Oman today_ Kumpir is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey, especially found in the lively streets and alleys of Istanbul. At its core, it’s simply a baked potato, but what makes it special is the wide variety of fillings that are stuffed inside. This perfect balance of simplicity and endless flavor options has made it a favorite not only among tourists but also locals.
To make kumpir, you will need 4 large potatoes, 4 tablespoons of butter, 1 chopped sausage, 5 slices of bologna, 5 pickles, 1/4 cup of cooked or canned corn, shredded mozzarella cheese as desired, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and some oil.
The preparation is very simple:
First, wash the potatoes thoroughly with their skins on, as they will be served that way. Dry them, wrap each one in foil, and bake in the oven at 200°C for about 1 hour until fully cooked and fluffy inside. Meanwhile, prepare the filling by chopping the sausage and lightly frying it in a bit of oil. Then add the chopped bologna and pickles, corn, salt, black pepper, and mayonnaise, mixing everything together well.
Once the potatoes are ready, remove the foil and scoop out a little from the inside. Add some butter and mozzarella cheese to each hot potato so that they melt right away. Next, fill the potatoes with the prepared mixture and top with more mozzarella. Place them back in the oven at 100°C for about 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese melts perfectly and becomes stretchy.
Finally, garnish your kumpir with your favorite sauce—ketchup, mayonnaise, or even a homemade blend of lemon juice, thyme, and dried dill—and enjoy. If you don’t have an oven or microwave, you can steam the potatoes instead and follow the same process.
The beauty of kumpir lies in its flexibility: you can easily swap sausage and bologna for chicken, ground beef, mushrooms, or bell peppers, creating a new and delicious variation every time.