Healthy Lower-Carb “Stuffed” Baked Potato Slices

Baked potato slices loaded with nutritious toppings are a lower-carb version of stuffed baked potatoes. Slice potatoes lengthwise, bake them, and load on your favorite topping combination to serve. Enjoy a decadent meal or snack that can fit right into your plan and is kid-friendly, too. 

Potatoes are naturally gluten-free, and depending on which toppings you choose, your treat can be dairy-free, plant-based (vegan), and high in protein and fiber. 

Topping Combinations and Variations for Lower-Carb “Stuffed”Baked Potato Slices

Use any topping you like, or try any of these combinations. Quantities are suggested portions per serving.

• Breakfast potatoes: a cooked egg, tomato slices, and arugula or spinach leaves
• Pizza potatoes: pizza sauce, chunky tomato sauce, or sliced tomatoes with fresh basil leaves, plus 1.5 ounces of shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, and vegetable toppings like diced onion and green pepper or sliced mushrooms. For extra protein, add 1-2 ounces of cooked diced cubes of skinless chicken. Bake for another few minutes to melt the cheese before serving.
• High-protein creamy vegetable: ½ cup of cottage cheese mixed with chopped tomato or bell peppers, chives or green onions, fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and seasoning like onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper. 
• Southwestern style: ½ cup of black beans, 1 ounce of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, storebought or homemade salsa, ½ cup of diced tomatoes, ½ cup of shredded lettuce; chopped cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and optional diced jalapeno for heat.
• Mushroom tilapia delight: ½-1 cup of sliced mushrooms and 3-4 ounces of tilapia or other white fish cooked in 2-3 tablespoons of low-sodium broth with herbs like basil or rosemary
• Mediterranean inspired: ½ cup of canned garbanzo beans, drained, 1 cup of vegetables like halved grape tomatoes, chopped cucumber or zucchini, or grilled onion chunks or cubes of eggplant or bell peppers, plus oregano or other herbs, and optional sprinkle of chopped walnuts or crumbled feta cheese. 
• Parmesan broccoli: ½ cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt mixed with 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, plus ½-1 cup of cooked broccoli florets

Recipe for Healthy Lower-Carb “Stuffed” Baked Potato Slices

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 4 medium potatoes, about 5 ounces each
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into slices about ⅛-inch thick. Try to slice the potatoes in a consistent thickness so they cook more evenly. 
2. In a bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste to coat. 
3. Place the potatoes onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked, flipping halfway to cook evenly. 
4. Serve with desired toppings.

Nutrition information per serving for Southwest variation: 390 calories; 9 grams of fat; 2 grams of saturated fat; 15 mg of cholesterol; 400 mg of sodium; 59 grams of carbohydrates; 6 grams of sugar; 12 grams of fiber; 18 grams of protein

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