Introduction: Baked Cheesy Potato Bites (with Bacon)

By My work
About: Tate is an artist, occasionally a curator, author, social designer as well as a frequent workshop facilitator focusing on utilization of available materials, tools and site specificity.

I will never say that bacon makes everything better but in this recipe it does add a bit of crunch to the rich creaminess of this easy side-dish. The following Instructable will take you about 90 minutes from start to finish (only 10-15 where you have to work) and leave you with 12 servings of these baked, cheesy, potato bites (with bacon).

Let's get started!

Step 1: Ingredients

You will need the following to make 12 servings of Baked, Cheesy Potato Bites:

  • 1kg (2lbs) of peeled potatoes
  • 350ml (1 1/2c) whole milk or half and half
  • 1/2tsp ground black pepper
  • 2g (~1tsp) onion powder
  • 4g (~2tsp) garlic powder
  • 0.5g (~1/4tsp) nutmeg
  • 4g (~2tsp) thyme
  • 2g (~1tsp) salt
  • 50g (1/2c) grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
  • 50g (1/2c) grated Gruyère cheese
  • 2 slices of fried and crumbled bacon (leave out or substitute to make the recipe vegetarian)

    You will also need 2 muffin trays, a sharp knife, aluminum foil, mixing bowl(s), a fork or whisk and an oven. Having a mandoline will be incredibly useful (but is not absolutely necessary).

Step 2: Mix

- Add the ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, thyme, salt, and grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese to your whole milk or half-and-half.

- Thoroughly mix with a fork or small whisk.

Step 3: Prep Your Potatoes

- Peel your potatoes and slice them thinly. This is where your mandoline will save you a lot of time, if you have one, but if not then just use your knife.

- Immediately move on to the next step to prevent your potatoes from browning (oxidizing).

Step 4: Toss

- Pour the dairy, herb and spice mixture over the potatoes that you just sliced.

- Use your hands to toss the potatoes in the liquid, making sure that everything is thoroughly coated.

Step 5: 1st Bake

- Grease your muffin trays.

- Evenly split your potatoes (and cream mixture) among the cups of your muffin trays in order to create 12 stacks.

- Cover each muffin tray with foil and bake for about 40 minutes or until the stacks are tender.

Step 6: 2nd Bake

- For the second bake of your cheesy potato bites you will need to uncover your muffin trays.

- Spread the grated Gruyère and crumbled bacon over each stack.

- Bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are beginning to turn golden-brown.

- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing the stacks from the muffin trays.

Step 7: Eat!

Now your creamy, cheesy, salty, smoky, bacon-y potato bite is ready to eat. Pop as many as you need out of the muffin tray and place them on your plate.

Enjoy!