Cheese Bacon Potato Rösti

Featured in: Comfort Food Love

This Swiss-inspired potato rösti delivers irresistible crispness with layers of golden shredded potatoes, smoky bacon, and gooey cheese. The mixture is grated, seasoned, and pan-fried until each side is perfectly crisp, with buttery richness and a gentle hint of nutmeg. Serve hot in wedges for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory side. Pair with sour cream or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Versatile for vegetarians using mushrooms, and easily made gluten-free with alternative flours. Enjoy the warm, nourishing comfort in each bite.

Updated on Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:25:50 GMT
Crispy Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti topped with spring onions, perfect for brunch. Save
Crispy Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti topped with spring onions, perfect for brunch. | tastyeffect.com

Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti is a deliciously crispy, golden Swiss-inspired dish that beautifully combines smoky bacon and gooey melted cheese with tender starchy potatoes. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying brunch, or a savory side, this rösti offers a comforting taste of Switzerland with every bite.

Crispy Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti topped with spring onions, perfect for brunch. Save
Crispy Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti topped with spring onions, perfect for brunch. | tastyeffect.com

Preparing the potatoes just right—grating and squeezing out moisture—is key to achieving that signature crispness. Combining cherished ingredients like Gruyère or Emmental cheese with tender bacon ensures every bite is rich and satisfying, while fresh spring onions add brightness.

Ingredients

  • 800 g (about 4 medium) starchy potatoes, peeled
  • 120 g smoked bacon, diced
  • 120 g grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 spring onions, finely sliced
  • 2 tbsp cornflour or potato starch (or plain flour)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1.
Grate the potatoes using a large-holed box grater. Place in a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
2.
In a large mixing bowl, combine grated potatoes, bacon, cheese, spring onions, cornflour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly.
3.
Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
4.
Add the potato mixture, pressing down with a spatula to form an even, compact layer. Cook for 12–15 minutes until crisp and golden on the bottom.
5.
Place a large plate over the pan and carefully invert the rösti onto the plate. Add the remaining oil and butter to the pan, then slide the rösti back in, uncooked side down.
6.
Cook for another 12–15 minutes until the second side is golden and the rösti is cooked through.
7.
Slide onto a board, cut into wedges, and serve hot.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To get maximum crispiness, make sure to squeeze out all excess moisture from the grated potatoes. Use a non-stick frying pan around 28 cm in diameter to allow even cooking. Pressing the mixture firmly when forming the rösti encourages a compact, sturdy texture and easier flipping.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a vegetarian version, swap out the bacon for smoked turkey or mushrooms. Substitute the Gruyère with cheddar if you prefer a sharper cheese flavor. To make individual portions, shape the mixture into smaller patties and fry separately.

Serviervorschläge

Serve your rösti hot, accompanied by a dollop of sour cream or alongside a fresh green salad to balance the richness. It’s also excellent as a side dish to eggs or grilled meats for a complete meal.

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| tastyeffect.com

This Cheese & Bacon Potato Rösti recipe celebrates wholesome ingredients with a simple technique that yields a superbly textured, flavorful dish. Enjoy the rewarding process of crafting this classic comfort food, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring any time comfort and taste matter most.

Recipe FAQ

What type of potatoes work best?

Starchy potatoes such as Russet or Maris Piper are ideal for crisp rösti texture and golden color.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, replace bacon with smoked mushrooms or turkey, retaining a savory depth without meat.

Which cheese should I use?

Gruyère or Emmental add nutty flavor and melt well. Cheddar offers a stronger, tangier taste.

How do I ensure a crispy rösti?

Squeeze out potato moisture thoroughly, and fry patiently on medium heat for golden, crunchy edges.

Can I make individual portions?

Form small patties with the mixture and fry individually for personal-size rösti creations.

Is it gluten-free?

Use cornflour or certified gluten-free flour to keep the dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

Cheese Bacon Potato Rösti

Golden potato rösti with bacon and cheese, crisped to perfection for breakfast, brunch, or side dish appeal.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
30 min
Complete duration
50 min
Created by Laura Bennett


Skill level Medium

Heritage Swiss

Output 4 Portions

Dietary requirements No gluten

Components

Base vegetables

01 4 medium starchy potatoes, peeled
02 2 spring onions, finely sliced

Meat

01 4 ounces smoked bacon, diced

Dairy

01 4 ounces grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Binders and seasonings

01 2 tablespoons corn starch or potato starch (or all-purpose flour)
02 1 teaspoon salt
03 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

For frying

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

Phase 01

Grate potatoes and extract moisture: Using a large-holed box grater, grate the peeled potatoes. Transfer grated potatoes to a clean tea towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.

Phase 02

Combine mixture: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine grated potatoes with diced bacon, shredded cheese, sliced spring onions, corn starch, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until fully integrated.

Phase 03

Initiate cooking: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.

Phase 04

Form rösti and cook first side: Add potato mixture to the pan, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure an even, compact layer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, allowing the underside to become crisp and deeply golden.

Phase 05

Invert rösti: Place a large plate over the pan and invert the rösti so the uncooked side faces upward. Heat the remaining oil and butter in the pan, then slide the rösti back in uncooked side down.

Phase 06

Cook second side: Continue cooking for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, ensuring the bottom turns golden brown and the potatoes cook through.

Phase 07

Serve: Transfer rösti onto a cutting board, portion into wedges, and serve piping hot.

Necessary tools

  • Box grater
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Non-stick frying pan (minimum 11-inch recommended)
  • Spatula
  • Large plate (for flipping)

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter) and pork (bacon).
  • Gluten-free only if corn starch or certified gluten-free flour is used.
  • Verify bacon and cheese for gluten or allergen traces.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 390
  • Fats: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Proteins: 15 g