Loaded Baked Potatoes in the Slow Cooker

Name: Baked Potatoes in Slow Cooker
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 485 min
Ingredients: 12 Russet Burbank (medium size) Potatoes or 4 XL Baking Potatoes; Butter; Sour Cream; Shredded Cheddar Cheese; Bacon; Chives

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Baked Potatoes in Slow Cooker are one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd with very little hands on time. Simply clean, prick, and place the potatoes in the crock pot and let the appliance do the rest. I promise, you will never make baked potatoes another way again!

Up close photo of loaded baked potato on a green plate.

Get ready for a life changing recipe. Yes, I said it… some might wonder why “baking” potatoes in the slow cooker would be life changing, but it is. If you are a potato lover you will rejoice by learning how easy it is to bake potatoes. No need to turn on the oven and let it heat up your home for hours. Or zap the tatters in the microwave. Just wash the baking potatoes and place them in your slow cooker. That’s it. That’s why my Baked Potatoes in Slow Cooker recipe will be a new favorite.

Why this Recipe Works

The potatoes only take five minutes to prep.

Eight hours of hands-free cooking.

Perfectly cooked baked potatoes every single time.

Great way to entertain a crowd.

How to Cook Potatoes in Crock Pot

Top view of loaded baked potatoes on green plates with the slow cooker at the top of the photo.

Rinse the baking potatoes really well, pat dry, and then prick the potatoes with the tines of a fork a few times.
Place the baking potatoes in the slow cooker (DO NOT ADD WATER) and cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove cooked baked potatoes from the slow cooker and prick with a fork to open. Fluff the inside of the potato with the tines of the fork, then place the toppings, one by one in the potato. Serve immediately and enjoy.

FAQs

Can you put uncooked potatoes in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can put uncooked potatoes in the slow cooker. If you just have the baked potatoes in by themselves they will cook up perfectly.

How many baking potatoes will a 6 quart slow cooker fit?

I used my KitchenAid 6 quart Slow Cooker. It can fit up to 12 Russet Burbank Potatoes or 6 of the XL baking potatoes. It’s a big slow cooker that is perfect for entertaining.

Is it better to wrap potatoes in foil before baking?

This is a personal preference. If I’m baking the potatoes in the oven I like to keep them uncovered so I can achieve a crispy skin. In the slow cooker I do not wrap foil around the potatoes. I have found it doesn’t make a difference; however, the potatoes on the bottom were brown.

Why won’t my potatoes cook in the slow cooker?

The potatoes might not be fully cooked because you didn’t cook them long enough OR you may have removed the lid while they were cooking slowing down the cooking process. Each time you remove the lid add an additional hour on to your cooing time.

Should you poke holes in potatoes before baking?

Yes, it’s great to poke a few holes in the potatoes before cooking so that the heat can escape.

Can I coat the potatoes with salt before placing in the slow cooker?

I have tested this method and found the potatoes were a little soggy because the salt brought out more water. I don’t suggest doing this. Instead you can add on some oil and salt at the end and place under the broil for the same restaurant quality taste.

Toppings for Baked Potatoes Bar

Loaded Baked Potatoes in the Slow Cooker from KatiesCucina.com

I love to make baked potatoes when entertaining and create a baked potatoes bar. Here are a few of my favorite toppings for baked potatoes.

Chili – I love to make a big pot of chili and let friends and family add it to their potatoes.
Shredded Chicken – I will make a batch of Shredded Chicken that is ideal for stuffing into potatoes..
Taco Ground Beef – This is a great way to use up leftover ground beef. If you need more inspiration here is my taco baked potatos recipe.
Pulled Pork – If you have leftover pulled pork I’ll add it to my topping bar. Don’t forget the coleslaw to go with it!
Broccoli & Cheese – I love a good broccoli and cheese loaded baked potato!
Roasted Veggies – Your vegetarian/vegan friends will appreciate this.
Cheese – Whether you place shredded cheese on the potatoes or even melted queso you can never go wrong with cheese.
Dairy – I love to add butter and sour cream to my baked potatoes. Lighter alternatives like Greek yogurt can be used or even creme freche.
Cold Veggies – Chopped cold veggies like diced tomatoes, green onions, avocado, are just a few of my favorites on potatoes.
Bacon – This list of toppings would not be completed without the bacon! Lots and lots of glorious bacon on a potato.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for making slow cooker baked potatoes.

Water – No need to add water into the slow cooker. Potatoes contain moisture and will let off some allowing for steam to be created. Think of it as a sauna for potatoes.
Foil – I have tested this recipe multiple times with wrapping the potatoes in foil and to be honest they yield the same result. I see it as a waste of good foil so no need to waste!
Crispy Skin – If you love crispy baked potato skin simply spray the outside skin of the potato with avocado oil spray, then place the cooked baked potatoes under the broiler for 1 minute (or less) until crisp but not burnt. Make sure you watch them extra closely to avoid burning.
Overcooked – If you cook the baked potatoes for more than 10 hours the insides will begin to brown a little.
Entertaining – If you are entertaining you can make the potatoes ahead of time then place toppings next to the slow cooker for guest to add toppings to there potatoes.
Leftover baked potatoes – If you have leftover baked potatoes you can transform them into my Baked Potato Wedges, add it to baked potato soup, or even make them as breakfast potatoes the next day.

Potato Recipes

Still craving potatoes? Check out these other delicious potato recipes.

If you make this slow cooker baked potatoes recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

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Baked Potatoes in Slow Cooker

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 168kcal

Author: Katie

Equipment

▢
Slow Cooker

Ingredients

▢ 12 Russet Burbank (medium size) Potatoes or 4 XL Baking Potatoes

Instructions

Rinse the baking potatoes really well, pat dry, and then prick the potatoes with the tines of a fork a few times.
Place the baking potatoes in the slow cooker (DO NOT ADD WATER) and cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove cooked baked potatoes from the slow cooker and prick with a fork to open. Fluff the inside of the potato with the tines of the fork, then place the toppings, one by one in the potato. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Water – No need to add water into the slow cooker. Potatoes contain moisture and will let off some allowing for steam to be created. Think of it as a sauna for potatoes.
Foil – I have tested this recipe multiple times with wrapping the potatoes in foil and to be honest they yield the same result. I see it as a waste of good foil so no need to waste!
Crispy Skin – If you love crispy baked potato skin simply spray the outside skin of the potato with avocado oil spray, then place the cooked baked potatoes under the broiler for 1 minute (or less) until crisp but not burnt. Make sure you watch them extra closely to avoid burning.
Overcooked – If you cook the baked potatoes for more than 10 hours the insides will begin to brown a little.
Entertaining – If you are entertaining you can make the potatoes ahead of time then place toppings next to the slow cooker for guest to add toppings to there potatoes.
Leftover baked potatoes – If you have leftover baked potatoes you can transform them into my Baked Potato Wedges, add it to baked potato soup, or even make them as breakfast potatoes the next day.

Nutrition

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