Description
Baked Potato Skins are a classic comfort food, offering a perfect blend of crispy, savory, and cheesy goodness. These delicious appetizers or snacks are made by scooping out the flesh of baked potatoes and stuffing the skins with a flavorful combination of cheese, bacon, and green onions. They’re then baked to golden perfection for a crispy exterior and a melty, cheesy interior. Whether you’re serving them as a starter for a dinner party or enjoying them as a casual snack, Baked Potato Skins are sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients to make Baked Potato Skins:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Sour cream (for serving, optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes are perfect for baked potato skins because of their thick skins, which hold up well when baked and stuffed with filling.
- Cheddar Cheese: The sharpness of cheddar cheese is a classic pairing with potato skins, giving them a rich and savory flavor.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that complements the creamy cheese and soft potato flesh.
- Green Onions: Green onions bring a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream is the perfect cooling accompaniment to balance the richness of the potatoes and cheese.
Instructions
Prepare the Potatoes:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Bake the Potatoes: Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape while baking. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool the Potatoes: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re cool enough to handle.
Prepare the Potato Skins:
- Cut the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch border of potato around the skin. Save the scooped-out potato for another use (like mashed potatoes or a potato soup).
- Brush the Skins: Brush both the inside and outside of the potato skins with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake the Skins:
- Bake the Potato Skins: Place the potato skins on the baking sheet, skin side down, and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the skins are golden brown.
Stuff the Potato Skins:
- Add the Fillings: Once the skins are crispy, remove them from the oven. Sprinkle each skin with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions. If you’re using mozzarella cheese or additional seasonings like garlic powder or paprika, add them now.
- Bake Again: Return the stuffed potato skins to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 250-300 kcal
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 10g