Loaded Potato Skins

When I make these crispy loaded potato skins for my friend’s Super Bowl party, everyone kept their plates close so they could sneak in for seconds and thirds. They are without a doubt a crowd pleaser!

Loaded Potato Skins Recipe

Are you in love with potato appetizers like me? I am particularly fond of them on Game Day! 

I am always ready to grab a handful of hot and crispy french fries, tater tots, and even a poutine or two.

But one thing I really love are crispy potato skins! They have all my favorite things: potatoes, cheese, sour cream, and crispy bacon!

Few appetizer recipes can compete with hot, cheesy potato skins. Scooping out baked russet potatoes leaves behind the best part – the crispy, seasoned skin.

Filling these potato shells with cheese, bacon, and green onions pumps up the flavor even more. A cool dollop of sour cream rounds them out.

Try these in dip form like this loaded potato skin skillet dip along with all my other skillet dips!

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Ingredients Needed

Potatoes – Russet potatoes the best potatoes for this recipe. You can also use baby red potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Bacon – Cooked bacon not crumbles or bits. Thick cut or thick slab bacon works too.

Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese, grated fresh, is the classic cheese for these potato skins.

Sour cream – Use full fat, low fat, or fat free sour cream. Substitute plain Greek yogurt if needed.

Green onions – The perfect garnish for potato skins. You can also use fresh chives or parsley.

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How to Make Loaded Potato Skins

First: Preheat the oven to 400F. Bake the potatoes for approximately 40 mins. Remove and cut in half.

Second: Scoop out the inside potato flesh, leaving 1/4 inch of potato inside. Brush with olive oil or melted butter. Bake skin side up for another 5 minutes to crisp them up if you like.

Third: Fill the potatoes with bacon and cheddar cheese. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melty.

Fourth: Remove and top with sour cream and garnish with chopped green onions.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How long do they last?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly and store cold. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Can you freeze potato skins?

You can freeze them before or after filling them, just as long as the shells are cooked. Freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer and then transfer to a zip top bag for easier storage.

If you are going to freeze stuffed potato skins, do the same just leave off any sour cream and green onions.

Can I make them in the air fryer?

Air fryer potato skins are just as easy and perfect for a smaller batch. Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Watch the times as the heat source is usually closer to the food when baking so cooking time may be shorter.

What are the best potatoes for potato skins?

If you are wanting to make the perfect loaded potato skins, you have to start with the right potato!

You can use fingerling, red skinned, Yukon gold, and sweet potatoes, but the best one to use is the Russet.

The skins are slightly thicker so they hold up well when baked and the inside turns light and fluffy.

I like to choose Russet potatoes that are firm, a consistent earthy brown color, and one that is free of blemishes and sprouts.

The skins are what you are using as a serving dish for all those yummy topping so they need to be pretty too!

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• Use Russet potatoes. The starchy inside is perfect for getting crispy baked skins.
• Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet for easier clean up.
• Microwave them before scooping out the flesh for easier prep.
• Brush the skins and flesh with butter or oil and season with salt and pepper before loading for extra flavor.
• Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting!
• Crispy bacon is best. Don’t use bacon bits.
• Broil them for 2-3 minutes if you want them extra crispy!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Crispy baked potato skins make for the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer with little effort. Crispy hot skins filled with cheese, bacon, and chives are sure to be a hit at your next game day party or weekend potluck.

{Originally published 1/16/20 – photos and recipe notes updated 01/05/23 to improve reader experience}

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