SpudBros style jacket potatoes are built around one simple idea: take a properly baked potato and load it with bold, layered toppings that turn it into a full meal. This recipe shows how to recreate that experience at home using everyday ingredients, while keeping the texture and balance that make these potatoes so satisfying. It also works well as a filling lunch recipe that doesn’t feel heavy but still keeps you full.
At home, this recipe solves a common problem. Many baked potatoes look good on the outside but end up dry or bland once opened. By focusing on how the potato is cooked and how the fillings are layered, you get a soft, fluffy center that holds up under generous toppings.
At the same time, this version stays flexible. You can go heavy on beans, add garlic chili chicken, or keep it simple with cheese, butter, and crispy onions. one of the most reliable toppings is garlic chili chicken, which adds protein and moisture that holds up well on a hot potato.
Because everything can be prepared in stages, this recipe also works well for busy evenings. the same staged approach is used in meals like butter thyme steak, where timing matters more than complexity. You can bake the potatoes ahead, prep the toppings, and assemble everything quickly when it’s time to eat.
Time Breakdown
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 60–70 minutes |
| Total Time | 75–85 minutes |
What Is SpudBros-Style Loaded Jacket Potatoes
SpudBros style jacket potatoes are large baked potatoes split open and filled with multiple savory toppings until they become a complete dish rather than a side. The potato acts as the base, while the fillings bring heat, creaminess, crunch, and richness.
What truly sets this style apart is the order of assembly. First, butter melts straight into the steaming potato, softening and seasoning the inside. Next, cheese goes in while the heat is still trapped, allowing it to melt fully into the flesh instead of sitting on top. After that, sauces and toppings finish the potato, adding contrast and depth rather than just volume.
Although you can vary the fillings, the goal remains consistent. The potato should stay crisp on the outside, light and fluffy inside, and firm enough to hold generous toppings without breaking apart. When done right, every bite delivers structure, flavor, and texture at the same time. for a more filling version, chili chicken beans turn the potato into a complete meal.
Ingredients
Before listing the ingredients, it helps to understand how each one contributes. The potato provides structure. Beans and chicken add substance. beans and chicken add substance, especially when using spicy chicken beans as a warm topping. Cheese and butter add richness. Crispy onions and sauces bring texture and contrast.
For the jacket potatoes
- 4 large baking potatoes (russet or Maris Piper)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the fillings
- 1 cup baked beans or spiced beans
- 1 cup cooked garlic chili chicken, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella blend)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup crispy fried onions
- 1/4 cup tram sauce or spicy mayo-style sauce
Optional additions
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped spring onions
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
Substitutions
- Sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes
- Chickpeas or lentils instead of chicken
- Vegan cheese and plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the potatoes
Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Dry them completely with a towel, then pierce each potato 6–8 times with a fork. These holes allow steam to escape and prevent the skins from splitting during baking.
2. Season and bake
Rub each potato lightly with olive oil, making sure the skin is evenly coated. Sprinkle salt all over the surface. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack with a tray underneath to catch drips. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 60–70 minutes. The skins should feel crisp, and a knife should slide into the center without resistance.
3. Warm the fillings
While the potatoes bake, heat the beans slowly in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally so they warm evenly without sticking. In a separate pan, gently reheat the garlic chili chicken. Keep the heat moderate so the chicken stays moist and tender.
4. Prepare the sauces and toppings
Measure out the butter, shred the cheese, and set aside the crispy onions and tram sauce. Having everything ready matters because the potatoes need to be filled while they’re still very hot.
5. Open the potatoes
Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let them sit for 1–2 minutes. Cut a deep slit lengthwise across the top of each potato. Gently press the ends inward to open the center, creating space for the fillings without tearing the skin.
6. Add butter and cheese first
Drop butter directly into the hot potato and use a fork to fluff the inside slightly. This step softens the center and helps the butter melt evenly. Sprinkle cheese over the potato immediately so it melts into the heat rather than sitting on top.
7. Load the fillings
Spoon warm beans over the melted cheese, followed by the garlic chili chicken. Layering in this order helps the fillings settle and stay balanced instead of sliding off.
8. Finish and serve
Top with crispy onions for crunch and drizzle generously with tram sauce. Serve right away while everything is hot, melted, and fully layered for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on ingredient brands, portion size, and preparation methods. Approximate values per serving:
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 610 kcal |
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g |
| Sodium | 980 mg |
Recipe Overview
This recipe works because it treats the potato as the foundation, not just a container. By baking the potatoes directly on the oven rack, you allow moisture to escape from the skin while the inside steams. Consequently, you get a crisp exterior and a fluffy center that can handle generous fillings.
Adding butter and cheese first also plays a key role. The heat from the potato melts them straight into the flesh instead of letting them sit on top. Because of that, the filling stays cohesive rather than sliding out once you add heavier toppings. for a different comfort-style dinner, baked chicken parmesan follows a similar balance of protein and starch.
Next, beans and chicken add substance without overwhelming the potato. Since they go on after the cheese melts, they warm through without releasing excess moisture. Finally, crispy onions and sauce bring contrast and lift. Without them, the potato would feel dense. With them, each bite stays balanced, layered, and satisfying.
Recipe At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Servings | 4 |
| Skill Level | Easy |
| Flavor Profile | Savory, spicy, hearty |
| Cooking Method | Oven-baked (sheet/oven rack) |
| Make-Ahead Friendly | Yes (prep toppings ahead; assemble hot) |
Helpful Tips and Variations
- Always bake potatoes directly on the oven rack for better skin texture.
- Fluff the potato interior before adding toppings to help absorb butter.
- Use warm toppings only. Cold fillings lower the temperature quickly.
- Add sauce last so it stays visible and does not soak into the potato.
- For extra crunch, add crispy onions just before serving.
Storage and Make-Ahead Notes
You can store plain baked potatoes in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, always reheat them in the oven rather than the microwave, since dry heat helps restore the crisp skin before adding toppings.
Meanwhile, keep prepared fillings in separate airtight containers for two to three days. This approach matters because assembling the potatoes ahead of time softens the skin and weakens the structure. As a result, the potato loses the firmness needed to hold heavy toppings.
Avoid freezing baked potatoes altogether. Once thawed, the texture turns grainy and uneven, which takes away from the contrast that makes SpudBros style jacket potatoes work so well.
Final Thoughts
SpudBros style jacket potatoes work because they are simple but deliberate. When the potato is cooked properly and the toppings are layered with care, the result feels filling without being messy.
This version keeps the process practical and flexible, making it easy to recreate at home with ingredients you can adjust to taste. It’s a dependable meal that fits comfortably into real, everyday cooking. for a simple dessert afterward, chocolate strawberries pair well with a hearty baked potato meal.
