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill to 400°F.
- Slice the potatoes thinly and uniformly using a mandoline.
- Prep a grill-safe baking sheet with a large sheet of parchment paper, and then the olive oil.
- Place the potatoes down in a single layer on the baking sheet. Flip them over so they are coated on both sides with the oil from the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle with the “moss” seasoning.
- Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned on the bottom, and then flip each one over to cook the other side until it is also lightly browned.
- Remove from the grill.
- Prep a 1/4 sheet with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle half the cheese onto the parchment.
- Layer the cooked potato rounds onto the cheese, overlapping.
- Top with the other 2 cups of cheese, as well as the crumbled bacon.
- Reduce the heat on the grill down to 350°F.
- Place the pan of potatoes into the grill and let cook for around 30-45 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and has crisped on the bottom, but not burned.
- Remove from the grill and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into strips and topping with sour cream and chives.