1. Make Spice Mix and Prepare Potatoes:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together all the Spice Mix ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano or mixed herbs, salt, and black pepper. Set this blend aside.
• Wash the potatoes well (peel them if you prefer). Cut the potatoes into your desired “chip” shape – wedges, thick-cut fries, or rounds all work wonderfully.
• Pat the cut potato pieces completely dry with paper towels. This is very important for achieving crispy baked potatoes!
• Place the dried potato pieces in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sprinkle with half of the prepared spice mix. Toss well until the potatoes are evenly coated with the oil and spices.

2. Cook the Potatoes:

• Arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking tray. Avoid overcrowding the pan for best crispiness (use two trays if needed).
• Oven Method: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through, until they are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
• Air Fryer Method (Alternative): Cook the seasoned potatoes in your air fryer basket (likely in batches) at around 390°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the potatoes periodically, until golden and crispy.

3. Cook the Ground Beef:

• While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the beef. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the ground beef (beef mince) to the hot pan. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is nicely browned.
• Drain off any excess fat from the skillet very carefully.
• Sprinkle the remaining half of the prepared spice mix over the browned beef. Stir well to combine and continue cooking for another minute or two until the meat is slightly darkened and the spices are fragrant and any excess moisture has evaporated. Remove from the heat.

4. Make the Burger Sauce:

• While the beef and potatoes are cooking, quickly prepare the special burger sauce. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard (Dijon or yellow), pickle juice, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
• Whisk or stir these ingredients together until well combined and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if you feel it needs a pinch more salt or pepper (though the pickle juice often adds enough saltiness). Set aside.

5. Assemble the Burger Bowls:

• Once the potatoes are cooked and crispy, it’s time to assemble! Divide the hot baked potatoes among your serving bowls.
• Fill the remaining space in each bowl with a generous handful of shredded lettuce.
• Top the lettuce and potatoes with a hearty portion of the cooked, seasoned ground beef.
• Add your desired amount of cheese (shredded or sliced, dairy or dairy-free) and a few pickle slices over the beef and potatoes.

6. Sauce and Serve:

• Drizzle the homemade burger sauce generously over the top of everything in each bowl.
• Serve the Loaded Burger Bowls immediately while the potatoes and beef are warm, and the lettuce is crisp. Enjoy!