Home » Recipes » Cooking Resources » Guides » Baked Potato Bar: 60 Easy Topping and Side Dish Ideas

Baked Potato Bar: 60 Easy Topping and Side Dish Ideas

Need some inspiration for what to serve at your baked potato bar? This post will help you put together the best Baked Potato Bar: 60 Easy Topping and Side Dish Ideas that everyone is sure to like! A variety of toppings is crucial when putting together a baked potato bar. Whether for a small family dinner night or a large gathering these ideas will impress.

sign about the 60 best topping and side dish ideas for baked potatoes

Classic topping ideas like shredded cheese, sour cream, butter, and bacon are a must. While some more unique combinations like chicken and alfredo sauce, spinach artichoke dip, or sautéed mushrooms and Swiss are fun to experiment with! A good baked potato also needs some good sides to make it into a complete meal.

Lettuce salads, veggies, and casseroles can make your baked potato buffet a more balanced meal. Find all of my side dish and salad recipes here for more dinner inspiration!

Table of Contents for the Baked Potato Bar: 60 Easy Topping and Side Dish Ideas:

  1. Classic Toppings
  2. Savory Toppings
  3. Vegetable Sides
  4. Salad Sides
  5. Other Sides
  6. FAQs

Classic Potato Toppings

1. Cheese

Any kind of cheese goes good on a baked potato – think shredded cheddar, Colby jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda!

2. Bacon bits or chopped bacon

3. Fresh chives, green onions, or fresh herbs

4. Sour cream (flavored or plain)

Sour cream dips also work as a topping to easily add extra flavor and can be found in many different variations!

5. Melted butter + lots of salt and pepper

6. Pesto sauce

7. Sliced or pickled jalapenos

8. Pico De Gallo

Savory Potato Toppings

9. Bolognese and fresh parmesan cheese

10. Corn salsa + refried beans

11. Italian sausage crumbles

12. Taco meat + salsa, sour cream, black olives

13. Canned or homemade chili + cheese

14. Fresh or store-bought guacamole

15. Sautéed onions and mushrooms

16. Shredded buffalo chicken + extra buffalo sauce and blue cheese

17. Scrambled eggs + bacon or sausage crumbles

18. Chili cheese dip or queso

19. Shredded BBQ chicken, black beans, and your favorite slaw

20. Pizza sauce or marinara sauce + cheese, pepperoni, olives, and peppers

21. Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, marinated red onions, and pepperoncini’s

22. Cheese dip or queso and roasted broccoli

23. Spinach artichoke dip

24. Caramelized onion, crumbled goat cheese, and balsamic glaze

25. Pulled pork or brisket with mozzarella cheese, barbecue sauce, and coleslaw

26. Sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese

27. Cubed chicken and alfredo sauce

Vegetable Sides for Baked Potato Bar

28. Cheesy Broccoli

This Cheesy Broccoli recipe has it all! It’s an easy, kid-friendly side dish you can serve with just about anything, and the homemade cheese sauce leaves the store-bought version in the dust. Ready in minutes!

Read more here…

29. Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Balsamic Roasted Carrots are an easy side dish to make with a handful of simple ingredients that creates a complex blend of flavors in every bite. They are slightly crisp on the outside while sweet and tender inside. So delicious and unbelievable satisfying! These baked carrots are the perfect side for any occasion, whether that’s a quick weeknight dinner,  a fancy dinner party, or a holiday meal.

Read more here…

30. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli is a quick and easy side dish vegetable that is constantly requested in our house.

Read more here…

31. Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Fritters with Chipotle Aioli

In less than 30 minutes you’ll have a batch of golden crisp corn fritters seasoned with jalapeño, garlic, and chive. 

Read more here…

32. Garlic Mushroom Green Beans

Garlic Mushroom Green Beans are a quick and delicious side dish! Vibrant green beans are tossed together with sizzling, golden mushrooms and garlic.

