These easy to make Irish nachos are amazing! Tender crispy potatoes topped with cheese and bacon and served with sour cream and onions. This is an epic appetizer for any kind of celebration and is always a hit.
If you are looking for more Irish recipes, check out my Irish Soda Bread, Colcannon, Corned Beef Hash and Skillet Beef & Guinness Stew!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below!
This Irish Nachos recipe is a winner! Typically, regular nachos are made with tortilla chips, but for this recipe we are using crispy potatoes.
Which is basically, just potatoes that have been sliced and baked until crisp. You could use waffle fries if you prefer, but if you have the ingredients you’ll definitely want to follow my recipe and make the chips yourself.
They’re a little more hearty than regular chips, and when we load them up with the melty cheese, crisp bacon and onions, they’re heavenly. A little sour cream and everyone is happy!
These nachos are served in Irish pubs in the USA, and are especially popular on St. Patrick’s Day. I think they are perfect for any time of the year, be it game day or St. Paddy’s Day. See above the recipe for more appetizer ideas.
This is the ultimate appetizer, and pure comfort food. I hope you love it like we do! Check out my Loaded Cheese Fries, or my Greek Fries for yummy variations!
What you’ll find in this post:
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This recipe is super easy to make, and loved by everyone. Change up all the delicious toppings.
- Simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store but also easy to change up to your tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Irish Nachos actually Irish?
Nope! Actually, this dish is largely unknown in Ireland. It’s basically just pub food.
Traditional nachos are made with tortilla chips, but since we use potatoes (that are a traditional ingredient in Ireland), we call these Irish Nachos.
What to serve with Irish Nachos
A side of sour cream, cooked and crumbled bacon and that’s about it!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Potatoes. I use 3 large potatoes, about 1.5 pounds. Any kind of potato will work, but I like to use russet potatoes. This can also be made with sweet potatoes.
- Oil. Olive oil or vegetable oil work best.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder.
- Toppings: Crispy bacon, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and some green onions.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
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- Cast Iron Skillet. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, an oven safe dish or a sheet pan will work just fine.
How to make Irish Nachos
Scroll for Recipe
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Scrub the potatoes, then slice potatoes (skin on) into quarter inch (1/2 centimeter) thick slice.
Dice the bacon, chop the green onions.
Grease a baking sheet with oil (use a brush and oil vs cooking spray). You may need 2 baking sheet pans.
Cook the bacon
Heat a skillet to medium high and cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.
Season and cook the potatoes
In a large bowl add the oil, salt, pepper thyme and garlic powder.
Add the potatoes and mix well to coat all sides.
Turn out on the greased baking sheet, and separate so they are in a single layer for even cooking.
Cook for 20 minutes, then flip potatoes and cook 15 minutes further. Potatoes should be tender, and golden brown.
Topping
Place the potatoes in a single layer in a large cast iron skillet, overlapping them loosely.
Add the shredded cheese and crumbed bacon evenly over the top.
Set the oven to broil and return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Remove from oven, add the sour cream right in the middle, then sprinkle with green onions.
Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Substitutions/Additions
If you wanted to change it up, you could use some southwestern type seasonings on the potatoes and top with gooey cheese and pico de gallo.
Using leftover corned beef is a great way to REALLY make these Irish!
Using waffle fries or regular French fries or steak fries is totally okay. Make sure you season them up well though!
Add some freshly sliced jalapeno peppers to your nacho toppings for a spicy
More easy appetizer recipes:
- Baked Coconut Shrimp. These easy baked coconut shrimp are the perfect appetizer or light dinner. Crispy, crunchy and with a dipping sauce, this one is a winner!
- Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball. Make this easy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball for your next party or gathering, and watch it disappear fast! This is a great make ahead appetizer!
- Easy Queso Dip Recipe (in a skillet) An easy queso dip recipe, made in one skillet, combines chorizo, cilantro, 3 cheeses and fresh pico de gallo – perfect for entertaining!
- Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball. Easy and fast to mix up, and place in the fridge for later. A great make ahead appetizer, this Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball is sure to please the majority of guests!
- Buffalo Chicken Dip. Super easy to make, and always the first to be devoured, this Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great appetizer recipe for parties and gatherings!
- Scallops with Pineapple Salsa (from Hostess at Heart)
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Irish Nachos
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large Russet Potatoes (about 1.5 lb)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 ½ cups Monterey jack cheese
For serving
- Sour cream
- Green Onions
Directions
Get Prepped
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Wash the potatoes, and slice (skin on) into quarter inch (1/2 centimeter) thick slices.
- Dice the bacon, chop the green onions.
- Grease a baking sheet with oil (use a brush and oil vs cooking spray). You may need 2 baking sheets.
Cook the bacon
- Heat a skillet to medium high and cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
Season and cook the potatoes
- In a large bowl add the oil, salt, pepper thyme and garlic powder.
- Add the potatoes and mix well to coat all sides.
- Turn out on the greased baking sheet, and separate so they are in a single layer for even cooking.
- Cook for 20 minutes, then flip potatoes and cook 15-20 minutes further. Potatoes should be tender, and golden brown.
Topping
- Remove the potatoes and layer them in a large cast iron skillet, overlapping them loosely.
- Add the cheese and crumbed bacon evenly over the top.
- Set the oven to broil and return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Remove from oven, add the sour cream right in the middle, then sprinkle with green onions.
- Devour.
Notes
• Italian Seasoning in place of the thyme works great.
• Mix up the cheeses – if you like things spicy, use some pepper jack. I also like 4 cheese Mexican blend style cheeses. Check out the refrigerated cheese section for ideas.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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