I'm excited to share a delicious recipe for scrumptious stuffed baked potatoes. It's the perfect Christmas Eve treat, and there's a special ingredient: primula cheese!
Primula has a great flavour that's smooth, cool, savoury, mellow and just perfect for a variety of dishes.
Gluten-free and free from artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, Primula is soft cheese that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike - it's even suitable for mums to be! What's more, a 25g squeeze of Primula Light is only 42 calories.
Primula is also a little different when it comes to its business operations, as it's owned by charitable organisation, the Kavli Trust.
The Kavli Trust donates thousands of pounds to supporting research, humanitarian and cultural projects every year, making a difference in improving people’s lives, so every time you buy Primula Cheese you're also helping to support several worthy causes.
Primula is particularly popular at Christmas, when we all stock up on our favourite foodie treats, so I've created a recipe that's perfect for a Christmas Eve snack or any occasion when you want something special and delicious, that's also super easy and quick to make, and that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
These stuffed mini baked potatoes with assorted toppings are absolutely delicious. The bite size portions makes them super quick to cook, and warm, earthy potato is complemented beautifully by a creamy variety of Primula flavours that melt temptingly into the fluffy potato beneath toppings of chives, salmon, chilli and ham.
Here's how to make these delicious stuffed mini baked potatoes:
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) mini potatoes (you'll need about 20)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the toppings
- 0.5 slice smoked salmon torn into thin strips
- 0.5 red chilli thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives cut into 2cm lengths
- 1/2 slice thin ham torn into thin strips
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Primula
- 1 pinch salt and black pepper
Equipment
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (180C/360F fan). Place the clean and dry potatoes on a nonstick baking tray, mix with the olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
Bake for 30 minutes until golden and crinkled.
When cool enough to handle, cut a cross in the top of each one around half way through and squeeze slightly to form the classic baked potato look.
Top with the Primula.
Season with pepper.
And then with the toppings of your choice.
Enjoy these stuffed mini baked potatoes!
What a great snack, right?
Will these stuffed mini baked potatoes feature on your Christmas Eve menu this year?
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect stuffed mini baked potatoes
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes easy to make?
These mini baked potatoes are an absolute doddle to make, and as they are so small they only take half an hour to cook. They're also very easy to decorate but end up looking as cute as they are tasty at the end.
If you prefer you can let everyone construct their own toppings for a bit of fun and it has the added benefit of making them even quicker for you to prepare.
Will I need any special equipment for this recipe?
You won't need any special equipment for this recipe that you wouldn't find in the average kitchen, in fact nothing more than a mixing bowl and a baking tray should see you through.
Where can I buy mini potatoes?
Mini potatoes aren't so much a variety as related to when the potato has been harvested.
Mini potatoes, often called ‘new potatoes’, are harvested earlier than most - hence their small size - which also gives them a unique taste and texture with a waxy skin, high moisture content and low levels of starch.
How can I tell if a potato has gone off?
This will vary a little for smaller potatoes but the following generally holds true regardless of the type or what point the potato it was harvested at.
The first thing to check is that there are no obvious signs of spoilage such as mould or wetness, if there is then discard the potato.
Next, make sure there are no unpleasant or peculiar smells coming from the potatoes. This is generally quite obvious as a rotten potatoes have a very noticeable odour. If they smell like they have gone off you should throw them away.
Next, inspect the skin to make sure that it isn't discoloured or shrivelled and that the potatoes aren’t overly soft. While they will still be edible up to a point the potatoes certainly will be past their best in terms of taste and texture if they have begun to shrivel.
Finally, if the skin of your potato is green you may not want to eat it, especially if it’s more than just the odd spot that can be peeled or cut away. The green comes from the potato producing more chlorophyll, usually due to being exposed to light. The chlorophyll itself isn't dangerous, but can indicate the potato has started to produce more solanine, which is a toxic compound the potato produces to protect itself against insects, bacteria, fungi and animals - which include humans. The presence of chlorophyll isn't a definitive indicator of the presence of solanine and vice versa, but it's a good sign. Peeling off the green skin won’t remove all, or even the majority, of the solanine from the potato and neither will cooking it. So, if it’s more than a few spots of green I’d advise against eating it.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes suitable for vegetarians?
This recipe is suitable for vegetarians depending on the topping and types of cheese you use. While it should be fairly obvious which toppings are vegetarian, it can be more difficult to tell when it comes to different cheeses, so check the ingredients of each cheese. If you are serving it for a party it might be a good idea to serve them on different plates, or even pop each one in a colour-coded mini muffin case (green for vegetarian, red for meat).