Read more here…

33. Brown Sugar Herb Butter Roasted Beets

Brown Sugar Herb Butter Roasted Beets is a vibrantly delicious side dish! Red and golden beets are coated with a brown sugar herb butter and roasted until perfectly candied. 

Read more here…

34. Grilled Zucchini Platter

While zucchini is charring, quickly whip up some creamy tofu and fresh mint pesto in my food processor. The first provides neutral creamy element to the dish and the second strong herbaceous flavor of heady mint tempered with some milder parsley.

Read more here…

35. Easy Baked Cheesy Creamed Corn Casserole

This easy baked cheesy creamed corn casserole recipe is a classic holiday side dish that is also simple enough to serve alongside a weeknight meal! Canned corn, creamed corn, cheese, and cornbread mix get combined with a few other staple ingredients to create a savory casserole.

Read more here…

36. Harissa Honey Cauliflower Poppers

Harissa honey cauliflower poppers are sweet, spicy, and the most delicious side dish to pair with your weeknight dinner.

Read more here…

Salad Sides for Baked Potato Bar

37. Farro & Radicchio Salad with Caramelized Leek Dressing

This Farro & Radicchio Salad with Caramelized Leek Dressing is a vibrant and hearty salad perfect for fall and winter when you are craving some veggies but want something substantial that will keep you full on chilly days.

Read more here…

38.Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Quinoa & Lentil Salad with Spicy Caesar Dressing

This hearty roasted Brussels sprouts quinoa salad with lentils and spicy vegan caesar dressing does not skimp on flavour! The dressing is tangy, garlicky and spicy. Pickled red onions for brightness and sun dried tomatoes are a bit sweet. 

Read more here…

39. Cold Asparagus Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette

Needing a super simple side dish or salad? This cold asparagus salad with lemon-Dijon vinaigrette is it. This salad requires no reheating, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for weeknights or holidays. Tender asparagus, orzo, toasted almonds, chewy cubes of bread, and salty feta cheese in a simple homemade dressing.

Read more here…

40. Broccoli Salad

A simple, classic Broccoli Salad recipe that serves as a great fast side dish for any party or potluck.  Made with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese and a homemade dressing, this is one of my favorite side dishes and it can be prepped in under fifteen minutes!

Read more here…

41. Pear Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad

Pear Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad is a perfectly delicious Autumn salad that will leave everyone asking for more! It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures and it’s a great way to use up seasonal produce.

Read more here…

42. Hearts of Palm Salad

Hearts of palm get their moment in the spotlight in this satisfying salad.

Read more here…

43. Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas

Sweet potatoes and chickpeas tossed with olive oil, smoky chipotle, and paprika, then roasted until lightly charred, crispy, and delicious. Everything is tossed together with a creamy, lemony parmesan tahini dressing, hearty winter kale, shredded brussels sprouts, and avocado.

Read more here…

44. Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing

This simple 15-minute Beet Salad features healthy ingredients, such as spinach, mandarin oranges, red onion, pine nuts, and feta cheese, tossed with homemade Honey-Mustard Lemon Vinaigrette.

Read more here…

45. Apple, Beet, Carrot, & Kale Salad

This A, B, C Healthy Kale Salad features apples, beets, and carrots tossed in an easy citrus dressing for a fresh and delicious salad full of nutrients!

Read more here…

46. Green Bean Salad Recipe with Mustard Vinaigrette

Green Bean Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette and crunchy walnuts is easy to make and comes together quickly! 

Read more here…

47. Southwest Chopped Salad

Here is an incredibly delectable Southwest Chopped Salad with the right balance of heat, sweet, crunch, crisp and tender vegetables. Tossed with a creamy chipotle lime dressing and finished with taco seasoned chicken, this is an entree salad recipe best served with extra dressing to go around.

Read more here…

48. Carrot Arugula Salad with Fig, Goat Cheese & Avocado

Beautiful carrot arugula salad with sweet dried figs, tangy goat cheese, creamy avocado and crunchy walnuts. Drizzle this fresh arugula and carrot salad with a flavorful maple tahini dressing for a wonderful lunch or easy side dish! Options to grill or roast the carrots for ease.

