Core Facts
- Base price: $12.49 (varies by location, up to about $13.79)
- Calories: 1,420 per full order
- Topped with cheddar cheese and Applewood smoked bacon
- Served with ranch dipping sauce
- Best shared between two to three people
I ordered Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves for the first time on a Tuesday night, mostly because the name sounded better than plain potato wedges. One bite in, I got why people were talking about it. Thick potato slices, crisp on the edges, buried under melted cheddar and bacon. It is not a small plate, and it is not a cheap one either. So before you order it, here is the real breakdown: what you pay, what you get, how many calories you are looking at, and whether it is worth picking over the rest of the appetizer menu. If you want to compare it against everything else Applebee’s serves, you can check the full Applebee’s menu for current prices on every category, from apps to entrées to drinks.
What Is This Appetizer, Exactly
This dish is a newer addition to Applebee’s appetizer menu, and it is built around one simple idea: give the potato more surface area to hold toppings. Instead of wedges or skins, the potato is sliced thick and wavy, so every piece has crisp edges and a soft middle. That shape matters. It means the cheese and bacon do not just sit on top, they settle into the ridges.
The official description keeps it simple. Crispy, cheesy, and dippable, thick cut potato slices smothered in melty cheddar cheese and Applewood smoked bacon, served with ranch on the side. That is the whole pitch, and it mostly delivers. This is a shareable appetizer, not a personal size snack, and it is priced and portioned that way.
Price and Calories, the Full Breakdown
The base price for this appetizer runs about $12.49 at company owned locations, though some franchise locations and delivery listings show it closer to $12.99 to $13.79. That gap comes down to local pricing and whichever platform you order through. The calorie count is consistent across most sources at 1,420 calories for the full order, which is on the higher end for an Applebee’s appetizer but not out of line with other loaded, cheese heavy starters.
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Loaded Potato Waves (base) | $12.49 | 1,420 cal |
| Add extra Cheddar Blend | +$0.99 | Extra cheese calories |
| Add extra Bacon | +$1.99 | Extra bacon calories |
| Add Parsley | No charge | Minimal |
| House Made Ranch (included) | No charge | Included in base total |
If you want a second dipping sauce beyond the included ranch, that runs an extra $0.50 per sauce. Here is what each option adds in calories, so you can pick with your eyes open.
| Extra Dipping Sauce | Add On Price | Calories Added |
|---|---|---|
| Marinara | +$0.50 | 50 cal |
| Cocktail | +$0.50 | 100 cal |
| Honey BBQ | +$0.50 | 200 cal |
| Classic Buffalo | +$0.50 | 210 cal |
| Extra Hot Buffalo | +$0.50 | 220 cal |
| Sweet Asian Chile | +$0.50 | 260 cal |
| Mexi Ranch | +$0.50 | 280 cal |
| Hot Honey Glaze | +$0.50 | 300 cal |
| House Made Ranch (extra) | +$0.50 | 330 cal |
| Tartar | +$0.50 | 370 cal |
| Honey Mustard | +$0.50 | 400 cal |
| Bleu Cheese | +$0.50 | 410 cal |
Taste and Texture, the Honest Review
Here is the thing about most loaded potato appetizers: the potato itself is usually an afterthought, just a base for cheese and bacon. This dish flips that. The potato does real work here. Each slice holds its shape, so you get a crisp edge, a soft center, and enough structure to dip without the whole piece falling apart. That is not a small detail. A lot of loaded fries and skins get soggy fast once the cheese melts in. These do not, at least not in the first several minutes after they hit the table.
The cheddar is melted evenly rather than dumped on in one clump, and the bacon is chopped small enough that you get a bit in almost every bite instead of one lucky piece. Ranch on the side is the right call. It cuts through the richness instead of adding more of it.
The trade off is price and portion. At close to $13 for an appetizer, this sits above Applebee’s other classic starters. The upside is the portion is genuinely big, easily enough for two to three people to split as a starter, or one very hungry person as most of a meal.
How This Dish Compares to Other Appetizers
Applebee’s appetizer menu has more than a dozen options, and this dish lands near the top on both price and calories. Here is how it stacks up against the other popular picks.
| Appetizer | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Loaded Potato Waves | $12.49 | 1,420 cal |
| Spinach and Artichoke Dip | $9.49–$9.99 | 990 cal |
| Crunchy Onion Rings | $8.99 | 1,330 cal |
| White Queso Dip and Chips | $8.99 | 920 cal |
| Mozzarella Sticks | $8.49–$8.99 | 860 cal |
| Chicken Wonton Tacos | $9.99–$10.99 | 590 cal |
What stands out is that this dish has the highest calorie count on this list by a real margin, but it is priced right in the middle of the pack. If your goal is a lighter shared plate, Chicken Wonton Tacos or Mozzarella Sticks are the better call. If you came in hungry and want the most food for your money, this one wins on portion size alone.
