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Loaded Potato Skins are the perfect game-day or party appetizer. These crispy potato skins are loaded with cheese and bacon along with a dollop of sour cream. So easy and delicious!

Overhead view of a plate of three crispy potato skins.

Crispy Potato Skins with Bacon and Cheese

As observed from the very large variety of potato recipes on this site, you will agree that I have a major potato obsession. I love ALL potatoes in every form, but most importantly, with all the flavors and toppings included.

There are so many ways you can make this amazing vegetable tasty. But one thing is clear. You need seasoning, as in plenty of salt and pepper, and all of the other tasty things.

Potato Obsession:

See? Potato Obsession! 😀

Why This Recipe Works:

SIMPLE TO MAKE – These easy potato skins require a handful of simple ingredients. The process is really quite simple.
CRISPY BAKED POTATO SKINS – You can achieve crispy potatoes by adding olive oil to the surface of the skin followed by a generous amount of kosher salt. It’s also important to bake them directly on the rack of your oven at a high temp until golden brown.
PERFECT FOR GAME DAY – This is the ultimate appetizer for football season or any game day. Make them for a Super Bowl party, college game day, or for any game day.
CUSTOMIZABLE – This is the perfect appetizer to customize. Add your favorite toppings to these classic potato skins and/or your favorite dipping sauce.

A plate with three potato skins and my hand reaching for one of them.

Ingredients needed to make Crispy Loaded Potato Skins:

This recipe is more about a process to get those skins crispy.

Small Russet Potatoes – Look for small to medium russet potatoes. Don’t get those jumbo ones because they won’t work well!
Olive Oil – You’ll need plenty of olive oil to brush on the potatoes.
Salt and Pepper – Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper work best.
Shredded Cheese – Use a sharp cheddar cheese that melts well. For best results, shred your own!
Bacon – I pre-cooked some bacon for these potato skins. Use regular thick cut bacon or turkey bacon.
Sour Cream – Feel free to use the light version here.
Onion – I used green onion, but you could also use chives.

Remember, you can fill these potatoes with a variety of ingredients. Cheddar and bacon is pretty classic, but there are SO many options. See below for ideas!

Ingredients needed for crispy potato skins.

How to make Loaded Potato Skins Recipe:

Step 1
Prep potatoes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse and dry potatoes and then rub some olive oil over the skin (I use my hands.) followed by a generous amount of kosher salt. Use a sharp knife to prick the potatoes in several places.

A plate with four small russet potatoes after adding olive oil and salt.

A knife piercing a potato on a plate of four potatoes.

Step 2
Bake potatoes. Place the potatoes on the oven rack positioned in the upper half of the preheated oven. Place a baking tray underneath to catch possible drippings.

Bake for 50 – 60 minutes, or until they are fork tender in the middle. (Bake time may vary with the size of the potatoes.) Remove and let cool for about 30 minutes.

Four potatoes on the rack of an oven with a pan below it on another rack.

Step 3
Remove pulp. Slice the slightly cooled potatoes in half length-wise and scoop out some of the potato flesh, making sure to leave about 1/4 inch intact.

A cutting board with some potato skins showing them being scooped out.

A brush adding olive oil to hallowed out potato skins on a baking sheet.

Step 4
Add toppings. Brush the insides of the potato skins with some olive oil. Then add the cheese, crispy bacon bits (or other desired toppings), and some freshly ground black pepper.

Step 5
Broil skins. Place loaded skins under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crispy.

Step 6
Serve. Add sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) and chopped green onions (or chopped cilantro) to the top of the skins to serve. Or load them up with whatever you like best!

Variations of Potato Skin Toppings:

Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins – Use shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, and plenty of cheese.
Pizza Potato Skins – Fill the skins with homemade pizza sauce and all the toppings, like sausage or pepperoni, veggies, and cheese.
Barbecue Pork Skins – Use barbecue pork with plenty of sauce and yes, cheese.
Artichoke Dip Skins – Make up a batch of artichoke dip and fill the skins with it.
Mexican Potato Skins – Fill the skins with diced jalapeños, peppers, black beans, and a protein of your choice. You could even add enchilada sauce.

The possibilities are really endless with these appetizers. Let me know what you try first!

Other Favorite Appetizer Recipes:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Baking Sheet – I use this almost daily.
Parchment Paper Baking Sheets – These fit the baking sheet perfectly.

xoxo ~Sue