Description
Deliciously crispy baked potato skins loaded with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and topped with fresh green onions. Served warm with a dollop of sour cream, this classic American appetizer is perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Seasoning & Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce each one several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake Potatoes: Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow them to cool slightly before handling.
- Scoop Potato Flesh: Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about a 1/4 inch layer inside the skin to maintain structure.
- Brush and Season Skins: Brush both the inside and outside of each potato skin with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper evenly for flavor.
- Initial Crisp Bake: Place the potato skins cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. This helps to crisp the skins.
- Flip and Bake Again: Flip the skins over so they are cut-side up and bake for an additional 10 minutes to further crisp and dry them out.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Fill each skin evenly with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon pieces. Return to the oven for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skins from the oven and top with chopped green onions. Serve immediately warm with a dollop of sour cream on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and substitute with sautéed mushrooms or black beans for added texture and flavor.
- You can prepare the potato skins ahead of time and reheat them in the oven before serving to save time during gatherings.