Read more here…

49. Pesto Orzo Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

This pesto orzo salad is an easy lunch or side dish you can make in just 15 minutes. It combines delicious orzo pasta with a creamy pesto, sweet sundried tomatoes, peppery arugula, crunchy cucumbers, fresh lemon and more for a refreshing spring or summer meal.

Read more here…

50. Summer Chopped Tomato Peach Salad

It has the most delicious basil vinaigrette and plenty of summer produce, meats, and feta cheese. Juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet peaches, zucchini, greens, and deli-cut meats are all tossed together with a tangy sweet basil fig vinaigrette.

Read more here…

Other Sides for Baked Potato Bar

51. Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Cracker Barrel inspired baked mac and cheese recipe is the definition of comfort food! Tender noodles in a homemade white cheese sauce topped with a crunchy cracker topping. This makes a great addition to Sunday dinner or for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Read more here…

52. Caramelized Leek Veggie Dip

Make this Caramelized Leek Yogurt Veggie Dip on Sunday afternoon to enjoy all week long with veggies for a satisfying and flavorful snack!

Read more here…

53. Easy 7 Ingredient Guacamole

This easy 7 ingredient guacamole is as easy as it gets. Perfect as a dip, spread, or appetizer! Customize this guacamole to your liking, add in roasted poblanos or jalapenos for some spice. Serve with chips, veggies, or use on sandwiches and tacos. You cant go wrong with a simple bowl of guacamole!

Read more here…

54. Warm Sour Cream and Chive Sauce

This creamy sour cream sauce is packed with fresh chives! Easy to make ahead of time and perfect for drizzling over pierogi, potatoes, veggies, enchiladas, and more.

Read more here…

55. Garlic Butter

This homemade Garlic Butter is a 10-minute, 4-ingredient recipe that can be used in so many different ways! It’s the best way to infuse flavor into meat, pasta, veggies, bread, you name it!

Read more here…

56. Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread

This vegetarian Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread recipe is the perfect fall or winter side to serve with chili and soup.

Read more here…

57. Instant Pot Turkey and Bean Chili Recipe

This instant pot turkey and bean chili recipe is a game changer for weeknights! Hearty turkey and bean chili in under 30 minutes. ‘Chili ready’ canned beans and tomatoes can be used to add flavor and save time, not to mention this is budget friendly and filling. Brown ground turkey straight in the instant pot for easy clean up. Serve with your favorite toppings like corn chips, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream!

Read more here…

58. Easy Maple Bacon Recipe with Brown Sugar

Sweet, salty, and smoky, this maple bacon is hands-down the most decadent way to serve bacon at any occasion! We love it around the holidays with French toast or pancakes, but it also makes killer sandwiches, a great garnish for roasted squash and so much more. 

Read more here…

59. Creamy Cottage Cheese Queso Dip

This instant pot turkey and bean chili recipe is a game changer for weeknights! Hearty turkey and bean chili in under 30 minutes. ‘Chili ready’ canned beans and tomatoes can be used to add flavor and save time, not to mention this is budget friendly and filling. Brown ground turkey straight in the instant pot for easy clean up. Serve with your favorite toppings like corn chips, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream!

Read more here…

60. Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyere

Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyere is the ultimate onion dip! The flavor of the sweet caramelized onions covered in so much rich, creamy, cheesy goodness makes this dip the hit of every party!

Read more here…

Baked Potato Bar FAQs

What is the best way to make baked potatoes?

Baking or air frying is the best way to make baked potatoes, I like to air fry mine if I’m making other items as well as it frees up some space in the oven. Check out this post on How to Make Fluffy Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer!

What is the best type of potato to used for baked potatoes?

Russet potatoes are the best for baked potatoes, but any type of potato will work! You can even bake sweet potatoes!

You Might Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *