Description
Crispy, cheesy baked potato skins loaded with melted cheddar, smoky bacon, and fresh green onions, perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Seasoning and Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly, then pierce each one several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack for even cooking.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake the potatoes for 45–50 minutes, or until the insides are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and let cool just enough to handle safely.
- Scoop Out Flesh: Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch thickness so the skins hold their shape. Reserve the removed potato for another use such as mashed potatoes.
- Season and Crisp Skins: Brush both the inside and outside of the potato skins with olive oil. Season them evenly with salt and black pepper. Arrange the skins skin-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to begin crisping.
- Flip and Further Bake: Flip the potato skins over and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until they become crisp on both sides.
- Add Toppings and Melt Cheese: Flip the skins skin-side down once more. Fill each potato skin evenly with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven. Top each potato skin with a dollop of sour cream and scatter the thinly sliced green onions on top. Serve warm as a delicious appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian alternative, omit bacon or substitute with plant-based bacon bits.
- Potato skins can be prepared ahead of time and reheated just before serving.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle smoked paprika on top for an extra kick of flavor.
