Loaded Potato Skins Recipe
Crispy potato skins topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, served with sour cream.
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Ingredients
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Potatoes & Preparation
Filling & Toppings
Sauce / Finish
Method
Potatoes & Preparation
- 1
- 2
Bake potatoes
Rub each potato with olive oil, then season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 45–60 minutes, until skins are crisp and a knife inserted into the center meets little resistance. Baking time depends on potato size.
- 3
Cool & halve
Remove potatoes from the oven and let cool for 10–15 minutes until cool enough to handle. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch (6 mm) of potato attached to the skin to help them hold shape.
- 4
Crisp the shells
Increase oven temperature to 450°F (235°C). Brush the inside and outside of each potato skin with melted butter and sprinkle the insides lightly with garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Arrange skins cut-side up on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip skins cut-side down and bake an additional 8–10 minutes until the skins are crisp and golden. Remove from oven.
Filling & Toppings
- 5
Assemble
Turn the potato skins cut-side up again. Divide shredded cheddar cheese evenly among the skins, packing some into the hollowed centers. Sprinkle chopped cooked bacon over the cheese, reserving a small amount of bacon for garnish if desired.
- 6
Bake to melt cheese
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake at 450°F (235°C) for 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. For extra browning, switch to the broil setting for 1–2 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.
- 7
Finish
Remove potato skins from the oven. Immediately sprinkle sliced green onions over the hot, cheesy skins and scatter reserved bacon pieces on top.
Sauce / Finish
- 8
Mix the sour cream with chopped chives and optional hot sauce in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired (add salt or more hot sauce to taste).
- 9
Serve the loaded potato skins hot with a dollop of the prepared sour cream on the side or spooned atop each skin just before serving. Garnish with extra green onions or chives if desired.