Loaded Potato Skins Recipe

A plate with three crispy potato skins with bacon a and cheese.

4.67 from 3 votes

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!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon and cheese potato skins, crispy potato skins, potato skins appetizer

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 35

Servings servings

Calories 220kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

4 small russet potatoes
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil - divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese - I used sharp cheddar and white cheddar
4 slices bacon - par-cooked and crumbled
sour cream - to serve
green onions - to serve

Instructions

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.
4 small russet potatoes, 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bake the potatoes. Place the potatoes on the oven rack positioned in the upper half of the preheated oven. Place a pan underneath to catch drippings.
Bake for 50 - 60 minutes, or until they are fork-tender in the middle. Remove and let cool for about 30 minutes.
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.
Add toppings. Brush the insides of the potato skins with some olive oil. Then add the cheese and crispy bacon bits (or other desired toppings) and some freshly ground black pepper.
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 4 slices bacon
Broil skins. Place loaded skins under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crispy.
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!
sour cream, green onions

Notes

Varieties of fillings you could try:

Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins - Use shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, and plenty of cheese.
Pizza Potato Skins - Fill the skins with 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.

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