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Ultimate Crispy Loaded Baked Potato Skins with Bacon and Cheese

Two fully loaded potato skins topped with melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, and chives.
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Make the best crispy potato skins appetizer, loaded with melted cheese, bacon, and fresh green onions. This easy recipe is perfect for game day or any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large Russet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onion tops

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrub the potatoes clean and prick each potato several times with a fork.
  2. Rub the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them directly on the oven rack.
  3. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  4. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool until you can safely handle them. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  5. Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out most of the inside flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch shell of potato skin. Place the hollowed-out skins on a baking sheet.
  6. Brush the inside and outside of the potato skins lightly with any remaining olive oil mixture if desired for extra crispness.
  7. Bake the empty skins for 10 minutes to dry them out slightly.
  8. Remove the skins from the oven. Fill each skin generously with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
  9. Return the loaded potato skins to the oven and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  10. Remove from the oven. Top each skin with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions. Serve immediately as a delicious potato skins appetizer.

Notes

  • For extra crispy potato skins, you can lightly brush the inside of the scooped-out skins with melted butter before the second baking step.
  • You can prepare the bacon and shred the cheese ahead of time to make assembly quicker.
  • If you want to make these ahead, you can bake the potatoes, scoop them, and store the shells and toppings separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Assemble and bake before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://eatableempress.com/potato-skins-crispy-loaded-appetizer-recipe/