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!
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.
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.
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!
Bake until cheese melts.
Finish with sour cream and scallions.
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?
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.
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.
You can even get the Limited Edition Football Tailgate RITZ Crackers. How cute are these little footballs?
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.
Loaded Baked Potato Topper
with creamy mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream and scallions.
Everything you love about loaded mashed potatoes in one bite!
Equipment
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.
This is tailgating comfort food. I will make these for weekend entertaining.
This is a great way to use crackers! Feeling inspired to go get some and try it now!
Omg I would eat TOO many of these. Love an easy appetizer recipe!
This was pure comfort food that was a huge hit while watching the Detroit Lions ALMOST win! Can’t wait to make them again.
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!
Talk about perfect football food! Looking forward to enjoying this while we watch the game this weekend!
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!
Such a unique and fun concept. We all loved it!
These are not just delicious for my next tailgate, but they’re going to make a great Thanksgiving appetizer this year, too… yum!
This would ve a great party appetizer. So creative!
Such a fun idea and these make a great party appetizer recipe!
LOVE IT!! Such a genius idea to put on top of ritz crackers. I’m completely sold
This recipe takes your mashed potatoes to the next level. I don’t think I can ever go back.
Looks like the perfect pick-me-up kinda snack for a party!
This is such a genius idea for game day! Perfect appetizer for entertaining friends