Loaded Potato Waves vs. Loaded Potato Skins
Applebee’s has run Loaded Potato Skins for years as part of its late night and value appetizer lineup, so it is the natural comparison. Both dishes use the same core idea: potato, melted cheddar, bacon, and a cool dip on the side. The difference is in the cut and the format.
Potato Skins use halved, hollowed out potato shells, so you get a firmer shell with the toppings sitting mostly on top. The Waves use thick, whole cut slices, so the toppings settle into the ridges and the bite is softer in the middle. Skins tend to run smaller and cheaper per order, which makes them a common pick during Applebee’s late night half price appetizer window. The Waves are the bigger, pricier, more filling option, better suited to a shared main course than a quick bar snack.
Customization Options for This Appetizer
- Extra cheddar blend: adds $0.99 if you want more cheese coverage on top.
- Extra bacon: adds $1.99 for guests who think the standard amount is not enough.
- Parsley: a free garnish option, mostly for color rather than flavor.
- Swap the dipping sauce: the included ranch can be substituted for another sauce at no extra charge in most cases; adding a second sauce on top of ranch costs $0.50 per sauce.
- Order it as a meal: given the 1,420 calorie count and large portion, some guests treat this as their main dish rather than a starter, especially when splitting it two ways.
This Appetizer at a Glance
Where It Ranks
- Highest calorie count among Applebee’s most popular appetizers
- Mid range on price compared to other shareable starters
- Bigger portion than Loaded Potato Skins
- Newer menu item, still building a following
Smart move:
split this appetizer between two people and pair it with a lighter entrée. That keeps the meal balanced without giving up the appetizer you actually wanted.Infographic summary of Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves price, calories, and menu ranking.
Smart Ordering Tips
- Split it, do not solo it. At 1,420 calories, this appetizer alone covers most of a full day’s recommended intake for a lot of people. Share it and order a lighter entrée alongside it.
- Ask for ranch on the side if you already got it included. Some locations plate it drizzled on top by default, and that changes the calorie math if you were not planning on using all of it.
- Skip the extra sauce if you are watching calories. The included ranch already covers the dip. A second sauce like Bleu Cheese or Honey Mustard adds 300 to 400 calories on its own.
- Check pricing on your ordering app before you commit. Delivery platforms sometimes mark this up a dollar or two above the dine in price.
- Pair it with something crisp, not another fried side. A side salad or steamed broccoli balances the richness better than a second fried item.
Common Mistakes People Make Ordering This
FAQs About This Appetizer
How many calories are in Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves?
A full order has about 1,420 calories. That number covers the base dish with cheddar cheese, bacon, and the included ranch. Adding extra cheese, bacon, or a second dipping sauce raises that total further.
How much do Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves cost?
It costs about $12.49 at most locations, though some restaurants and delivery apps price it between $12.99 and $13.79. Local pricing and the ordering platform you use both affect the final total.
What comes on Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves?
The dish is made of thick cut potato slices topped with melted cheddar cheese and Applewood smoked bacon, served with a side of house made ranch for dipping.
Can you add extra bacon or cheese to Loaded Potato Waves?
Yes. Extra Cheddar Blend adds $0.99 and extra Bacon adds $1.99 on top of the base price. Parsley can be added at no extra charge.
Is the Loaded Potato Waves appetizer good for sharing?
Yes, and it is built that way. Given the large portion and the 1,420 calorie count, it works best split between two or three people rather than ordered as a single serving.
Are Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves gluten free?
The potato itself is naturally free of gluten, but Applebee’s kitchens use shared fryers and prep surfaces, so cross contact with gluten containing items is possible. If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, confirm directly with your local restaurant before ordering.
How do Loaded Potato Waves compare to Loaded Potato Skins?
Loaded Potato Skins use halved, hollowed potato shells and are typically smaller and cheaper, often included in Applebee’s late night half price appetizer deal. The Waves use thick whole cut slices, come in a bigger portion, and are priced higher as a newer menu addition.
Can you order Loaded Potato Waves for delivery?
Yes. This item is available through the Applebee’s app, Applebees.com, and third party platforms including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, though pricing may run slightly higher than dine in.
Are Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves spicy?
No. The base dish is mild, built around cheddar cheese, bacon, and ranch. If you want heat, you can add a spicy dipping sauce like Classic Buffalo or Extra Hot Buffalo for an extra $0.50.
Final Verdict on Applebee’s Loaded Potato Waves
After going through the price, the calories, and an actual plate of it, my take is simple. This appetizer earns its spot on the menu because the potato itself is done right, not just buried under toppings. That is rarer than it should be for this kind of dish. What this really means for you is a choice: order it solo and you are looking at a heavy, expensive plate for one person, or split it with the table and it becomes one of the better shared starters Applebee’s has right now.
My honest advice after comparing it against the rest of the appetizer lineup: treat this dish as a group order, keep an eye on that 1,420 calorie number if you are watching intake, and pair it with something lighter on the entrée side. Do that, and it is one of the stronger picks on the menu. For the rest of what Applebee’s offers, from sides to entrées to drinks, the complete Applebee’s menu has current pricing across every category, so you can plan the whole meal before you sit down.
