Description
These Loaded Potato and Cheese Sticks are a delicious and fun twist on the classic potato appetizer! Crispy on the outside with a creamy, cheesy potato filling inside, these sticks are packed with flavor from bacon, green onions, and melted cheese. Perfect for a snack, appetizer, or party dish!
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crispiness)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
-
Cook the potatoes:
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the cubed potatoes. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. -
Mash the potatoes:
Mash the cooked potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Allow them to cool slightly. -
Prepare the filling:
To the mashed potatoes, add the shredded cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be thick and creamy. -
Shape the potato sticks:
Take about 2 tablespoons of the mashed potato mixture and roll it into a log shape, about 3 inches long. Repeat until all the mixture is used up, making sure to shape the sticks evenly. -
Coat the sticks:
Dip each potato stick into the beaten egg, then roll it in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere to the sticks. Set the coated sticks aside on a plate. -
Fry the potato sticks:
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 1-2 inches deep.
Fry the potato sticks in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. -
Serve:
Serve the loaded potato and cheese sticks hot with a side of ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can make these ahead of time by preparing the sticks and refrigerating them before frying. This helps them hold their shape during cooking.
- For a lighter version, bake the sticks instead of frying. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), brush the sticks with a little oil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- You can also add other ingredients to the filling, such as diced jalapeños for a spicy kick or a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg