The Best Slimming Jacket Potato Fillings

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

Having some exciting ideas up your sleeve for slimming jacket potato fillings is a great way to keep yourself on track and ensure that you don’t get stuck in a lunchtime rut. 

Bored of your usual potato topping? Looking for a little inspiration to keep you satisfied until dinner?

I’ve got you covered!

Here’s everything you need to know, from a list of fillings, to preparing the perfect tattie… 

How to bake the perfect jacket potato

Before we get down to business, let’s first consider how to cook your jacket potato so it’s perfectly fluffy on the inside, and delightfully extra crispy on the outside, with that beautiful golden glow.

The quickest way to cook a jacket potato is to just chuck it in the microwave, and that’s a totally acceptable option if you’re in a rush.

This method though is definitely worth trying if you have a bit more time on your hands, and access to an oven… 

1. Select the perfect potato for the job

A floury potato is the best option for making a jacket potato. They also tend to come in larger sizes, which is great when your potato is going to form the basis of your meal. Look out for Maris Piper, Desiree, King Edward, and Melody varieties.

My personal favourite is Asda’s Extra Special Marabel. Many supermarkets now have packets labelled as ‘baking potatoes’, and these tend to be a good choice. 

It’s also worth noting here that you shouldn’t overlook a sweet potato. They’re a great source of fibre and essential vitamins, and they can also shake things up a little bit if you’re looking to make lunchtimes more exciting! 

2. Prepare your potato

Wash your potato, remove any gnarly bits, and prick it several times with a fork.

Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees (fan). 

3. Pre-cook your potato in the microwave

Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes (depending on the size of your potato), then turn it over, prick again, and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. Test with a fork at this stage – it should feel soft all the way through.

4. Spritz with low calorie cooking spray and season  

Spritz the potato with Frylight or your favourite supermarket alternative, and then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 

5. Bake in the oven

Bake your potato on a baking tray, in the middle of your oven, for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and crispy. 

Slimming jacket potato fillings

  • Homemade spicy salsa salad – simply chop up fresh tomatoes, red onion, and coriander, and mix with sweetcorn. Add a dash of Tabasco sauce or a sprinkle of dried chilli flakes, and squeeze over fresh lime juice. This is one of my favourite ways to use up bits and bobs from the fridge, and it always reminds me of holidays! 
  • Baked beans – simple and high in fibre and protein, which will keep you fuller for longer 
  • Chilli con carne – this is a real winter warmer, and is one of my go-to options on cold autumn and winter evenings! 
  • Tinned tuna and sweetcorn – I add a little fat free natural yoghurt instead of mayo, for that lovely creaminess. You can also add red onion or some chopped gherkins for extra crunch 
  • Tinned salmon – this is perfect on its own, or with a dash of white wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
  • Cottage cheese 
  • Chicken jalfrezi – I’ll often make a batch of this, serve it for dinner on an evening, then serve another portion on a jacket potato the next day. It’s even better once the flavours have developed overnight! 
  • Creamy garlic mushrooms
  • Minced beef keema curry
  • Tinned tomatoes – add oregano for an Italian twist, or some dried chilli flakes if you love a bit of spice 
  • Bolognese – whip up your favourite recipe and use baked potatoes as your base instead of pasta 
  • Fresh roasted tomatoes with garlic – simple but so delicious! Buy the best quality tomatoes you can afford to make this option really sing 
  • Cooked plain chicken – mix with a little natural yoghurt instead of mayo, and add chopped veggies such as tomato, cucumber, or sweetcorn
  • Cooked seasoned chicken – with some creative use of herbs, spices, and seasonings, you can have a huge variety of different slimming jacket potato fillings. I regularly order a selection from Spicentice to keep me going. My favourites include the Cajun, fajita, piri-piri, and souvlaki! 
  • Mackerel or smoked salmon – gently mash with natural yoghurt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice 
  • Scrambled eggs – a great option if you’re trying to up your protein intake whilst cutting down on meat! Add diced peppers, spinach, onions, mushrooms, or whatever other veggies you have in your fridge 
  • Stir fried veggies with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger – your baked potato makes a great alternative to noodles for serving a Chinese-inspired stir fry
  • Chickpea curry – chickpeas are free, and really versatile! You can whip up a quick and easy curry by cooking them with tinned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and your favourite curry spices 
  • Chopped ham
  • Homemade coleslaw 
  • Homemade prawn cocktail – plain cooked prawns can be given a retro makeover with natural yoghurt, tomato puree, lemon juice, and seasoning 
  • Ratatouille – this is essentially tomatoes, chunky vegetables, and plenty of herbs, and you can make your own version at home for your baked potatoes 
  • Mushy peas – a bit of a controversial one, but give it a try! 
  • Spaghetti hoops – simple but mega quick and easy 
  • Cheesy baked beans
  • Tuna mayonnaise – natural yoghurt is a fantastic replacement for mayonnaise when you’re slimming, but sometimes only the real thing will do 
  • Chicken mayonnaise – see above! 
  • Egg mayonnaise
  • Beef bourguignon – I often serve this on a Sunday with mash and green veggies, and I’ll keep a portion to enjoy the next day for lunch on top of a jacket potato 
  • Coronation chicken
  • Chilli feta scrambled eggs
  • Goan prawn curry
  • Light corned beef 
  • Cheese and bacon – serve with a spoonful of natural yoghurt 
  • Spinach and feta – I like to wilt the spinach in a frying pan, and then crumble over the feta
  • Pizza potato – use tinned tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and all your usual favourite pizza toppings! 
  • Cheese savoury
  • Smashed avocado 
  • Honey, bacon, and chilli flakes – this one is perfect for sweet potato jackets 
  • Loaded sweet breakfast potatoes – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Take a sweet potato and stuff with banana, honey, yoghurt, berries, a little peanut butter, and a sprinkle of granola or your favourite nuts