Description
Crispy, cheesy, and irresistibly satisfying Oven Baked Potato Skins loaded with cheddar, bacon, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for quick snacks, game days, or casual gatherings, this easy recipe delivers crunchy potato skins with gooey cheese and savory accents in under 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Bake the Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the russet potatoes well, then prick each a few times with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for 45-60 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Scoop Out the Potato Flesh: Once cool enough to handle, slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell to ensure crispiness and sturdy skin to hold the toppings.
- Crisp the Potato Skins: Brush the insides and edges of the potato skins with melted butter, then season with salt and pepper. Arrange them skin side up on a baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes to crisp the skins.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove the skins from the oven and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and cooked bacon bits inside each. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top each potato skin with dollops of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Serve warm and enjoy the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- Use Russet Potatoes: Their high starch content is key for crispy skins.
- Pat Dry Thoroughly: Dry potatoes well after washing to help them crisp better.
- Don’t Over-Scoop: Leave about 1/4-inch of potato flesh to keep skins intact.
- Pre-cook Bacon: Cook bacon until crispy separately to avoid soggy toppings.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy fresh out of the oven for maximum crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2 potato skins)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: potato skins, baked potato skins, crispy potato skins, cheesy snack, game day appetizers, gluten free appetizer
