Traeger Smoked Potatoes (with oven instructions)

Name: Traeger Smoked Potatoes (With Oven Instructions)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 10 baked potatoes; 6 strips thick-cut bacon; 4 cloves garlic ((or more)); 1 tsp ranch seasoning; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; ¼ cup sour cream; 2 tbsp half and half; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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A new take on Twice Baked potatoes. These tasty Traeger Smoked Potatoes start off like most twice-baked potatoes do but end up in the smoker for the last 15 minutes. They're smokey, cheesy, and delicious! I'm including oven instructions for those who don't own a smoker. Serve Traeger Smoked Potatoes with Perfectly Smoked Traeger Prime Rib or Juicy Oven Tri-Tip.

Traeger smoked potatoes with sour cream and scallions

Why This Recipe Works

This Traeger Smoked Potatoes recipe is quick and easy to prepare, especially if you bake the potatoes in an Instant pot (here's a good recipe). The list of ingredients is simple and the end result is AMAZING!

Smoked Baked Potatoes make a delicious side dish option to smoked entrees. Especially if the meat requires resting before slicing. While the meat is resting, pop the prepared potatoes in the smoker for 15 minutes and they'll be ready to serve at the same time.

For those of you who don't have a smoker, I'm including simple oven directions too! This way everyone's happy.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

Potatoes — The best potatoes to use to make this recipe is Russet Potatoes.
Bacon — Make sure to use regular bacon because you will be brushing the potatoes with some of the rendered fat. Turkey bacon is just too lean. Unless you want to make this recipe healthier, in which case, you can use olive oil to brush the potato skins with.
Ranch Seasoning — If you don't have ranch seasoning it can be left out. Instead, you can mix chopped parsley or your favorite herbs or don't replace it at all.
Half and Half — Instead of half and half, you can use whole milk or cream. I'll even allow 2%.
Garlic — Fresh garlic makes all the difference in this recipe. Especially since it's toasted in the skillet prior to adding it to the filling.
Cheese — I like to use shredded sharp cheddar cheese, but you can experiment with various cheeses including smoked gouda or blue cheese.

How to Make Traeger Smoked Potatoes

Step 1 | Bake Potatoes: Scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush (affiliate link) and either bake in the oven or in an Instant Pot.

Meanwhile, fry bacon in a cast-iron skillet (affiliate link) along with the unpeeled garlic cloves. When the bacon is crisp and the garlic is toasted, remove both and drain on paper towels. Crumble the cooled bacon and peel the garlic.

bacon and garlic on a paper towel covered plate

Step 2 | Carve Potatoes: When the baked potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half on a cutting board and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving approximately ¼" thickness all around. Brush the potatoes (including the bottoms) with some of the bacon fat, then broil on low for 5 minutes or until the potato skins are golden brown around the edges and slightly crispy.

Tip: Broiler temperatures can vary. Keep a close eye on the potato skins to make sure they don't burn.

Step 3 | Prepare Filling: Add the potato flesh to a medium-sized bowl and mash with a fork or a potato masher (affiliate link). Add ranch seasoning, salt, black pepper, sour cream, half and half, and half of the shredded cheese. Run the garlic through a garlic press and add to the bowl along with ½ of the bacon crumbs. Mix thoroughly until combined.

Step 4 | Fill Potato Skins: Spoon the potato filling mixture into the potato skins. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and bacon bits.

Step 5 | Smoke Potatoes: Preheat Traeger or Pellet Grill (affiliate links) to 450-degrees F. Add prepared potatoes and smoke for 15 minutes, or until the filling is cheesy and bubbly.

Optional Oven Directions

Instead of popping the twice-baked potatoes into the smoker, place the tray in the oven, on the top rack, and broil on low until the cheese is melted and the filling is bubbly. This should only take a few minutes. Watch carefully so that they don't burn.

Serving Suggestions

Top with sour cream and sliced scallions before serving. If serving picky eaters, leave some as-is. Another option is to serve the sour cream and scallions on the side and let each person decide for themselves.

Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

How do you know when a baked potato is done in the oven?

Prick the potato with a fork. If the fork slides in without any resistance, the baked potato is ready. Another way to tell if a baked potato is ready is to squeeze it gently while wearing an oven mitt. If there is resistance, the potato needs to cook longer.

How long does it take to smoke a potato at 275 degrees F?

It takes approximately two hours to smoke potatoes at 275 degrees F. This is one reason why I like preparing the potatoes in my Ninja Foodi and smoking them at the end for 15 minutes.

What potatoes are best for baking?

Russet potatoes are the best for baking. To begin with, they come in various sizes. The larger ones are perfect for baking. Russets have a high starch content and light, fluffy texture when baked. Finally, their thick skin stands up to baking and tastes delicious when oiled and salted prior to baking.

Instead of brushing the baked potatoes with bacon fat, you can use melted butter or olive oil for a healthier option.
For spicier smoked potatoes top with Crispy Jalapeños (affiliate link) or sliced fresh jalapeños before adding the potatoes to the smoker.
If you want to be extra naughty and throw caution to the wind, mix a tablespoon of the bacon grease into the filling ingredients.
For a little added flavor and color, sprinkle the potatoes with smoked paprika before serving.

twice baked potatoes — **Twice Baked Traeger Smoked Potatoes**

Other Smoker Recipes

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