Description
Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl is a hearty and flavorful dish combining crispy oven-baked or air-fried seasoned potatoes with savory minced beef, melty cheese, fresh lettuce, pickles, and a tangy homemade Big Mac–style burger sauce. This recipe offers a creative twist on the classic burger, served bowl-style for a satisfying and comforting meal perfect for four servings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Potatoes
- 700 g (1 lb 9 oz) potatoes, diced into 2 cm (¾ inch) cubes (roughly 2 medium potatoes per person)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced (reserve 1 tbsp for garnish)
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) lean minced (ground) beef (or turkey, chicken, plant-based mince as alternative)
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
For the Burger Sauce
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp finely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1–2 tbsp water
For Assembly
- 2 cups (250 g) grated melting cheese (blend of mozzarella, red cheddar, and colby cheeses)
- 1 cos (romaine) lettuce, finely shredded
- ½ cup sliced gherkins (dill pickles)
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced) for at least 20 minutes. Alternatively, preheat an air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Season the potatoes: On a large baking tray lined with parchment paper, toss the diced potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sweet paprika, onion powder, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer to avoid overcrowding—use two trays if necessary.
- Cook the potatoes (oven method): Bake the potatoes for 40–45 minutes until crispy and golden, turning them once halfway through cooking. If using two trays, swap their positions halfway for even baking.
- Cook the potatoes (air fryer method): Arrange the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed. Air fry for 20–25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until edges are golden and crispy.
- Cook the beef mixture: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until softened. Add the minced beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it up as it browns.
- Season the beef: Stir in sea salt flakes, sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cracked black pepper. Cook for another minute to let flavors meld, then set aside.
- Make the burger sauce: In a medium bowl, combine whole-egg mayonnaise, finely chopped gherkins, Dijon mustard, ketchup, sweet paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked crispy potatoes evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with the savory beef mixture, then sprinkle generously with the grated melting cheese. Follow with shredded romaine lettuce, sliced gherkins, reserved diced onion, and drizzle with the prepared burger sauce.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy your Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl fresh while the cheese is melty and the potatoes remain crispy.
Notes
- You can substitute the minced beef with turkey, chicken mince, or plant-based mince for a different protein option.
- The burger sauce ingredients may contain gluten depending on brands; check labels or use gluten-free alternatives if needed.
- For extra melty cheese, choose varieties like mozzarella or young cheddar and grate finely.
- To air fry potatoes, avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure crispiness.
