Baked Potato Skins

Loaded baked potato skins feature potatoes filled with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a blend of seasonings, making them the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack.

Prep Time5

Cook Time1 15

Total Time1 20

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Baked Potato Skins Recipe

Servings: potato skins

Calories: 105kcal

Ingredients

4 medium to large potatoes
Salt, for sprinkling
¼ vegetable oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 green onions, diced (optional)
Sour cream, optional

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Wash the potatoes under running water; pat dry with paper towels and place on a baking sheet. Using a fork, poke each potato several times all over. Lightly rub oil on the potatoes and sprinkle with some salt. Place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until they’re easily pierced with a fork. Remove from oven; let cool.
When potatoes have cooled enough to handle, cut potatoes in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the insides with a large spoon, leaving about 1/2 inch flesh.
In a small bowl combine the following ingredients: oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika; mix well. Brush oil mixture over both sides of the potato skin, evenly. Place skins on the same baking sheet, scooped side up; Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crispy. Turn over (brown skins up) halfway through the cooking process.
Remove from oven and sprinkle the cheese and bacon pieces on top of the skins. Place back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, around 2-3 minutes.
Serve hot, topped with sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Notes

Use the scooped-out potato insides to make baked potato soup, fry it up in a skillet with a little oil or butter, or make mashed potatoes with it.
Don’t skip piercing the potato with a fork. Failure to do so may result in an exploded potato.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your potatoes as the suggested bake time approaches.
If possible, let the potatoes cool before you handle them. They will be extremely hot straight out of the oven, and the skins will break more easily when they're hot. For best results, give them some extra time and to cool.

Nutrition