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If you like baked potatoes, you’re going to love these Turkish stuffed baked potatoes!
In this kumpir recipe, we’re whipping the insides of our baked potatoes with butter and cheese until they’re super creamy.
Then, we’re loading them up with traditional toppings, both sweet and savory.
The result is a feast of flavors and textures that will redefine how you think about baked potatoes!
What is kumpir?
Kumpir is a popular street food in Turkey that has gained widespread popularity, both locally and internationally. The dish became popular in the 1980s on the streets of Istanbul and has since become a staple in Turkish street food culture.
It’s essentially a baked potato dish, where the potato is baked until the skin is crispy, and the inside is mashed to a fluffy texture.
What sets kumpir apart is the wide array of toppings that can be added, making it a customizable and flavorful dish.
Ingredients for this Turkish Kumpir Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make these creamy baked potatoes:
- Large potatoes. I recommend using Russet potatoes.
- Kosher salt. We’ll use the salt to line our baking sheet and it will help to draw out the moisture from the potatoes, resulting in crispy skin and fluffy flesh.
- Mozzarella cheese. Traditionally, Kaşar cheese is used for kumpir. Kaşar is a mild, Turkish type of cheddar cheese. If you’re able to find Kaşar cheese, definitely use it! If not, experts say that mozzarella is closest in flavor and texture.
- Butter
- Sliced green olives
- Chopped pickles
- Corn
- Pickled onions
How to Make Kumpir
It’s very easy to make these Turkish style baked potatoes. Start by sprinkling a baking sheet with kosher salt. Wash and dry your potatoes and pierce them all over with a fork.
Then, bake the potatoes. Depending on the size of the potatoes, the cooking time will take anywhere from 70 to 90 minutes.
While the potatoes are still hot, slice them open. Use oven mitts or hold the potato with tongs while you put a little bit of butter and cheese into each potato. (Alternatively, wrap each potato in aluminum foil so they’re cool to handle.)
Use a fork to whip the soft potato flesh with the butter and cheese.
Then, load ’em up with your favorite toppings!
Toppings Ideas for Turkish Baked Potatoes
The fun part about kumpir is that anything really goes as far as toppings. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different toppings!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Traditional Toppings
- Russian Salad: A mixture of mayonnaise, peas, carrots, and pickles, commonly known as “Russian salad,” is a popular topping that has a refreshing and crunchy texture.
- Olives: Sliced or whole olives are frequently used to enhance the Mediterranean flavors of the dish. Green, or Spanish olives, are my choice, but you could also try black olives.
- Sausages: Grilled sausages, often sliced and placed on top, provide a protein-rich element to the kumpir. You could also use hot dogs.
Non-Traditional Toppings
- Guacamole: For a modern twist, adding guacamole can give the kumpir a creamy and slightly tangy flavor.
- Sour Cream and Chives: Inspired by loaded baked potatoes, sour cream and fresh chives (or even chopped green onions) can add a burst of freshness and tanginess.
- Smoked Salmon: Elevate the dish with luxurious smoked salmon, providing a rich and savory element.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Adding sun-dried tomatoes can impart a sweet and intense burst of flavor to the kumpir.
- Caramelized Onions: Sautéed onions bring a sweet and savory component, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
When you make this popular Turkish kumpir recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more potato recipes, try these:
- Easy Homemade Whipped Potatoes
- Potatoes au Gratin with Corn and Gruyere
- Classic Jewish Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
Cheesy Stuffed Baked Potato Recipe (Turkish Kumpir)
Ingredients
- 4 large Russet potatoes
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced green olives
- 1/2 cup chopped pickles
- 1/2 cup pickled onions
- 1/2 cup cooked corn kernels
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- kosher salt for the baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle kosher salt in a light layer on a baking sheet.
- Scrub the potatoes clean and pat dry. Pierce potatoes with a fork all over. Place them on the baking sheet. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes, until easily pierced with a fork.
- While potatoes are hot, slice them open and place 1 Tbsp. of butter in each potato. Using a fork, stir 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese into the flesh of each potato and whip until creamy.
- Top each potato with corn, pickles, olives and pickled onions.
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