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Crispy Potato Skins Loaded with Cheddar & Bacon

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These crispy potato skins loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon are an easy, crowd-pleasing snack perfect for game day, parties, or casual get-togethers. Double-baked for extra crunch and topped with creamy sour cream and green onions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large Russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Optional spices: smoked paprika or garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Scrub the potatoes clean and prick each a few times with a fork to release steam while baking.
  3. Bake whole potatoes directly on the oven rack or baking sheet for 45-50 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  4. Let potatoes cool enough to handle, then slice each in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to gently scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch thick shell.
  5. Brush the potato skins with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place skin-side down on a baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the skins.
  7. Turn skins over and evenly divide shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon among them.
  8. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
  9. Remove from oven, dollop with sour cream, sprinkle sliced green onions, and optionally add smoked paprika.
  10. Serve hot for best crispiness.

Notes

Double baking the potato skins is key to achieving perfect crispiness. Leave about 1/4-inch potato flesh inside the skins to keep structure. Use olive oil for brushing to withstand high oven heat better than butter. Cook bacon until very crispy to avoid soggy skins. If skins aren’t crisping evenly, place them on a wire rack over the baking sheet. Let baked potatoes cool before scooping to prevent tearing. For dairy-free, substitute cheddar with plant-based cheese and sour cream with coconut yogurt. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato skins, cheddar cheese, bacon, crispy snack, appetizer, game day food, easy recipe

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