You could also make these mini potatoes completely vegetarian by only using vegetarian cheese and vegetarian alternatives to meat. Vegetarian ham can be found in all UK supermarkets, and there are even some excellent vegetarian and vegan alternatives to smoked salmon becoming available in the UK.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes suitable for vegans?
These mini baked potatoes aren't vegan as they contain cheese and some of the toppings contain animal products.
However, you could substitute the cheese for a vegan alternative. I would suggest using a rice based cheese that melts slightly or waiting for the potatoes to cool a little and using a vegan cream cheese.
For the toppings both ham and smoked salmon have excellent vegan alternatives available in the UK and many other places throughout the world
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes gluten-free?
This recipe is gluten free, which includes the cheese as all varieties of Primula are gluten-free. As always, it's best to check the labels on everything you buy just in case, as various products can’t guarantee they are gluten free and/or produced in a gluten-free environment.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes keto-friendly?
The main ingredient of this recipe is potatoes which are very high in carbohydrates so this isn't a very keto-friendly dish. However, you could substitute each mini potato for a floret of cauliflower to make a dish that is similar, but much lower in carbs. I'd cut a little wedge in the top of each floret with a pairing knife to rest the toppings in.
Primula cheese also has a fairly high amount of carbohydrates compared to many other cheeses, so you may want to substitute this for something else such as brie.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes healthy?
While this recipe has a fair amount of carbs from the potato and some fat from the cheese it also is quite nutritionally dense. So, while best left as a party treat or occasional snack it's certainly not unhealthy.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes safe to eat while pregnant?
There is nothing in this recipe that is unsafe to eat while pregnant, but if you are going to switch up any of the ingredients it's best to double-check their safety. For instance, any mould-ripened soft cheeses (like brie or camembert), ripened goats' milk cheese, soft blue-veined cheeses (such as roquefort) shouldn’t be eaten as there's a higher risk that it could be carrying listeria, a type of unsafe bacteria.
For more UK specific information visit the NHS website which has a lot of great information on foods to avoid while pregnant.
A Mummy Too does not give medical advice, if you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional.
Are stuffed mini baked potatoes suitable for babies and toddlers?
They are, but iIf you know ahead of time that you will be serving these baked potatoes to younger children I would forgo salting the skins or using any chilli slices. Also, make sure to cut the mini potatoes up into small pieces to avoid choking hazards.
If you are using different cheeses than those listed in the recipe make sure they are suitable for young children as many are not. For instance any mould-ripened soft cheeses (like brie or camembert), ripened goats' milk cheese or soft blue-veined cheeses (such as roquefort) shouldn’t be eaten as there's a higher risk that it could be carrying listeria, a type of bacteria that is unsafe for young children.
What goes well with stuffed mini baked potatoes?
More finger food! While they take a little longer to prepare these goats cheese croquettes would offer another wow factor to the table if you're creating a party platter.
And if you're after something sweet that would compliment the cheesy mini potaote sthen these blackberry tartlets would make another welcome addition to the table, and are also very quick to make
Can I make this recipe without Primula?
Yes, you can swap the Primula for any cheese you like. Be it something as simple as cheddar or as daring as a blue cheese. Primula is naturally creamy so you don't need to melt it, but for most other cheeses 30 seconds under the grill after you have placed them on the potatoes will help to to fix the toppings in place before the cheese cools.
Bear in mind that if you use a cheese that doesn't melt, like feta or halloumi, you will have a tougher time fixing certain ingredients to the top of each mini potato.
If you use something that melts easily, like cream cheese, you should wait for the potatoes to cool down before adding it.
How should I store stuffed mini baked potatoes?
The potatoes should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge where they will last up to 3 days. As the cheese and toppings will make the hard to stack it's best to keep them in a single layer and, if necessary, multiple containers.
How long do stuffed mini baked potatoes keep?
This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. While best fresh out of the oven and still warm I do also find them a very tasty as a cold snack too. When cold they work particularly well as part of picnics in the summer.
Can I leave stuffed mini baked potatoes out on the counter?
As this recipe contains cheese it can't be left at room temperature and must be stored in the fridge so dangerous bacteria and pathogens don’t develop rapidly.
Can I make stuffed mini baked potatoes ahead?
This recipe is best served when the potatoes are still warm, so there's not too much you can do ahead of time as preparing the toppings earlier than necessary will leave the chilli and chive slices to wilt, and the meat to oxidize faster.
Can I freeze stuffed mini baked potatoes?
I haven't tried freezing them, but I suspect that they wouldn't freeze very well. An alternative might be to store any leftovers in the fridge and mash them up the next morning then turn them into patties and fry in a little oil, which would make for a delicious breakfast.
What is the best way to reheat this recipe?
