This is the classic potato skin recipe perfect for game day, movie night, or anytime snacking!
Loaded potato skins with melty cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits are topped with green onions and lots of sour cream for dipping and scooping!
Potato skins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style!
![Get ready to rock with this simple and cheesy potato skin recipe! Russet potatoes are baked, scooped, and the skins are filled with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day, or movie night, these loaded potato skins will make you the ultimate host. Spice it up with a dash of red pepper, and pair with sour cream or salsa. Don't forget to try sweet potatoes for a tasty twist! #ourzestylife close up of Potato Skins](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-7.jpg)
Crispy Potato Skins
- Crunchy and flavorful baked potato skins are budget-friendly and ready in minutes!
- This recipe is baked instead of deep-fried so there’s minimal prep and cleanup is quick and easy!
- Bake in batches and keep them covered in foil and warm them in the oven until ready to serve!
![Prepare for a flavor-packed experience with this easy potato skin recipe! Bake russet potatoes, scoop them out, and stuff them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese and bake until crispy. These loaded potato skins are a game day favorite! Add some heat with red pepper flakes and serve alongside sour cream or salsa. Feeling adventurous? Try sweet potatoes for a tasty variation! #ourzestylife potatoes bacon butter cheese butter garlic powder salt and pepper with labels to make Potato Skins](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IG-Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
Easy Ingredients
Potatoes – Technically any potato works for potato skins, but bakers like Idahos (russets) have thicker skins which will result in crispier spuds. Even sweet potatoes make ah-mazing potato skins and are healthier than regular potatoes!
Bacon – Smoky, crispy bacon bits, diced ham, leftover shredded chicken, turkey, or chorizo are all tasty proteins perfect for potato skins!
Cheese – Sharp cheddar has a bold flavor and melts perfectly. A Mexican blend, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack work, too. Use what’s on hand or mix and match!
Variations – Baked potato skins are a perfectly delicious meatless Monday meal using chopped broccoli or cauliflower, diced tomatoes, spinach, or black or refried beans.
Potato Skin Toppings – Anything can be stuffed into a potato skin! ‘Beef’ up your skin game with taco seasoned ground beef, zesty pulled pork, or spicy chili. Top with sour cream, salsa, jalapenos, green chiles, guacamole, or your fave hot sauce!
![Get ready to enjoy a tasty appetizer with this simple cheesy potato skin recipe. Bake russet potatoes, scoop them out and mash, then stuff them with butter, bacon, and cheese. Baked until crispy, these loaded potato skins are sure to be the star of the show. Garnish with red pepper flakes for an extra kick and serve with sour cream and onion. #ourzestylife scooped out potatoes to make Potato Skins](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this simple cheesy potato skin recipe. Bake russet potatoes, hollow them out, and fill them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese, then bake until crispy. These loaded potato skins are a game day must, making you the star of the show. Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for an extra kick and serve with sour cream or salsa. Want to mix it up? Swap in sweet potatoes for a delightful twist! #ourzestylife cooked potato skins before adding toppings](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
![Get ready for some serious snacking with this easy cheesy potato skin recipe! Bake russet potatoes, scoop them out, and stuff them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese and bake until melted and golden. These loaded potato skins are a game day winner, making you the ultimate host. Add a pop of flavor with red pepper flakes and serve with sour cream or salsa. Feeling adventurous? Try sweet potatoes for a tasty change! #ourzestylife Potato Skins on a sheet pan](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
How to Make Loaded Potato Skins
Make crispy potato skins with melted cheddar, bacon bits, and green onions!
- Cook, cool, and scoop out potatoes per recipe directions below. Meanwhile, cook and drain chopped bacon.
- Bake the potato shells with seasoned butter until crispy.
- Divide cheese and bacon evenly between the shells and broil until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with sour cream, onions, or other desired toppings.
![Let the good times roll with this easy cheesy potato skin recipe! Russet spuds are baked, hollowed out, and then cooked some more with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. This satisfying snack will make you the host with the most on game day. Easy loaded potato skins are a classic crowd-pleaser. Garnish with a sprinkle of red pepper, and serve with sour cream or salsa. Switch it up with sweet potatoes. #ourzestylife Potato Skins with sour cream](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-8.jpg)
Ways to Use Potato Insides
Extra potatoes can be frozen until ready to add to another dish. Use the extra potato insides for leftover mashed potato pancakes or Irish potatoes. Or simply melt some cheese on top in the microwave, and sprinkle with green onions or chives for a tasty snack! Add the extras to a big pan of cheesy scalloped potatoes for the best side dish ever.
