Loaded Mashed Potato Topper

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mondelēz International. The opinions and text are all mine.

Leaves are changing color, there is a nip in air and it is football season. My favorite time of year!

stack of ritz crackers with mashed potato topping


 

Make these easy appetizers for your next tailgate! RITZ Crackers topped with creamy mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream and scallions. Everything you love about loaded mashed potatoes in one bite!

Whether you are attending a professional, college, high school or pee wee football game, you’ll need snacks. Tailgating and football just go together.

Overhead shot of RITZ box with plated RITZ crackers topped with loaded mashed potatoes

Tailgating snacks generally need to fill a few criteria. The first being that they are delicious, the second that they are easy to prepare and the third that they travel well.

Make sure you PIN RITZ Loaded Mashed Potato Topper!

This RITZ Loaded Mashed Potato Topper recipe fulfills all the mandatory tailgate requirements. It’s the perfect snack for football, baseball world series, trick-or-treating, party snacking or just a random Friday night.

Close up of Ritz cracker on a baking sheet

Buttery RITZ Crackers are one of my favorite baked potato toppings, so it only makes sense to put the baked potato on my RITZ Crackers. Bite-sized loaded mashed potatoes. Yippee!

Mashed potatoes, cheese, bacon and sour cream on a cracker

Bake until cheese melts.

Finish with sour cream and scallions.

Overhead of RITZ cracker toppers on a baking sheet

Gloat about being the hostess-with-the-mostess while everyone tells you what a genius you are to think up such an amazingly fantastic flavor combo.

If you are making this recipe at home, preparation and assembly is a no brainer, but what if you are taking them on-the-go to an actual tailgate?

Loaded mashed potato topper on a RITZ cracker

Mashed potatoes (potatoes in general) actually hold heat really well. Depending on your travel time, you can heat them before leaving, place them in a cooler bag (without ice) and the residual heat will melt the cheese when you get to assembly at your destination.

If you are grilling, place potatoes in a small aluminum container, cover loosely and place on a closed grill for 5 minutes or until warm.

ritz cracker pile

Some tailgates are fancy smancy and have electricity. If you are one of these that takes their pre-game very seriously, place your mashed potatoes in a small slow cooker (one of the mini ones used for dips).

The heat from the potatoes will melt the cheese or you can also use a small toaster oven to get the job done.

Hand reaching for a loaded baked potato cracker

You can even get the  Limited Edition Football Tailgate RITZ Crackers. How  cute are these little footballs?

RITZ Football Collage

Regardless of how you are making your RITZ Loaded Mashed Potato Toppers, line your baking sheet and serving platter with aluminum foil so you have a quick and easy clean up. My crackers usually go so fast, they never make it to the serving platter!

RITZ Crackers also pair with dips and other appetizers, making them the center of your tailgating spread.

RITZ Loaded Mashed Potato Topper for Pinterest
ritz cracker pile

Loaded Baked Potato Topper

5 from 15 votes
Make these easy appetizers for your next tailgate! RITZ Crackers topped
with creamy mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream and scallions.
Everything you love about loaded mashed potatoes in one bite!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 , 4 topped crackers each

Ingredients

  • 24 RITZ Crackers
  • ½ cup hot mashed potatoes
  • ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 6 slices cooked center-cut bacon
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 green onions , sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Place crackers in a single layer on foil-covered baking sheet.
  • Top with potatoes, cheese and bacon.
  • Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
  • Top with sour cream and green onions.

Notes

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 160 calories, 10g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 20mg cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate, <1g dietary fiber, 2g total sugars includes 1g added sugars, 6g protein, 4%DV Vitamin A, 2%DV Vitamin C, 0%DV Vitamin D, 8%DV calcium, 4%DV iron, 2%DV potassium

Nutrition

Serving: 4 g, Calories: 160 kcal, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Protein: 6 g, Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Sodium: 300 mg, Sugar: 2 g
Calories: 160
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: RITZ Crackers
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    This was pure comfort food that was a huge hit while watching the Detroit Lions ALMOST win! Can’t wait to make them again.

  2. 5 stars
    OMG, I must find these Ritz crackers with the footballs! I love them. This recipe was a hit with my football fan friends – very creative. I made it with some leftover mashed potatoes I had. I never would have thought of this, but it’s delish!

  3. 5 stars
    Talk about perfect football food! Looking forward to enjoying this while we watch the game this weekend!

  4. 5 stars
    Crispy, creamy, salty and then the freshness from the onions – all in one bite? How can this not be the best finger food ever! ??? So easy to make too!

  5. 5 stars
    These are not just delicious for my next tailgate, but they’re going to make a great Thanksgiving appetizer this year, too… yum!