Description
Irish Nachos are a delightful twist on traditional nachos made with thinly sliced, crispy baked russet potatoes instead of tortilla chips. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, sour cream, and fresh chives or green onions, these nachos offer a comforting and flavorful snack or appetizer perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 3–4 large russet potatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (adjust as needed)
- Crisp bacon, chopped (about ½ cup)
- Sour cream or crema, for drizzling
- Chives or green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice: Carefully slice the russet potatoes into thin slices about ⅛ inch thick using a knife or a mandolin. Place the slices into a large bowl filled with cold water and allow them to soak for 30-45 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Preheat Oven: While the potatoes soak, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Dry: Drain the potato slices and pat them very dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to ensure they crisp up well during baking.
- Season and Arrange: Place the dried potato slices in a single layer on two baking sheets. Drizzle with approximately ¼ cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss the slices gently to coat evenly with oil and seasonings. Spread them out again in a single layer on the sheets.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake the potato slices for 40-45 minutes, flipping them every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even crisping. Remove any slices that become crispy faster and place them on paper towels to cool. Once all are baked, let all the potatoes rest on paper towels for about 10 minutes.
- Assemble Nachos: Lightly spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. Spread the crispy potato slices evenly over the pan. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the potatoes.
- Melt Cheese: Return the assembled potatoes to the oven at 400°F and bake for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your liking. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Garnish and Serve: Immediately after removing from the oven, drizzle sour cream or crema over the nachos. Top with chopped crisp bacon and chopped chives or green onions. Serve right away for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Soaking potatoes removes excess starch and helps achieve crispiness when baked.
- Flipping the potato slices while baking ensures they cook evenly without sticking.
- Use a mandolin for uniform thin slices, but handle carefully to avoid injury.
- Sour cream can be thinned with a little milk if you prefer a drizzle consistency.
- Adjust cheese quantity based on your preference for cheesiness.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Keywords: Irish nachos, baked potato nachos, loaded potato chips, cheddar cheese, bacon nachos, appetizer, party snack