Storing Potato Skins
- Keep leftover potato skins in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to two months in a zippered bag once cooled.
- Reheat under the broiler, or in the air fryer.
- If frozen, defrost in the microwave before placing under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
![Get set for a flavor explosion with this easy potato skin recipe! Bake up some russet potatoes, scoop out the insides, and load them up with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. These loaded potato skins are a game day must-have, guaranteed to impress your guests. Add a kick with some red pepper flakes and serve alongside sour cream or salsa. Want a change? Swap in sweet potatoes for a delicious variation! #ourzestylife Potato Skins with a bite taken out of one](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-6.jpg)
Tasty Potato Recipes
Did you try this recipe for Potato Skins? Leave a comment and rating below!
![close up of Potato Skins](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-7-500x500.jpg)
Potato Skins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 small russet potatoes about 2 pounds
- 8 ounces bacon chopped (5-6 slices)
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded, about 1½ cups
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional Garnish
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup green onions finely chopped (or chives)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon pepper flakes optional for heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Clean and dry potatoes. With a fork, poke each potato a few times.
- Place potatoes directly on oven rack and bake for about 50 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain, place bacon on a paper towel, and set aside.
- Cut potatoes in half lengthways and spoon out potato flesh, leaving ¼ – ½ inch of the potato flesh on the skins.
- In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brush the butter mixture on the inside of each potato shell and place potato shells on a baking tray.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy.
- Evenly divide cheese between potato skins. Turn oven to broil, and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with bacon, sour cream, green onions, and parsley. Add pepper flakes for a little kick.
Notes
- Leftover potato filling can be frozen until needed.
- Refrigerate leftover potato skins in a covered container for 3 days.
- Cooled potato skins can be frozen for up to two months in a zippered bag.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Get ready for a flavor-packed journey with this simple cheesy potato skin recipe! Bake a tray of russet potatoes, hollow them out, and fill them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese and bake again until crispy and sizzling. Spice things up with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and serve with sour cream or salsa. Feeling adventurous? Swap in sweet potatoes for a tasty twist! #ourzestylife easy to make Potato Skins with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SP-Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Get ready for some serious snacking with this easy cheesy potato skin recipe! Bake russet potatoes, scoop them out, and stuff them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese and bake until melted and golden. These loaded potato skins are a game day winner, making you the ultimate host. Add a pop of flavor with red pepper flakes and serve with sour cream or salsa. Feeling adventurous? Try sweet potatoes for a tasty change! #ourzestylife close up of Potato Skins with bacon and a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SP-Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Get ready to rock with this simple and cheesy potato skin recipe! Russet potatoes are baked, scooped, and the skins are filled with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day, or movie night, these loaded potato skins will make you the ultimate host. Spice it up with a dash of red pepper, and pair with sour cream or salsa. Don't forget to try sweet potatoes for a tasty twist! #ourzestylife Potato Skins with bacon and writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NP-Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-1-.jpg)
![Get set for a flavor explosion with this easy potato skin recipe! Bake up some russet potatoes, scoop out the insides, and load them up with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. These loaded potato skins are a game day must-have, guaranteed to impress your guests. Add a kick with some red pepper flakes and serve alongside sour cream or salsa. Want a change? Swap in sweet potatoes for a delicious variation! #ourzestylife crispy Potato Skins with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NP-Potato-Skins-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this simple cheesy potato skin recipe. Bake russet potatoes, hollow them out, and fill them with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese, then bake until crispy. These loaded potato skins are a game day must, making you the star of the show. Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for an extra kick and serve with sour cream or salsa. Want to mix it up? Swap in sweet potatoes for a delightful twist! #ourzestylife Potato Skins on a sheet pan and plated with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP-Potato-Skins-OZL-1.jpg)
![Let the good times roll with this easy cheesy potato skin recipe! Russet spuds are baked, hollowed out, and then cooked some more with butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese. This satisfying snack will make you the host with the most on game day. Easy loaded potato skins are a classic crowd-pleaser. Garnish with a sprinkle of red pepper, and serve with sour cream or salsa. #ourzestylife Potato Skins with green onions and bacon with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP-Potato-Skins-2-OurZestyLife-.jpg)