Crispy Loaded Potato Skins Bar
A quick and easy snack perfect for gatherings, featuring crispy potato skins loaded with cheese, bacon, and customizable toppings for a fun, interactive experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese blend (sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sour cream, for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo, avocado slices or guacamole, black olives, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub the potatoes clean and pat dry. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork to prevent bursting while baking.
- Place the whole potatoes directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet and bake for about 45-50 minutes, until the skins are crisp and a fork slides easily inside.
- Cool slightly, then halve the potatoes lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch (6 mm) of potato attached to the skin to keep it sturdy.
- Brush the potato skins with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Flip the skins skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for another 10 minutes to crisp them up further.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly inside each skin, followed by crumbled bacon and sliced green onions.
- Bake again for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Serve with dollops of sour cream and any optional toppings you love.
Notes
To save time, bake potatoes a day ahead and refrigerate the scooped skins. Brush with oil and bake again before adding toppings. For extra crispiness, finish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes but watch closely to avoid burning. Avoid microwaving leftovers to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (a
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: potato skins, loaded potato skins, crispy potato skins, snack recipe, game day snack, easy appetizer, cheese and bacon potato skins