Description
A delicious and hearty Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl combining crispy oven-baked or air-fried potatoes with flavorful spiced minced beef, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a creamy homemade burger sauce, all served in a bowl for a convenient and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 700 g (1 lb 9 oz) potatoes, diced into 2 cm (¾ inch) cubes (approximately 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
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 (alternatively turkey, chicken, or plant-based mince)
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
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 (to adjust consistency)
Toppings
- 2 cups (250 g) grated melting cheese (blend of mozzarella, red cheddar, and colby recommended)
- 1 cos (romaine) lettuce, finely shredded
- ½ cup sliced gherkins (dill pickles)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer: For oven baking, preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced) for at least 20 minutes. For air frying, preheat to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare the potatoes: Toss the diced potatoes in a large baking tray lined with parchment paper with extra-virgin olive oil, paprika, onion powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Spread potatoes evenly in a single layer so they don’t overlap. If using two trays, arrange the potatoes evenly between them.
- Cook the potatoes: For oven method, bake for 40–45 minutes until crisp and golden, turning once halfway through cooking and swapping trays if using two. For air fryer, arrange potatoes in a single layer in the basket (cook in batches if necessary), air fry for 20–25 minutes shaking basket halfway through until golden and crispy on edges.
- Cook the beef mixture: Heat olive oil in a large, deep heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Add finely diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened. Add minced beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. Add sea salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the burger sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely chopped gherkins, Dijon mustard, ketchup, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until desired sauce consistency is reached. Stir well to blend evenly.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the crispy potatoes among four serving bowls. Top with the cooked beef mixture, followed by a generous sprinkle of grated melting cheese. Add shredded lettuce, sliced gherkins, reserved diced onion, and drizzle with the prepared burger sauce. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Note 1: You can substitute lean minced beef with turkey, chicken, or plant-based mince according to preference.
- Note 2: Whole-egg mayonnaise and Dijon mustard are generally gluten-free, but check labels if gluten sensitivity is an issue.
- Note 3: For extra melty cheese, use a blend of mozzarella and other good melting cheeses like red cheddar and colby.
- Use two oven trays if potatoes do not fit in a single layer on one.
- Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking ensures even crispiness on potatoes.
