Irish Nachos

Irish Nachos combine everything you love about regular nachos with thinly sliced Russet potatoes, making them way more filling and hearty. Crispy potato slices get loaded with melted cheddar jack cheese, smoky bacon, and fresh green onions, plus Cajun seasoning for a kick. Each bite is crunchy, cheesy, and packed with flavor that disappears fast.

A baked dish of sliced potatoes, known as Irish Nachos, topped with melted cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions in a black serving dish.
Irish Nachos. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

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I make them for St. Patrick’s Day and game days because they’re easy to share and always disappear quickly. They’re also perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something more interesting than regular nachos. Leftovers stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer, crisping right back up.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Top-down view of labeled bowls containing ingredients for Irish Nachos, including cheddar jack cheese, green onions, Cajun seasoning, russet potatoes, thyme, bacon, sour cream, and onion powder on a light surface.
Irish Nachos Ingredients. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Make Irish Nachos with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

You’ll love how simple these Irish Nachos come together with basic ingredients and straightforward steps.

Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or line two 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper so the potatoes don’t stick.

Season the Potatoes

Arrange the sliced potatoes in a single layer on your prepared pan. I use a mandoline slicer to get even slices fast. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with onion powder, dried thyme, and Cajun seasoning. Make sure each slice gets coated for maximum flavor.

Bake Until Crispy

Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the potatoes and bake for another 20 minutes, until golden and crisp. Flipping halfway through gives you even browning on both sides.

Prepare for Broiling

Switch the oven to broil and transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe cast-iron skillet or casserole dish. This concentrates everything in one pan for easy serving.

Layer the Toppings

Layer the potatoes with shredded cheese and chopped bacon, repeating the layers until all ingredients are used. Building layers means every bite gets cheese and bacon.

An oval baking dish filled with cheesy baked potato slices, topped with bacon bits, sits next to a bowl of chopped green onions and a small bowl of white sauce—classic Irish Nachos style.
Layer the potatoes with cheese and bacon, then broil for 2 to 3 minutes.

Broil Until Bubbly

Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.

Garnish and Serve

Remove from the oven and top with chopped green onions. Sprinkle a bit of salt and ground black pepper if you want. Serve warm with sour cream on the side, and enjoy!

If you’re bringing Irish Nachos to a potluck or party, pack the potatoes separately from the toppings in an airtight container. Transport the cheese, bacon, and green onions separately in a bento box-style container and assemble everything at your destination.

Bring the sour cream in a mason jar or a sealed container with an ice pack to keep it cold. This way, everything stays crispy, and the cheese melts just perfectly.

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A close-up of a skillet filled with Irish Nachos topped with melted cheese, sliced green onions, black pepper, and a drizzle of white sauce.

Irish Nachos

Irish Nachos are my go-to when I need a shareable appetizer that's way more interesting and filling than regular nachos. Thinly sliced russet potatoes are crispy and golden, topped with melted cheddar jack cheese, smoky bacon, and fresh green onions, while Cajun seasoning adds a kick and sour cream cools everything down. They're hearty, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for St. Patrick's Day, game day parties, and weeknight dinners. You can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days, and they reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner Party, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: Irish Nachos
Servings: 8
Calories: 390kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

  • 4 Russet potatoes washed, scrubbed, dried, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 12 slices bacon cooked and chopped
  • 5 green onions diced
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar Jack cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Cooking spray

Video

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a large baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or line two 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper so the potatoes don't stick.
    Cooking spray
  • Arrange the sliced potatoes in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with onion powder, dried thyme, and Cajun seasoning.
    4 Russet potatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ⅓ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the potatoes and bake for another 20 minutes, until golden and crisp.
  • Switch the oven to broil. Transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe skillet or casserole dish.
  • Layer the potatoes with shredded cheese and chopped bacon. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
    12 slices bacon, 2 cups shredded cheddar Jack cheese
  • Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven and top with diced green onions. Serve warm with sour cream on the side.
    5 green onions, ½ cup sour cream

Notes

Here are my best tips for perfect Irish Nachos every time:
Slice evenly: Cut the potatoes about ⅛ inch thick using a mandoline slicer so they bake at the same rate and get equally crispy.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Arrange the potato slices in a single layer with a bit of space between them so they roast instead of steam.
Flip halfway through: Turn each potato slice at the 20-minute mark to get golden, crispy edges on both sides.
Layer strategically: Alternate potato slices with cheese and bacon so every layer gets loaded instead of piling everything on top.
Watch the broiler: Cheese goes from melted to burnt fast under the broiler, so stay close and pull them out as soon as the cheese bubbles.
Store properly: Store the nachos and sour cream separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the nachos in the oven or air fryer to bring back their crispness. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 399mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 458IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 248mg | Iron: 1mg
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How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Irish Nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The potatoes will soften a bit as they sit, but you can crisp them back up by reheating in the oven or air fryer. The microwave works in a pinch if you’re in a hurry.

For the sour cream, store it separately and add fresh green onions when you reheat. Irish Nachos don’t freeze well because the potatoes can get mushy when thawed, so they’re best enjoyed immediately or within a few days of making them.

What to Serve With Irish Nachos

They work great as an appetizer before burgers, grilled chicken, or steak for dinner. They’re hearty enough to be a main dish on their own if you serve them alongside a simple green salad or coleslaw.

For game day spreads, pair them with buffalo wings, tacos, sliders, or jalapeño poppers. The sour cream on the side doubles as a dip, but you can also add salsa, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or hot sauce if you want more variety. Fresh fruit also pairs well for balance.

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