The cheese and toppings used in the recipe will reheat, but do be aware that the taste and texture will be somewhat different. If you prefer, you can let everyone at the table construct their own mini baked potato cheese and topping combos, which will make reheating the potatoes alone easier.
Either way, preheat your oven to 180C and when it has come up to temperature take your mini potatoes from the fridge and place them on a baking tray then into the oven to warm through, which should take around 8-12 minutes.
If the potatoes are fully constructed I would suggest baking them them until you start to see a little bubbling and browning on the cheese and toppings, which will only add to the flavour.
Can I make this recipe in a different quantity?
The great thing about this recipe is how easy it is to scale up or down, from using up the last few mini potatoes in a bag to make a quick snack, to having enough finger food to feed a whole party.
To adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly simply use the handy quantity slider on the recipe card below, which will automatically adjust the ingredients accordingly.
How can I make sure my mini potatoes are perfectly cooked?
For mini potatoes a golden brown and slightly crinkled skin will almost always mean a soft, fluffy and well cooked interior. For larger baked potatoes it can be a little more difficult to tell, but again a well browned skin is a good sign, which should also be anywhere from firm to crispy depending on how you like it.
It can be quite easy to undercook a potato, but thankfully it's rather hard to overcook them - even mini ones. With that in mind it's generally best to err on the side of caution and give them a few more of minutes more if you’re unsure.
If you have a thermometer then an internal temperature of 100C will ensure that your potatoes (mini or normal) are perfectly cooked and fluffy inside.
Why did my potatoes come out burned or overcooked?
While it's not too easy to do, it is possible to overcook potatoes, especially mini ones. If your potatoes have come out burnt then I would first check the temperature of your oven is correct and then that the cooking time was right.
Lastly, very old potatoes that have lost a significant amount of their moisture may cook faster than mini potatoes that are still at their best.
Why did my mini potatoes turn out hard or undercooked?
If your potatoes are hard or undercooked then it's likely the oven was at a lower temperature than instructed or they hadn't been in the oven for long enough. Either way there is an easy solution, just double check your oven temperature and place the potatoes back in the oven to finish cooking before they have had a chance to cool down too much.
How can I add/change the flavours in this dish?
Potatoes are such a great vehicle for so many different flavours there's an almost endless variety of possible toppings, so why not see what you have available in the fridge and get creative!
If you're after some easy party pleasers then letting people construct their own mini potatoes and serving with homemade or shop bought dips such as pesto, sour cream with chives, guacamole etc works well.
Here's a few more ideas to get you started:
- A sprig of mint and a few peas
- Cheddar and bacon
- Brie with a few dried Cranberries
- Mozzarella and pesto
- Cream cheese and gravlax
- A thin slice of chorizo with a slice of manchego
- Confit garlic or roasted garlic with a sprig of rosemary
Print this mini potatoes recipe
If you'd like to make this yummy dish for yourself - perhaps on Christmas Eve - you can print it by clicking the grey PRINT button on the recipe card below.
Mini Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) mini potatoes (you'll need about 20)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the toppings
- 0.5 slice smoked salmon torn into thin strips
- 0.5 red chilli thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives cut into 2cm lengths
- 1/2 slice thin ham torn into thin strips
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Primula
- 1 pinch salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (180C/360F fan). Place the clean and dry potatoes on a nonstick baking tray, mix with the olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden and crinkled.
- When cool enough to handle, cut a cross in the top of each one around half way through and squeeze slightly to form the classic baked potato look.
- Top with the Primula.
- Season with pepper.
- Finish with the toppings of your choice.
Video
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Primula.
Pin these mini stuffed jacket potatoes
More great party ideas
If you enjoyed these stuffed mini baked potatoes, why not look for more inspiration from my festive bakes? Here are a few I think you'll love.
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Julie says
These are so cute! I love that you used so many different flavor combinations - not only is it visually beautiful to have the different options, but perfect for people to pick and choose at a party. Great appetizer!
Emily Leary says
They really do make the perfect party food as there's just so many options for toppings!
Anne Murphy says
I love the cute little potatoes! (And that solves my gluten free canape problem quite nicely!)
I've never seen that cheese here in the US, but I imagine it will still be good with some of the better spreadable cheeses that I can get. (Though those flavors sound delicious!)
Emily Leary says
Yep just substitute for your favourite spreadable cheese and they should still be delicious!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
Okay, I LOVE this idea! Such a fun party appetizer. I think this would be great to let guests top their own too, sort of like a mini baked potato bar.
Emily Leary says
That's a brilliant idea!
Jessica Pinney says
Wow! What an adorable idea for finger food! Thanks for the idea.
Emily Leary says
My pleasure! They're absolutely perfect for parties